Datasets:

ccdv

/

patent-classification

like 21

fig1 is a perspective view illustrating one preferred embodiment of a diagnostic filter device according to the invention . the device shown in fig1 includes a casing 2 containing a cylindrical , pleated filter element 4 , which may be made of a paper or fibrous material having a selected porosity . filter element 4 encloses a generally cylindrical space into which fluid is introduced via an inlet tube 6 forming part of casing 2 and communicating with the interior of filter element 4 . fluid introduced to the interior of filter element 4 flows axially along filter element 4 and radially outwardly through filter element 4 to the region of casing 2 surrounding filter element 4 . this fluid exits through an outlet ( not shown ) provided in the bottom of casing 2 . according to the invention , filter element 4 is surrounded by a coil of wire 8 having input / output leads 10 . leads 10 are connected to a known eddy current test instrument 12 having a cathode ray display 14 and calibration dials 16 . instrument 12 can be constituted by any suitable commercially available eddy current instrument . by way of example , this could be constituted by an instrument marketed by the hocking company of herefordshire , england , under the model designation av10 . prior to being placed in use , with no conductive or semiconductive material within filter element 4 , instrument 12 may be calibrated to produce a zero display . thereafter , fluid containing particles of conductive or semiconductive material is caused to flow through casing 2 , whereupon particles of conductive or semiconductive materials enter the electromagnetic field produced by coil 8 and some of these particles become trapped in the folds at the outer periphery of filter element 4 . any particles within the electromagnetic field influence the signals detected by instrument 12 , producing , on cathode ray display 14 , a trace which is characteristic of the nature and quantity of the particles within the electromagnetic field . the form , including the amplitude , configuration and orientation , of the trace is a function of changes in the effective complex impedance of the coil system due to the conductive or semiconductive particles within the field . fig2 illustrates the traces which have been obtained on display 14 , after initial calibration as described above , for three different impurity materials : copper , aluminum and iron oxide . for a given material , the phase angle detected by instrument 12 , corresponding to the direction of the trace on display 14 , is a function of the material composition , and the amplitude of the detected signal , corresponding to the length of the trace on display 14 , is proportional to the quantity of impurity material in the coil field . material composition can be determined with reasonable reliability if particles of a single material are present in the fluid flowing through filter element 4 . the concentration of particles in the stream , corresponding to the rate at which particles collect in filter element 4 , can be determined by measuring the length of the trace on display 14 at fixed time intervals . the traces shown in fig2 where obtained by producing in coil 8 an electromagnetic field at a frequency of 5 mhz . a diagnostic filter according to the present invention can be used for monitoring material failure or wear in a wide variety of systems which are cooled or lubricated by , or which transport , an electrically nonconductive liquid . these include simple lubrication systems or virtually any pump , valve or plumbing system . the invention can be applied to the monitoring of condenser and boiler tubing . diagnostic filters according to the invention could be disposed at strategic locations to individually monitor special problem areas . oil and natural gas pipeline systems composed of a large number of remote pumping stations could be equipped with diagnostic filters for monitoring a variety of components . diagnostic filters according to the invention could be applied to actuator systems of the type employed in aerospace applications and containing nonferrous metals . in addition , the invention could be applied for monitoring compressor systems for cooling equipment as well as turbo chargers and superchargers for automotive applications . for all such applications , it is preferable that the region occupied by the electromagnetic field not contain any parts of conductive or semiconductive material . however , in certain cases , if parts of such materials are present , it may be possible to nullify the influence of those parts by the initial zeroing of the eddy current instrument . according to one possibility contemplated by the invention , the surface of a body which is exposed to the fluid stream and which is subject to wear may be provided with a coating containing particles which will produce a defined eddy current instrument response . according to another possibility , such surface may be coated with successive layers of respectively different conductive or semiconductive materials each producing a distinctly different eddy current response . then a change in the response of the eddy current instrument will serve to indicate that one layer has been worn through . fig3 illustrates a surface of a part 20 to be monitored provided with a plurality of coating layers including layers 22 consisting of or containing a first nonferrous material alternating with layers 24 consisting of or containing a second nonferrous material selected to produce an eddy current instrument response different from that produced by the first material . as each layer wears away , particles from the underlying layer will enter the lubricant stream and become trapped within filter element 4 . as particles of a second type build up in filter element 4 , the direction of the trace produced on display 14 will begin to change . the wear experienced by the layer structure of fig3 could also be monitored by periodically recording the parameters of the display and zeroing the display after each recording . then , when particles begin to wear away from a new layer , the direction of the trace on the display will change in a clearly observable manner . according to one embodiment of the arrangement shown in fig3 each layer 22 could consist of or contain particles of , copper , while each layer 24 could consist of , or contain particles of , iron oxide . other pairs of materials could also be selected furthermore , while fig1 illustrates one effective embodiment of a filter element 4 , it will be appreciated that filter elements having other configurations could be employed . it should additionally be appreciated that the diagnostic filter according to the invention may be used to detect particles of ferrous materials . however , a significant advantage of the invention resides in its ability to detect nonferrous particles . it should further be noted that devices according to the present invention can employ a simple bridge circuit , possibly with a go - no - go visual indicator , to provide an indication of changes in the effective impedance of the sensing coil . while the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention , it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof . the accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention . the presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive , the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims , rather than the foregoing description , and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

fig1 shows a simplified representation of an illustrative integrated circuit design flow incorporating features of the technology . at a high level , the process starts with the product idea ( step 100 ) and is realized in an eda ( electronic design automation ) software design process ( step 110 ). when the design is finalized , it can be taped - out ( step 140 ). after tape out , the fabrication process ( step 150 ) and packaging and assembly processes ( step 160 ) occur resulting , ultimately , in finished integrated circuit chips ( result 170 ). the eda software design process ( step 110 ) is actually composed of a number of steps 112 - 130 , shown in linear fashion for simplicity . in an actual integrated circuit design process , the particular design might have to go back through steps until certain tests are passed . similarly , in any actual design process , these steps may occur in different orders and combinations . this description is therefore provided by way of context and general explanation rather than as a specific , or recommended , design flow for a particular integrated circuit . a brief description of the components steps of the eda software design process ( step 110 ) will now be provided . system design ( step 112 ): the designers describe the functionality that they want to implement , they can perform what - if planning to refine functionality , check costs , etc . hardware - software architecture partitioning can occur at this stage . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include model architect , saber , system studio , and designware ® products . logic design and functional verification ( step 114 ): at this stage , the vhdl or verilog code for modules in the system is written and the design is checked for functional accuracy . more specifically , the design is checked to ensure that produces the correct outputs in response to particular input stimuli . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include vcs , vera , designware ®, magellan , formality , esp and leda products . synthesis and design for test ( step 116 ): here , the vhdl / verilog is translated to a netlist . the netlist can be optimized for the target technology . additionally , the design and implementation of tests to permit checking of the finished chip occurs . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include design compiler ®, physical compiler , test compiler , power compiler , fpga compiler , tetramax , and designware ® products . netlist verification ( step 118 ): at this step , the netlist is checked for compliance with timing constraints and for correspondence with the vhdl / verilog source code . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include formality , primetime , and vcs products . design planning ( step 120 ): here , an overall floor plan for the chip is constructed and analyzed for timing and top - level routing . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include astro and ic compiler products . physical implementation ( step 122 ): the placement ( positioning of circuit elements ) and routing ( connection of the same ) occurs at this step . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include the astro and ic compiler products . analysis and extraction ( step 124 ): at this step , the circuit function is verified at a transistor level , this in turn permits what - if refinement . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include astrorail , primerail , primetime , and star rc / xt products . physical verification ( step 126 ): at this step various checking functions are performed to ensure correctness for : manufacturing , electrical issues , lithographic issues , and circuitry . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include the hercules product . tape - out ( step 127 ): this step provides the “ tape out ” data for production of masks for lithographic use to produce finished chips . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include the cats ® family of products . resolution enhancement ( step 128 ): this step involves geometric manipulations of the layout to improve manufacturability of the design . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include proteus , proteusaf , and psmgen products . mask data preparation ( step 130 ): this step provides the “ tape - out ” data for production of masks for lithographic use to produce finished chips . example eda software products from synopsys , inc . that can be used at this step include the cats ® family of products . fig2 is a simplified block diagram of a computer system that can be used to implement software incorporating aspects of the technology . computer system 210 typically includes a processor subsystem 214 which communicates with a number of peripheral devices via bus subsystem 212 . these peripheral devices may include a storage subsystem 224 , comprising a memory subsystem 226 and a file storage subsystem 228 , user interface input devices 222 , user interface output devices 220 , and a network interface subsystem 216 . the input and output devices allow user interaction with computer system 210 . network interface subsystem 216 provides an interface to outside networks , including an interface to communication network 218 , and is coupled via communication network 218 to corresponding interface devices in other computer systems . communication network 218 may comprise many interconnected computer systems and communication links . these communication links may be wireline links , optical links , wireless links , or any other mechanisms for communication of information . while in one embodiment , communication network 218 is the internet , in other embodiments , communication network 218 may be any suitable computer network . the physical hardware component of network interfaces are sometimes referred to as network interface cards ( nics ), although they need not be in the form of cards : for instance they could be in the form of integrated circuits ( ics ) and connectors fitted directly onto a motherboard , or in the form of macrocells fabricated on a single integrated circuit chip with other components of the computer system . user interface input devices 222 may include a keyboard , pointing devices such as a mouse , trackball , touchpad , or graphics tablet , a scanner , a touch screen incorporated into the display , audio input devices such as voice recognition systems , microphones , and other types of input devices . in general , use of the term “ input device ” is intended to include all possible types of devices and ways to input information into computer system 210 or onto computer network 218 . user interface output devices 220 may include a display subsystem , a printer , a fax machine , or non visual displays such as audio output devices . the display subsystem may include a cathode ray tube ( crt ), a flat panel device such as a liquid crystal display ( lcd ), a projection device , or some other mechanism for creating a visible image . the display subsystem may also provide non visual display such as via audio output devices . in general , use of the term “ output device ” is intended to include all possible types of devices and ways to output information from computer system 210 to the user or to another machine or computer system . storage subsystem 224 stores the basic programming and data constructs that provide the functionality of certain aspects of the present invention . for example , the various modules implementing the functionality of a circuit simulator and extraction tool in the present application may be stored in storage subsystem 224 . these software modules are generally executed by processor subsystem 214 . the data constructs stored in the storage subsystem 224 also can include any technology files , macrocell libraries , layout files , and other databases mentioned herein . note that in some embodiments , one or more of these can be stored elsewhere but accessibly to the computer system 210 , for example via the communication network 218 . memory subsystem 226 typically includes a number of memories including a main random access memory ( ram ) 230 for storage of instructions and data during program execution and a read only memory ( rom ) 232 in which fixed instructions are stored . file storage subsystem 228 provides persistent storage for program and data files , and may include a hard disk drive , a floppy disk drive along with associated removable media , a cd rom drive , an optical drive , or removable media cartridges . the simulation and extraction programs 280 implementing the functionality of certain embodiments of the invention may have been provided on a computer readable medium including transitory media , and nontransitory media 240 such as one or more cd - roms ( or may have been communicated to the computer system 210 via the communication network 218 ), and may be stored by file storage subsystem 228 . the host memory 226 contains , among other things , computer instructions which , when executed by the processor subsystem 210 , cause the computer system to operate or perform functions as described herein . as used herein , processes and software that are said to run in or on “ the host ” or “ the computer ”, execute on the processor subsystem 214 in response to computer instructions and data in the host memory subsystem 226 including any other local or remote storage for such instructions and data . bus subsystem 212 provides a mechanism for letting the various components and subsystems of computer system 210 communicate with each other as intended . although bus subsystem 212 is shown schematically as a single bus , alternative embodiments of the bus subsystem may use multiple busses . computer system 210 itself can be of varying types including a personal computer , a portable computer , a workstation , a computer terminal , a network computer , a television , a mainframe , or any other data processing system or user device . due to the ever changing nature of computers and networks , the description of computer system 210 depicted in fig2 is intended only as a specific example for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention . many other configurations of computer system 210 are possible having more or less components than the computer system depicted in fig2 . the process flows of fig3 and 4 are commonly used to characterize circuits such as memories . embedded memories are an important type of manufactured chips , with increasing complexity and size , and increasing number in a typical soc ( system on chip ). for predictable timing closure , accurate timing characterization is a requirement . characterization is a process of generating timing libraries from spice circuit simulations . the timing libraries generated from the spice simulations are as accurate as the input netlist and model undergoing simulation . a typical memory characterization process runs different spice simulations for different input slews and output loads . the outputs of all the simulations that capture the various parameters are used to populate the *. lib which is used by downstream implementation and timing tools . fig3 is a simplified process flow of characterizing a memory based on the critical path , or cut netlist , approach . device models and corner information 302 , memory netlist ( critical path or cut netlist ) 304 , and stimulus for characterization 306 are inputs of the transistor level simulator 308 . as output , the transistor level simulator 308 generates * jib timing library 310 from measurement results for the critical path or cut netlist approach . in the critical path or cut netlist approach , the memory designers model the interconnect parasitics using parameters of sheet resistance and routing length . this reduces the number of devices that need to be simulated and reduces the size of the netlist that is simulated . the netlist used for characterizing the memory is a modeled netlist where parasitics aren &# 39 ; t extracted from layout , but are modeled based on the dimensions of cells and length of metal wire plus the sheet resistance of the layer used for routing . advantages of the critical path or cut netlist approach are its scalability because the number of devices in the netlist aren &# 39 ; t directly proportional to the design size or size of the memory , and simple setup because the routing capacitance and resistance are functions of the bit cell width and the sheet resistance of the routing layer . disadvantages of the critical path or cut netlist approach are the lack of a one - to - one correlation between the netlist used for characterization and the silicon layout ; no accounting for layout effects that are key for udsm ( ultra deep sub - micron ) nodes such as 45 nm , 32 nm , 28 nm , and so on ; and a potential performance mismatch between the actual netlist and the characterized netlist . fig4 is a simplified process flow of characterizing a memory based on the instance based approach . device models and corner information 402 , memory netlist ( instance based ) 404 , and stimulus for characterization 406 are inputs of the transistor level simulator 408 . as output , the transistor level simulator 408 generates * jib timing library 410 from measurement results for the instance based approach . in the instance based approach , the netlist used for simulating and characterizing the memory is extracted from the layout and therefore based on what goes into silicon or the exact design advantages of the instance based approach are that the netlist is generated from an actual design , resulting in a one - to - one correspondence between the netlist used for characterization and the real design ; the characterization is very close to the silicon numbers because the netlist is extracted from the layout ; and layout effects are accounted for that are predominant in the advanced process nodes ( 45 nm , 32 nm , 28 nm , and so on ). the disadvantage of the instance based approach is that the netlist size , simulation runtime , and memory footprint are directly proportional to the size of the memory , hence making the approach not scalable . fig5 is a simplified process flow of characterizing a memory based on the instance based approach , including simulation to determine active nets , extraction from a limited part of a layout of a parasitic netlist determined by the active nets , and simulation including the parasitic netlist . the size of the netlist is directly proportional to the memory size , but for any given memory write or read operation , the nets that control the timing are a small subset of the total number of nets in the memory . the extraction data size grows exponentially as memory sizes increase . but the number of nets that are active remain largely the same for a given register size ( width ). accordingly , this results in significant reduction of data size . instead of extracting all nets , a combination of a circuit simulator and parasitic extraction tool extracts nets that are active , and adjacent nets that are connected to active nets . as a result , simulation run times are reduced by 100 × and simulator memory by 20 ×. a similar improvement is seen in the extraction tool . such improvements comes with practically no loss in accuracy . option file (. acheck command to identify active nets , etc .) 502 , pre - layout netlist or lvs ( layout versus schematic ) input netlist 504 , and stimulus for characterization , device models , and corner information 506 are inputs of the transistor level simulator 508 ( e . g ., hsim ). as output , the transistor level simulator 508 generates active nets identified by simulation 510 . the hsim commands used to identify the active nets are as follows : . acheck “*” dv =“ vdd / 10 ”— this command helps the tool identify nets in the design with a voltage transition of at least 1 / 10th the supply during the entire period of simulation . other criteria may be used . . param hsimacheckoutfmt = 1 — this command generates the list of active nets in the format that can be consumed by star - rc . the following explains how to arrive at the best hsim options for a given technology node . this section also explains an example of how to identify the criteria that will determine active nets . the block should be small — can contain a few hundred of devices . more devices will increase the turnaround time without adding significant value . the block could either be a synthetic block ( created just for this purpose ) or a small functional part of the memory . an ideal block from the memory would be the address decoder block . an important requirement is to use the extracted netlist ( with r &# 39 ; s and c &# 39 ; s .) hspice is a golden standard and recommended to generate the golden results . hsim is recommended for instance based characterizations due to the architecture of hsim and its hierarchical database . generate golden results by simulating the netlist chosen with the above criteria using hspice . run the simulation on the same netlist using hsim . the hsim options are chosen such that the hsim simulation results match hspice simulation results . hsimalloweddv is one of the hsim options that control the accuracy of the simulation and determined whether a net is active / switching ; other hsim options can be tweaked to arrive at the desired accuracy . hsimalloweddv would be the key parameter that would be used the value of hsimalloweddv defines the value of the voltage transition which defines which nets are active . this helps determination of the most accurate options to be used for hsim with which hsim results match hspice results . the hsim options can be made less conservative to gain performance by creating a tolerance band of +/− 1 . 5 % (+/− 3 %) for timing . these active nets identified by simulation 510 , and a layout ( e . g ., gds ii ) are inputs to a parasitic extraction tool ( e . g ., start - rcxt ) 514 . as output , the parasitic extraction tool 514 generates a parasitic netlist determined by the active nets 516 . netlist_select_net : & lt ; list of active nets & gt ;— this command identifies the nets that needs to be extracted . netlist_coupled_unselected_nets : complete — this command ensures that the nets coupled to active nets are extracted too . netlist_type : rcc — this command ensure that all nets that are extracted are written out as rc extracted . the timing of the active net is dependent on the coupling capacitance cc connected between the active net and the additional net . since the capacitance is captured in the dspf ( detailed standard parasitic format ) the loading of the additional net is reflected on the active net . the following explains how star - rc can be used to write out the active nets and nets coupled to active nets as distributed rc . extracting only the active nets yields less accurate results , as the coupling from the adjacent nets aren &# 39 ; t accounted for . to address this issue , one embodiment extracts the active nets and the nets coupled to active nets . the commands that can accomplish the above in star - rc are listed below : the dspf file size s further optimized by extracting the coupled nets as c instead of rc . this impacts accuracy but results in reduction of file size . the commands that can accomplish the above in star - rc are listed below : the capacitive load of the additional net is reflected on the active net , in this case but the rc delay is missing in this case . this parasitic netlist determined by the active nets 516 , an option file 518 , the pre - layout netlist or lvs ( layout versus schematic ) input netlist 520 , and stimulus for characterization , device models , and corner information 522 are inputs of the transistor level simulator 508 . the option file 518 is similar to the option file 502 , but does not require the . acheck option , because the desired output does not require the active netlist . the input netlist 520 is similar to the input netlist 504 , but may be supplemented with information acquired from the extraction tool 514 , such as device information and annotation . as output , the transistor level simulator 508 generates *. lib timing library 524 from measurement results for the instance based approach . netlist size reduction — on average the active net flow reduces the netlist size by 2x ˜ 8x . simulation run time — on average the active net flow reduces the simulation run time by 2x ˜ 58x ( some of the simulations earlier didn &# 39 ; t even complete ). accuracy isn &# 39 ; t compromised — the accuracy has been well within 3 % with the flow . accordingly , this process addresses pitfalls associated with the instance based characterization approach without sacrificing accuracy . fig6 is an example of how to extract a parasitic netlist from a limited part of the layout , determined by the active netlist , in which the parasitic capacitances are directly coupled between an active net and ground . the netlist size is smallest and so runtime is the best . however , there is no glitch propagation on the coupled nets or capacitance loading . fig7 is an example of how to extract a parasitic netlist from a limited part of the layout , determined by the active netlist , in which the parasitic capacitances are coupled between an active net and an adjacent net , but the adjacent net does not have additional parasitic capacitances . runtime is slightly higher because of the coupled capacitors . however , for the coupled nets , glitch propagation is poor . fig8 is an example of how to extract a parasitic netlist from a limited part of the layout , determined by the active netlist , in which the extracted parasitics include complete resistances and capacitances of the active nets and the adjacent nets . the netlist size is largest and so runtime is the worst . glitch propagation is accurate on the coupled nets . fig9 is an example of how to extract a parasitic netlist from a limited part of the layout , determined by the active netlist , in which the extracted parasitics include complete resistances and capacitances of the active nets , but the extracted parasitics of the adjacent nets include capacitances only . the netlist size is larger than fig6 and 7 , and smaller than fig8 . glitch propagation and capacitive loading is better than fig6 and 7 and worse than fig8 . st — short thin ( depth of the memory isn &# 39 ; t high and width isn &# 39 ; t large ) e . g . − 8k deep × 8 bit wide memory sf — short fat ( depth of the memory isn &# 39 ; t high but width is large ) e . g . − 8k deep × 32 bit wide memory tt — tall thin ( depth of the memory is high but width isn &# 39 ; t large ) e . g . 64k deep × 8 bit wide memory tf — tall fat ( depth of the memory is high and width is large ) e . g . 64k deep × 32 bit wide memory active net extracted dspf simulated as a netlist — dspf as netlist active net extracted dspf back annotated as dspf and device back annotated by sba − sba + dspf ba all net extracted dspf simulated as a netlist — dspf as netlist all net extracted dspf back annotated as dspf and device back annotated by sba − sba + dspf ba the dspf is simulated as a netlist and is considered golden , as none of the simulator optimizations technologies are applied . the dspf that in this exercise contains the net parasitics information and device information . but in terms of performance the dspf netlist simulation is always slower . dspf back annotation flow improves performance compared to a dspf flat netlist run . “ sba + dspf ba ” means “ net extracted dspf back annotated as dspf and device back annotated by sba ”. in this case the parasitics extracted as dspf are back annotated to a schematic netlist . sba is first performed on the schematic netlist to transfer the layout connectivity to a schematic and back annotate the net parasitics onto the sba completed netlist . sf ( short fat ) takes longer than tt ( tall thin ). each bit in memory is represented by 6 transistors in the case of sram . in the example of 2 memories with same depth but width of one being 4 × the other one , the memory config with 4 × width actually results in 4 × increase in device count , and hence sf memory run time is larger than tt run time . the “ sba matching ” column indicates a percentage of the devices from schematic matching layout devices , and is an indication about the quality of correlation between schematic netlist and the dspf . the sba algorithm associates each schematic devices with the postlayout device or devices . it is an equivalent of an lvs ( layout vs . schematic algorithm ). this algorithm has the following advantages 2 . simulation database is the same as layout ( ideal as layout database is considered golden ) while the present invention is disclosed by reference to the preferred embodiments and examples detailed above , it is to be understood that these examples are intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense . it is contemplated that modifications and combinations will readily occur to those skilled in the art , which modifications and combinations will be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims .

6Physics

the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure , application , or uses . fig1 and 2 show diaper 2 produced in the disclosed manner in different folded states . the diaper 2 comprises a main body designated with the reference numeral 4 , which is often also referred to as a chassis . the main body is comprised of a front portion 6 , a back portion 8 , and a crotch portion 10 placed between them , and which is located between the legs of the wearer when the diaper 2 is applied to the wearer . the main body 4 also comprises an absorbent body 12 , which is dimensioned for the absorption and permanent storage of body fluids in a suitable manner . the absorbent body 12 is normally underlaid by a liquid - impervious layer 14 , which may also form the external visible face of the incontinence article . in addition , the absorbent body 12 is usually overlaid with a liquid - pervious layer 16 ( topsheet ). also shown are elastifying elements 18 running on both sides of the absorbent body 12 , which may include tensioned elastically extensible materials . in particular , the main body 4 may include laterally projecting barrier means , which form a means of protection against lateral leaking and which flank the absorbent body . these projecting barrier means also include elastically pretensioned elastifying means . the components of the diaper 2 described above form the main body 4 , or are to be assigned to the main body 4 . in addition , the diaper 2 comprises the lateral portions 20 and 22 that are inseparably attached to the front portion 6 and the back portion 8 . the lateral portions 20 , 22 are inseparably attached to longitudinal edge sections 24 and 26 of the main body 4 . the lateral portions 20 , 22 extend in the circumferential direction of the hip beyond a longitudinal lateral edge 32 of the main body 2 in a vertical transverse direction 30 to the longitudinal direction 28 of the diaper 2 . the lateral portions 20 , 22 are placed around the user when applying the diaper 2 in the circumferential direction of the hip and are normally closed on top of one another . in order to fix the lateral front and back portions 20 , 22 to one another , closing means 34 of a known type are provided , which are therefore not described in detail , said closing means being indicated on the lateral portions 22 of the back portion 8 by way of example in the represented case . it would also be conceivable for the diaper 2 to have lateral portions only in the front portion 6 or only in the back portion 8 , said lateral portions , however , then being more voluminous in the transverse direction 30 than outlined above , so that they could be closed on themselves in the circumferential direction of the hip , or on the main body 4 of the diaper 2 . as can be seen in fig2 a to 2 c , the respective lateral portions 20 , 22 are folded onto themselves in the longitudinal direction 28 , creating z - shaped or accordion - shaped folds . this folded configuration , as shown in fig2 a , is then folded onto the main body 4 around an additional fold line 40 that runs approximately along the longitudinal lateral edge 32 of the main body 4 . it can be seen in fig1 and 2 a - 2 c that the lateral portions 20 , 22 run obliquely to the longitudinal direction 28 on their side facing the crotch portion 10 , and / or the side that partially borders the crotch region 10 . one edge 42 , and / or 44 , of the lateral portions 20 , 22 therefore does not run precisely in the transverse direction 30 , but at an angle to it and / or at an angle to the longitudinal direction 28 , forming a arched contour . the edge 42 or 44 could , however , also be straight , but still run obliquely to the longitudinal direction 28 and / or in the transverse direction 30 , forming wedge - shaped lateral portions and leg openings 46 . a material web forming the lateral portions 20 , 22 may be continuously conveyed in the longitudinal direction . in such case , the edges 42 , 44 are formed by cutting operations , i . e . material recesses are provided in the material web , said recesses becoming the crotch portion 10 and / or the leg openings 46 of the diaper 2 to be produced . the disclosed method applied for this purpose will now be described on the basis of fig3 : fig3 a schematically shows the feeding and configuration of a material web 50 , from which the front and / or the back side - sections 20 , 22 of the diaper 2 are made . fig3 b is a schematic depiction of the feeding of the main body web 68 that forms the main body 4 of the diaper at a speed v 1 . the material web 50 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction 28 ( longitudinal production ) at a speed v 2 . in order to produce the later contouring of the lateral portions 20 , 22 on their sides facing the crotch portion 10 , an opening 52 is cut in the material web 50 in such a way that this opening 52 in the plane of the material web 50 is completely circumferentially surrounded . before or after the opening 52 is made , closing means 34 are applied in the direction of production between two consecutive openings 52 in the represented exemplary case shown . in this case , known adhesive and / or mechanically adhering closing means 34 , for example in the form of strip - shaped closing tapes are used . in a folding station 54 , the material web 50 is folded inward on both sides onto itself around a plurality of fold lines 36 , 38 running in the longitudinal direction 28 from the outside , so that a z or leporello - shaped folding results . in a cutting station 56 , the material web 50 is cut in the longitudinal direction 28 , so that two partial webs 58 are conveyed onward in the longitudinal direction . in a crossing station 60 , the partial webs 58 are intersecting one another , resulting in a change of sides relative to the direction of production and / or relative to a main body web that is not shown in fig3 . separation in the longitudinal direction takes place in such a way that the separation process may take place through the center or symmetrically through the openings 52 , so that open - edged material recesses 62 are formed . it may be seen that the open - edged material recesses 62 now point outward , away from one another . in a separating station 64 , the partial webs 58 , which are still continuous in the longitudinal direction are cut transversely to the longitudinal direction 28 into sections 66 . these sections 66 may then be applied to the main body web 68 that is shown in fig3 b and inseparably fixed there to the longitudinal edge sections 24 , 26 of the later main body 4 of the diaper . regarding the schematically represented sections 66 shown in fig3 a , after separation from the continuous partial web 58 , they may be a lateral portion to be assigned to a single diaper , or it would be conceivable that these sections could form lateral portions of two diapers that are consecutively conveyed in the longitudinal direction and / or in the production direction . in the latter case , during final separation of the diapers , the lateral portions would then be advantageously cut off a continuous web , in this case likewise transversely to the longitudinal direction . a process of this kind is schematically represented in fig4 . it may be seen that the sections 66 , which are used to form the lateral portions 20 , 22 are applied to a continuous main body web 68 , which forms the main body of the diaper , and then folded inward . each section 66 comprises the lateral portions 20 , 22 of two diapers that are consecutively conveyed in the longitudinal direction 28 and / or in the production direction . in the process according to fig4 , the diapers are produced in such a way that in the case of diapers that are consecutively conveyed in the longitudinal direction 28 , the back portion 8 of one diaper follows the front portion 6 of the other diaper . web speeds v 1 of the main body web 68 forming the lateral portions 20 , 22 , may be about 100 - 600 m / min ., in particular of about 110 - 500 m / min ., and further in particular of about 120 - 400 m / min . web speeds v 2 of the material web 50 forming the lateral portions 20 , 22 may be about 50 - 300 m / min ., in particular about 55 - 250 m / min ., and further in particular of about 60 - 200 m / min . the ratio of v 2 to v 1 may be about 0 . 25 - 0 . 75 , in particular about 0 . 30 - 0 . 65 , in particular about 0 . 35 - 0 . 65 , in particular about 0 . 40 - 0 . 60 , and further in particular about 0 . 45 - 0 . 55 . it would also be conceivable that two of the configuration lines shown in fig3 a could be implemented in one production process of a diaper , wherein one line produces the lateral portions of the front portion , and the other line produces the lateral portions of the back portion of the diaper . in this way , different web materials may be used to form the lateral portions in the front portion and in the back portion . it was pointed out above that the step of intersecting the partial webs 58 is not absolutely necessary . the lateral portions could also be applied and fixed to a web conveying the main bodies in the assembly upstream of the crossing station 62 and then — if required — turned over toward the outside . the disclosed method achieves that the material web 50 and / or the partial webs 58 are continuously conveyed in the production direction after the longitudinal separation , and that the open - edged material recesses 62 only appear after the longitudinal separation of the material web 50 . until then , the openings 52 are completely surrounded and may therefore be transported in a positionally stable manner without the occurrence of disruptive fluttering of the materials . with the disclosed process , the production step with open - edge material recesses 62 is minimized compared to the state of the art . this results in a considerable improvement of the production method . moreover , it is also advantageous that closing means 34 for the lateral portions on both sides may be applied in one operation . the longitudinal separation , as described above , then includes these closing means 34 as well . this is represented schematically in fig5 , where the drawing plane runs vertical to the production direction , and the broken line in fig5 represents the longitudinal separation plane 70 of the cutting station 56 . fig6 schematically shows the positioning of the closing means 34 on the material web 50 in the region of the longitudinal separation plane 70 , whereby the closing means 34 , in contrast to fig5 , do not bridge the longitudinal separation plane 70 . it should be noted that the disclosure is not limited to the variations described and illustrated as examples . a large variety of modifications have been described and more are possible applying the principles of the disclosure . these and further modifications as well as any replacement by technical equivalents may be added to the description and figures , without leaving the scope of the protection of the disclosure and of the present patent .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

the exemplary embodiments described and illustrated below encompass methods of inducing moments within an implanted prosthetic joint , as well as implantable prosthetic joints and components thereof inducing moments . of course , it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention . however , for clarity and precision , the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps , methods , and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the claims . basic principals governing the laws of mechanics are taken from newton &# 39 ; s laws : ( a ) every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it ; ( b ) the relationship between an object &# 39 ; s mass m , its acceleration a , and the applied force f , is f = ma ; and , ( c ) for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction . the above laws of mechanics pertain to external forces applied to a system , however , when an in - plane force is applied to an object that has the ability to move , and if the applied force is greater than the resistive force ( gravity , friction , etc . ), the object will begin to move . throughout knee flexion , whether during gait or into deep flexion , the cruciate ligaments of a natural knee force the tibia to internally rotate , levering the femur with respect to the tibia . it has been documented that the absence of the cruciate ligaments leads to a decrease in axial rotation . for total knee arthroplasty ( tka ) prosthetics , three primary forces may be exerted thereupon : ( 1 ) applied forces , which are produced by muscles passing across the knee joint ; ( 2 ) bearing surface contact forces occurring between the femur and the tibia at the contact points and between the femur and the patella at the contact points ; and , ( 3 ) constraint forces produced by ligaments resisting the active forces . however , the incidence and magnitude patterns of normal axial rotation of a knee prosthesis is governed by , and can only be induced to rotate by introducing moment arms with respect to active forces to cause rotation . in an exemplary system , a vector v has a distance d , with a line of action passing through a starting point p of the vector v . the moment m of the vector v about point p is characterized by equation # 1 : m = r × v ; where r is the position vector from point p to a second point along the vector v . before a moment analysis can be conducted for any tka prosthetic , an understanding of the forces acting on the knee , both magnitude and direction , should be clearly determined and understood . the most effective method for deriving muscle , bearing surface and ligament forces , simultaneously , is through mathematical modeling techniques . it has been demonstrated that , with a proper understanding of knee mechanics , it is possible to derive equations to determine in vivo forces . although it is important to know the magnitude of the forces applied at the knee , it is equally important to determine the direction of those applied forces . proper direction of contact forces acting at the femorotibial and patellofemoral interfaces will ensure proper summation of the moments about a chosen point . therefore , it is important to determine the direction of the velocity of the point on the femur , point ft , in contact with the tibia , which will allow for the determination of the direction of the bearing surface contact force occurring between points ft and tf , which is the point on the tibia in contact with the femur . in a natural knee , like any mechanical system that has an ) two objects in contact , three possible conditions could occur , which lead to vastly different conditions at the contact point between the two objects . these three conditions are : ( 1 ) pure rolling ; ( 2 ) pure slipping ; and , ( 3 ) a combination of rolling and slipping . referencing fig1 , an exemplary free - body diagram 100 includes a round cylinder ( body a ) 102 with radius r moving with respect to a generally planar platform ( body b ) 104 that is fixed in the newtonian reference frame . in this simple example , two reference frames are defined for each object 102 , 104 , where the “ a 2 & gt ;” and “ b 2 & gt ;” directions are opposite of gravity . the point of contact between the objects 102 , 104 is mutually defined by two points : point ab on the platform 104 , and point ba on the cylinder 102 . three other points p 1 , p 2 , p 3 are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the cylinder 102 , with the longitudinal center being identified by point bo . point p 1 is spaced a distance r in the a 1 & gt ; direction and a distance r in the a 2 & gt ; direction from point ba . point p 2 is spaced from point ba a distances r in the − a 1 & gt ; direction and r in the a 2 & gt ; direction . point p 3 is spaced a distance 2 r in the a 2 & gt ; direction , from point ba . under pure rolling conditions , we can assume the velocity vector v_bo_a & gt ;= a 1 & gt ;, where : the radius r = 1 ; and , the angular velocity of the cylinder ω , relative to the reference frame for the platform around the a 3 & gt ; axis , is equal to − a 3 & gt ;. one can then determine the velocity for points p 1 , p 2 , p 3 and bo , which are determined using equations # 2 -# 5 : v — p 1 — a & gt ;= v — bo — a & gt ;+ ω — b — a & gt ;× p — bo — p 1 & gt ; therefore , under pure rolling conditions , the velocity of point ba must equal the velocity of point ab . since the platform 104 is “ fixed ” and not moving in the newtonian reference frame , all points on the platform have a velocity equal to zero . this simple analysis shows that the velocity of point ba , on the cylinder 102 , is equal to zero , under pure rolling conditions . under pure slipping conditions , the velocities for this same system , shown in fig1 , are different for each point along the cylinder 102 . a practical way to describe pure slipping would be a car on ice . if the friction coefficient were equal to zero , the tires would spin , but the car would remain stationary . therefore , in the knee , under pure slipping the v_bo_a & gt ;= 0 & gt ;, and similar to our example shown in fig1 , the radius = 1 , ω =− a 3 & gt ;. then the velocities for points ba , p 1 , p 2 , and p 3 are determined using equations # 6 -# 9 : v — p 1 — a & gt ;= v — bo — a & gt ;+ ω — b — a & gt ;× p — bo — p 1 & gt ; therefore , under pure slipping , the velocity of point ba is equal to − a 1 & gt ;, and the direction of the velocity is opposite in direction to posterior femoral rollback of the femoral condyles in a knee . although it has been assumed that the velocity vector of the contact point between the femoral condyles and the tibial plateau would be in the posterior direction , under pure slipping , the correct direction of the velocity vector is in the anterior direction during flexion and in the posterior direction during extension . although pure rolling and pure slipping have been described , it can be assumed that , under in vivo conditions , “ only ” pure rolling or “ only ” pure slipping conditions cannot occur . referencing fig2 , a circumferential distance 200 of a prosthetic femoral condyle 202 can be represented by a flat line 204 . under pure rolling conditions , the prosthetic femoral condyle 202 would follow the flat line 204 path , which is much greater in distance than an anterior / posterior dimension of a prosthetic tibial insert ( not shown ). previous analyses have documented that the amount of anterior posterior motion for a natural knee can range between 10 to 25 mm for the lateral condyle and , for a tka prosthetic , this motion could be 10 mm in the anterior direction or 15 mm posterior . thus , in a tka prosthesis , the most dominant motion occurring at the contact point between the femoral condyle 202 and the tibial insert is slipping . referring again to fig1 , an analysis can be conducted to determine the velocities on the cylinder 102 at the bearing surface interface ba , ab when both slipping and rolling are present . in this analysis , we can assume v_bo_a & gt ;= a 1 & gt ;, radius r = 1 , and the angular velocity of the cylinder ω =− 2 a 3 & gt ;. therefore , the velocities for points p 1 , p 2 , p 3 and ba can be determined using equations # 10 -# 13 : v — p 1 — a & gt ;= v — bo — a & gt ;+ — b — a & gt ;× p — bo — p 1 & gt ; v — p 3 — a & gt ;= a 1 & gt ;− 2 a 2 & gt ;= 3 a 2 & gt ; equation # 13 under all three conditions ( slipping , rolling , or a combination ), an important piece of information is the velocity of point ba . during pure rolling , the velocity of point ba is equal to zero , but under pure slipping and a combination of rolling and slipping , in our examples , this velocity is not equal to zero . under pure slipping the direction of the velocity ba is in the − a 1 & gt ; direction , opposite of the direction of posterior femoral rollback of the femoral condyles . during a combination of rolling and slipping , the direction of this velocity vector , v_ba_n & gt ;, in our example is in the − a 1 & gt ;, which is , again , in the opposite direction of contact point ba on ab . the magnitude of v_ba_n & gt ; can change , depending on the velocity of bo and the angular velocity of body b in the newtonian reference frame , but the magnitude will always be in the − a 1 & gt ; direction . therefore , it is disadvantageous to design a total knee arthroplasty prosthesis assuming that the forces at point ba on ab during knee flexion are in the a 1 & gt ; ( posterior direction ) direction . instead , one should design a total knee arthroplasty prosthesis with the forces being applied in the − a 1 & gt ; direction ( anterior direction ) during knee flexion and in the a 1 & gt ; direction during knee extension , similar to the direction of velocity vector acting at this point . also , it should be noted , that during flexion the velocity of the contact point ba is equal to zero , under pure rolling and is in the anterior direction (− a 1 & gt ;) under pure slipping . therefore , during knee flexion , v_ba_n & gt ; is not in the posterior direction . at present , all known tka prosthetics are designed for equal distribution of forces at the contact points between the femoral components and the tibial components . therefore , these tka prosthetics do not incorporate moments to create axial rotation . during surgery , the goal of the surgeon is to create equal tension gaps between the femoral condyles and the tibial insert / plateau . if the amount of force acting between the medial condyle and the tibial insert is equal to the force acting between the lateral condyle and the tibial insert , it could be expected that the femoral components will not achieve axial rotation relative to the tibial insert because the medial and lateral condyle distances from the center of the tibial insert are also the same . if two forces act on a system and both forces are equal in magnitude and the moment arms to those forces , from a fixed point , are equal , then the moment of this system would be equal to zero . referencing fig3 , a typical posterior stabilized mobile bearing tka prosthetic 300 accommodates five main contact forces : ( 1 ) the medial condyle force 302 in the vertical direction ( f n m ); ( 2 ) the medial condyle force 304 in the anterior / posterior direction ( f t m ); ( 3 ) the lateral condyle force 306 in the vertical direction ( f n l ); ( 4 ) the lateral condyle force 308 in the anterior / posterior direction ( f t l ); and ( 5 ) the force 310 applied by the cam on the post ( f p ). point o represents the rotation point of the polyethylene insert 312 relative to the tibial implant ( not shown ) about which moments are summated . also included is the distance r 1 between point o to the medial condyle contact force , and the distance r 2 between point o to the lateral condyle . if the moments are summated for the mobile bearing tka prosthetic 300 , around point o , in the t 3 & gt ; direction ( perpendicular to the t 1 & gt ; and t 2 & gt ; directions ), the moment equation is represented by equation # 14 : we can assume that the angular acceleration ( a ) of the polyethylene insert 312 relative to the tibial implant component in the t 3 & gt ; direction is negligible , and can be set equal to zero . therefore , with this presumption in place , equation # 14 can be refined into equation # 15 : σ m 0 = 0 in the t 13 & gt ; direction . σ m 0 · t 3 & gt ;=− r 1 · t 2 & gt ;× f t m · l 1 & gt ;+ r 2 · t 2 & gt ;× f t l · t 1 & gt ; equation # 15 where the following information is known , the distance r 1 = r 2 = r , and the forces f m = f l = f , equation # 15 can be further simplified into equation # 16 : σ m 0 · t 3 & gt ;=− rf (− t 3 & gt ;)+ rf (− t 3 & gt ;), as shown by equation # 16 , if the distances r 1 , r 2 from the rotation point o of a mobile bearing tka prosthetic 300 are the same to the medial and lateral condyles , the sum of the moments is equal to zero . thus , the polyethylene insert 312 does not rotate about the tibial component . an in vivo analysis of the mobile bearing tka prosthesis 300 evidenced that 7 / 9 subjects experienced less than 2 . 0 degrees of axial rotation . referring to fig4 , a typical fixed bearing tka prosthetic 400 includes a tibial insert 402 ( typically polyethylene ) mounted to a tibial implant component ( typically a metallic tibial tray , which is not shown ). unlike the mobile bearing posterior stabilized tka prosthetic 300 of fig3 , the tibial insert 402 is fixed to the tibial implant component so that the insert does not rotate with respect to the tibial implant component . the forces acting on the fixed bearing posterior stabilized insert 402 are similar to those forces defined for the mobile bearing posterior stabilized tka prosthetic 300 of fig3 . summation of moments acting on the fixed bearing polyethylene insert 402 can be conducted around the defined point o . the primary difference between the point o of fig4 , and point o of fig3 , is that the chosen point o does not represent a rotation point in fig4 , but rather a fixed physical point on the tibial insert 402 in the center of the post in the t 2 & gt ; direction . summating the moments around point o is represented by equation # 14 : similar to the mobile bearing tka prosthetic 300 of fig3 , we can assume that the angular acceleration ( α ) of the femur relative to the tibial insert 402 in the t 3 & gt ; direction is small , and can be set equal to zero . therefore , with this presumption in place , equation # 14 can be refined into equation # 15 : σ m 0 · t 3 & gt ;=− r 1 · t 2 & gt ;× f t m · t 1 & gt ;+ r 2 · t 2 & gt ;× f t l · t 1 & gt ;, where the following information is known , the distance r 1 = r 2 = r , and the forces f m = f l = f , equation # 15 can be further simplified into equation # 16 : σ m 0 · t 3 & gt ;=− rf · (− t 3 & gt ;)+ rf (− t 3 & gt ;) if the polyethylene post 404 is located in the center of the tibial insert 402 , in the t 1 & gt ; and t 2 & gt ; directions , then the sum of the moments , in the t 3 & gt ; direction , for the contact forces applied by the femoral component on the tibial insert is equal to zero . previous in vivo analyses of tka prosthetics have determined that all tka prosthetics achieve less axial rotation than a natural knee , while a significant number of tka recipients are able to achieve less than two degrees of axial rotation of the resulting knee joint and approximately ⅓ of these recipients experience a reverse axial rotation pattern , opposite that of a natural knee . referencing fig5 , a posterior cruciate retaining tka prosthetic 500 ( whether mobile or fixed bearing ) allows for posterior cruciate ligament retention , without the presence of a cam / post mechanism 404 found in the posterior stabilized tka prosthetic 400 of fig4 . the absence of the cam / post mechanism in a posterior cruciate retaining tka prosthetic 500 leads to an analysis very similar to those for a posterior stabilized tka prosthetics discussed above . since the cam / post mechanism for present day posterior stabilized tka prosthetics is in the center of the tibial insert , the cam / post force does not exert a moment . therefore , when the cam / post mechanism does not induce rotation , the moment analysis for a mobile bearing posterior cruciate tka prosthetic 500 will be similar to the moment analysis of a mobile bearing posterior stabilized tka prosthetic 300 ( see fig3 ), and the moment analysis for a fixed bearing posterior cruciate retaining tka prosthetic 500 will be similar to a fixed bearing posterior stabilized tka prosthetic 400 ( see fig4 ), except for the resistive force of the posterior cruciate ligament . in other words , the sum of the moments for the contact forces applied by the femoral component on the tibial insert is equal to zero for these posterior cruciate retaining tka prosthetics 500 . referencing fig6 , an exemplary posterior stabilized mobile bearing moment induced total knee arthroplasty ( mitka ) prosthetic insert 600 is mounted to a prosthetic tibial stem 606 , which is preferably implanted into a patient &# 39 ; s tibia ( not shown ). the insert 600 includes a post 602 offset in the medial direction from the medial - lateral midline 608 of the insert 600 providing an axis of rotation 605 between the insert and a femoral component ( not shown ), and an axis of rotation 604 between the tibial stem 606 and the insert 600 that is shifted in the lateral direction from the medial - lateral midline 608 . referring to fig7 , a moment analysis of the exemplary mitka prosthetic insert 600 includes summating the moments , around the point of rotation , o , in the t 3 & gt ; direction . the moment equation is represented by equation # 17 : σ m 0 · t 3 & gt ;=− r 1 · t 2 & gt ;× f t m · t 1 & gt ;− r 3 · t 2 & gt ;× f p · t 1 & gt ;+ r 2 · t 2 & gt ;× f t l · t 1 & gt ; equation # 17 where the following information is known , the distance r 1 = 2r , r 2 = r 3 = r , and the forces f t m = f t l = f p = f , equation # 17 can be further simplified into equation # 18 : σ m 0 · t 3 & gt ;=− 2 rf · (− t 3 & gt ;)− rf · (− t 3 & gt ;)+ rf · (− t 3 & gt ;) in this exemplary moment summation , the moment induced by the exemplary mitka prosthetic insert 600 is equal to 2rf , in the clockwise direction ( looking down ), leading to normal axial rotation of the tibial insert . unlike present day mobile bearing posterior stabilized tka prosthetics 300 ( see fig3 , for example ), the tibial insert 600 for the mitka knee will rotate in the clockwise direction ( looking down ) as a result of creating a distance between the rotation point o to the post 602 of the tibial insert 600 ( distance represented by r 3 ), increasing the distance from the rotation point o to the medial condyle contact force f t m ( distance represented by r 1 ), and decreasing the distance from the rotation point o to the lateral condyle contact force f t l ( distance represented by r 2 ), allowing for the lateral condyle to move more posterior , similar to a natural knee . the amount of offset created between the post 602 and the rotation point o of the mitka prosthetic insert 600 leads to increased axial rotation of the tibial insert relative to the tibial implant component ( not shown ) in the clockwise direction ( t 3 & gt ; direction ). an exemplary mathematical model has determined that a 3 mm shift of the post 602 in the medial direction from the centerline in the medial - lateral direction and a 3 mm shift of the rotation point o in the lateral direction from the centerline in the medial - lateral direction leads to 5 to 13 degrees of normal axial rotation , depending on the weight of the patient , the balancing of the knee , and the amount of force applied by the cam on the post ( see fig8 ). a second analysis was conducted using the exemplary mathematical model where the post 602 was shifted 6 mm in the medial direction and the rotation point o was shifted 6 mm in the lateral direction . the results for this analysis revealed the amount of normal axial rotation of the polyethylene increased to a range of 10 to 22 degrees of normal axial rotation , again , depending on the weight of the patient , the balancing of the knee , and the amount of force applied by the cam on the post . a third analysis , where the post 602 was shifted 10 mm in the medial direction and the rotation point o was shifted 10 mm in the lateral direction lead to normal axial rotation of the polyethylene ranging between 20 to 35 degrees , in the clockwise direction . greater shifts in the medial and lateral direction are also within the scope of the disclosure , such as , without limitation , 0 . 01 to 20 millimeters of medial or lateral shift . referencing fig9 , an exemplary posterior stabilized fixed bearing moment induced total knee arthroplasty ( mitka ) prosthetic insert 900 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes a cam / post mechanism 902 shifted in the lateral direction from the medial - later center 904 of the tibial insert . it is to be understood that the corresponding cam of the femoral component would be likewise shifted in the lateral direction to accommodate the shifted tibial post . referring to fig1 , a moment analysis of the exemplary fixed bearing ps mitka prosthetic 900 insert includes summating the moments , around point of rotation o , in the t 3 & gt ; direction . the moment equation is represented by equation # 19 : σ m 0 · t 3 & gt ;=− r 1 . t 2 & gt ;× f t m · t 1 & gt ;+ r 2 · t 2 & gt ;× f t l · t 1 & gt ; equation # 19 where the following information is known , the distance r 1 = 2r , r 2 = r , and the forces f t m = f t l = f , equation # 19 can be further simplified into equation # 20 : σ m 0 · t 3 & gt ;=− 2 rf · (− t 3 & gt ;)+ rf · (− t 3 & gt ;), in this exemplary moment summation , the moment induced by the exemplary mitka prosthetic insert 900 is equal to rf , in the clockwise direction ( looking down ), leading to normal axial rotation of the femur relative to the tibial insert . the amount of offset created between the post 902 and the rotation point o of the mitka prosthetic insert 900 leads to increased axial rotation of the tibial insert relative to the tibial implant component ( not shown ) in the clockwise direction ( t 3 & gt ; direction ). an exemplary mathematical model has determined that a 3 mm shift of the post 902 in the lateral direction from the centerline in the medial - lateral direction leads to a femoral component rotation in the range of 2 to 8 degrees , depending on the weight of the patient , the balancing of the knee , and the amount of force applied by the cam on the post . if the post 902 is shifted 6 mm in the lateral direction , the amount of femoral component rotation increased to a range of 5 to 13 degrees , and if the post 902 was shifted 10 mm in the lateral direction , the amount of axial rotation again increased to a range of 9 to 25 degrees . greater shifts in the medial and lateral direction are also within the scope of the disclosure , such as , without limitation , 0 . 01 to 20 millimeters of medial or lateral shift . as discussed previously , the cam / post mechanism can be used in a posterior stabilized tka prosthetic to generate rotation by creating a moment arm from the rotation point to the post of a mobile bearing tka , or by shifting the post laterally , increasing the moment arm from the post to the medial condyle shear force . in the posterior cruciate retaining tka , moments are primarily induced by offsetting the rotation point and building up conformity between the femoral radii and the concave tibial insert radii . referencing to fig1 , an exemplary mitka posterior cruciate retaining ( pcr ) fixed bearing prosthetic insert 1100 in accordance with the present disclosure includes a medial receiver 1104 and a lateral receiver 1106 that arc adapted to receive the medial and lateral condyles , respectively , of a femoral prosthesis ( not shown ). in order to rotate the tibial insert 1100 clockwise ( looking down ), the insert 1100 includes greater conformity between the medial condyle and the medial receiver 1104 on the medial side of the tibial insert . in this exemplary embodiment 1100 , the radii of the medial receiver 1104 is greater than the radii of the medial condyle , allowing for anterior / posterior translation to occur between the medial condyle and the medial receiver . increased conformity between the medial receiver 1104 and the medial condyle leads to an increased shear force applied by the medial condyle on the medial receiver of the polyethylene insert , causing a clockwise moment to occur , especially if the superior surface of lateral side of the tibial insert 1100 is either flat or convex in shape , coupled with a flatter shape for the lateral condyle of the femoral prosthesis . referencing fig1 and 13 , an exemplary mitka mobile bearing pcr prosthetic insert 1200 includes the rotation point 1202 ( and rotational axis ) moved in the lateral direction with respect to the center 1204 of the tibial implant baseplate ( not shown ) using the contours between the insert 1200 and the femoral condyles 1206 , 1208 . on the lateral side , the lateral femoral condyle 1206 is flatter ( similar to the shape of a canoe ) and the lateral receiver 1208 of the tibial insert is either sloped downward in the anterior - to - posterior direction ( see fig1 ( b )) or convex ( see fig1 ( c )). on the medial side , the medial femoral condyle includes greater conformity with the medial receiver 1210 on the medial side of the tibial insert 1200 . therefore , as the shear force between the femoral condyles and the tibial insert increases , the amount of shear force will be greater on the medial side and induce a clockwise rotation of the tibial insert due to : ( 1 ) the increased conformity ; and ( 2 ) the moment arm from the rotation point to the medial shear force being greater than the moment arm from the rotation point to the lateral condyle force . one of the main goals for achieving increased weight - bearing flexion for a total knee arthroplasty is the ability to move the lateral condyle in the posterior direction . in the normal knee , this can be achieved through axial rotation or translation of both condyles . since , in the normal knee , the medial condyle does not move more than 10 mm in the posterior direction and on average , this amount is less than 5 mm , the lateral condyle achieves posterior contact through femorotibial axial rotation . moments are introduced in the mitka so that normal axial rotation could occur and the lateral condyle can achieve greater posterior contact with increasing knee flexion . this inducement of moments is more easily accomplished with a posterior stabilized tka , where the cam / post force could be used to drive rotation in the clockwise direction or to lever the medial condyle force with respect to the post . in the posterior cruciate ligament retaining tka , the ability to induce moments is more involved . the mitka posterior cruciate ligament retaining knee uses increased conformity between the medial condyle and the medial receiver of the polyethylene insert . also , an increased radius of curvature for the lateral condyle ( canoe shaped ) allows the lateral condyle contact point to move in the posterior direction within the first 30 degrees of knee flexion . therefore , the goal of achieve posterior contact with the lateral condyle , with increasing knee flexion can be accomplished in mitka posterior cruciate ligament retaining tka through the introduction of moments and by changing the geometrical shapes of the femoral condyles . in this manner , the axis of rotation between the mitka mobile bearing pcr prosthetic insert 1200 and the femoral prosthetic can be shifted from the medial - lateral centerline of the insert 1200 ( and also from the anterior - posterior centerline ), while the axis of rotation between the mitka mobile bearing pcr prosthetic insert 1200 and the tibial prosthetic tray ( not shown ) can be shifted from the medial - lateral centerline of the insert 1200 ( and also from the anterior - posterior centerline of the insert 1200 ). although the increased conformity between the medial condyle and the receiver in medial aspect of the tibial polyethylene insert and the flatter lateral condyle , contacting either a posterior sloped or convex shaped lateral aspect of the polyethylene insert has been previously described herein for a posterior cruciate retaining tka , these design features can be used in any tka prosthetic type . the above mentioned design changes could be used in a ps tka type to increase axial rotation and could be used in an anterior and posterior cruciate retaining tka type to ensure normal axial rotation . in the exemplary prosthetic inserts of the present disclosure , the amount of medial condyle conformity with respect to the medial receiver of the tibial insert may play a significant role . an additional factor that may play a significant role in axial rotation , leading to an increase or decrease in the amount of axial rotation described herein , is condylar balancing at the time of surgery . it is to be understood that the mathematical models referenced in the aforementioned discussion incorporated medial and lateral condyle flexion gaps , during intra - operative ligament balancing , that were equal , leading to the medial condyle contact force being equal to the lateral condyle contact force . if the medial condyle contact force is greater than the lateral condyle contact force , the amount of normal axial rotation would increase over those values predicted by the above - referenced mathematical model . in contrast , if the lateral condyle contact force is greater than the medial condyle contact force , the amount of axial rotation would fall below those values predicted by the model . referencing fig1 , the exemplary mitka posterior cruciate retaining tka prosthetic includes increased conformity between the medial condyle and the medial receiver of the tibial ( polyethylene ) insert in order to induce a clockwise moment of the femur relative to the tibia ( normal axial rotation ) ( see fig1 ( a ) & amp ; ( b )). also , the lateral condyle will achieve greater posterior motion due to the flatter condylar geometry ( canoe shaped ) at full extension leading a rapid change of the contact position from full extension to 30 degrees of knee flexion . this posterior change of the contact position for the lateral condyle may be further assisted by the increased posterior slope of the polyethylene insert ( see fig1 ( c ) & amp ; ( d )) or the convex shape of the polyethylene insert ( see fig1 ( e ) & amp ; ( f )). referring to fig1 , all cam / post mechanisms in present - day tka prosthetics 1400 include flat surfaces . these flat surfaces lead to the hypothesis that the contact areas would be large , thereby leading to less stress applied by the cam 1402 onto the post 1404 . unfortunately , if rotation of the femoral component ( the cam ) 1402 occurs with respect to the tibial insert ( the post ) 1404 in a fixed bearing posterior stabilized tka prosthetic , the opposite is true and the contact area 1406 between the femoral cam and the tibial post becomes very small . a primary concern for decreased contact areas between the flat cam 1402 on a flat post 1404 is edge loading , leading to high stresses that lead to premature tibial insert failure at the post . referencing fig1 and 17 , an exemplary mitka posterior stabilized tka prosthetic device 1500 in accordance with the present disclosure includes a tibial insert 1502 with a tibial post 1504 having a rounded posterior surface 1506 . this rounded posterior surface 1506 of the post 1502 is adapted to interact with a rounded femoral cam 1508 of a femoral prosthetic component 1510 . the radius r for the rounded posterior surface 1506 of the post 1504 and the rounded cam 1508 are the similar , but the chosen value of r for the mitka fixed bearing posterior stabilized prosthetic device 1500 will depend on the amount of rotation desired . if the mitka posterior stabilized prosthetic device 1500 is designed to incorporate minimal femorotibial axial rotation , then the value for r will be higher than the value for r if the mitka posterior stabilized prosthetic device 1500 is designed for greater axial rotation . while the aforementioned exemplary mitka posterior stabilized prosthetics have been explained using a tibial component with an integral post that is adapted to interface with a cam of the femoral prosthetic component , it is also within the scope of the disclosure to incorporate the post into the femoral component and the cam into the tibial insert . likewise , while the aforementioned exemplary prosthetics have been explained using a tibial component with an integral post adapted to interface with a cavity within the tibial insert , it is also within the scope of the disclosure to incorporate the post into the tibial insert , where the post would be correspondingly received by a cavity within the tibial implant . while the aforementioned exemplary mitka mobile bearing por prosthetics have been explained by shifting the post and point of rotation between the insert and tibial component , it should be understood that one might only shift the post or only shift the point of rotation to create the moments discussed herein . an exemplary embodiment would include a por prosthetic device having a post aligned along the medial - lateral midline , while the point of rotation between the insert and tibial component ( tray ) would be offset from the medial - lateral midline . conversely , an exemplary por prosthetic device may have its point of rotation aligned along the medial - lateral midline , while the post would be offset from the medial - lateral midline . it is also within the scope of the disclosure to shift of the contact point of the post or point of rotation anteriorly or posteriorly . mobile bearing prior art prosthetic knee inserts have always had the point of rotation centered along the medial - lateral midline and along the anterior - posterior midline . by shifting the contact point of the post or point of rotation from the prior art centered position , moments are introduced if the point of contact of the post and point of rotation are not coaxial . those skilled in the art will readily understand that the exemplary inserts of the instant disclosure are adapted for use in prosthetic knee joints comprising tibial and femoral components . the plethora of tibial implants and femoral implants that the exemplary embodiments of the instant disclosure may be incorporated with , or used in place of , defies an exhaustive listing . following from the above description and exemplary embodiments , it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that , while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments , the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims . additionally , it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated . likewise , it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims , since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and / or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein .

0Human Necessities

many advantages are derived by the fact that the control panel occupies a glazed surface that is optically switchable between transparent and opaque . by making the control elements invisible , the dishwasher has a higher - quality appearance . moreover , since the control panel has a smooth surface , it is much easier to clean . in an exemplary embodiment , the optically switchable , glazed surface interacts with a user - activatable switch , so that the user himself or herself can determine the time at which to activate the control elements . if the switch is designed as a proximity switch , the ease - of - use is further increased . thus , when a user approaches the appliance , the glazed surface becomes transparent , so that the individual control elements are visible . in addition , the optically switchable , glazed surface may also interact with the central controller of the dishwasher so as to indicate to the user the current program status of the appliance in accordance with the program steps . the individual control elements can be designed in the manner of a touch screen , so that the individual program steps can be selected by the touch of a finger . in addition to switching the glazed surface to a transparent state , it is also expedient to activate a lighting device , making it easer for the user to select the individual control elements . fig1 illustrates a household appliance designed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and including a control panel 2 , using the example of a dishwasher 1 . in dishwasher 1 , control panel 2 is located in the upper portion of a door 3 , which is pivotably mounted in the lower portion of dishwasher i and serves to close the close washing tub 4 of the appliance . door 3 is closed using a handle 5 , which is also located in the area of control panel 2 . control panel 2 is provided with control elements 6 which can be used to turn on the appliance and to select a program . other elements may be used to select additional or other functions . moreover , the control panel is provided with a display device 7 , which can be used to display the program progress of the appliance and , as the case may be , further information for the user . here too , it is possible to use additional display elements , for example to acknowledge operation of the control elements or to signal an appliance failure or operator error . in place of the switches conventionally used in the panel , now capacitive or optical sensors 8 are used for program selection ( start , preselection , etc . ), said sensors being located behind a glass surface ( 9 through 11 ); see also fig2 in this regard . this allows user control to be carried out in the manner of a touch screen and eliminates the need for openings in panel 2 , which makes it easier to clean it . capacitive sensors are responsive to changes in the dielectric in the area immediately surrounding them . thus , when a finger 12 or other object approaches the sensor , the sensor will issue a control command to the appliance controller . optical sensors frequently have a transmitter or a receiver and are responsive to reflected light beams . the light passes through a transparent panel , hits an obstacle ( finger 12 ), is reflected by the obstacle , and is then sensed by the receiver behind the glass . the glazed surface is configured such that it is optically switchable so that , as illustrated by the comparison in fig3 , glazed surface ( 9 through 11 ) can change from an opaque state ( top of fig3 ) to a transparent state ( bottom of the figure ). to this end , a switchable glass layer 11 having electrochromic , gasochromic , hydrochromic , photochromic or photoelectrochromic properties is mounted between an outer protective layer 9 made of normal transparent glass and an inner protective layer 10 , which is also made of normal transparent glass . outer protective layer 9 protects in particular the switchable glass layer 11 from external influences . in addition , it is carries symbols and markings , possibly on the rear face thereof , which are intended to be permanently visible and which may include marks or appliance identification information . inner protective layer 10 is provided with an imprint 13 ( see fig1 ) which serves to label control elements 6 . the individual control elements 6 are arranged on the rear face of inner protective layer 10 and are responsive to touches of outer protective layer 9 with the finger . the switching of switchable glass layer 1 is accomplished by a user - activatable switch located in the area of handle 5 . this ensures that the control panel is switched to a transparent state , and thus to an operator control mode , when the user opens the door to pour in detergent . alternatively , as shown in fig1 and 2 , a proximity switch 14 may be used , so that the user does not need to make any further control input to activate control panel 2 . in addition to switch 14 , switchable glass layer 11 may also interact with appliance controller 15 , so that display device 7 and the display elements can be monitored during certain phases or during the entire program cycle . moreover , appliance controller 15 may switch to the opaque mode automatically using a timing module , thus saving energy . in order to make it easier for the user to see the control elements 6 , control panel 2 has provided therein a lighting device 17 which is activated at the same time as glazed surface ( 9 through 11 ) is switched to a transparent state and is deactivated when the glazed surface is switched to an opaque state . in addition , glazed surface ( 9 through 11 ) can also be switched to a permanently transparent state . by default , control panel 2 becomes visible when the user approaches the dishwasher . it is only then that control elements 6 are activated and become responsive to touches of outer protective layer 9 . the mounting position of the proximity or activation switch 14 depends on its operating principle . if switch 14 operates with an optical sensor , it must protrude through switchable glass layer 11 . however , if the sensor is responsive to acoustic or electromagnetic signals , it can be located behind switchable glass layer 11 , or even behind inner protective layer 10 . in that case , the mounting position of the sensor is only determined by the configuration of the control panel .

0Human Necessities

with initial reference to fig1 the fixture 10 has a rectangular base 11 , formed by bent metal tubing for example . the base 11 has two long parallel sides 12 and 13 and two short parallel sides 17 and 19 . a first support 14 , such as a metal bar , extends upwardly from the approximately midpoint of one of the longer sides 13 . a second support 16 , similar to but shorter than the first support 14 , extends upwardly from one of the shorter sides 17 . a first cross member 18 extends from the other short side 19 of the base 11 to the top of the second support 16 . alternately , the first cross member 18 may extend beyond the second support 16 . the first cross member 18 is at an angle ( e . g . 30 °) with respect to the plane of the base 11 . a second cross member 20 extends perpendicularly from the first cross member 18 to the top of and slightly beyond the first support 14 . since the first support 14 is higher than the second support 16 . the second cross member is inclined upwardly from the first cross member 18 at an angle of 30 °, for example . the first and second cross members may be metal bars . a first metal arm 22 extends from the first cross member 18 near the second support 16 and is substantially parallel to and in the same direction as the second cross member 20 . a second arm 24 extends from the first cross member 18 near but spaced from its intersection with the other short side 19 of the base 11 . the second arm extends in the same direction as and is substantially parallel to the first arm 22 . three rest knobs 25 formed of a material which will withstand high temperatures and not react with glass , such as graphite , are located on the fixture 10 . one rest knob 25 is on each of the first and second arms 22 and 24 and the third rest knob 25 is on the second cross bar 20 near the intersection of the second cross bar 20 and the first support 14 . the fixtures 10 also has a first , second and third alignment structures 26 , 28 and 32 respectively . the first alignment structure extends upwardly from the intersection of the second support 16 and the first cross member 18 . the second alignment structure 28 extends upwardly from the intersection of the second arm 24 and the first cross member 18 . the third alignment structure 32 is positioned parallel to the other alignment structures 26 and 28 at the end of a short third arm 30 which extends from the intersection of the other short side 19 of the base 11 and the first cross member 18 . each alignment structure 26 , 28 and 32 is formed by a metal bar 27 having an upper and a lower alignment knob 29 and 31 respectively . the alignment knobs 29 and 31 on the first and second alignment structures 26 and 28 face toward the one long side 13 of the base 11 . the alignment knobs 29 and 31 on the third alignment structure 32 face toward the one short side 17 of the base 11 . each pair of alignment knobs 29 and 31 are formed of a material similar to the rest knobs 25 . in fig2 a rectangular faceplate 50 of a cathode ray tube having a face 52 and four peripheral walls 54 , is positioned on the fixture 10 . the faceplate 50 is supported by each of the three rest knobs 25 which are positioned beneath the face 52 of the faceplate under the intersection of the face 52 and the sidewalls 54 of the faceplate . the faceplate is in a face down position with the face resting on the knobs 25 and the walls 54 extending upward . the faceplate 50 also abuts the lower alignment knobs 31 on each of the three alignment structures 26 , 28 and 32 . the tilt of the cross members 18 and 20 with respect to the plane of the base 12 causes the faceplate 50 to nest against the alignment structures 26 , 28 and 32 due to gravity . fig3 shows a funnel 56 of a cathode ray tube placed on top of the faceplate 50 so that their respective seal edges abut one another . the funnel 56 rests against the upper alignment knob 29 on each of the alignment structures 26 , 28 and 32 . the tilt of the cross members 18 and 20 with respect to the plane of the base 12 also causes the faceplate and the funnel to be tilted with respect to the vertical . this tilt results in the two components of the cathode ray tube being held against the alignment structures by gravity . therefore any vibration of the fixture assembly will not misalign the faceplate and funnel during the frit sealing operation . the use of the present fixture offers several improvements over the prior art . by positioning the rest knobs 25 so that they support the faceplate and funnel under the walls of the faceplate , the weight of the components is more evenly distributed . this results in a decreased deformation of the faceplate during the heating steps of the frit seal operation . the use of three alignment structures assures proper positioning of the rectangular faceplate with respect to the funnel and in turn to other components of the cathode ray tube which will be subsequently assembled and oriented with respect to the funnel . by maintaining the first and second cross members 18 and 20 at an angle with respect to the plane of the rectangular base 12 , the proper nesting of the faceplate and funnel against the alignment structure is assured . any vibration which may temporarily jar the faceplate - funnel assembly will be corrected by the tube renesting due to gravity . since the fixture is dimensioned with respect to the faceplate and not the funnel , a single fixture may be used for different types of cathode ray tubes employing the same faceplate dimensions but different funnel dimensions . the use of the face down frit - sealing process in general has reduced the number of blocked apertures and the misalignment of the funnel and faceplate units . in addition , the moisture problem which had plagued the face up process has been eliminated since vapors which are generated during the frit sealing process may escape upward through the open neck of the funnel and not condense on parts of the cathode ray tube . since the weight of the funnel faceplate assembly is not borne by the funnel during the frit - sealing process , deformation of the funnel has been greatly reduced . the scrap due to broken funnels in the face up process has been eliminated since now only the rectangular portion of the funnel is in contact with the fixture .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

referring firstly to fig1 the convertible pencil box is indicated at 10 , that box comprising a planar bottom wall 12 that is connected directly at its longitudinal edges to front and rear side walls 13 . the side walls 13 are in turn directly connected to top walls 14 and 16 , a transverse line of incisions or perforations being provided centrally of the side walls 13 , and thus defining of the separate top walls 14 and 16 . the ends of the box , which conveniently is rectangular in transverse cross - section , are closed by end flaps 20 and 22 , respectively having tuck - in tabs 21 and 23 , which are inserted behind the planar wall 12 after filling of the box with pencils or the like . when the box is filled , the pencils the like or extend continuously between the end walls 20 and 22 , and the box is , by virtue of the contained pencils , entirely rigid in the longitudinal direction , and , can be handled at the point of sale in exactly the same manner as a conventional box of pencils . once the pencils are removed from the box by the purchaser , the box itself can then be turned into a pencil holder , as is illustrated in fig2 by folding the planar wall 12 reversely on itself about the point 12 ( a ), which itself can be comprised of a line of scoring , subsequent to which the purchaser then inserts the tab 21 of the end wall 20 for it to be juxtaposed between the tab 23 of the end wall 22 and the adjacent wall of the reversely bent planar member 12 . when so assembled , the box is converted into a pencil holder having two open wells , each of which can receive pencils or the like that are positioned therein , the holder being entirely stable on a flat surface , such as a work - table or drawing board . the provision of a central incision , such as the incision 18 , has the advantage that the purchaser can view the contents of the box prior to purchase , in order to insure that the box is completely filled , and , that it is filled with the pencils that the purchaser intends to purchase . referring now to fig3 there is shown an alternative , and preferred , form of the box according to the present invention . in fig3 the box is indicated at 30 , and is in the form of an axially straight triangular tube having a continuous planar bottom wall 32 that is connected directly with side walls 34 and 35 comprising one half of the length of the tube , and side walls 36 and 37 comprising the other half of the length of the tube , the respective side walls being separated from each other in a direction longitudinally of the tube by a line of incisions or perforations 38 . by this construction , the tube 30 readily can be bent by the purchaser along a central line 32 ( a ) extending transversely of the planar wall 32 for the planar wall 32 , to be bent reversely on itself , such that the planar wall 32 and the side walls 36 and 37 are moved in the direction of the arrows a for them to lie in parallel juxtaposition with the remainder of the tube , the planar wall 32 and the side walls 36 and 37 , then having been moved into the positions shown at 32 ( a ), 36 ( a ) and 37 ( a ) in which they extend in parallelism with the remainder of the planar wall 32 and the side walls 34 and 35 . positioned within the tube is a slide tray indicated generally at 40 , the slide tray being comprised of a planar wall 42 and ends walls 44 and 46 that are configured for them to provide end closures for the tube 30 . in order to assemble the pencil holder from the box illustrated in fig3 it is merely necessary for the purchaser to withdraw the slide tray 42 , then hold the slide tray about the score line 42 ( a ) in the direction of the arrows a , in order to bring the end wall 46 into the position 46 ( a ) shown in chain dotted lines . after this has been done , the purchaser then merely inserts the end walls 44 and 46 ( a ) of the tray 40 into the free ends 32 , 34 , 35 and 32 ( a ), 36 ( a ) and 37 ( a ) of the reversely folded tube 30 , and then pushes the ends of the slide tray 40 axially within the two sections of the folded tube 30 , until such time as the fold 42 ( a ) comes into embracing engagement with the free edges 32 and 32 ( a ) of the reversely folded tube . commencing with the assembled pencil box as shown in fig4 the tray 42 is removed axially from within the tube 30 as shown in fig5 subsequent to which the respective tubular sleeve 30 and slide tray 40 are folded reversely upon themselves as illustrated in fig6 and then , the respective members are moved towards each other in the directions of the arrows b , to move the tray inwardly of the reversely folded tubular sleeve , and lock the reversely folded tubular sleeve in the reversely folded condition , as illustrated in fig7 subsequent to which the container can be oriented vertically to provide the pencil holder , by rotating it in the direction of the arrow c to the position indicated in fig8 . the configurations of containers so far described result in a square or rectangular pencil holder when appropriately folded and assembled . as is illustrated in fig9 the pencil box and the assembled container can be other than square or rectangular , for example , the pencil box can be formed of trapezoidal cross - section , this resulting in the hexagonal form of pencil box as illustrated in fig9 or , the walls 34 - 37 of the outer tubular sleeve can be in the form of a continuous curve , this resulting in a holder of cylindrical or ovate form , as illustrated in fig1 . various materials may be employed in the formation of the container and the slide tray . for example , the embodiment of fig1 conveniently can be made from a stabilized paper board , such as is well - known in the art . the tubular sleeve of the remaining figs . conveniently can be formed from a corrugated card board material , and optionally , the slide tray 42 can be formed from a similar corrugated card board material . in this latter event , preferably the container is wrapped with a removable material , such as cellophane , that has been appropriately printed with the manufacturers logos . this can be removed and discarded by the purchaser , the resultant pencil holder then being free of superfluous decorations , and , appropriately colored or color coded to indicate a group of pencils having a specific hardness . equally well , the tubular sleeve and the slide tray can be formed from a transparent sheet plastics material , or , can be formed from a relatively thin and hand bendable sheet metal .

0Human Necessities

“ pharmaceutically acceptable excipients ” is used herein according to art accepted meanings , and includes those ingredients needed to formulate a medicine for mammalian use , including the use of gelatin capsules . “ synergistic ” or “ synergy ” is used herein to mean that the effect is more than its additive property . in preferred embodiments , the synergy is at least 1 . 5 , 2 , 5 , or 10 fold . by use of “ plants ,” what is meant herein is that the plant ( or that portion with medicinal activity ) is used whole , ground , or as an extract . also included are purified active ingredients and derivatives thereof . however , it is believed that the best efficacy of plants used herein is achieved with the use of the entire plant or its extracts , rather than with the use of isolated active ingredients . further , although plants are named here according to commonly used nomenclature , with improving taxonomy plants are often reclassified . whenever a plant is referenced , it includes related species with similar active ingredients . the following examples are illustrative only and should not serve to unduly limit the invention . angelica sinensis ( dong quai or angelica , also angelica archangelia , angelica pubescens and angelica sylvestris ) contains terpenes ( terpenes , mainly β - phellandrene , with β - bisabolene , β - caryophyllene , β - phellandrene , α - and β - pinene , limonene , linalool , borneol , acetaldehyde , menthadienes , and nitromenthadienes ), macrocyclic lactones ( including tridecanolide , 12 - methyl tridecanolide , pentadecanolide ), phthalates ( such as hexamethylphthalate ), coumarins ( especially furocoumarin glycosides such as marmesin and apterin ), angelicin and byakangelicin derivatives ( osthol , umbelliferone , psoralen , bergapten , imperatoren , xanthotoxol , xanthotoxin , oxypeucedanin and more ), as well as various sugars , plant acids , flavonoids , and sterols . acanthopanax senticosus ( russian ginseng , siberian ginseng , eleuthero , devil &# 39 ; s shrub , touch - me - not , wild pepper , shigoka , acantopanacis senticosus ) contains terpenoids ( oleanolic acid ), glycosides ( eleutheroside a ( daucosterin ), b1 , c - g , i , k , l , m ), phytosterols ( β - sitosterol ), coumarins ( eleutheroside b1 and b3 , isofraxidine ), polysaccharides ( eleutherans ), volatile oils , caffeic acid , coniferyl aldehyde , and sugars . eleuthero has been shown to bind to estrogen , progestin , and mineralocorticoid receptors , and stimulate t - lymphocyte and natural killer cell production . it has activity anti - platelet aggregation activity similar to aspirin , as well as antioxidant activity . russian ginseng contains at least 40 active ingredients . rhaponticum carthamoides ( leuzea , or maral root ) contains a mixture of compounds called , “ levseins .” levseins represents a complex of more than 10 ecdysterones including 20 - beta - ecdysterone , makisterone c , 24 - dehydromakisterone a , carthamosterone , polypodyne b and ajugasterone c . researchers extracted and purified various ecdysteroids from rhaponticum and found that the ecdysteroids increased the mass of the developing quails in a dose - dependent manner , with the rate of increase proportional to the ecdysteroids content . the soviets manufactured a synthetic version of this powerful substance for their athletes with great success . soon after , the u . s . version called mesobolin circulated on the underground market for a long time . incorporation of this phytomedicine in a composition provides at least 10 active principles in a single therapeutic . panax ginseng ( chinese ginseng , panax , ren shen , jintsam , ninjin , asiatic ginseng , japanese ginseng , oriental ginseng , korean red ginseng ) main active components are ginsenosides ( ra1 , ra2 , rb1 , rg1 , rd , re , rh1 , rh2 , rh3 , f1 , f2 , f3 ) and panoxosides , which have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects , including anti - inflammatory , antioxidant , and anticancer effects . results of clinical research studies demonstrate that panax ginseng may improve psychological function , immune function , and conditions associated with diabetes . studies indicate that panax ginseng enhances phagocytosis , natural killer cell activity , and the production of interferon ; improves physical and mental performance in mice and rats ; causes vasodilation ; increases resistance to exogenous stress factors ; and affects hypoglycemic activity . it stimulates hepatic glutathione peroxidase , and the phytosterols inhibit prostaglandin synthesis . also it displays vascular activity because the saponins act like calcium antagonists in the vasculature . the incorporation of this phytomedicine provides at least 86 active principles in a single therapeutic . panax quinquefolius ( american ginseng , anchi , canadian ginseng , five fingers , ginseng , american , north american ginseng , red berry , ren shen , tienchi ) is related to panax ginseng , but is a distinct species with higher levels of ginsenoside rb1 and without ginsenoside rf . ginsenoside rb1 is believed to limit or prevent the growth of new blood vessels , making it useful to treat tumors . research suggests that several of ginseng &# 39 ; s active ingredients also have a beneficial influence on platelet aggregation . it also demonstrates an anti - atherosclerotic action , apparently mediated by a correction in the imbalance between prostacyclin and thromboxane . other studies that have found panaxynol or the lipophilic fraction to be the most potent anti - platelet agent in ginseng , chiefly due to an inhibition of thromboxane formation . this possibly occurs via regulation of cgmp and camp levels and prolongation of the time interval between the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin . ginsenosides have also been shown to be relatively potent platelet activating factor antagonists . it has antioxidant , anti - inflammatory , and hypolipidemic effects . the incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 206 active principles in a single therapeutic . pfaffia paniculata ( suma , brazilian ginseng , pfaffia , para toda , corango - acu ; also hebanthe paniculata , gomphrena paniculata , g . eriantha , iresine erianthos , i . paniculata , i . tenuis , p . eriantha , xeraea paniculata ) contains active glycosides ( beta - ecdysone and three ecdysteroids ), pfaffic acids , phytosterols ( sitosterol and estimasterol ). it also contains saponins . its germanium content probably accounts for its properties as an oxygenator at the cellular level , and its high iron content may account for its traditional use for anemia . this herb increases oxygenation at the cellular level , and it also has anabolic activity at the muscular and cardiac levels by improving the contraction of the miocardia and diminishing arrhythmias and stabilizing the membranes of cardiac cells . the incorporation of this phytomedicine provides 44 active principles in a single therapeutic . rhodiola rosea ( golden root , roseroot ) consists mainly of phenylpropanoids ( rosavin , rosin , rosarin ( specific to r . rosea ), phenylethanol derivatives ( salidroside , rhodioloside , tyrosol ), flavanoids ( catechins , proanthocyanidins , rodiolin , rodionin , rodiosin , acetylrodalgin , tricin ), monoterpenes ( rosiridol , rosaridin ), triterpenes ( daucosterol , beta - sitosterol ), and phenolic acids ( chlorogenic and hydroxycinnamic , gallic acids ). it also contains organic acids ( gallic , caffeic , and chlorogenic acids ) and p - tyrosol . there are many species of rhodiola , but it appears that the rosavins are unique to r . rosea , and it is the preferred species . its therapeutic properties include a strong estrogen binding property . it also has properties of vasodilatation by activation of mu - opiate receptors in heart muscle , and it is a hypolipidemic , diminishing cholesterol and triglyceride levels . the incorporation of this phytomedicine provides at least 20 active principles in a single therapeutic . echinacea angustifolia or purpurea ( black sampson , purple coneflower , rudbeckia , missouri snakeroot , red sunflower ) contains alkaloids ( isotussilagine , tussilagine ), amides ( echinacein , isobutylamides ), carbohydrates ( echinacin , polysaccharides ( heteroxylan and arabinogalactan ), inulin , fructose , glucose , pentose ), glycosides ( echinacoside ), terpenoids ( germacrane ), cichoric acid , betaine , methyl - para - hydroxycinnamate , vanillin , phytosterols , and volatile oils . echinacea has been the subject of hundreds of clinical and scientific studies which have primarily used an extract of the root and aerial portions of the botanical . the rich content of polysaccharides and phytosterols in echinacea are what make it a strong immune system stimulant . the sesquiterpene esters also have immuno - stimulatory effects . echinacin has also been found to possess anti - fungal and antibiotic properties . this component of echinacea also has cortisone - like actions which can help promote the healing of wounds and helps to control the inflammatory reactions . the incorporation of this phytomedicine into compositions provides at least 70 active principles in a single therapeutic . ganoderma lucidum ( reishi , also g . tsugae , g . valesiacum , g . oregonense , g . resinaceum , g . pfezfferi , g . oerstedli , and g . ahmadii ) is an edible fungus containing bitter triterpenoids ( ganoderic acid ), β - d - glucan , coumarins , alkaloids and ergosterols . it has vasodilator effect and is useful in the treatment of angina . it is hypolipidemic and anti - artherotic . it contains at least 32 active principles . grifola frondosa ( maitake , dancing mushroom ; also g . sordulenta , polyporus umbellatus and meripilus giganteus ) contains the primary polysaccharide , β - d - glucan in the 1 . 3 and 1 . 6 forms . it also contains alpha glucan , lipids , phospholipids , and ergosterol . animal studies suggest maitake may lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides . beta - d - glucan is also recognized as an effective immuno - stimulator . this substance increases the activity of macrophages and other immunocompetent cells that destroy tumor cells . the substance also improves the immunological efficiency of these cells by increasing production of cytokines il - 1 , il - 2 and lymphokines . the final result is an increase of the defenses against infectious diseases . the incorporation of this phytomedicine provides at least 6 active ingredients for therapeutic use . hydrastis canadensis ( golden seal , yellow root , turmeric root ) contains mainly isoquinoline alkaloids ( xanthopuccine , berberine , hidrastine , hidrastanine , beta - hydrastine , canadine and canadaline ). these confer anti - inflammatory , bacteriostatic , bacteriocidal , and vasodilator effects . in general , its antibacterial action is directed to metabolic inhibition , inhibition of the formation of enterotoxins , and inhibition of bacterial adhesion . it produces vasodilatation by inhibiting smooth muscle contraction , and inhibiting platelet aggregation . this plant provides at least 34 active principles for therapeutic use . petiveria alliacea ( anamú , apacin , apacina , apazote de zorro , aposin , ave , aveterinaryte , calauchin , chasser vermine , congo root , douvant - douvant , emeruaiuma , garlic guinea henweed , guine , guine , guinea , guinea hen leaf , gully root , herbe aux poules , hierba de las gallinitas , huevo de gato , kojo root , kuan , kudjuruk , lemtewei , lemuru , mal pouri , mapurit , mapurite , mucura - caa , mucura , mucuracaa , ocano , payche , pipi , tipi , verbena hedionda , verveine puante , zorrillo ) contains allantoin , arborinol , arborinoliso astilbin , benzaldehyde , benzoic - acid benzyl - 2 - hydroxy - 5 - ethyl - trisulfide , coumarin , dibenzyl trisulfide , engeletin , alpha friedelinol , isoarborinol , isoarborinol - acetate , isoarborinol - cinnamate , isothiocyanates , kno3 , leridal , leridol , leridol - 5 - methyl ether , lignoceric acid , lignoceryl alcohol , lignoceryl lignocerate , linoleic acid myricitrin , nonadecanoic acid , oleic acid , palmitic acid , pinitol , polyphenols , proline , trans - n - methyl - 4 - methoxy , senfol , β - sitosterol , stearic acid , tannins , and trithiolaniacine . its therapeutic activities include anti - inflammatory , immune - stimulant and antimicrobial effects . this phytomedicine provides about 25 active principles . sutherlandia frutescens ( cancer bush , also sutherlandia microphylla ) contains l - canavanine , pinitol , gaba ( gamma aminobuteric acid ), and asparagine . in addition , novel triterpenoid glucoside known as “ su1 ” has been isolated and characterized . the therapeutic indications include anti - inflammatory , antioxidant , immuno - modulador , and vasodilator effects . this phytomedicine provide at least 5 active principles . tabebuia avellanedae ( pau d &# 39 ; arco , ipê , lapacho , tahuari , taheebo , trumpet tree , tabebuia ipê , tajy ; also t . ipe , t . nicaraguensis , t . schunkeuigoi , t . serratifolia , t . altissima , t . palmeri , t . impetiginosa , t . heptaphylla , gelseminum avellanedae , handroanthus avellanedae , h . impetiginosus , tecoma adenophylla , tec . avellanedae , tec . eximia , tec . impetiginosa , tec . integra , tec . ipe ) extracts contain diverse quinone derivatives and a small quantity of benzenoids and flavonoids , including beta - lapachone , xyloidone , tabebuin , quercetin , tecomine , and steroidal saponins . one important ingredient is lapachol , a derivative of which was patented in 1975 . it has anti - inflammatory and antibacterial effects . the incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 32 active principles in a single therapeutic . uncaria tomentosa ( cat &# 39 ; s claw , peruvian cat &# 39 ; s claw , samento , saventaro , uña de gato , also uncaria guianensis ) has several alkaloids including pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids ( poa ) ( isomitraphylline , isopteropodine , mitraphylline , pteropodine , speciophylline , uncarine f ), tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids ( toa ) ( isorynchophylline , rynchophylline ), glycosides ( triterpenic quinovic acid glycosides ), hirsutine , tannins , catechins , phytosterols ( beta - sitosterol , campesterol , stigmasterol ), triterpenes , polyphenols , flavanols and oligomeric proanthocyanidins ( opc ). it is an immune - stimulant , an anti - inflammatory , vasodilator , and antioxidant . in laboratory testing , rynchophylline displays an ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis , suggesting that cat &# 39 ; s claw may be useful in preventing strokes and reducing the risk of heart attack by lowering blood pressure , increasing circulation , inhibiting formation of plaque on arterial walls and formation of blood clots in the brain , heart and arteries . this phytomedicine provides at least 10 active ingredients . petiveria alliacea ( anamú , apacin , apacina , apazote de zorro , aposin , ave , aveterinaryte , calauchin , chasser vermine , congo root , douvant - douvant , emeruaiuma , garlic guinea henweed , guine , guine , guinea , guinea hen leaf , gully root , herbe aux poules , hierba de las gallinitas , huevo de gato , kojo root , kuan , kudjuruk , lemtewei , lemuru , mal pouri , mapurit , mapurite , mucura - caa , mucura , mucuracaa , ocano , payche , pipi , tipi , verbena hedionda , verveine puante , zorrillo ) contains allantoin , arborinol , arborinoliso astilbin , benzaldehyde , benzoic - acid benzyl - 2 - hydroxy - 5 - ethyl - trisulfide , coumarin , dibenzyl trisulfide , engeletin , alpha friedelinol , isoarborinol , isoarborinol - acetate , isoarborinol - cinnamate , isothiocyanates , kno3 , leridal , leridol , leridol - 5 - methyl ether , lignoceric acid , lignoceryl alcohol , lignoceryl lignocerate , linoleic acid myricitrin , nonadecanoic acid , oleic acid , palmitic acid , pinitol , polyphenols , proline , trans - n - methyl - 4 - methoxy , senfol , β - sitosterol , stearic acid , tannins , and trithiolaniacine . its therapeutic activities includes anti - inflammatory , immuno - stimulant and antimicrobial . this phytomedicine provides about 25 active principles . angelica sinensis ( dong quai or angelica , also angelica archangelia , angelica pubescens and angelica sylvestris ) contains terpenes ( terpenes , mainly β - phellandrene , with β - bisabolene , β - caryophyllene , β - phellandrene , α - and β - pinene , limonene , linalool , borneol , acetaldehyde , menthadienes and nitromenthadienes ), macrocyclic lactones ( including tridecanolide , 12 - methyl tridecanolide , pentadecanolide ), phthalates ( such as hexamethylphthalate ), coumarins ( especially furocoumarin glycosides such as marmesin and apterin ), angelicin and byakangelicin derivatives ( osthol , umbelliferone , psoralen , bergapten , imperatoren , xanthotoxol , xanthotoxin , oxypeucedanin and more ), as well as various sugars , plant acids , flavonoids , and sterols . these components have vasodilator activity , increase coronary flow and are antithrombotic . the incorporation of this phytomedicine into compositions provides at least 70 active principles in a single therapeutic . crataegus oxyacantha ( hawthorn , see also c . monogyna ) contains mainly flavonoids ( such as flavonoglycosyls , hyperoside , rutin , flavonol , kaempferol , quercetin ) and oligomeric procyanadins ( 1 - epicatechol ), which relax arterial expansion to decrease peripheral vascular resistance . also contains amines ( phenyletylamine , tyramine , o - methoxyphenethylamine ), flavone ( apigenin , luteolin ) derivatives , vitexin glycosides , tannins , saponins , and cyanogenetic glycosides . the incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 52 active principles in a single therapeutic plant . croton lechleri ( dragon &# 39 ; s blood , sangre de grado , sangre de agua ; also c . draconoides , c . palanostigma , c . erythrochilus c . salutaris , and c . gossypifolius ) produces a distinctive red exudate from its trunk containing a considerable amount of secondary plant metabolites , the majority of which are hydrolyzing flavonoids , proanthocyanidins ( mainly catechin , epicatechin , gallocatechin and / or galloepicatechin ), as well as taspine . other components include the dihydrobenzofuran lignan , six simple phenols and their derivatives , three steroids , non - saturated fatty acids , diterpenoids ( hardwickiic acid , bincatriol , crolechinol , crolechinic acid , coberine a , coberine b ), and diterpenoids . it heals wounds and ulcers of vascular origin . incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 23 active principles in a single therapeutic . ginkgo biloba ( ginkgo ) contains ginkgolides , bilobalides , bioflavones and flavone glycosides . flavone glycosides include quercetin , 3 - methylquercetin and kaempferol . quercetin , myrcetin and the rest of the flavonoid fraction of the extract have antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects . the flavonoids diminish infiltration by neutrophils and increase blood flow . their antioxidant properties and membrane stabilizing activity increase the tolerance to hypoxia . they improve cellular metabolism and protect against the damage caused by ischemia . ginkgolide b is a powerful inhibitor of platelet activating factor ( paf ), binding to its membrane receptors , and antagonizing platelet aggregation . similarly , it has anti - inflammatory effect by decreasing vascular permeability , and has vasodilator activity by inhibiting the liberation of thromboxane b2 and prostaglandins . controlled double blind clinical studies conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of gingko biloba in treating peripheral arterial insufficiency . the incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 59 active principles in a single therapeutic . hydrocotyle asiatica ( gotu kola , bramhi , pennywort , marsh penny , pennywort ; also hydrocotile asiatica asiatica ) contain terpenoids ( triterpenes , asiaticoside , brahmoside and brahminosidea , ( saponin glycosides ) aglycones , asiaticentoic acid , centellic acid , centoic acid and madecassic acid ), sesquiterpenes ( caryophyllene , trans - b - farnesene ), volatile oils ( germacrene d ), alkaloids ( hydrocotylin ), flavones ( quercetin , kaempferol , sesquiterpenes , stigmasterol , and sitosterol ), and vallerine , fatty acids , resin , and tannins . it is used to treat chronic venous insufficiency , varicose veins , and venous hypertension . incorporation of this phytomedicine in a composition provides at least 59 active principles in a single therapeutic . ruscus aculeatus ( butcher &# 39 ; s broom , box holly , jew &# 39 ; s myrtle , knee holly , kneeholm , pettigree , sweet broom ) contains as primary active ingredients the steroidal saponins ( ruscogenin and neoruscogenin ), but other constituents have been isolated , including flavonoids , tetracosanoic acid , chrysophanic acid , sitosterol , campesterol , stigmasterol , triterpenes , coumarins , sparteine , tyramine , and glycolic acid . its ingredients reduce vascular permeability , have anti - elastic properties and are vasoconstrictors . the incorporation of this phytomedicine in a composition provides at least 28 active agents . vaccinium myrtillus ( european blueberry or bilberry , closely related to american blueberry , cranberry , and huckleberry ) contains anthocyanosides such as : cianadins , malvidins , petunidins and peonidins . other ingredients include arbutin , asperuloside , astragalin , beta - amyrin , caffeic - acid , catechin , chlorogenic - acid , cyanadin - 3 - o - arabinoside , dihydroxycinnamic - acid , epicatechin , epigallocatechin , epimyrtine , ferulic - acid , gallic - acid , gallocatechin , hydroquinone , hyperoside , isoquercitrin , lutein , coumaric - acids , m - hydroxybenzoic - acid , monotropein , myrtillin , myrtillol , myrtine , neomyrtillin , protocatechuic - acid , quercetins , quinic - acid , resinic - acid , syringic - acid , ursolic - acid , and vanillic - acid . evidence suggests that anthocyanosides may benefit the retina , as well as strengthen the walls of blood vessels , reduce inflammation , and stabilize collagen containing tissues . the anthocyanosides improve the activity of enzymes lactic dehydrogenase , glucose - 6 - phosphatase and phosphoglucomutase , each involved in processes of vascular damage . they reduce the arterial deposits and stimulate the production of vasodilators , like prostaglandin ( pg12 ), thus protecting the vascular wall . anthocyanosides have strong antioxidant properties , as well . the incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 63 active principles in a single therapeutic . a particularly preferred composition is shown in table 1 . ratios reflect the concentration of active ingredient over the natural state , and the amounts provided are mg of extract . obviously , the amount should be increased where the strength is reduced , and vice versa . panax quinquefolius the active principles responsible for its therapeutic effects are triterpensaponides , of which more than 25 different types have been identified . these are denominated protopanaxadiols ( ginsenosides rc , rd , rb1 , rb2 ) and protopanaxatriols ( ginsenosides — re , — rf , — rg1 , etc .). panax also contains hydrosoluble polysaccharides ( panaxans a - u ) and polyacetylenes ( ginsenosides a - k , panaxynol and panaxatriol ). these substances confer energizing properties because they increase atp synthesis . on the other hand they reduce the secretion of prolactin by increasing dopaminergic activity or by activating dopamine receptors at the anterior hipophysis level . prolactin is a hormone involved in the appearance of anovulatory cycles and dysfunctional uterine hemorrhages , menorrhea , mammary fibrocystic condition , and cyclic mastalgy . the reduction of this hormone explains the recovery in the treatment of uterine dysfunctional hemorrhages , polycystic ovary syndrome ( pcos ), ovary cysts , fibromyomatous uteri , and infertility . pfaffia paniculata its most important active principles are : beta - ecdysone and three glycoside ecdysteroids , six different pfaffic acids , phytosterols and nortriterpenic glycosides . these substances are energizing through an increase in atp synthesis and oxygenation at the cellular level . also , its phytosterols act as hormone originators , and have demonstrated effectiveness in the management of diverse conditions associated with hormone imbalance , such as : premenstrual syndrome , dysmenorrhea , infertility , dysfunctional uterine hemorrhages , and menopause . astragalus membranaceus ( huang - qi ) this plant contains three main types of active principles . isoflavones , which act as anti - oxidants ; astragalans which act as immune - stimulants and anti - inflammatory by stimulating the phagocytic activity of macrophages , of the cytotoxic response of t and nk lymphocytes and of the production and activity of interferon ; and astragalans which act as modulators of the hypothalamus - hypofisis - adrenal axis response . dioscorea villosa ( rheumatism root , huesos del dialo , yuma , yam , wild yam , chinese yam , mexican yam , raiz china , and colic root ) contains steroid sapogenins ( dioscine , dioscorin and diosgenine ) as the main active principles . diosgenine can change into ecdysone , pregnenolone , and progesterone , thus , diosgenine is a hormonal precursor , which contributes to the neuroendocrine system &# 39 ; s modulation . on the other hand , diosgenine has demonstrated its important pro - apoptotic effects , in the therapy of benign and malign tumors , including mammary and ovarian cysts , and uterine fibroids . ganoderma lucidum and grifola frondosa the main active principles of these mushrooms are sterols and beta - proteoglucans which bestow anti - inflammatory and immune - modulating properties , because they increase the phagocytotic capacity of macrophages and increase the production and lifespan of cd4 lymphocytes . tabebuia avellanedae contains diverse substances derived from quinones , such as alfa and beta lapachone [ 2 - hydroxi - 3 -( 3 - metil - 2 - butenil )- 1 , 4 - naftoquinona ] and cyclopentane dialdehydes . these confer important anti - inflammatory , pro - apoptotic , antimitotic and cytostatic effects , in treating benign and malign tumors including mammary and ovarian cysts as well as uterine fibroids . vitex agnus castus ( chaste tree or chaste berry ) an essential oil is extracted from the fruit of this plant , two iridoid glycosides ( aucubine and agnuside ); a flavone ( casticine , which seems to be the primary active principle ) and 3 minor flavonoids derived from kaempferol and quercetin . these active principles act on the anterior hypofisis dopaminergic - d2 receptors , modulating prolactin secretion . this hormone is implicated in the appearance of anovulatory cycles and dysfunctional uterine hemorrhages , menorrhea , mammary fibrocystic condition , and cyclic mastalgy . vitex agnus castus modulates the secretion of lh from the hypofisis , which act on the ovary , starting up the luteal phase and progesterone secretion . therefore , vitex benefits dysfunctional uterine hemorrhages , premenstrual syndrome , pcos , infertility , ovary cysts , menopause , and fibromyomatous uteri . hydrocotile asiatica see above . also , the active principles include pentacyclic triterpene saponins . the major active principles are asiaticosides and madecassosides . other minor saponins are the centelloside , brahmosides , brahminosides and hydrocotile asiatica saponins b , c and d . mucopolysaccharides are the core components of the cellular matrix . the biochemical action of these active principles reduce the levels of lysosomal enzymes associated with the degradation of mucopolysaccharides . on the other hand , the active agents act on the fibroblasts of the connective tissue , modulating collagen synthesis and inhibiting inflammatory processes . this diminishes the fibrosis processes important to fibrocystic mammary and uterine conditions . panax ginseng the active principles responsible for its therapeutic effects are triterpensaponides of which more than 25 different types have been identified . these include protopanaxadiols ( ginsenosides rc , rd , rb1 , rb2 ) and protopanaxatriols ( ginsenosides - re , - rf , - rg 1 , etc .). panax also contains hydrosoluble polysaccharides ( panaxans a - u ) and polyacetylenes ( ginsenosides a - k , panaxynol and panaxatriol ). these substances confer energizing properties because they increase atp synthesis . rhodiola rosea see above . also , the active principles in this plant ( phenylpropanoids , phenylethanol derivatives , flavonoids , monoterpenes and phenolic acids ) activate the synthesis of atp in mitochondria and stimulate reparative energy processes . andrographis paniculata ( king of bitters , chirettta , kalmegh and kiryat ) primary active principles associated with andrographis are : flavonoids , glucosides and diterpenic lactones ( andrographolides ). these substances offer immuno - modulator and anti - inflammatory properties . even though their precise mechanism of action is not known , studies suggest that they stimulate the immune systems and activate macrophages . angelica sinensis contains alkyl phthalides ( ligustilide ); terpenes , phenylpropanoids ( ferulic acid ) and benzenoids . these substances stimulate the immune system &# 39 ; s actions , through diverse lymphokines and have an anti - inflammatory effect by inhibiting 5 - lipoxygenase and elastase , as well as selectively inhibiting 12 -( s )- hhtre production , a marker of cyclo - oxygenase activity . astragalus membranaceus see above . also , astragalus membranaceus inhibits 5 - lipoxygenase and elastase , which indicates that it is valuable in the management of skin pathologies involving chronic inflammation , such as psoriasis . hydrastis canadensis the most important active principles of hydrastis are isoquinoline alcaloides ( berberina , hydrastina , hidrastanina , canadina , canadalina ) which award anti - inflammatory , and immuno - modulating properties . berberine inhibits activating protein 1 ( ap - 1 ), a key factor in transcription the inflammation . it also exerts a significant inhibitory effect on lymphocyte transformation , so its anti - inflammatory action seems to be due to the inhibition of dna synthesis in the activated lymphocytes or to the inhibition of the liberation of arachidonic acid from the phospholipids of the cellular membrane . it also has immuno - modulating properties by increasing the production of immunoglobulins g and m and stimulating the phagocytotic capacity of macrophages . ganoderma lucidum the main active principles of this mushroom are sterols and beta - proteoglucans that bestow anti - inflammatory and immune - modulating properties by increasing the phagocytotic capacity of macrophages and raising production and lifespan of cd4 lymphocytes . equisetum arvense ( horse tail ) this plant contains abundant mineral salts particularly silicic acids and silicates . it also contains phytosterols , phenolic acids , flavonoids ( mainly quercetin glycosides and apigenine ) and saponins ( equisetonin ). these active principles block the liberation of arachidonic acid , which diminishes inflammation and reduces the proliferation of keratinocytes , as well as inducing g2 / m arrest in keratinocytes . the action mechanism is in part due to the inhibition of mitotic kinase activity of p34cd2 and perturbation of cyclin b1 levels . tabebuia avellanedae contains diverse quinone derivatives such as alpha and beta - lapachone , cyclopentane dialdehydes and a small quantity of benzenoids and flavonoids , including , xyloidone , tabebuin , quercetin , tecomine , and steroidal saponins . these compounds inhibit keratinocyte growth and offer anti - inflammatory and antibacterial effects , which are of great importance in the treatment of psoriasis . shilajit ( mumiyo ) mumiyo is a natural complex substance , whose active principles are carboxylic acids : ( hydroxylated derivatives of benzoic , phenylacetic and hippuric acids ), fulvic and humic acids , minerals and amino acids . of mumiyo &# 39 ; s known properties , the most important ones are its ability to reduce excessive inflammatory reactions and stimulate tissue regeneration . oral intake of mumiyo has been used to treat burns , trophic non - healing wounds , eczema , and other skin diseases , such as psoriasis . it has been established that fulvic / humic acids stimulate respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in liver mitochondria , increase mechanical resistance of collagen fibers , activate human leucocytes , reduce excessive inflammatory reactions , and stimulate tissue regeneration . shark cartilage this natural compound reduces psoriatic plaque vascularization . it inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells , competitively blocking the endothelial growth factor at the receptor level . it also inhibits tyrosine egf and egf - 2 dependant phosphorylation as well as the increase of fce induced permeability . shark cartilage also induces endothelial cell apoptosis , by inducing caspase 3 , 8 and 9 activation , and the liberation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm . shark cartilage also induces fibrinolitic activity by increasing the secretion , activity and affinity of tissue plasminogen activator ( tpa ) for endothelial cells . it also inhibits extracellular matrix degradation , by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases mmp - 2 , mmp - 7 , mmp - 9 , mmp - 12 and mmp - 13 . it also stimulates production of angiostatin . schizandra chinensis the major active principles of schizandra ( also known as wuweizi and wurenchum ) are lignans called schizandrines . these substances have known hepato - protective and hepato - regenerative properties . it maintains the integrity of hepatocyte cellular membranes ; increases hepatic levels of ascorbic acid ; inhibits nadph oxidation ; inhibits lipid peroxidation at the hepatic microsomal level as well as formation of hepatic malondialdehyde ; diminishes production of carbon monoxide at the hepatic level ; has an inductor effect in the enzymatic anti - toxic microsomal hepatic cytochrome p - 450 ; increases biliary flow and the excretion of toxic substances ; promotes recovery of hepatic functions ; induces mrna formation for the hepatocyte growth factor ( hgf ); encourages the proliferation of the hepatocyte &# 39 ; s endoplasmic smooth reticula , and accelerates the proliferation of hepatocytes ; increases ornithine decarboxylase activity as well as the mitotic index , facilitates dna synthesis and hepatic proteins ; increases levels of glutathione , glutathione reductase and glucose - 6 - phosphate , improving the regeneration capacity of the liver . silybum marianum ( milk thistle ) the active principles of this plant are flavonolignans , including silibine , silicristine and silidianine and isosilibinin collectively known as sylimarin . this compound has the highest grade of hepato - protective , hepato - generating , and anti - inflammatory activity . the mechanisms which explain its hepato - protector characteristics are diverse and include anti - oxidation , lipid anti - peroxidation , detoxification increase through a competitive inhibition with toxic substances , as well as protection against the depletion of glutathione . one of the mechanisms that can explain its hepato - regenerative properties is the increase in protein synthesis , obtained thanks to a significant boost in the formation of ribosomes , dna synthesis and proteins at the hepatic level , because the active principles join a specific polymerase receptor , stimulating ribosome formation . its anti - inflammatory effect is due to the stabilization of the mastocytes , the inhibition of neutrophils , a strong inhibition of leucotriene ( lt ) synthesis and formation of prostaglandins . sylimarin inhibits intestinal beta - glucuronidase enzymes , thus improving glucoronization , which is an important step in hepatic detoxification . more corporal toxins are removed via glucoronization than through other detox pathways . picrorhiza kurroa the most important active constituents are iridoid glycoside picrosides i , ii , iii and kutkoside , known collectively as kutkin . though less well researched than silybum , it appears to have similar applications and mechanisms of action . when compared with silybum , the curative efficacy of picrorhiza was found to be similar , or in many cases superior , to the effect of silybum . picrorrhiza possesses significant antioxidant activity , by reducing lipid peroxidation and free radical damage . like sylimarin , it has also an effect on liver regeneration . picrorrhiza also offers anti - inflammatory effects , inhibiting the infiltration of pro - inflammatory cells . one of its minor components , apocynin exhibits powerful anti - inflammatory effects , without affecting beneficial activities such as phagocytosis , chemotaxis or humoral immunity . smilax spp . ( sarsaparilla ) its main active principles are : phytosterols , steroid saponins , phenolic acids , flavonoids and minerals . these substances adhere to toxins inside the gastrointestinal tract , this way reducing their absorption by the circulatory stream . on the other hand it improves the hepatic and renal excretory functions , facilitating the removal of toxic substances and waste found in cells , blood vessels and lymphatic system . also , phytosterols block prostaglandin synthetase action , explaining its anti - inflammatory action and use to treat psoriasis . vaccinium myrtillus angiogenesis appears to be a fundamental inflammatory response early in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and significant abnormalities of vascular morphology and vascular endothelial growth factor ( vegf ) play a crucial role in the vascularization of psoriatic plaques . during inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis , the skin initiates angiogenesis through vegf and the active principles of this plant ( anthocyanosides , flavonoids , quercetin , tannins , iridoids and phenolic acids ) significantly inhibit vegf expression by the human keratinocytes , reducing the psoriatic plaque &# 39 ; s angiogenesis . a multicentric , retrospective study was made on 100 healthy volunteers with the intention of evaluating patient tolerance and side effects of the herbaria combination . a capsule containing 700 mg of the herbaria of table 1 was administered to each participant three times per day for five days . during that period they were evaluated by a physician , who registered any finding or symptom reported by each subject . the average age of the participants was 37 . 4 years with a sd of 8 . 2 years . gender was 55 % female , 45 % male . the average weight of the subjects was 70 kilos with a sd of 12 . 3 kilos . no undesirable effects were observed in 96 % of the subjects . four ( 4 %) subjects reported minor undesirable effects . the study showed that herbaria were well tolerated - only minor symptoms were reported by 4 of the 100 subjects . these results showed the non - toxicity of the herbaria , demonstrating that the formulation is safe . similar results have been obtained for the pcos and psoriasis formulations . to evaluate the efficacy of the combination , 110 patients affected with diverse degrees of lesions of the diabetic foot , were studied by means of retrospective , multicentric , and descriptive study for two year duration . of these patients , 50 had grade iii - v lesions , and were diagnosed for surgical amputation of the affected area . the patients were treated as above , with ten 700 mg capsule of herbaria three times a day , but the treatment was continued on an as needed basis for times ranging from 1 . 5 months to 10 months . the data is summarized in table 4 . it is significant to note that the herbaria treatment prevented amputation in 40 patients ( 80 % of the population ) who were already diagnosed for surgical removal of portions of the foot . in contrast , in the usual course of standard medical treatment , almost 100 % of these patients could have expected to have a partial or complete amputation . thus , these superior results are quite unexpected and clearly demonstrate the novel and non - obvious qualities of the formulation . likewise , 129 patients with chronic varicose ulcers were evaluated . the treatment ( six 700 mg capsules three times a day ) improved ulcers in 79 % of the population , and remission was achieved in 21 % of the population in only two months ( table 5 ). the systemic treatment also significantly improved the most frequent symptoms ( cramps 71 . 4 %, pain 78 %, and edema 88 . 7 %). in contrast , most patients with chronic varicose ulcers do not achieve remission under existing pharmaceutical treatments and have high risk of amputation . in a study of 35 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome ( pcos ), the treatment improved pelvic pain in all 20 symptomatic patients , menstrual disorder ( amenorrhea , dysmenorrhea , menometrorrhea , oligomenorrhea ) in all 22 symptomatic patients , asthenia and cephalea in all 17 symptomatic patients , as well as acne and hirsutism in 8 of 9 symptomatic patients . pelvic echo sonograms revealed that 29 patients ( 82 . 9 %) experienced a total disappearance of cysts , while another 6 ( 17 . 2 %) showed a decrease in cyst size . in contrast , most patients with pcos do not achieve symptomatic relief without surgical intervention , and very few , if any , have a complete disappearance of cysts ( table 6 ). the dosage was six 650 mg capsules three times a day . similarly , in a study of 123 patients with severe psoriasis , clinical remission was observed in 77 % of the patients , and almost two thirds of the patients achieved clinical improvement in less than 45 days ( table 7 ). in contrast , most patients with severe psoriasis do not achieve remission , but only symptomatic relief with existing pharmaceutical approaches . the dosage was seven 650 mg capsules three times a day . in conclusion , these results indicate that synergistic combinations of phytoceuticals , scientifically chosen from each category of herbal tonics described in the next section , is suprisingly effective ! in order to expand the range of formulations encompassed by the invention , we have categorized beneficial plants into one of three groups , each of which should be present for synergistic effect . the classifications are energy , bio - intelligence and organization . plants classified under energy are associated with atp synthesis ( such as the krebs cycle , oxidative phosphorylation , beta - oxidation , etc .). plants classified under bio - intelligence are those that regulate the neuroendocrine and immunological systems and cellular processes , thus controlling the interactions between the various systems in the body . finally , plants classified under organization are those that relate to the structure and function of specific organs . combinations of plants from these three classification groups have synergistic effect because they address each necessary component of cellular and organic health — in effect they provide the triangle on which healing is fully supported . a large group of plants were classified ( along with some vitamins , etc .) according to this system , based on what is known in the literature about their active ingredients and mode of action . the classification is presented in table 8 . table 8 is representative only : based on the criterion described herein , additional plants can easily be categorized as their mode of action is elucidated . an illustrative example of synergy in medicinal plants is an in vitro study that demonstrates how the activity of herbal berberine alkaloids is strongly potentiated by the action of herbal 5 ′- methoxyhydnocarpin ( 5 ′- mhc ). it shows a strong increase of accumulation of berberine in the cells in the presence of 5 ′- mhc , indicating that this plant compound effectively disabled the bacterial resistance mechanism against the berberine antimicrobial , thus showing the synergy of both substances . stermitz f r , et al ., synergy in a medicinal plant : antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5 ′- methoxyhydnocarpin , a multidrug pump inhibitor . proc natl acad sci usa . 2000 feb . 15 ; 97 ( 4 ): 1433 - 7 . we expect to further demonstrate synergistic effect on a molecular scale by studying the gene expression profile changes in response to various plant ingredients and combinations thereof . experiments are already underway demonstrating the expression profile in response to the formulations . we will be aided in this work because researchers have already begun studying the expression profiles of various medicinal plants , thus providing a database of knowledge from which to build . e . g ., gohil , et al ., mrna expression profile of a human cancer cell line in response to ginkgo biloba extract : induction of antioxidant response and the golgi system , free radic res . 2001 december ; 33 ( 6 ): 831 - 849 . we may also test combinations of plants for synergistic effects by using the mouse model for diabetic lesions , as described in mastropaolo , et al ., synergy in polymicrobial infections in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes infection and immunity , september 2005 , p . 6055 - 6063 , vol . 73 , no . 9 . briefly , obese diabetic mouse strain bks . cg - m +/+ leprdb / j are injected subcutaneously with mixed cultures containing escherichia coli , bacteroides fragilis , and clostridium perfringens . progression of the infection ( usually abscess formation ) is monitored by examining mice for bacterial populations and numbers of white blood cells at 1 , 8 , and 22 days post - infection . various plant ingredients and combinations thereof can be used to show a synergistic effect . further , the model can be used to show synergy when the formulations of the invention are combined with existing pharmaceuticals , such as antibiotics .

0Human Necessities

a detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate the principles of the invention . while the invention is described in conjunction with such embodiment ( s ), it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any one embodiment . on the contrary , the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives , modifications , and equivalents . for the purpose of example , numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention . these details are provided for the purpose of example , and the present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details . for the purpose of clarity , technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured . it should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented in numerous ways , including as a process , an apparatus , a system , a device , a method , or a computer readable medium such as a computer readable storage medium containing computer readable instructions or computer program code , or as a computer program product , comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein . in the context of this disclosure , a computer usable medium or computer readable medium may be any medium that can contain or store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system , apparatus or device . for example , the computer readable storage medium or computer usable medium may be , but is not limited to , a random access memory ( ram ), read - only memory ( rom ), or a persistent store , such as a mass storage device , hard drives , cdrom , dvdrom , tape , erasable programmable read - only memory ( eprom or flash memory ), or any magnetic , electromagnetic , infrared , optical , or electrical means system , apparatus or device for storing information . alternatively or additionally , the computer readable storage medium or computer usable medium may be any combination of these devices or even paper or another suitable medium upon which the program code is printed , as the program code 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 . applications , software programs or computer readable instructions may be referred to as components or modules . applications may be hardwired or hard coded in hardware or take the form of software executing on a general purpose computer or be hardwired or hard coded in hardware such that when the software is loaded into and / or executed by the computer , the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention . applications may also be downloaded in whole or in part through the use of a software development kit or toolkit that enables the creation and implementation of the present invention . in this specification , these implementations , or any other form that the invention may take , may be referred to as techniques . in general , the order of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention . an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to an information storage system in the form of a storage system configured to store files , but it should be understood that the principles of the invention are not limited to information storage systems . rather , they are applicable to any system capable of storing and handling various types of objects , in analog , digital , or other form . although terms such as document , file , object , etc . may be used by way of example , the principles of the invention are not limited to any particular form of representing and storing data or other information ; rather , they are equally applicable to any object capable of representing information . conventional storage arrays typically contain a wide variety of physical appliances . physical appliances typically provide services to the storage array . for example , these physical appliances may be wan accelerator appliances , backup appliances , and deduplication appliances , among others . adding several physical appliances to a storage device may be expensive , time consuming , and may complicate the management of the storage system . as a result , many system administrators do not choose to use implement some physical appliances . the enhanced techniques described herein simplify the deployment and management of appliances by virtualizing them . in some embodiments , standard virtualization techniques may be applied , such as those provided by vmware , microsoft , and others . in some embodiments , templates for virtual appliances may be created by using the open virtual format ( ovf ). when creating the virtual appliance , several parameters may be set , such as the ip address of the virtual appliance , administrator passwords , if applicable , and other basic networking configurations , among others . in some embodiments , virtual appliances may be stored on a blade of a storage array . in some embodiments , the blade may have esx , a product offered by vmware , installed . vcenter , a product also offered by vmware , may be also be used . fig1 illustrates a storage array in accordance with some embodiments . storage array 10 contains blades 108 and 110 . stored on blade 108 are virtual appliances 100 , 102 , and 104 . stored on blade 110 is virtual appliance 106 . virtual appliances provide services that physical appliances provide ( e . g . deduplication , backup , wan acceleration , ediscovery , etc .). though fig1 illustrates three virtual appliances on a blade , and one virtual appliance on another , many other combinations are possible . for example , one blade may hold a dozen virtual appliances , another blade may hold six , and yet another blade may hold three . any number of virtual appliances may fit on a blade , as long as the blade has the resources to support the number of virtual appliances ( e . g . enough storage space , processing power , etc .). further , a storage array may hold any number of blades , as long as the storage array has the resources to support the blades ( e . g . enough racks , etc .). multiple copies of a virtual appliance may be stored on a single blade or across multiple blades . this may be preferable in cases where additional computing resources , or higher availability is desired for the virtual appliance . replacing physical appliances with virtual appliances provides multiple benefits . one benefit is reduction of hardware . since many physical devices may be replaced with a virtual appliance , less hardware is used . another benefit is reduction in energy use . having many physical devices running produces a lot of heat and consumes a lot of energy . by replacing physical devices with virtual appliances , less heat may be generated , and less energy may be consumed . by using virtual appliances , a storage array may have several services , such as deduplication , and backup , among others , without having a wide variety of equipment from different vendors ( e . g . service providers ). no external hardware is needed — only the blades in the storage array are needed to store the virtual appliances . in this way , virtual appliances may resemble storage array features , rather than additional hardware deployments . in some embodiments , virtual appliances may be included in a standard storage array , and may be provisioned as standard array features . provisioning virtual appliances may instantiate virtual appliances from included images and provides basic configuration ( e . g . licensing ) and networking . for example , a distributor of storage arrays may have a default storage array which includes multiple virtual appliances . in some embodiments , virtual appliances may be stored in a blade , but not activated . this may be preferable in instances where a user does not want , or has no need for all of the services provided by every virtual appliance . for example , a blade may come by default with a deduplication virtual appliance , a search virtual appliance , and a backup virtual appliance . the user may not want a search appliance . in this case , the user may activate only the deduplication and backup virtual appliances when the user . in some embodiments , activation may be accomplished by receiving a license from the distributor of the storage array , and entering license information to instantiate the desired virtual appliances . in some embodiments , it may be preferable to dynamically deploy the virtual appliances . using the example above , at first the user may want deduplication and backup virtual appliances . however , at a later time , the user may decide that the deduplication is no longer needed , and the user may decommission the deduplication virtual appliance . the user may also decide to add search services to the storage array , and instantiate the search virtual appliance . by using instantiating and decommissioning virtual appliances dynamically , the user is able to better manage the storage array . the user does not need to worry about adding new physical appliances and installing the associated hardware , or removing physical appliances and uninstalling the associated hardware . virtual appliances that were not part of the default storage array may also be added to the storage array . for example , suppose a storage array included by default a backup virtual appliance and a deduplication virtual appliance . in some embodiments , a user may have the option to purchase or instantiate a virtual appliance through an interface , such as an application store , or management software ( such as unisphere provided by emc corporation ), among others . for example , a user may open the interface , and the interface may provide details on installed or instantiated virtual appliances . in this example , the interface will indicate that the backup virtual appliance and deduplication virtual appliance are installed . the interface may allow the user to perform certain actions , such as purchasing a new virtual appliance , downloading a new virtual appliance ( subject to certain conditions , such as payment ), decommissioning a currently installed virtual appliance , updating a virtual appliance , and viewing available virtual appliances , among others . when retrieving authorization information , such as license keys after purchasing a virtual appliance , the interface may connect to the distributor of the storage array to download the necessary data . this data may be an image of a virtual appliance , which may be instantiated on the storage array . the interface may also connect to third party providers of virtual appliances . the interface itself may run on the storage array , or on another computer system . fig2 illustrates a method to process information in accordance with some embodiments . in step 200 , a physical appliance to virtualize is determined . in step 202 , a virtual appliance is creased based on the physical appliance . in step 204 , the virtual appliance is stored in a storage array . fig3 illustrates a method to process information in accordance with some embodiments . in step 300 , a service to terminate is selected . in step 302 , a virtual appliance associated with the service is determined . in step 304 , the virtual appliance is decommissioned . fig4 illustrates a method to process information in accordance with some embodiments . in step 400 , a service to add to a storage array is selected . in step 402 , a virtual appliance associated with the service is determined . in step 404 , the virtual appliance is instantiated . for the sake of clarity , the processes and methods herein have been illustrated with a specific flow , but it should be understood that other sequences may be possible and that some may be performed in parallel , without departing from the spirit of the invention . additionally , steps may be subdivided or combined . as disclosed herein , software written in accordance with the present invention may be stored in some form of computer - readable medium , such as memory or cd - rom , or transmitted over a network , and executed by a processor . though the above has been described with reference to the term “ backup ” for illustrative purposes , the present invention is equally applicable to all forms of data duplication . these forms of data duplication include replication and archiving , among others . all references cited herein are intended to be incorporated by reference . although the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments , it is anticipated that alterations and modifications to this invention will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art and may be practiced within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims . more than one computer may be used , such as by using multiple computers in a parallel or load - sharing arrangement or distributing tasks across multiple computers such that , as a whole , they perform the functions of the components identified herein ; i . e . they take the place of a single computer . various functions described above may be performed by a single process or groups of processes , on a single computer or distributed over several computers . processes may invoke other processes to handle certain tasks . a single storage device may be used , or several may be used to take the place of a single storage device . the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive , and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein . it is therefore intended that the disclosure and following claims be interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention .

6Physics

fig1 is a schematic perspective depiction of an energy modulator 1 with its essential subassemblies . the energy modulator 1 is used for varying intensity damping ( energy absorption ; deceleration ) of a particle beam 2 passing through the energy modulator 1 . the actual damping of the particle beam 2 takes place in the — in this case — two wedges 3 that are arranged so that they are centrosymmetrical to each other . the two wedges 3 are made of an energy absorbing material having a high material homogeneity . in actual practice , however , material inhomogeneities and / or inhomogeneities in the surface ( form inhomogeneities ) inevitably occur in the production of the wedges 3 . as a result , ( initially ) erratic fluctuations occur in the damping of the particle beam 2 passing through the energy modulator 1 . a typical material for the wedges 3 is plexiglas . basically , however , it is also possible to use other materials for this purpose . the two wedges 3 are each fastened to retaining rods 4 and can be moved relative to each other by means of linear motors 5 ( each indicated by a respective double arrow a in fig1 ). the linear motors 5 are activated via control cables 6 by an electronic computer 7 , which in this instance , is embodied in the form of a single - board computer . the activation in this case is carried out in such a way that the two wedges 3 are moved in the same way as and in opposite directions from each other , either toward or away from each other . depending on the position of the two wedges 3 relative to each other , the particle beam 2 ( as is clearly visible in fig1 ) travels a different distance through the material of the two wedges . since the energy damping correlates to the distance traveled inside the material of the wedges 3 , the particle beam 2 undergoes a different intensity of damping between its entry into the energy modulator 1 and its exit from the energy modulator 1 . the subassembly composed of the two wedges 3 therefore functions purely as an energy damping unit 8 whose damping action , however , can be changed with the aid of linear motors 5 . an acceleration of the particle beam 2 is not possible with the structural design of the energy modulator 1 shown here . if it should be necessary to increase the energy beyond the maximum possible initial value of the energy modulator 1 ( minimum damping action of the energy damping unit 8 ), then the electronic computer 7 can send a signal via a data line 9 to the particle accelerator ( not shown ) connected upstream of the energy modulator 1 so that this particle accelerator increases the particle energy by a suitable amount . the same can also apply if the desired particle energy must be lowered to a level that lies below the minimum initial energy of the energy modulator 1 ( maximum damping action of the energy damping unit 8 ). because of the symmetrical design and arrangement of the wedges 3 , the damping action of the double - wedge system ( of the energy damping unit 8 ) does not change if the particle beam 2 makes a laterally offset entry into the energy modulator 1 ( two laterally offset particle beams 10 are depicted in fig1 ). this is due to the fact that with the laterally offset particle beam 10 , the distance that the laterally offset particle beam 10 travels for example in the front wedge 3 accounts for a correspondingly decreased distance in the rear wedge 3 ( and vice versa ). naturally , it is not possible here to prevent the fact that higher - order effects can result in a ( usually smaller ) change in the damping action of the particle beam 2 , 10 . the energy modulator 1 is activated via a data line 11 that leads into the electronic computer 7 . ( uncorrected ) control values such as a desired damping action of the energy damping unit 8 can be input via the data line 11 . these control values can , for example , be predetermined by a central computer of the particle accelerator that produces the particle beam 2 , 10 . the input via the data line 11 , however , is not necessarily limited to this . for example , additional information such as the magnitude of a lateral offset of a laterally offset particle beam 10 can also be sent via the data line 11 . with such data , it is possible for the electronic computer 7 to carry out a better correction of the damping action of the energy damping unit 8 ( described below ). the input data about the lateral offset do not necessarily have to be measurement values , but can , for example , also be the control values that are sent to a unit that causes the lateral offset of the particle beam 2 , 10 . for such a lateral offset unit , it is possible , for example , to use two pairs of magnetic coils ( not shown here ) that are situated at right angles to each other ( and are each perpendicular to the direction of the particle beam ). merely for the sake of completeness , it should be noted that the data line 11 can , for example , be embodied in the form of a packet - oriented data line ( for example , ethernet protocol , token ring protocol , fiber - optic data cable , etc .). particularly with such a “ packet - oriented ” design , it is also possible to have the data line 11 for the input signal and the data line 9 for the feedback signal embodied in the form of a combined data line ( not shown here ). in fig2 , the two wedges 3 of the energy modulator 1 shown in fig1 are respectively shown in a position 13 in which they are spaced the maximum distance apart from each other and in a position 14 in which they are spaced the minimum distance apart from each other ( depicted with dashed lines ). the usable region 12 for the damping of the particle beam 2 , 10 is defined in this case by the overlapping region of the two wedges in the position 13 in which they are spaced the maximum distance apart from each other . this usable region 12 is depicted in a top view in fig3 . in fig3 , a plurality of measurement points 15 is shown inside the usable region 12 . in the exemplary embodiment shown here , the measurement points 15 are arranged in the form of a regular grid . the distance between two measurement points 15 in the present case is respectively constant both along a row and along a column . however , other patterns are basically also possible . for example , a cluster of points can be established in a region that is typically or more frequently struck by the particle beam 2 , 10 . the individual measurement points 15 are approached one after another ( also see fig4 ), for example , after installation of the energy modulator 1 into the particle accelerator device . the actual damping action for each of the individual measurement points 15 is experimentally determined through measurement . the difference between actual and “ theoretical ” damping is individually calculated for each measurement point 15 and stored in a memory unit of the electronic computer 7 ( for example in the form of a so - called “ look - up ” table ). these values are then used as calibration data in a “ production operation ” of the particle accelerator or energy modulator 1 . the measurement of the actual damping per measurement point 15 in this case is carried out not only in a single position of the two wedges 3 relative to each other , but also both at the maximum distance 13 and minimum distance 14 of the two wedges 3 from each other and also at a suitably large number of intermediate positions . the density of the point grid 15 and the number of the intermediate positions of the two wedges 3 relative to each other should , on the one hand , be chosen to be large enough to permit a sufficiently good calibration , but , on the other hand , should also be chosen to be small enough so that the measurement does not take an inordinate amount of time . if , during “ production operation ,” a value is requested that has not been measured , then it is possible , for example , to use the value of the closest adjacent measurement point 15 . it is also possible , however , to determine a value by using interpolation methods on the adjacent measurement points 15 . fig4 depicts the method 16 that can be used for “ designing ” and operating an energy modulator ( for example the energy modulator 1 shown in fig1 ). the overall method 16 is essentially composed of two submethods 17 , 18 , namely , the method for determining calibration data 17 and the method for correcting control values 18 . in this case , it is possible for the method 17 to be carried out , for example , only one single time and for the calibration data determined in this case to be stored in a nonvolatile memory of an electronic computer 7 . it is , however , also possible for the method for determining calibration data 17 to be carried out at periodic intervals . for example , it is possible for the method for determining calibration data 17 to be carried out at the start of each therapy day , for example , in order to have respectively up - to - date correction data on hand . the overall method 16 starts with the starting step 19 . in this step , for example , the electronic computer 7 is initialized and the like . in a first method step 20 , a first ( or a new ) measurement point 15 is determined , which must be approached in order to measure the actual damping action of the energy damping unit 8 and / or of the energy modulator 1 . the new measurement point 15 determined in 20 is then approached in 21 . a corresponding signal can be output , for example , via the feedback data line 9 . in addition , the actual damping action is measured in method step 21 . as soon as the results are produced , the data acquired in step 21 are used to calculate 22 the valid calibration value for the current measurement point 15 . this completes the measurement of the first measurement point 15 . then , in a checking step 23 , a check is run as to whether all of the measurement points 15 of the measurement grid have already been measured . if this is not the case , then the method returns 24 to step 20 in which a new measurement point 15 is determined . if , however , the grid has been completely measured , then in a subsequent checking step 25 , a check is run as to whether all of the desired positions of the wedges 3 relative to one another have been measured . if this is not the case , then the two wedges 3 are moved into a new position relative to each other and the method returns 24 to method step 20 in which a new ( first ) measurement point 15 is determined 20 , which is then measured . on the other hand , if all wedge positions have been measured , then the method for determining calibration data 17 is finished , and the method for determining corrected control values 18 is begun . in this method , a desired damping value that is to be taken into account by the energy damping device 8 and / or the energy modulator 1 is read - in 26 via a data line 11 . the data are provided , for example , by the main computer of a particle accelerator system . based on this setpoint value , in a subsequent step 27 , the setpoint position of the wedges 3 relative to each other is determined in a “ zero th approximation .” this can , for example , be carried out using analytical methods . the setpoint values thus determined are corrected in a subsequent method step 28 . this uses the calibration data acquired in the first method block 17 . through the correction of the control values , it is possible to take into account , for example , inhomogeneities with regard to the surface of the wedges 3 , with regard to the material of the wedges 3 ( e . g . different material densities ), with regard to control value errors of linear motors 5 and the like . the correction of the control values 28 can achieve an increased precision of the actual damping action of the energy modulator 1 and / or energy damping unit 8 . in a subsequent method step 29 , the corrected position setpoint values thus acquired are implemented , i . e ., the wedges 3 are moved 29 into the corresponding , corrected setpoint position . then , the method returns 30 to the method step 26 in which a new setpoint value is read - in .

0Human Necessities

referring to fig1 there is schematically shown therein a precision grinder of a known construction capable of carrying out grinding operations in a precision manner in a horizontal plane so that precise surface grinding operations can be carried out with such a machine . this machine has a base 2 fixed with a mounting means 1 in the form of any suitable robust structural unit fixed to and projecting from the base 2 in the manner apparent from fig1 . this mounting unit 1 may , for example , be fixedly bolted to the base 2 and serves to mount at the grinding machine a positioning means 3 as well as a transfer means 4 . the positioning means 3 takes the form of a horizontal circular plate , as is apparent from fig1 . in addition to this horizontal circular plate the positioning means includes an upright hollow sleeve 6 which receives in its interior a cylindrical column 5 fixed centrally to the bottom of the plate 3 and adjustable within the sleeve 6 which is fixed to the unit 1 . a set screw 7 extends through the wall of the sleeve 6 into engagement with the column 5 so as to angularly fix the position of the circular plate which forms the positioning means 3 . the above structure enables the positioning means 3 to be situated in a plane parallel to a working plane formed by a component 8 of the machine , this component 8 being in the form of a circular support having means for holding the workpieces in position in a predetermined working plane by a force of suction which acts on the workpieces when they are in the working plane determined by the component 8 of the machine . thus , it is possible by positioning the column 5 within the sleeve 6 to adjust a positioning plane formed by the positioning means 3 in such a way that the elevation of the positioning plane can be determined and also in such a way that the angular position of the plate 3 in the positioning plane can be determined , this positioning plane being parallel to the working plane and , if desired , at the same elevation as the working plane . the positioning means includes in addition to the circular plate 3 which is illustrated in fig1 a plurality of hardened steel pins 9 which are fixed to and project upwardly from the plate 3 , so that these pins 9 serve to determine the locations of a relatively large number of semiconductor substrates or wafers 29 of circular configuration , as is shown most clearly in fig2 . the locations of the several workpieces in the positioning plane , as fragmentarily illustrated in fig2 corresponds to the locations of porous ceramic inserts 10 carried by the plate 8 of the machine . thus , the several porous ceramic inserts 10 have with respect to each other the same locations as the locations of the workpieces 29 as determined by the pins 9 . these porous ceramic inserts 10 of the machine communicate through a hollow space in the support plate 8 with a source of vacuum so that when the workpieces are in the working plane they are held in this plane by suction which acts through the ceramic inserts 10 . as is shown most clearly in fig3 the plate 3 carries a plurality of relatively soft elastic bodies 11 which form supports for the several workpieces 29 , respectively , so that these semiconductor substrates 29 which are to be subsequently ground will be protected by the soft , yieldable elastic supports 11 which may be made of a material such as a suitable rubber or the like . in this way the supports 11 protect the substrates 29 against damage when they are taken over by the transfer means 4 in a manner described below . the transfer means 4 includes a column 13 movable vertically along and angularly about its upright axis while extending into a hydraulic cylinder 12 so that by way of hydraulic fluid under pressure it is possible to control the elevation of the column 13 which at the same time can be angularly turned as shown by the arrow in fig1 . this upright 13 is guided for vertical movement in a vertical tube 14 situated within a vertical sleeve 15 , and adjusting screws 16 are provided to assure that the axis along which the column 13 can move and about which it can turn is precisely perpendicular to the parallel planes of the positioning means 3 and the work station 8 . at its upper end the column 13 carries a horizontal guide means in the form of a horizontal sleeve which has an axis perpendicular to the upright axis of the column 13 , and an elongated horizontal arm 17 is slidable in the horizontal sleeve which forms a t - shaped unit with the column 13 , the horizontal arm 17 thus being movable longitudinally along the horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the upright axis of the column 13 . this horizontal arm 17 is surrounded by a pair of air bearings 18 at opposite ends of the guide sleeve , and air under pressure is supplied through the air bearings 18 to the exterior surface of the arm 17 only during actual horizontal movement of the arm 17 . an elongated bar 19 is fixed to and extends along the top of the guide sleeve parallel to the horizontal axis of the latter , and upright handles are fixed to the arm 17 and engage opposed surfaces of the bar 19 so that in this way the arm 17 is prevented from turning about its axis . if desired there may be only two handles 20 , as illustrated , these handles being formed with suitable openings which receive the bar 19 so that in this way the slidable movement of the handles 20 with respect to the bar 19 prevent the arm 17 from turning . in addition it will be noted that two separate rings form stops for limiting the extent of horizontal movement of the arm 17 . the transfer means furthermore includes at the front end region of the horizontal support arm 17 a vertically adjustable plate means 21 made up of a number of aluminum tubes of square cross section which are joined together in a common horizontal plane in any suitable way , one of these tubes of the plate means 21 being visible in fig3 in section . through a flexible hose and the vertically adjustable hollow housing which is visible in fig1 the interiors of the tubes which form the plate means 21 communicate with a source of suction as well as with a source of air at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure . the plate means 21 carries a plurality of nozzles 22 the interiors of which communicate with the interior spaces of the square tubes , so that the interiors of the nozzles are in this way placed in communication with the source of suction and the source of air under pressure . the nozzles 22 , one of which is visible in fig3 have with respect to each other the same locations as the locations of the workpieces 29 shown in part in fig2 and thus also of the locations of the several inserts 10 . these nozzles 22 have lower free ends which are situated in a common plane and at the regions of their lower free ends the nozzles 22 are made of a soft tubular elastic material . the cross section of the tubular space surrounded by each nozzle 22 at the region where it engages a semiconductor substrate 29 has an area which is smaller than the area of the substrate 29 which is to be ground by approximately a factor of 100 . in other words the cross section of the area through which suction is applied to the surface of a substrate 29 to hold it in engagement with the nozzle 22 is approximately 100th the area of the substrate 29 . thus , the several nozzles 22 are capable of holding and carrying the substrates 29 by way of a suction force without mechanically damaging the substrates 29 and without any danger of breaking the substrates as a result of the vacuum prevailing in the interior space of the nozzles 22 . the plate means 21 furthermore carries a plurality of stops 23 which project downwardly from the plate means at the peripheral region thereof and which serve to engage the top surface of the plate which forms the positioning means 3 so as to situate in this way the lower ends of the nozzles 22 at a proper distance from the plate of the positioning means 3 to assure engagement of the soft elastic bottom free ends of the nozzles 22 with the workpieces 29 without unduly pressing the latter against the elastic supports 11 so that a reliable engagement of the workpieces without danger of breaking the same is achieved in this way . these stops 23 serve the same purpose in connection with deposition of the workpieces 29 on the inserts 10 at the end of the transfer operation , the stops 23 cooperating with the plate 8 at this time . moreover , the circular plate which forms the positioning means 3 fixedly carries at its center an indexing and centering pin 24 received in the interior of a corresponding sleeve 25 situated at the center of the plate means 21 of the transfer means 4 . thus , the pin 24 may be of a non - circular cross section received in a bore of the sleeve 25 which is of a mating non - circular cross section so that in this way not only is centering of the plate means 21 with respect to the plate 3 assured but also proper angular positioning of the plate means 21 with respect to the plate 3 is assured . furthermore , it is to be noted that the plate means 21 is of a non - circular cross section having a polygonal periphery mounted on a hollow housing which is capable of being received with its upper end in a prism of a stop 26 , so that by situating the upper end of this hollow housing in the prism of the stop 26 the plate means 21 is properly positioned over the circular support 8 of the grinding machine . the stop 26 is mounted on the wheel guard 27 which has in its interior the horizontal grinding disc . thus , by way of the element 26 proper positioning of the several workpieces 29 directly over the inserts 10 at the predetermined locations in the working plane is assured , and of course by way of the components 24 and 25 the proper positioning of the nozzles 22 with respect to the locations of the workpieces 29 in the positioning plane of the positioning means 3 is also assured . the positioning means 4 is of course capable of being angularly turned for example through an angle φ of approximately 300 °, and a suitable stop means 28 may be provided for adjustably limiting the angle of turning of the column 13 and the remainder of the transfer means so that through such an adjustable stop means 28 it is possible to provide for the transfer means angular end positions at one of which the plate 21 is situated directly over the positioning means 3 and at the other of which the plate 21 is situated outside of the machine for unloading and initial position . suitable control switches are centrally situated at the mounting means 1 . these switches include a switch 30 which controls the opening and closing of a splashguard 31 which protects against water spray during the grinding operation , while a switch 32 is available for controlling the hydraulic raising and lowering of the column 13 with the remainder of the transfer means 4 . a switch 33 is available for controlling the flow of fluid such as air both at less than and more than atmospheric pressure so as to control the engagement and disengagement of the workpieces from the nozzles 22 , and there is also a control lamp 34 . the semiconductor wafers or substrates of circular configuration in the form of relatively thin delicate plates are placed by hand on positioning means 3 in the positioning plane at predetermined locations therein as illustrated fragmentarily in fig2 . in this way each wafer or substrate is supported on an elastic support 11 while having its location determined by the steel pins 9 . the arrangement of the locations of the workpieces 29 as illustrated in fig2 is such that these locations have with respect to each other precisely the same relationship as the locations of the inserts 10 in the working plane . now the column 13 is raised hydraulically from its initial position so that the transfer means 4 is raised in this way , and the column 13 together with the remainder of the transfer means 4 is turned angularly about the upright axis of the column 13 until one end position is determined by the stop structure 28 , and in this end position the plate means 21 is situated directly over the positioning means 3 . with the transfer means in this position , the transfer means is hydraulically lowered and the index pin 24 is received in the sleeve 25 while the stops 23 engage the periphery of the plate 3 so that the position of the plate means 21 with respect to the plate 3 is precisely determined both in elevation and angularly . as a result the nozzles 22 are precisely positioned over the centers of the several semiconductors substrates 29 , respectively . now the vacuum is turned on by way of a hydraulically controlled valve so that less than atmospheric pressure prevails throughout the hollow interior spaces of the plate means 21 , and the substrates 29 are thus drawn by suction against the soft elastic lower free end portions of the nozzles 22 to be firmly held thereby . now , with the suction remaining in the nozzles 22 , the transfer means 4 is again hydraulically raised , after which the transfer means 4 is swung around the upright axis of the column 13 until the hollow housing of the plate means 21 is determined by the stop structure 28 , and at this time the periphery of the hollow housing of the plate means 21 is received in the v - notch of the stop 26 carried by the protective cover 27 as described above . with the transfer means thus positioning the plate means 21 precisely over the plate 8 at the working station , the transfer means is again hydraulically lowered , so that now the stops 23 cooperate with the plate 8 for positioning the plate 21 at precisely the right elevation with respect to the plate 8 , and now the several substrates 29 will be precisely positioned over the several porous ceramic inserts 10 . the porous ceramic inserts 10 are now placed in communication with the source of suction while the communication of the nozzles 22 with the source of suction is terminated , with the result that the substrates 29 are now held by the suction against the ceramic inserts 10 to be firmly held thereby at the predetermined locations in the working plane . in order to facilitate the release of the substrates 29 from the nozzles 22 when the substrates 29 have thus been situated at the working plane , when the suction of the nozzles 22 is terminated these nozzles 22 are immediately placed in communication with a source of air under pressure so that now through the nozzles 22 the substrates are urged toward the inserts 10 which simultaneously communicate with a source of suction . thus a reliable release of the substrates 29 from the nozzles 22 is assured , and now the transfer means 4 is again hydraulically raised , angularly turned toward its initial angular position and then lowered to its initial position . now the splashguard 31 is closed and the automatic operating cycle of the grinding machine is started . when the program of operation of the grinding machine has been completed , the machine returns to its initial position where the table of the machine remains at a predetermined location and the operation at the vacuum - holding plate 8 is terminated . the transfer means 4 is again hydraulically raised from its rest position , and the plate means 21 is again placed in engagement with the positioning stop 26 at the wheel guard 27 after which the transfer means is lowered . now the nozzles 22 are again placed in communication with the source of vacuum while at the same time water and air at greater than atmospheric pressure are provided in the suction conduits of the vacuum - holding plate 8 , so that in this way the movement of the semiconductor wafers against the suction nozzles 22 is reinforced by the fluid under pressure at the inserts 10 . thus , the substrates 29 on which the operations have been performed are now held by suction against the nozzles 22 and the transfer means 4 is now raised and turned to a location which will situate the substrates over a washing and cleaning station . the vacuum is now turned off and a reversal of the suction stream results in a blowing action which discharges the substrates 29 from the suction nozzles 22 into the cleaning container . after the vacuum - holding plate 8 is cleaned the above cycle of operations can be repeated . during the grinding operations which are going forward at the machine it is possible for substrates 29 for the next cycle of operations to be placed on the positioning means 3 , so that as soon as one cycle of operations is completed by the machine , the next group of substrates is in readiness at the positioning plane to be transferred by the transfer means of the invention to the working station . of course it is to be noted that the apparatus of the invention need not be used only in combination with a grinding machine . further possibilities of use of the method and apparatus of the invention are , for example , supply and discharge of delicate workpieces at measuring stations , cleaning stations , coating stations , and treatment of workpieces such as semiconductor substrates in connection with masking and exposure to vapor deposition , for example , so that in general any transport problems in connection with workpieces of this type is suitable for the present invention . it is to be noted that the support of the several workpieces on the soft yieldable elastic supports 11 serve not only to protect the workpieces but also to compensate for any variations in the thickness of the workpieces . the same is of course true of the soft yieldable elastic free ends of the nozzles 22 . moreover , the provision of cross - sectional areas for the nozzles which are on the order of 100th the area of the surface of the semiconductor workpiece is of great significance since with such a ratio of the area of the nozzle to the area of the workpiece there is on the one hand an assurance of a reliable holding of the workpiece at the nozzle by suction while on the other hand there is no danger of injuring the workpiece as a result of the force of the suction . this danger of breaking a semiconductor wafer by the action of vacuum is present when the diameter of the suction nozzle is too great , since in this case in the free suction space of the nozzle the semiconductor wafer can be bent by the force of suction and can even become fractured in this way .

7Electricity

[ 0015 ] fig1 is a block diagram illustrating image producing device 100 configured according to one embodiment of the registration system described herein . while image producing device 100 is illustrated as a multifunction printer / fax / copier , it should be noted that any such type of device may be configured similarly . in setting up image producing device 100 , a user may connect it to personal computer ( pc ) 101 . when the user initially starts up image producing device 100 , a triggering application located in image producing device 100 monitors the first time activation and signals computer code within processing module 102 to run a fulfillment / registration application or program to automatically generate a fulfillment or registration document or form , such as may be used for warranty registration , that fills in device identification information , such as the printer model , serial number , firmware version , and other such registration and warranty information . the triggering application may also be located within processing module 102 . the registration form may be printed as part of a test page or may be printed in addition to , or alternatively to a test page . once the pre - filled registration document has been printed out , the user typically only needs to fill in any personal information and answer any other demographic or other type of questions asked . alternatively , personal information may automatically be retrieved from pc 101 when that information has been entered by a user . the user may then mail or fax the completed registration document to the manufacturer , warranty issuer , or the like . because image producing device 100 automatically prints out the registration document at first start up , the user &# 39 ; s attention is drawn to the importance of the registration fulfillment process . the user is no longer required to search through the vast documentation that typically accompanies hardware . [ 0017 ] fig2 is a block diagram detailing processing module 102 as found in image producing device 100 of fig1 according to one embodiment of the present invention . processing module 102 of the illustrated embodiment includes processor 200 that performs the processing of the software that controls the image producing processes as well as the communications between image producing device 100 and pc 101 ( fig1 ). processing module 102 also includes memory 201 for storing firmware , fonts , management information base ( mib ) 203 , and the like . management application 202 is the software / firmware application that manages the operations of image producing device 100 . management application 202 , which may be located in memory 201 , includes monitoring or triggering code that recognizes the first start up of image producing device 100 ( fig1 ). when the initial start up state is triggered , management application 202 signals processor 200 to run a fulfillment or registration application or program that will print a form registration document as stored in memory 201 . management application 202 also instructs processor 200 to fill the device identification information found in mib 203 , or database of identification information into the appropriated spaces in the registration document . once the identification information has been successfully incorporated into the registration form or document , processor 200 may print the completed registration document from image producing device 100 ( fig1 ). processor 200 may also cause a completed version of the registration document to be saved in memory 201 . [ 0018 ] fig3 is a block diagram illustrating an additional embodiment of the automated registration system described herein . fax machine 300 is configured according to the teachings of the described additional embodiment . it should be noted , however , that although a fax machine is discussed with respect to the embodiment shown in fig3 other printing type devices may be used with various embodiments as described herein . in one configuration , fax machine 300 may be connected to pc 301 . when fax machine 300 is initially activated , a registration fulfillment program is triggered that starts an interactive registration process with the user on computer display 302 of pc 301 . an electronic version of the registration document is displayed on computer display 302 with interactive menus and / or dialog boxes prompt or cue the user to enter requested information through a graphical user interface ( gui ) on computer display 302 . the user , in interacting with these menus and / or dialog boxes on the gui , fills in the user &# 39 ; s personal information and any demographic information and / or additional information that the user desires to give . when the user has finished entering all of the information , fax machine 300 may print out the warranty information that includes all of the user - entered information and all of the device identification information that is automatically retrieved from mib 203 ( fig2 ) in the memory of fax machine 300 . alternatively , the additional information may automatically be retrieved from pc 301 . the user need only then send the completed warranty registration document to the manufacturer or other entity . in an optional configuration , the fulfillment application may , instead , direct fax machine 300 to fax the completed registration document to collection server 304 over publicly switched telephone network ( pstn ) 303 . collection server 304 may be operated by the manufacturer , or other party interested in such registration information , or may be operated by an outsourcing company that the manufacturer has contracted with to assist with the fulfillment process . in this optional configuration , fax machine 300 may be connected to pc 301 or may stand alone . if fax machine 300 stands alone , the warranty fulfillment application may run and provide user interaction with a display on fax machine 300 . in still another optional configuration , during the interaction with the user , the fulfillment application may detect or ask if the user has an internet or other suitable data network connection . instead of faxing or printing out the completed registration document , the application sends the completed document electronically to collection server 304 via internet 305 . these different optional configurations may all be provided in a particular fulfillment application on an image producing device . in such circumstances , an option may be presented to the user to select the delivery method desired by the user . for example , pc 301 may provide a communication interface , such as a network interface to a data network , like the internet . the registration fulfillment program may then prompt the user to select submitting the registration form using a fax capability , through some kind of fax interface , or an electronic communication capability , through some kind of electronic communication interface that provides email or other such electronic communication formats . these communication formats may be provided either on pc 301 or could be provided on the printing device . an additional option that may be added to the different embodiments of the automated fulfillment process described herein is a prepaid indicia of postage or the business reply information . the u . s . postal service , in addition to several approved private companies , may now provide electronic postage . electronic stamps may now be purchased over the internet that may be printed on envelopes or postcards directly from a user &# 39 ; s computer . leveraging this technology may allow a manufacturer of print - capable devices to either store or download an indicia of postage from an electronic postage vendor that may be printed by the image producing device onto the warranty / registration form or warranty registration document at printing time . this would relieve the consumer of paying for or providing a stamp or other postage for mailing a printed warranty document . in these optional configurations , the user has very few steps to complete . this reduction in the number of overt steps generally increases the likelihood that the user will actually complete the automated fulfillment process and also increases the accuracy of the information . additionally , because the fulfillment application of various embodiments runs interactively on pc 301 or directly on fax machine 300 , the user may perceive that the registration process is important and should be completed . [ 0023 ] fig4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the automated registration process described herein . in step 400 , a first time activation of a print - capable device is detected . in step 401 , a registration application is executed on the print - capable device in response to the detecting . identification information is retrieved from a management information base ( mib ) associated with the print - capable device in step 402 . in step 403 , the retrieved identification information is inserted into a form stored on a memory located on the print - capable device . in optional embodiments , the print - capable device may be connected to a computer . a determination is made in step 404 as to whether a computer is connected or not . if a computer is connected , information cues may be displayed to a user on the computer or the user information may be taken directly from a memory on the computer in step 405 . alternatively , if no computer is connected , the user information may be obtained by interacting with the user with information cues directly on the print - capable device or directly taken from a memory on the print - capable device in step 406 . the user input may then be incorporated on the form in step 407 . in step 408 , options may be presented to the user to determine whether the form will be communicated with a communication interface using either a fax capability or an electronic communication capability , where the communication interface is disposed on either the print - capable device or the computer or whether the form will be printed and mailed by the user . in step 409 , a determination is made as to whether the user selected to print and mail the form . if so , the form is printed in step 410 and may optionally include printing an indicia of postage on the form , wherein the indicia of postage is either originally stored on the memory or downloaded from an electronic postage vendor . if the user does not select to print out the form , the completed form is communicated in step 411 according to the user &# 39 ; s selection via either fax or electronic mail to the interested party . [ 0024 ] fig5 a is a diagram illustrating a first side of warranty form 50 that has been printed using the teachings of representative embodiments of the registration fulfillment system described herein . in additional representative embodiments , the device identification information and the other information provided by the user may be printed on one side of warranty form 50 . as shown in fig5 a , the combined information may be printed as bar code information 500 and text information 501 . alternative embodiments may employ any different combination of bar code and text methods from supplying all of the information in a machine - readable format , such as a bar code , to supplying all of the information in a text format . the information may be converted from text or an electronic storage format to a bar code through bar code conversion application 204 ( fig2 ). [ 0025 ] fig5 b is a diagram illustrating a second side of warranty form 50 that has been printed using the teachings of representative embodiments of the registration fulfillment system described herein . the registration fulfillment system as described herein may print postage indicia 502 in addition to address 503 of the warranty issuer on warranty form 50 . in optional configurations , postal code 504 may also be printed to increase the postal delivery efficiency .

6Physics

referring particularly to fig1 to 9 , a layer - built sealed alkaline storage battery 1 , hereinafter referred to as a battery module , is shown as including ten cells , generally identified by 11 , that are assembled together in side - by - side fashion . each of the cells 11 comprises a generally rectangular - box like vessel 12 opening upwardly and made of synthetic resin such as , for example , polypropylene , a laminated electrode structure ( not shown ) accommodated within the vessel 12 and including positive electrode plates made of nickel oxide as a principal component and negative electrode plates made of a hydrogen absorbent alloy as a principal component , each said negative electrode plate being sandwiched between the neighboring positive electrode plates with a separator intervening between the positive and negative electrode plates , a alkaline electrolyte filled in the vessel 12 , and an oblong lid 13 made of the same material as that for the vessel 12 and having a peripheral flanges fusion bonded at 16 to the vessel 12 to close the opening thereof . the oblong lid 13 has positive and negative pole terminals , generally identified by 14 , and a safety valve 15 . in any event , since the individual cells 11 may be of any known structure and do not constitute subject matter of the present invention , no further detail thereof will be reiterated for the sake of brevity . for the purpose of the description of the present invention , however , each cell 11 is to be understood as having first and second rectangular major surfaces opposite to each other , longer side faces opposite to each other and shorter top and bottom faces opposite to each other , the top face being represented by the lid 13 . as best shown in fig4 to 5 , each of the first and second major surfaces of each cell 11 is formed with a plurality of parallel ribs 12a so as to extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof so that , when the cells 11 are assembled together to provide the battery module 1 , the ribs 12a on the first major surface of one cell 11 may be held in contact with the ribs 12a on the second major surface of the next adjacent cell 11 to define stripes of vent space 31 between those cells 11 as shown in fig2 . alternatively , the ribs 12a on the first and second major surfaces of each cell 11 may be positioned relative to each other in any suitable manner so that stripes of space 31 can be defined by the ribs 12a between the first major surface of one cell 11 and the second major surface of the next adjacent cell 11 in any way whatsoever . for example , the ribs 12a on the first and second major surfaces of each cell 11 may be displaced relative to each other a distance about equal to the pitch between the neighboring ribs 12a on each of the major surfaces so that when the cells 11 are assembled together to provide the battery module 1 , the ribs 12a on the first major surface of one cell 11 may be held in contact with the second major surface of the next adjacent cell 11 in a fashion interleaved with the ribs 12a on the second major surface of such next adjacent cell 11 . each of the longer side faces has a plurality of , for example , at least two , transverse recesses 12b for accommodating therein respective thicknesses of clamp bands 3 that are used to clamp the assembly of the cells 11 together as will be described later . as best shown in fig1 and 2 , the cells 11 are juxtaposed and assembled together with the first major surface of one cell 11 confronting the second major surface of the next adjacent cell 11 . to facilitate assemblage of the cells 11 in the juxtaposed fashion , anchor protuberances 12c and anchor recesses 12d are formed on the first and second major surfaces of each cell 11 in respective patterns complemental to each other so that when the cells 11 are assembled together , the anchor protuberances 12c on the first major surface of one cell 11 can be engaged in the anchor recesses 12d on the second major surface of the next adjacent cell 11 while the anchor recesses 12d on the first major surface of such one cell 11 can receive therein the anchor protuberances 12c on the second major surface of such next adjacent cell 11 . the cells 11 so juxtaposed in the manner described above are clamped together by means of generally rectangular cup - like end plates 2 that are connected together by means of the clamp bands 3 . each of the end plates 2 is formed by the use of a press work applied to a thin steel plate so as to have three types of parallel reinforcement ribs 23a , 23b and 23c extending widthwise of the respective end plate 2 . each end plate 2 is of one - piece structure including two side flanges 21a opposite to each other and top and bottom flanges generally identified by 21b . after the end plates 2 have been fitted to the opposite outermost ones of the assembled cells 11 while the cells 11 have been pressed together so as to render the sum of the respective thickness ( as measured between the first and second major surfaces of each cell 11 ) thereof to meet a required value , the opposite end plates 2 are connected together by means of the clamp bands 3 , each 25 to 30 mm in width and 1 mm in thickness , two bands 3 positioned on each side of the assembly , with their opposite ends riveted or screwed as at 4 to the respective side flanges 21a of the end plates 2 , to thereby complete the battery module 1 . in the assembled condition , the bands 3 having their opposite ends riveted or screwed to the opposite side flanges 21a of the end plates 2 extends within the transverse recesses 12b defined in the opposite longer side faces of all of the cells 11 . in this condition , the end plates 2 clamps the cells 11 together with the respective peripheral wall 21 protruding outwardly from the assembly of the cells 11 and in respective directions counter to each other . the positive and negative pole terminals 14 are connected in series by the use of connecting pieces 32 of a high electroconductive material such as , for example , nickel - plated copper alloy , to thereby complete the battery module 1 . the details of each end plate 2 and the details of manufacture thereof will now be described . it is to be noted that since the opposite end plates 2 are of identical structure , reference will be made to only one of them . with particular reference to fig7 to 9 , the end plate 2 is shown in a front elevational view in fig7 as viewed exteriorly towards the assembly of the cells 11 , in a side sectional view in fig8 and in a top sectional view in fig9 as viewed from top of fig7 . the three types of the reinforcement ribs 23a , 23b and 23c referred to hereinbefore are best shown in fig8 . while a thin metal plate is employed as a material for the end plate 2 , a steel plate or a stainless steel plate of 1 to 1 . 2 mm in thickness is preferred as a material for the end plate 2 in terms of physical strength , weight and workability . the end plate 2 is of one - piece structure having a generally rectangular panel 26 having four sides from which a peripheral wall 21 including top , bottom and side flanges 21b and 21a protrude outwardly substantially at right angles to the rectangular panel 26 . as can readily be understood from fig7 to 9 , both four comers of the end plate 2 and the juncture between the rectangular panel 26 and the peripheral wall 21 are rounded as at 22 . in order for the rectangular panel 26 to have an increases resistance to pressure - induced deformation , particularly a resistance to bending about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal sense of the rectangular panel 26 , the reinforcement ribs 23a , 23b and 23c of the three types are formed by the use of any known press work so as to protrude in a direction in which the peripheral wall 21 protrudes from the rectangular panel 26 . the number of the types of the reinforcement ribs 23a , 23b and 23c may vary with the size of the end plate 2 and / or the shape of each reinforcement ribs , at least three types are necessary where the end plate 2 is of a size substantially identical with that shown in fig1 and 20 , i . e ., has a width w of up to 110 mm , a length l of up to 140 mm . in the illustrated embodiment , however , three types of the reinforcement ribs 23a , 23b and 23c totaling to the six reinforcement ribs are employed , of which the reinforcement ribs 23b are undersized relative to the reinforcement ribs 23a and 23c and are positioned laterally of respective regions of the side flanges 21a where the clamp bands 3 are riveted or screwed . it is to be noted that those regions of the side flanges 21a where the clamp bands 3 are riveted or screwed are formed with two holes 27 for each region for receiving rivets or screws shown by 4 in fig1 . as best shown in fig9 opposite ends of each of the reinforcement ribs 23a , 23b and 23c are continued to the associated side flanges 21a with the joint between each end of any one of the reinforcement ribs 23a to 23c and the adjacent side flange 21a being rounded as shown by the phantom line . the reinforcement ribs 23c adjacent to and extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom flanges 21b are preferably spaced as small a distance inwardly from the adjacent top and bottom flanges 21b as possible . by this design , any possible deformation which would occur in the vicinity of the peripheral wall 21 , particularly a twist of the end plate during the use of the battery module 1 , can advantageously be suppressed to thereby avoid any possible reduction in performance of the battery module 1 . accordingly , it is preferred that as shown in fig8 each of the reinforcement ribs 23c is continued respectively from the rounded juncture 22 between the top or bottom flange 21b and a top or bottom edge of the rectangular panel 26 . considering that the first and second major surfaces of each cell 11 are formed with the anchor protuberances 12c and anchor recesses 12d to facilitate assemblage of the cells 11 in the juxtaposed fashion as hereinbefore described , the rectangular panel 26 are formed with anchor holes 28 for receiving the anchor protrusions 12c in one of the cells 11 adjacent the end plate 2 when the latter is fitted to the assembly of the cells 11 , that is , onto each outermost one of the assembled cells 11 . thus , by the provision of the anchor protrusion and recesses 12c and 12d in the cells 11 and the anchor holes 28 in the end plates 2 , not only can the cells 11 be properly juxtaposed one after another , but also the end plates 2 can be properly aligned with the assembly of the cells 11 , thereby avoiding any possible lateral displacement of the cells 11 and the end plates 2 which would otherwise occur under the influence of vibrations and / or an external force applied to the battery module 1 . in a second embodiment of the present invention shown in fig1 and 11 , in order to increase the resistance of each side flange 21a of each end plate 2 to deformation and also to increase the clamp strength of the battery module 1 , those regions of the side flanges 21a where the clamp bands 3 are secured are formed are inwardly recessed a depth substantially equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the clamp band 3 so as to define band grooves 35d , only one of which is shown therein . each band groove 35d has a width 1 , delimited between steps 35c , which is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of the corresponding clamp band 3 . according to the embodiment shown in fig1 and 11 , the presence of the steps 35c in the side flanges 21a makes it possible to increase the resistance of the side flanges 21a to bending and , therefore , it has been found that the strength of connection between the end of each clamp band 3 and the associated band groove 35d in the respective side flange 21a could be increased about 15 to 20 % or higher ( which strength of connection is hereinafter referred to as an &# 34 ; end - to - flange connecting strength &# 34 ;). also , the presence of the band grooves 35d in the end plates 2 facilitates securement of the ends of the clamp bands 3 to the side flanges 21a since it provides a visual indication of where the ends of the clamp bands 3 are to be fitted . in addition , since the ends of the clamp bands 3 are received in the associated band grooves 35d once they are firmly screwed to the side flanges 21a in the form as received within the associated band grooves 35d , any possible loosening of screws used to connect the clamp band 3 to the side flange 21a which would occur under the influence of external vibration can advantageously be avoided . it is to be noted that the band grooves 35d can readily be formed in the side flanges 21a during the formation of each end plate 2 by the use of any known press work and no extra process step is required only for the purpose of formation of the band grooves 25d . another method of increasing the resistance of each side flange 21a to deformation and also the clamp strength of the battery module 1 is shown in fig1 and 13 . in this embodiment shown in fig1 and 13 , each of the side flanges 21a is of a double - walled structure including an inner side flange segment 36a and an outer side flange segment 36d continued from and overlapping the inner side flange segment 36a . specifically , when the end plate 2 is shaped by the use of the press work ( particularly a trimming method ), the side flanges 21a are allowed to have a large flat panel , shown by the phantom line 36c , which is subsequently folded outwardly to define the double - walled structure including the inner side flange segment 36a continued from the side edge of the rectangular panel 26 and the outer side flange segment 36d continued from the inner side flange segment 36a . preferably , the inner and outer side flange segments 36a and 36d are welded together , for example , by means of a spot - welding technique , to further increase the physical strength thereof . with this design shown in and described with reference to fig1 and 12 , it has been found that not only can each side flange 21a have an increased resistance to bending , but also the end - to - flange connecting strength could be increased about 30 % or higher . as an alternative means for increasing the clamp strength of the battery module 1 , a fourth embodiment of the present invention is such that not only is each of the end plates 2 reinforced , but also each end of each of the clamp bands 3 is reinforced in a manner which will now be described . as best shown in fig1 , each end of each of the clamp bands 3 is double - walled . this double - walled feature of each end of the respective clamp band 3 can be accomplished either by turning an end extension 37a backwardly so as to overlap with the end of the clamp band 3 as shown therein or by welding an end piece 37a to the end of the clamp band 3 so as to overlap with each other . reference numeral 37b represents bearing holes defined in the double - walled end of each clamp band 3 for receiving rivets or screws that may be used to connect it to the associated side flange 21a . the requirement the clamp bands 3 must satisfy is , inter alia : 1 ) the tensile strength of a substantially or generally intermediate portion of each clamp band 3 must be higher than a standard value , 2 ) each of the opposite ends of each clamp band 3 which is connected to the associated side flange by means of , for example , screws must have a high bending strength , a high resistance to deformation and is as light as possible , and 3 ) the peripheral lip region around each bearing hole 37b must have a sufficient resistance to tear . in the case of the sealed alkaline storage battery of 100 ah rating employing the previously discussed embodiment , and so long as such sealed alkaline storage battery is used under standard operating conditions , the use of the clamp bands 3 of 1 mm in thickness is effective to satisfy the required tensile strength and the end - to - flange connecting strength . however , it has been found that if the capacity and the density of the battery is increased , and if the battery is used under abnormal operating conditions in which excessive impacts act on the battery , not only are the ends of the clamp bands 3 that are secured to the respective side flanges 21a curved or otherwise deformed undesirably , but the screws used to connect them to the side flanges 21a tend to be loosened . however , the use of the clamp bands 3 having the double - walled ends such as shown in and described with reference to fig1 is effective to satisfy the required end - to - flange connecting strength . this end - to - flange connecting strength can further be increased if the double - walled ends of the clamp bands 3 are employed in combination with the side flanges 21a in which the band grooves 35d are formed such as shown in fig1 and 11 or with the double - walled side flanges 21a shown in fig1 and 13 . in any event , the use of the clamp bands 3 each having the double - walled opposite ends is , although it may bring about a slight increase in weight , effective to secure a high end - to - flange connecting strength . it is to be noted that if as shown in fig1 the clamp bands 3 each having the double - walled opposite ends as shown in and described with reference to fig1 are employed in combination with the end plates 43 of the structure shown in fig1 and 20 , the clamp strength can be increased to a value comparable with that exhibited by the embodiment shown in fig1 . in the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in fig1 and 17 , each of the opposite ends of each of the clamp bands 3 has an end extension 38a which is turned backward to so as to overlap the adjacent end of the respective clamp band 3 , but be spaced therefrom a distance corresponding to the thickness of the associated side flange 21a . in other words , the opposite ends of each clamp band 3 shown in fig1 and 17 are so shaped as to represent hooks which are , when the cells 11 are clamped together with the end plates 2 positioned on respective sides of the assembly of the cells 11 , hooked to the side flanges 21a as best shown in fig1 . in practice , while the end extension 38a integral with one of the opposite ends of each clamp band 3 is turned backward to represent the hook , the end extension 38a integral with the other of the opposite ends of the respective clamp band 3 is , after the cells 11 have been clamped together , crimped inwardly of the associated clamp band 3 as shown by the phantom line in fig1 , to accommodate the thickness of the side flange 21a between it and the end of the clamp band 3 . the clamp bands 3 of the design shown in fig1 and 17 is particularly advantageous in that not only can the end - to - flange connecting strength be increased as is the case with any one of the foregoing embodiments of the present invention , the clamping of the cells 11 together with the end plates 2 positioned on respective sides of the assembly of the cells 1 can easily be accomplished . in addition , if the clamp bands 3 having the hooks at their opposite ends such as shown in fig1 and 17 are employed in combination with the side flanges 21a in which the band grooves 35d are formed such as shown in fig1 and 11 , the necessity of rivetting or screwing for securing the ends of the clamp bands 3 to the side flange 21 can advantageously be dispensed with and this is particularly true if , although not always limited thereto , the battery module 1 is of a compact size . as hereinbefore described , in any one of the embodiments of the present invention , when the cells 11 are assembled together to provide the battery module 1 , the vent spaces 31 are formed between those cells 11 as shown in fig2 because of the provision of the parallel ribs 12a in the vessel 12 of each cell 11 . the formation of the vent spaces 31 is advantageous in that when a draft of air is supplied from any suitable source such as , for example , a fan from below or top so as to flow through the vent spaces 31 , heat from the cells 11 can be positively dissipated outwardly from the battery module 1 to thereby minimize any possible reduction in characteristic of the battery module which would otherwise occur during the charging or discharge . in particular , where the thermal expansion and the consequent deformation of the cell vessels resulting from an increase in internal pressure inside the storage battery due to , for example , an increase of the hydrogen pressure inside the cells during the charging at elevated temperatures such as often observed with the sealed nickel - hydrogen alkaline storage battery , the enhanced capability of the battery module as a whole to dissipate heat brings about a favorable influence on maintenance of the cells being firmly clamped together and , therefore , the use of any suitable means for holding the cells in spaced relation to each other with the vent spaces 31 defined therebetween is preferred . although in describing any one of the foregoing embodiments the vessel 12 for each cell 11 has been described as made of synthetic resin such as , for example , polypropylene , the present invention can be equally applied to the cells each employing a metal vessel having so small a wall thickness as to be liable to deformation by the effect of an internal pressure . as shown in a fragmentary sectional representation in fig1 , cells shown by 39 and employing the metal vessel may have their peripheral surface covered by an insulating film 40 which may be in the form of a heat shrinkable tube or an adhesive tube or tape of synthetic resin and are assembled together in a manner similar to that shown in fig1 . in fig1 , grooves 39a and ribs 39b as viewed from bottom of each cell 39 represent the means for holding the cells together in the spaced relation with each other . in the practice of any one of the foregoing various embodiments of the present invention , each of the end plates is preferably prepared from a sheet of steel , particularly high tensile steel , which is nickel - plated or coated with a rust preventive coating . in terms of weight and workability , the use of a stainless steel plate is more preferred as a material for each of the end plates . as hereinbefore described , the present invention is directed to improvement made in both of the end plates and the clamp bands , used to clamp the cells together , so that the clamp strength can be increased while both reduction in weight and increase in productivity of the storage battery can be accomplished . since of them the design of the end plates is influential on those characteristics , results of comparative tests are tabulated below in which the storage battery of the present invention according to the first embodiment thereof , the storage battery ( comparison ) of the structure shown in fig1 and 20 , the prior art storage battery ( conventional a ) of a structure shown in fig2 to 25 wherein the flat reinforcement made of a hard aluminum alloy and having a thickness of 6 mm is employed , the prior art storage battery ( conventional b ) of a structure shown in fig2 to 25 wherein the flat reinforcement made of a hard aluminum alloy and having a thickness of 8 mm is employed , and the prior art storage battery in which as shown in fig2 the reinforcements 96 having the fins 96b are employed were compared as to clamp strength , weight , productivity and cost . in carrying out the comparative tests , each plate was of a size , 110 mm in the horizontal direction and 140 mm in the vertical direction ( height ). in table 1 below , ∘ represents the rating of &# 34 ; sufficient or acceptable &# 34 ; and δ represents the rating of &# 34 ; insufficient or not acceptable because of being heavy &# 34 ;. table 1______________________________________ weight clamp strength ( gr / sheet ) productivity cost______________________________________invention ◯ ◯ ( 188 ) ◯ ◯ comparison ◯ ◯ ( 189 ) δ δconventional a δ ◯- δ ( 258 ) ◯ ◯ conventional b ◯ δ ( 345 ) ◯ δconventional c ◯ δ ( 310 ) δ δ______________________________________ as can readily be understood from the result of the comparative tests shown in table 1 above , the storage battery according to the present invention is superior to any one of the other storage batteries listed . although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings , it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art . such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims , unless they depart therefrom .

7Electricity

the new taxanes of formulae ( i ) or ( ii ), as shown above , are useful as antitumor agents or their precursors . the taxanes of the present invention possess strong antitumor activities against human breast , non - small cell lung , ovarian , and colon cancer cells . the new taxanes of the formula ( i ) are synthesized by modifying the baccatin of formula ( iii ) in which ## str10 ## g 1 , g 2 , g 3 , g 4 , and r 7 have been defined above . the new taxanes of formula ( ii ) are synthesized by modifying the baccatin of formula ( iv ) ## str11 ## in which g 1 , g 2 , g 4 , and r 7 have been defined above . precursors of ( iii ) and ( iv ) are readily available . both baccatins ( iii ) and ( iv ) may be prepared by chemically modifying 14β - hydroxy - 10 - deacetylbaccatin ( 14 - oh - dab ), a naturally occurring compound found in himalayan yew . methods of isolations of 14 - oh - dab have been described by appendino et al . in &# 34 ; 14β - hydroxy - 10 - deacetylbaccatin iii , a new taxane from himalayan yew .&# 34 ; j . chem . soc . perkin trans i , 2525 - 2529 ( 1992 ), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference . baccatins ( iii ) and ( iv ) are coupled with β - lactams of formula ( v ) ## str12 ## in which g , r 1 and r 2 have been defined above , to yield the new taxanes ( i ) and ( ii ), respectively . β - lactams ( v ) are readily prepared from β - lactams ( vi ) which are easily obtained through a chiral enolate - imine cyclocondensation method developed in one of the inventors &# 39 ; laboratory as shown in scheme 1 . the cyclocondensation is described in ojima et al ., tetrahedron , 1992 , 48 , 6985 ; ojima , i . et al ., j . org . chem ., 56 , 1681 , ( 1991 ), and in u . s . patent application no . 07 / 842 , 444 filed on feb . 27 , 1992 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety . in this preparation , β - lactams ( vi ) are obtained in high yields with extremely high enantiomeric purities . scheme 1 illustrates the synthesis of a chiral β - lactam . in scheme 1 , r * is a chiral auxiliary moiety which may be (-)- trans - 2 - phenyl - 1 - cyclohexyl , (-)- 10 - dicyclohexylsulfamoyl - d - isobornyl or (-)- menthyl ; tms is a trimethylsilyl radical ; the base is lithium diisopropylamide or lithium hexamethyldisilazide ; and g and r 1 have been defined above . the removal of the 4 - methoxy phenyl group from the n - position ( vi &# 39 ;) to obtain β - lactams ( vi ) is accomplished by treatment with cerium ammonium nitrate ( can ). ## str13 ## referring now to scheme 2 , β - lactams ( via ) where g is triisopropylsilyl ( tips ) may be converted to the 3 - hydroxy - β - lactams ( vii ), followed by protection with groups such as ethoxyethyl ( me ) or triethylsilyl ( tes ) to give β - lactams ( vi ). the protecting groups can be attached to the hydroxyl group of β - lactams ( vi ) by methods which are generally known to those skilled in the art . β - lactams ( vi ) where g is ( tert - butyl )- dimethylsilyl ( tbdms ), may be directly obtained from the chiral enolate - imine cyclocondensation described above . β - lactams ( vi ) may be reacted with acyl chlorides , chloroformates , and carbamoyl chlorides in the presence of a base to yield β - lactams ( v ). the β - lactams ( v ) may be coupled with baccatin ( iii ) or ( iv ). scheme 3 and 4 illustrate the coupling of β - lactams ( v ) baccatins ( iii ) or ( iv ) in the presence of a base , followed by deprotection to yield the new taxanes ( i ) or ( ii ), respectively in high yields . ## str14 ## the taxanes thus obtained are represented by formulae i and ii shown above . r 1 through r 8 as generally defined above . r 1 , r 2 and r are each independently a straight chain or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms , a straight chain or branched alkenyl radical containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms , or a straight chain or branched alkynyl radical containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms , a cycloalkyl radical containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms , a heterocycloalkyl radical containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms , a cycloalkenyl radical containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms , a heterocycloalkenyl radical containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms , a polycycloalkyl radical containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms , an aryl radical containing 6 to 20 carbons , a heteroaryl radical containing 3 to 15 carbon atoms ; or r 2 can also be ro --, rs -- or rr &# 39 ; n -- radical in which r is as defined above ; r &# 39 ; is a hydrogen or can also be r as defined above ; r and r &# 39 ; can be connected to form a cyclic structure which has 2 to 10 carbon atoms ; r 3 , r 4 , r 5 or r 6 are each independently hydrogen or an acyl radical having 1 to 20 carbons or r as defined above or a hydroxyl protecting group ; r 7 is an acyl group having 1 to 20 carbons ; r 8 is a hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group . heteroaromatic groups may also include atoms of oxygen , nitrogen and sulfur . in addition , with respect to formula ( i ) and ( ii ) above , r 3 can also be a hydrogen or g 1 ; r 4 can also be a hydrogen or g 2 ; r 5 can also be a hydrogen or g 3 ; r 6 can also be a hydrogen or g 4 ; and r 8 can also be a hydrogen or g , in which g , g 1 , g 2 , g 3 and g 4 have been previously defined . each radical in r 1 , r 2 and r as defined above can be optionally substituted with one or more halogens , hydroxyl , amino , mercapto , cyano , carboxyl group , alkoxy , alkylamino , dialkylamino , alkylthio , alkoxycarboxyl group in which said alkyl portion has 1 to 15 carbon atoms aryloxy , arylthio , aryloxycarbonyl , in which said aryl portion has 6 to 20 carbon atoms , or heteroarylthio , heteroaryloxy carbonyl in which said heteroaryl portion has 3 to 15 carbon atoms . in one embodiment , r 1 can also be an alkyl radical selected from the group consisting of methyl , ethyl , propyl , isopropyl , butyl , isobutyl , tert - butyl , pentyl , isopentyl , neopentyl , hexyl , isohexyl , heptyl , isoheptyl , octyl , isooctyl , cyclohexylmethyl , cyclohexylethyl , benzyl , phenylethyl , cyclopropyl , cyclobutyl , cyclopentyl , cyclohexyl , cycloheptyl , cyclooctyl , and adamantyl , or an alkenyl radical selected from the group consisting of vinyl , allyl , 2 - phenylethenyl , 2 - furylethenyl , 2 - pyrrolyl - ethenyl , 2 - pyridylethenyl , 2 - thienylethyl , or an unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl radical selected from the group consisting of ethynyl and propargyl or an aryl radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl , tolyl , 4 - methoxyphenyl , 3 , 4 - dimethoxyphenyl , 4 - fluorophenyl , 4 - trifluoromethylphenyl , 4 - chlorophenyl , and naphthyl ; or a heteroaryl radical selected from the group consisting of furyl , pyrrolyl , and pyridyl , or a cycloalkenyl radical selected from the group consisting of cyclopentenyl , cyclohexenyl and cycloheptenyl or a heterocycloalkyl selected from the group consisting of oxiranyl , pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , tetrahydrofuryl , and tetrahydropyranyl , or a heterocycloalkenyl radical selected from the group consisting of dihydrofuryl , dihydropyrrolyl , dihydropiranyl , and dihydropyridyl ; r 2 is an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl , alkenyl , alkynyl , aryl or heteroaryl radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl , tolyl , 4 - fluorophenyl , 4 - chlorophenyl , 4 - methoxyphenyl , biphenyl , 1 - naphthyl , 2 - naphthyl , isopropyl , isobutyl , neopentyl , hexyl , heptyl , cyclohexyl , cyclohexylmethyl , benzyl , phenylethyl , phenylethenyl , crotyl , allyl , vinyl , propargyl , pyridinyl , furyl , thienyl , pyrrolidinyl , and piperidinyl ; or r 2 is ro --, rs --, or rr &# 39 ; n -- wherein r is an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl radical selected from the group consisting of methyl , ethyl , propyl , isopropyl , butyl , isobutyl , tert - butyl , pentyl , isopentyl , neopentyl , hexyl , isohexyl , heptyl , isoheptyl , octyl , isooctyl , cyclopropyl , cyclobutyl , cyclopentyl , cyclohexyl , cycloheptyl , cyclooctyl , and adamantyl , or an alkenyl radical selected from the group consisting of vinyl and allyl , or an aryl radical selected from phenyl and naphthyl , or a heteroaryl radical selected from the group consisting of furyl , pyrrolyl , and pyridyl , or a cycloalkenyl radical selected from the group consisting of cyclopentenyl , cyclohexenyl and cycloheptenyl , or a heterocycloalkyl radical selected from the group consisting of an oxiranyl , tetrahydrofuryl , pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , and tetrahydropiranyl , or a heterocycloalkenyl radical selected from the group consisting of dihydrofuryl , dihydropyrrolyl , dihydropiranyl , dihydropyridyl ; r &# 39 ; is a hydrogen or r is as defined above ; cyclic rr &# 39 ; n -- is a radical including an aziridino , azetidino , pyrrolidino , piperidino or morpholino group ; wherein said hydroxyl protecting group is selected from the group consisting of methoxymethyl , methoxyethyl , 1 - ethoxyethyl , benzyloxymethyl , ( β - trimethylsilyl - ethoxyl ) methyl , tetrahydropyranyl , 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethoxylcarbonyl , benzyloxycarbonyl , tert - butoxycarbonyl , 9 - fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl , 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethoxymethyl , trimethylsilyl , triethylsilyl , tripropylsilyl , dimethylethylsilyl , dimethyl ( t - butyl ) silyl , diethylmethylsilyl , dimethylphenylsilyl and diphenylmethylsilyl ; said acyl is selected from the group consisting of acetyl , chloroacetyl , dichloroacetyl , trichloroacetyl and trifluoroacetyl , propanoyl , butanoyl , pentanoyl , hexanoyl , heptanoyl , cyclohexanecarbonyl , octanoyl , nonanoyl , decanoyl , undecanoyl , dodecanoyl , benzoyl , phenylacetyl , nanphthalenecarbonyl , indoleacetyl , methoxycarbonyl , ethoxycarbonyl , propoxycarbonyl , and butoxycarbonyl and crotonoyl and methyl crotonoyl ; and r 5 and r 6 form a cyclic structure with two oxygen atoms of the skeleton of said taxane , wherein said cyclic structure is selected from the group consisting of carbonate , methylacetal , ethylacetal , propylacetal , butylacetal , phenylacetal , dimethylketal , diethylketal , dipropylketal , and dibutylketal . in another embodiment r 1 may be phenyl , tolyl , 4 - methoxyphenyl , 3 , 4 - dimethoxyphenyl , 4 - fluorophenyl , 4 - trifluoromethyl - phenyl , 4 - hydroxyphenyl , 1 - naphthyl , 2 - naphthyl , pyridyl , furyl , thienyl , pyrrolyl , n - methylpyrrolyl , 2 - phenylethenyl , 2 - furylethenyl , 2 - pyridylethenyl , 2 - thienylethenyl , 2 - phenylethyl , 2 - cyclohexylethyl , cyclohexylmethyl , isobutyl or cyclohexyl ; r 2 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl , tolyl , 4 - fluorophenyl , 4 - chlorophenyl , 4 - methoxyphenyl , biphenyl , 1 - naphthyl , 2 - naphthyl , isopropyl , isobutyl , neopentyl , hexyl , heptyl , cyclohexyl , cyclohexylmethyl , benzyl , phenylethyl , and phenylethenyl ; or r 2 is ro -- wherein r is selected from the group consisting of a methyl , ethyl , propyl , isopropyl , butyl , isobutyl , tert - butyl , pentyl , isopentyl , neopentyl , hexyl , isohexyl , cyclohexyl , phenyl , benzyl and 9 - fluorenylmethyl ; or r 2 is rr &# 39 ; n -- selected from the group consisting of a methylamino , ethylamino , propylamino , isopropylamino , butylamino , isobutylamino , tert - butylamino , neopentylamino , cyclohexylamino , phenylamino or benzylamino , dimethylamino , diethylamino , dipropylamino , dibutylamino , dipentylamino , dihexylamino , dicyclohexylamino , methyl ( tert - butyl ) amino , cyclohexyl ( methyl ) amino , methyl ( phenyl ) amino , pyrrolidiono , piperidino , or morpholino group ; r 3 and r 4 are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen , acetyl , chloroacetyl , dichloroacetyl , trichloroacetyl , and trifluoroacetyl , benzoyl , phenylacetyl , acryloyl , and crotyl , cinnamoyl , allyl , benzyl , methoxymethyl , methoxyethyl , 1 - ethoxyethyl , tetrahydropyranyl , 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethoxylcarbonyl , benzyloxycarbonyl , tert - butoxycarbonyl , 9 - fluroenylmethoxycarbonyl , trimethylsilyl , triethylsilyl , ( tert - butyl ) dimethylsilyl ; r 5 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen , acetyl , chloroacetyl , allyl , benzyl , acryloyl , crotyl , and cinnamoyl and r 6 is a hydrogen ; wherein r 5 and r 6 are connected to form a cyclic structure selected from the group consisting of carbonyl , propylidene , butylidene , pentylidene , phenylmethylidene , dimethylmethylidene , diethylmethylidene , dipropylmethylidene , dibutylmethylidene , methoxymethylidene , ethoxymethylidene , methylene , ethylene , and propylene ; r 7 is selected from the group consisting of benzoyl and cyclohexanecarbonyl ; r 8 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen , 1 - ethoxyethyl , 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethoxylcarbonyl , trimethylsilyl , triethylsilyl , and tert - butyldimethylsilyl . other embodiments of the present invention found to possess unusually good cytotoxicity properties are described below . in one preferred embodiment , r 1 is isobutyl , isobutenyl , crotyl , or furyl ; r 2 is tert - butoxy ; r 3 is hydrogen ; r 4 is hydrogen , acyl , carbamoyl , n - alkylcarbamoyl , n , n - dialkylcarbamoyl , or alkoxycarbonyl radical ; r 5 and r 6 are connected to form a carbonate ; r 7 is arylcarbonyl , alkylcarbonyl , or alkenylcarbonyl radical ; r 8 is hydrogen . in another preferred embodiment , r 1 is isobutyl , isobutenyl , crotyl , or furyl ; r 2 is tert - butoxy ; r 3 is hydrogen ; r 4 is hydrogen , acetyl , propanoyl , cyclopropanecarbonyl , n , n - dimethylcarbamoyl , or methoxycarbonyl ; r 5 and r 6 are connected to form a carbonate ; r 7 is benzoyl ; r 8 is hydrogen . in another preferred embodiment , r 1 is isobutyl , iisobutenyl , crotyl , or furyl ; r 2 is tert - butoxy ; r 3 is hydrogen ; r 4 is hydrogen , acyl , carbamoyl , n - alkylcarbamoyl , n , n - dialkylcarbamoyl , or alkoxycarbonyl radical ; r 5 is hydrogen ; r 6 is hydrogen ; r 7 is benzoyl ; r 8 is hydrogen . in another preferred embodiment , r 1 is isobutyl , isobutenyl , crotyl , or furyl ; r 2 is tert - butoxy ; r 3 is hydrogen ; r 4 is hydrogen , acetyl , propanoyl , cyclopropanecarbonyl , n , n - dimethylcarbamoyl , or methoxycarbonyl ; r 5 is hydrogen ; r 6 is hydrogen ; r 7 is benzoyl ; r 8 is hydrogen . representative hydroxyl protecting groups include methoxylmethyl ( mom ), methoxyethyl ( mem ), 1 - ethoxyethyl ( ee ), benzyloxymethyl , ( β - trimethylsilylethoxyl ) methyl , tetrahydropyranyl , 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethoxylcarbonyl ( troc ), benzyloxycarbonyl ( cbz ), tert - butoxycarbonyl ( t - boc ), 9 - fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl ( fmoc ), 2 , 2 , 2 - trichloroethoxymethyl , trimethylsilyl , triethylsilyl , tripropylsilyl , dimethylethylsilyl , dimethyl ( t - butyl ) silyl , diethylmethylsilyl , dimethylphenylsilyl and diphenylmethylsilyl , acetyl , chloroacetyl , dichloroacetyl , trichloroacetyl or trifluoroacetyl . the coupling reaction of baccatin ( iii ) or ( iv ) and β - lactam ( v ), as shown in schemes 3 and 4 , occurs at an alkali metal alkoxide which is located at the c - 13 hydroxyl group of baccatin ( iii ) or at the c - 14 hydroxyl group of baccatin ( iv ). the alkoxide can be readily generated by reacting the baccatin with an alkali metal base . representative alkyl metal bases include sodium hexamethyldisilazide , potassium hexamethyldisilazide , lithium hexamethyldisilazide , sodium diisopropylamide , potassium diisopropylamide , lithium diisopropylamide , sodium hydride , in a dry nonprotic organic solvent . tetrahydrofuran ( thf ), dioxane , ether , dimethoxyethane ( dme ), diglyme , dimethylformamide ( dmf ), or mixtures of these solvents with hexane , toluene , and xylene are useful nonprotic organic solvents . the coupling reaction is preferably carried out in a temperature range from about - 100 ° c . to about 50 ° c ., and more preferably from about - 50 ° c . to about 25 ° c . the coupling reaction is also preferably carried out under an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen and argon . the amount of base used for the reaction is preferably approximately equivalent to the amount of baccatin when soluble bases such as sodium hexamethyldisilazide , potassium hexamethyldisilazide , lithium hexamethyldisilazide , sodium diisopropylamide , potassium diisopropylamide , lithium diisopropylamide are being used . the use of a slight excess of base does not adversely affect the reaction . when heterogeneous bases such as sodium hydride and potassium hydride are used , 5 - 10 equivalents of the base to the amount of baccatin are preferably employed . the coupling reaction at the metal alkoxide of baccatin is typically carried out by adding a solution of β - lactam in a dry non - protic organic solvent , as described above , in a preferred temperature range from about - 100 ° c . to 50 ° c ., and more preferably from about - 50 ° c . to 25 ° c . the mixture of reactants is stirred for 15 minutes to 24 hours and the progress and completion of the reaction may be monitored by known methods such as thin layer chromatography ( tlc ). when the limiting reactant is completely consumed , the reaction is quenched by addition of a cold brine solution . the crude reaction mixture is worked up using standard isolation procedures , generally known to those skilled in the art , to yield the corresponding taxane . the ratio of β - lactam to baccatin is in a range from 2 : 1 to 1 : 2 . more preferably a ratio of approximately 1 : 1 has been formed to be more economic and efficient , but this ratio is not critical for the reaction . work - up means any routine isolation procedure used to obtain the product from the reaction mixture . the hydroxyl protecting groups can then be removed by using standard procedures which are generally known to those skilled in the art to give desired taxane derivatives . for example , 1 - ethoxyethyl and triethylsilyl groups can be removed by adding 0 . 5n hcl at room temperature for 36 hours . a troc group can be removed by adding with zinc and acetic acid in methanol at 60 ° c . for one hour without disturbing other functional groups or the skeleton of taxane . another method of deprotection is treating triisopropylsilyl ( tips ) or ( tert - butyl ) dimethylsilyl ( tbdms ) groups with fluoride ion . the compounds of the invention can be formulated in pharmaceutical preparations or formulated in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof , particularly as nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts or acceptable basic salts . these salts can be prepared from the compounds of the invention according to conventional chemical methods . normally , the salts are prepared by reacting the free base or acid with stoichiometric amounts or with an excess thereof of the desired salt forming inorganic or organic acid in a suitable solvent or various combination of solvents . as an example , the free base can be dissolved in an aqueous solution of the appropriate acid and the salt recovered by standard techniques , for example , by evaporation of the solution . alternatively , the free base can be dissolved in an organic solvent such as a lower alkanol , an ether , an alkyl ester , or mixtures thereof , for example , methanol , ethanol , ether , ethyl acetate , an ethyl acetate - ether solution , and the like , whereafter it is treated with the appropriate acid to form the corresponding salt . the salt is recovered by standard recovery techniques , for example , by filtration of the desired salt on spontaneous separation from the solution or it can be precipitated by the addition of a solvent in which the salt is insoluble and recovered therefrom . due to their antineoplastic activity , the taxane compounds of the invention can be utilized in the treatment of cancers . the new compounds are administrable in the form of tablets , pills , powder mixtures , capsules , injectables , solutions , suppositories , emulsions , dispersions , food premix , and in other suitable forms . the pharmaceutical preparation which contains the compound is conveniently admixed with a nontoxic pharmaceutical organic carrier , usually about 0 . 01 mg up to 2500 mg . or higher per dosage unit , preferably 50 - 500 mg . typical of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are , for example , manitol , urea , dextrans , lactose , potato and maize starches , magnesium stearate , talc , vegetable oils , polyalkylene glycols , ethyl cellulose , poly ( vinylpyrrolidone ), calcium carbonate , ethyl oleate , isopropyl myristate , benzyl benzoate , sodium carbonate , gelatin , potassium carbonate , silicic acid , and other conventionally employed acceptable carriers . the pharmaceutical preparation may also contain nontoxic auxiliary substances such as emulsifying , preserving , wetting agents , and the like as for example , sorbitan monolaurate , triethanolamine oleate , polyoxyethylene monostearate , glyceryl tripalmitate , dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate , and the like . the compounds of the invention can also be freeze dried and , if desired , combined with other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to prepare formulations suitable for parenteral , injectable administration . for such administration , the formulation can be reconstituted in water ( normal , saline ), or a mixture of water and an organic solvent , such as propylene glycol , ethanol , and the like . the dose administered , whether a single dose , multiple dose , or a daily dose , will , of course , vary with the particular compound of the invention employed because of the varying potency of the compound , the chosen route of administration , the size of the recipient and the nature of the patient &# 39 ; s condition . the dosage administered is not subject to definite bounds , but it will usually be an effective amount , or the equivalent on a molar basis of the physiologically active free form produced from a dosage formulation upon the metabolic release of the active drug to achieve its desired pharmacological and physiological effects . the following non - limiting examples are illustrative of the present invention . the full scope of the invention will be pointed out in the claims which follow the specification . β - lactams ( vi ) were obtained as shown in scheme 1 through a chiral enolate - imine cyclocondensation method in which silyloxyacetates ( a ) were reacted with imines or aldimines ( b ) and ( b &# 39 ;) in the presence of a base such as lithium diisopropylamide or lithium hexamethyldisilazide . procedures for obtaining the starting compounds ( a ) and ( b ) or ( b &# 39 ;) are described in examples 1 - 12 . the materials used in examples 1 - 12 in the preparation of materials ( a ), ( b ) and ( b &# 39 ;) are readily commercially available . a solution of (-)-( 1r , 2s )- 2 - phenyl - 1 - cyclohexyl hydroxyacetate ( 851 mg , 3 . 63 mmol ) was prepared through esterification of benzyloxyacetyl chloride with (-)-( 1r , 2s )- 2 - phenyl - 1 - cyclohexanol followed by hydrogenolysis . then , triisopropylsilyl chloride ( 840 mg , 4 . 36 mmol ) and imidazole ( 618 mg , 9 . 08 mmol ) in dimethylformamide ( dmf ) ( 1 . 7 ml ) were stirred at room temperature for 12 - 20 hours . the mixture was poured into pentane ( 25 ml ), and washed with water and brine . the combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous mgso 4 and concentrated in vacuo . the crude product was subjected to a purification on a short silica gel column using hexane / chloroform ( 3 / 1 ) as the eluant to give pure (-)-( 1r , 2s )- 2 - phenyl - 1 - cyclohexyl triisopropylsilyloxyacetate ( 1 . 35 g , 95 % yield ) as a colorless oil . α ! d 20 - 17 . 1 ° ( c 3 . 15 , chcl 3 ); ir ( neat ) 1759 , 1730 (. sup . ν co ) cm - 1 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 93 - 0 . 99 ( m , 21h ), 1 . 30 - 1 . 62 ( m , 4h ), 1 . 72 - 2 . 0 ( m , 3h ), 2 . 10 - 2 . 19 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 66 ( dt , j = 11 . 5 , 4 . 0 hz , 1h ), 3 . 90 ( d , j = 16 . 6 hz , 1h ), 4 . 07 ( d , j = 16 . 6 hz , 1h ), 5 . 07 ( dt , j = 10 . 6 , 4 . 0 hz , 1h ), 7 . 16 - 7 . 30 ( m , 5h ). anal . calcd for c 23 h 38 o 3 si : c , 70 . 72 ; h , 9 . 81 . found : c , 70 . 79 ; h , 9 . 85 . n - trimethylsilylaldimines used in the cyclo - condensation method can be readily obtained by the reaction of lithium hexamethyldisilazide with aldehydes . a typical procedure for the preparation of n - trimethylsilylbenzaldimine is described below . in 75 ml of anhydrous thf were added 17 . 29 ml ( 75 mmol ) of hexamethyldisilazane and 30 ml ( 75 mmol ) of n - butyllithium ( 2 . 5m in hexane ) at 0 ° c . under nitrogen . after stirring for one hour , 7 . 65 ml ( 75 mmol ) of benzaldehyde was added at room temperature , and the mixture was refluxed for 3 hours . then , 9 . 52 ml ( 75 mmol ) of freshly distilled trimethylsilyl chloride was added with a syringe . the mixture was refluxed for 2 hours . a white precipitate formed during this process . the reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and the liquid layer was transferred with a syringe to a distillation flask under nitrogen . the solvent was evaporated in vacuo , and the oily residue was distilled under reduced pressure ( 68 ° c ./ 1 mm hg ) to give pure n - trimethylsilylbenzaldimine as a pale yellow oil ( 10 . 6 g , 80 %) having the identification data shown below : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 18 ( s , 9h ), 7 . 33 - 7 . 36 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 72 - 7 . 75 ( m , 2h ), 8 . 89 ( s , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ - 1 . 25 , 128 . 34 , 128 . 39 , 131 . 96 , 138 . 70 , 168 . 32 n - trimethylsilyl ( 4 - methoxy ) benzaldimine and n - trimethylsilyl -( 3 , 4 - dimethoxy ) benzaldimine were prepared in the same manner , from 4 - methoxybenzaldehyde and 3 , 4 - dimethoxy - benzaldehyde , respectively , in 78 - 82 % yields . identification data for the imines is set forth next to each one of these compounds . pale yellow oil ; bp 105 ° c ./ 0 . 4 mmhg ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 00 ( s , 9h ), 3 . 60 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 69 ( d , j = 8 . 7 hz , 2h ), 7 . 50 ( d , j = 8 . 7 hz , 2h ), 8 . 66 ( s , 1h ). colorless oil ; bp 140 ° c ./ 0 . 2 mmhg ; 1 h nmr δ 0 . 00 ( s , 9h ), 3 . 67 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 71 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 65 ( d , j = 8 . 2 hz , 1h ), 7 . 01 ( dd , j = 8 . 2 , 1 . 8 hz , 1h ), 7 . 22 ( d , j = 1 . 8 hz , 1h ), 8 . 63 ( s , 1h ). a typical procedure is described for the preparation of n -( 4 - methoxyphenyl )( 4 - fluoro ) benzaldimine . to a solution of 4 . 81 g ( 39 mmol ) of p - anisidine in 60 ml of dichloromethane was added 4 . 85 g ( 39 mmol ) of 4 - fluorobenzaldehyde . the mixture was stirred over anhydrous magnesium sulfate at room temperature for 15 hours . the dehydration agent was filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give a crude imine . the crude imine was recrystallized from hexane / dichloro / methane to yield 7 . 69 g ( 86 %) of pure n -( 4 - methoxyphenyl )( 4 - fluoro ) benzaldimine as white needles . mp 99 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 82 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 92 ( d , j = 8 . 7 hz , 2h ), 7 . 13 ( t , j = 8 . 6 hz , 2h ), 7 . 21 ( d , j = 8 . 7 hz , 2h ), 7 . 88 ( dd , j = 8 . 6 , 5 . 7 hz , 2h ), 8 . 39 ( s , 1h ). other n -( 4 - methoxylphenyl ) aldimines were prepared in high yields in the same manner . identification data for these imines are shown next to each one of these compounds . white solid ; mp 71 °- 72 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 93 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 93 ( d , j = 8 . 8 hz , 2h ), 7 . 23 ( d , j = 8 . 8 hz , 2h ), 7 . 46 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 87 ( m , 2h ), 8 . 48 ( s , 1h ). white needles ; mp 124 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 81 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 91 ( d , j = 8 . 8 hz , 2h ), 7 . 15 ( d , j = 8 . 8 hz , 2h ), 7 . 75 ( d , j = 8 . 6 hz , 2h ), 8 . 10 ( d , j = 8 . 6 hz , 2h ), 8 . 39 ( s , 1h ). yellow pellets ; mp 68 °- 70 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 82 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 54 ( dd , j = 3 . 5 , 1 . 8 hz , 1h ), 6 . 90 ( d , j = 3 . 5 hz , 1h ), 6 . 92 ( d , j = 8 . 9 hz , 2h ), 7 . 26 ( d , j = 8 . 9 hz , 2h ), 7 . 59 ( d , j = 1 . 8 hz , 1h ), 8 . 31 ( s , 1h ). yellow leaves ; mp 119 °- 121 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 81 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 90 - 7 . 60 ( m , 7h ), 8 . 28 ( m , 1h )( ca . 1 : 1 mixture of stereoisomers ). yellow needles ; mp 71 °- 73 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 78 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 45 ( dd , j = 3 . 4 , 1 . 6 hz , 1h ), 6 . 52 ( d , j = 3 . 4 hz , 1h ), 6 . 87 ( d , j = 15 . 8 hz , 1h ), 6 . 90 ( d , j = 8 . 9 hz , 2h ), 6 . 98 ( dd , j = 15 . 8 , 8 . 7 hz , 1h ), 7 . 18 ( d , j = 8 . 9 hz , 2h ), 7 . 46 ( d , j = 1 . 6 hz , 1h ), 8 . 20 ( d , j = 8 . 7 hz , 1h ). yellow oil ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 02 ( d , j = 6 . 7 hz , 6h ), 2 . 03 ( m , 1h ), 2 . 33 ( dd , j = 6 . 9 , 5 . 3 hz , 2h ), 3 . 78 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 86 ( d , j = 8 . 8 hz , 2h ), 7 . 03 ( d , j = 8 . 8 hz , 2h ), 7 . 86 ( t , j = 5 . 3 hz , 1h ). yellow oil ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 00 - 1 . 80 ( m , 11h ), 2 . 34 ( dd , j = 6 . 7 , 5 . 4 hz , 2h ), 3 . 79 ( s , 3h ), 6 . 86 ( d , j = 8 . 9 hz , 2h ), 7 . 02 ( d , j = 8 . 9 hz , 2h ), 7 . 86 ( t , j = 5 . 4 hz , 1h ); ir ( neat ) 3033 - 2849 , 1505 , 1244 , 1038 , 803 cm - 1 . chiral enolate - imine cyclocondensation reactions were run to obtain the 4 - substituted - 2 - azetidinones ( vi ) and ( vi &# 39 ;) shown in scheme 1 . other azetidinones having different substituents for r 1 were prepared by following the same procedures set forth in examples 13 and 15 . the identification data for these azetidinones is shown in examples 14 and 16 - 20 , respectively . a typical procedure is described for the preparation of ( 3r , 4s )- 3 - triisopropylsilyloxy - 4 - phenyl - 2 - azetidinone ( via ). to a solution of 645 μl ( 4 . 6 mmol ) of diisopropylamine in 10 ml of thf , was added 1 . 85 ml ( 4 . 6 mmol , 2 . 5m ) of n - butyllithium at 0 ° c . the solution was stirred 1 h at 0 ° c . followed by the addition of 1 . 5 g ( 3 . 8 mmol ) of (-) tips ester in 15 ml of thf over a 1 hour period ( using a cannula ) at - 78 ° c . the reaction was stirred 2 hours at this temperature followed by the addition of 817 mg ( 4 . 6 mmol ) of n - trimethylsilyl benzaldimine in 15 ml of thf over a 2 h period at - 95 ° c . the reaction was stirred overnight at this temperature and allowed to slowly warm up at room temperature . the reaction was quenched by addition of saturated nh 4 cl . the aqueous layer was extracted with ether . the organic layer was washed with 3 % hcl and brine , dried over mgso 4 and concentrated . the crude oil was purified by chromatography on silica gel using 1 : 5 etoac / hexanes as the eluent to give 1 . 03 g ( 84 %) of ( 3r , 4s )- 3 - triisopropylsilyloxy - 4 - phenyl - 2 - azetidinone ( via ) as a white solid . mp 76 °- 77 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 52 . 7 ° ( c 1 . 00 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 86 - 0 . 93 ( m , 21h ), 4 . 81 ( d , j = 4 . 7 hz , 1h ), 5 . 17 ( dd , j = 4 . 7 , 2 . 6 hz , 1h ), 6 . 18 ( bs , 1h ), 7 . 17 - 7 . 35 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 75mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 11 . 8 , 17 . 4 , 17 . 5 , 59 . 6 , 79 . 9 , 127 . 9 , 128 . 0 , 128 . 1 , 136 . 4 , 170 . 0 ; ir ( kbr ) 3234 , 2946 - 2866 , 1760 , 1458 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 18 h 29 no 2 si : c 67 . 66 ; h 9 . 15 ; n 4 . 38 . found : c 67 . 64 ; h 9 . 25 ; n 4 . 44 . 72 %; colorless liquid ; 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 98 - 1 . 02 ( m , 21h ), 4 . 36 ( dd , j = 4 . 6 , 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 5 . 09 ( dd , j = 2 . 3 , 4 . 6 hz , 1h ), 6 . 29 ( dd , j = 8 . 3 , 16 . 0 hz , 1h ), 6 . 59 ( d , j = 16 . 0 hz , 1h ), 6 . 83 , ( bs , 1h ), 7 . 23 - 7 . 39 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 11 . 79 , 17 . 61 , 17 . 66 , 58 . 34 , 79 . 86 , 126 . 05 , 126 . 45 , 127 . 90 , 128 . 56 , 134 . 41 , 136 . 30 , 169 . 69 ; ir ( neat ) 3262 , 3032 , 2944 , 2865 , 1748 , 1672 , 1623 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 20 h 31 no 2 si : c , 69 . 52 ; h , 9 . 04 ; n , 4 . 05 . found : c , 69 . 75 ; h , 9 . 02 ; n , 3 . 89 . to a solution of 2 . 51 mmol of diisopropylamine in 15 ml of thf was added 2 . 51 ml of n - butyllithium ( 2 . 5m in thf ) at - 10 ° c . after 30 min , lithium diisopropylamide ( lda ) was generated and the solution was cooled to - 95 ° c . a solution of 2 . 17 mmol of chiral ester in 5 ml of thf was added . after 1 hr , a solution of 2 . 5 mmol of the appropriate imine in 3 ml of thf was added . the mixture was stirred at - 95 ° c . overnight , and the progress of the reaction was monitored by tlc or 1 h nmr . the reaction was quenched with saturated nh 4 cl and thf was removed using a rotary evaporator . ether ( 10 ml ) was added and the aqueous layer was extracted with ether ( 10 ml × 3 ). drying and removal of the solvent gave the crude product which was purified by silica gel column chromatography ( hexane / ethyl acetate = 10 : 1 ) to afford the corresponding pure β - lactam . the enantiomeric excess was determined by hplc using a chiralcel od column using n - hexane / isopropyl alcohol ( i - proh ) ( 90 / 10 ) as the eluant . 87 %; pale yellow solid ; mp 59 °- 60 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 60 . 46 ° ( c 1 . 26 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 96 ( d , j = 6 . 4 hz , 3h ), 1 . 03 ( d , j = 6 . 4 hz , 3h ), 1 . 10 - 1 . 30 ( m , 21h ), 1 . 60 - 1 . 68 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 70 - 1 . 92 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 75 ( s , 3h ), 4 . 16 - 4 . 22 ( m , 1h ), 5 . 06 ( d , j = 5 . 1 hz , 1h ), 6 . 86 ( d , j = 9 . 0 hz , 2h ), 7 . 32 ( d , j = 9 . 0 hz , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 12 . 34 , 17 . 82 , 17 . 91 , 22 . 18 , 23 . 37 , 25 . 34 , 35 . 89 , 55 . 50 , 57 . 33 , 76 . 34 , 114 . 52 , 118 . 73 , 131 . 00 , 156 . 29 , 165 . 58 ; ir ( kbr ) 2946 , 1742 , 1513 , 1458 , 1249 cm 1 . anal . calcd for c 23 h 39 no 3 si : c , 68 . 10 ; h , 9 . 70 ; n , 3 . 45 . found : c , 68 . 26 ; h , 9 . 85 ; n , 3 . 35 . 83 %; low melting point solid ; α ! d 20 + 43 . 7 ° ( c 0 . 92 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 85 - 1 . 95 ( m , 34h ), 3 . 78 ( s , 3h ), 4 . 19 - 4 . 25 ( m , 1h ), 5 . 05 ( d , j = 5 . 1 hz , 1h ), 6 . 86 ( d , j = 9 . 0 hz , 2h ), 7 . 32 ( d , j = 9 . 0 hz , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 12 . 15 , 17 . 76 , 17 . 83 , 26 . 12 , 26 . 22 , 26 . 47 , 32 . 84 , 34 . 22 , 34 . 51 , 55 . 36 , 56 . 41 , 76 . 13 , 114 . 30 , 118 . 45 , 130 . 81 , 155 . 99 , 165 . 55 ; ir ( neat ) 2925 - 2865 , 1749 , 1513 , 1464 , 1448 , 1389 , 1246 , 1174 , 1145 , 1128 , 939 , 882 , 828 , 684 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 26 h 43 no 3 si : c , 70 . 06 ; h , 9 . 72 ; n , 3 . 14 . found : c , 69 . 91 ; h , 9 . 71 ; n , 3 . 02 . white solid ; mp 121 °- 122 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 82 . 5 ° ( c 0 . 724 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 82 - 0 . 84 ( m , 18h ), 0 . 86 - 1 . 01 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 62 ( s , 3h ), 5 . 02 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz , 1h ), 5 . 11 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz , 1h ), 6 . 68 ( d , j = 6 . 9 hz , 2h ), 6 . 96 - 7 . 25 ( m , 6h ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3050 , 2974 , 2868 , 1748 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 25 h 34 no 3 fsi : c , 67 . 69 ; h , 7 . 72 ; n , 3 . 16 . found : c , 67 . 77 ; h , 7 . 83 ; n , 3 . 19 . white solid ; mp 132 °- 133 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 89 . 7 ° ( c 0 . 925 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 87 - 1 . 15 ( m , 21h ), 3 . 74 ( s , 3h ), 5 . 21 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz , 1h ), 5 . 27 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz , 1h ), 6 . 79 ( d , j = 8 . 0 hz , 2h ), 7 . 25 ( d , j = 8 . 0 hz , 2h ), 7 . 46 ( d , j = 8 . 0 hz , 2h ), 7 . 60 ( d , j = 8 . 0 hz , 2h ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3050 , 2975 , 2868 , 1750 , 878 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 26 h 34 no 3 no 3 f 3 si : c , 63 . 26 ; h , 6 . 94 ; n , 2 . 84 . found : c , 63 . 36 ; h , 7 . 13 ; n , 2 . 88 . white solid ; mp 109 °- 110 ° c . ; α ! d 20 - 86 . 2 ° ( c 1 . 4 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 98 - 1 . 10 ( m , 21h ), 3 . 75 ( s , 3h ), 5 . 20 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz , 1h ), 5 . 24 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz , 1h ), 6 . 35 - 6 . 40 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 81 ( d , j = 9 . 0 hz , 2h ), 7 . 30 ( d , j = 9 . 0 hz , 2h ), 7 . 42 ( m , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 11 . 96 , 17 . 52 , 17 . 57 , 55 . 43 , 57 . 19 , 78 . 13 , 110 . 23 , 110 . 63 , 114 . 44 , 118 . 55 , 131 . 08 , 142 . 80 , 148 . 51 , 156 . 45 , 165 . 27 . anal . calcd for c 23 h 33 no 4 si : c , 66 . 47 ; h , 8 . 00 ; n , 3 . 37 . found : c , 66 . 56 ; h , 8 . 13 ; n , 3 . 30 . white solid ; mp 103 . 5 °- 105 . 5 ° c . ; α ! d 20 - 128 . 4 ° ( c 2 . 8 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 05 - 1 . 09 ( m , 21h ), 3 . 76 ( s , 3h ), 4 . 69 ( dd , j = 4 . 9 , 8 . 6 hz , 1h ), 5 . 15 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz , 1h ), 6 . 25 ( dd , j = 8 . 6 , 16 . 0 hz , 1h ), 6 . 29 ( d , j = 3 . 3 hz , 1h ), 6 . 37 ( dd , j = 1 . 8 , 3 . 3 hz , 1h ), 6 . 57 ( d , j = 16 . 0 hz , 1h ), 6 . 83 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 34 - 7 . 41 ( m , 3h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 12 . 11 , 17 . 70 , 17 . 74 , 55 . 54 , 61 . 94 , 77 . 18 , 78 . 45 , 107 . 88 , 108 . 42 , 111 . 26 , 114 . 54 , 118 . 70 , 123 . 46 , 123 . 82 , 142 . 46 , 190 . 99 ; ir ( kbr ) 2948 , 2866 , 1743 , 1513 , 1389 , 1246 , 1181 , 1120 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 25 h 35 no 4 si : c , 67 . 99 ; h , 7 . 99 ; n , 3 . 17 . found : c , 68 . 07 ; h , 7 . 94 ; n , 3 . 10 . the transformation of β - lactam intermediates ( vi &# 39 ;) to β - lactams ( vi ) as shown in scheme 1 was accomplished by methods discussed in examples 21 - 23 . azetidinones obtained in this manner , ( vic ) to ( vij ), exemplify different r 1 groups . identification data for ( vic ) to ( vij ) are shown next to each compound . to a solution of 0 . 24 mmol of 1 -( 4 - methoxyphenyl )- β - lactam in mecn ( 20 ml ) was added 0 . 65 mmol of cerium ammonium nitrate ( can ) in 10 ml ch 3 cn and 20 ml of water in 20 min at - 15 ° c . after stirring for 1 hour , it was diluted with water ( 20 ml ), and the mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate ( 15 ml × 2 ). the combined organic layer was washed with water ( 7 ml ), 5 % na 2 so 4 ( 10 ml × 2 ), 5 % na 2 co 3 ( 10 ml ) and brine ( 5 ml ) in sequence . drying , removal of the solvent in vacuo followed by decolorization with activated charcoal afforded the crude product . this product was further purified by silica gel column chromatography using hexanes / ethyl acetate , 3 / 1 eluent to furnish n - deprotected β - lactam . 83 %; yellow oil ; α ! d 20 + 35 . 45 ° ( c 1 . 33 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 93 ( d , j = 6 . 6 hz , 3h ), 0 . 96 ( d , j = 6 . 6 hz , 3h ), 1 . 05 - 1 . 25 ( m , 22h ), 1 . 52 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 67 ( m , 1h ), 3 . 78 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 96 ( dd , j = 4 . 8 , 2 . 4 hz , 1h ), 6 . 02 ( bs , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 12 . 12 , 17 . 72 , 17 . 80 , 22 . 29 , 23 . 08 , 25 . 35 , 39 . 08 , 54 . 45 , 78 . 04 , 170 . 00 ; ir ( neat ) 3238 , 1759 , 1465 , 1184 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 16 h 33 no 2 si : c , 64 . 16 ; h , 11 . 1 ; n , 4 . 68 . found : c , 64 . 17 ; h , 10 . 96 ; n , 4 . 47 . 85 %; yellow oil ; α ! d 20 + 12 . 44 ° ( c 1 . 46 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 , 97 - 1 . 25 ( m , 32h ), 1 . 40 - 1 . 70 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 80 ( dt , j = 8 . 4 , 4 . 8 hz , 1h ), 4 . 95 ( dd , j = 4 . 8 , 2 . 4 hz , 1h ), 6 . 05 ( bs , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 12 . 06 , 17 . 77 , 17 . 82 , 26 . 16 , 26 . 25 , 26 . 46 , 33 . 15 , 33 . 82 , 34 . 85 , 37 . 72 , 53 . 89 , 77 . 98 , 169 . 98 ; ir ( neat ) 3238 , 1759 , 1465 , 1184 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 19 h 37 no 2 si : c , 67 . 20 ; h , 10 . 98 ; n , 4 . 12 . found : c , 67 . 40 ; h , 10 . 79 ; n , 3 . 98 . a mixture of ( vib ) ( 100 mg , 0 . 29 mmol ) in methanol ( 10 ml ) and 5 % rh -- c catalyst ( 10 mg ) was hydrogenated at 50 ° c . and 800 psi of hydrogen for 20 hours . after the catalyst was filtered out and the solvents evaporated in vacuo , the residue was purified on a short silica gel column using hexane / ethyl acetate ( 5 / 1 ) as the eluant to give 95 mg ( 93 % yield ) of vij as a colorless liquid : α ! d 20 - 162 . 3 ° ( c 1 . 46 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 07 - 1 . 72 ( m , 36h ), 3 . 61 - 3 . 67 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 94 ( dd , j = 2 . 4 , 4 . 8 hz , 1h ), 6 . 42 ( bs , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 12 . 02 , 17 . 79 , 26 . 31 , 26 . 60 , 27 . 54 , 33 . 19 , 33 . 39 , 33 . 54 , 37 . 71 , 56 . 44 , 77 . 74 , 170 . 15 ; ir ( neat ) 3236 (. sup . ν nh ), 2925 , 2866 , 1760 (. sup . ν co ), 1464 , 1451 , 1384 , 1348 , 1244 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 27 h 39 no 3 si : c , 71 . 48 ; h , 8 . 66 ; n , 3 . 09 . found : c , 71 . 35 ; h , 8 . 66 ; n , 3 . 01 . the conversion of 3 - tipso - 4 - substituted - 2 - azetidinones or β - lactams vi to β - lactams vii as shown in scheme 2 is accomplished by methods of preparations discussed in examples 24 - 28 . identification data for each β - lactam ( viia )-( viie ) follow each compound . to a solution of 2 . 6 mmol of 3 - triisopropylsilyloxy - 4 - substituted - 2 - azetidinone in 20 ml of thf , was added at room temperature . 3 . 1 mmol ( 1m in thf ) of n - butyl fluoride ( nbu 4 f ). after 5 h , the solvent was evaporated and the crude oil was directly purified by chromatography on silica gel using 5 : 1 etoac / hexanes eluent to afford of 3 - hydroxy - 4 - substituted - 2 - azetidinone : 100 %; white solid ; mp 189 °- 1900 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 181 . 6 ° ( c 0 . 5 , ch 3 oh ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cd 3 od ) δ 4 . 84 ( d , j = 4 . 7 hz , 1h ), 5 . 04 ( d , j = 4 . 7 hz , 1h ), 7 . 25 - 7 . 35 ( m , 5h ); ir ( kbr ) 3373 , 3252 , 1732 , 1494 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 9 h 9 no 2 : c 66 . 25 %, h 5 . 56 %, n 8 . 58 %. found : c 66 . 42 %, h 5 . 74 %, n 8 . 62 %. 82 % white solid ; mp 143 °- 144 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 21 . 9 ° ( c 1 . 05 , meoh ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cd 3 od ) δ 4 . 35 ( ddd , j = 0 . 8 , 4 . 7 , 7 . 7 hz , 1h ), 4 . 93 ( d , j = 4 . 7 hz , 1h ), 6 . 28 ( dd , j = 7 . 7 , 16 . 0 hz , 1h ), 7 . 18 - 7 . 43 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cd 3 od ) δ 58 . 95 , 79 . 63 , 126 . 83 , 127 . 58 , 128 . 88 , 129 . 61 , 135 . 28 , 137 . 96 , 172 . 79 ; ir ( kbr ) 3320 , 3276 , 1754 , 1464 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 11 h 11 no 2 : c , 69 . 83 ; h , 5 . 86 ; n , 7 . 40 . found : c , 69 . 72 ; h , 5 . 92 ; n , 7 . 24 . 94 % white solid ; mp 141 °- 142 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 26 . 6 ° ( c 0 . 70 , meoh ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , meoh - d 4 ) δ 0 . 94 ( d , j = 6 . 8 hz , 3h ), 0 . 97 ( d , j = 6 . 8 hz , 3h ), 1 . 45 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 71 ( sept , j = 6 . 6 hz , 1h ), 3 . 75 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 79 ( d , j = 4 . 7 hz , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , meoh - d 4 ) δ 22 . 62 , 23 . 48 , 26 . 53 , 39 . 90 , 55 . 47 , 77 . 76 , 173 . 18 ; ir ( kbr ) 3274 , 3178 , 1762 , 1685 , 1155 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 7 h 13 no 2 : c , 58 . 72 ; h , 9 . 15 ; n , 9 . 78 . found : c , 58 . 55 ; h , 9 . 41 ; n , 9 . 69 . 92 % white solid ; mp 147 °- 148 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 8 . 73 ° ( c , 0 . 573 , ch 3 oh ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , meoh - d 4 ) δ 0 . 88 - 1 . 82 ( m , 13h ), 3 . 78 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 79 ( d , j = 4 . 7 hz , 1h ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ 0 . 86 - 1 . 72 ( m , 13h ), 3 . 58 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 63 ( m , 1h ), 5 . 82 ( d , j = 7 . 6 hz , 1h ), 8 . 13 ( d , j = 5 . 6 , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , meoh - d 4 ) δ 27 . 29 , 27 . 41 , 27 . 48 , 34 . 07 , 35 . 06 , 36 . 11 , 38 . 52 , 55 . 02 , 77 . 65 , 173 . 22 ; ir ( kbr ) 3301 , 3219 , 2915 , 2847 , 1754 , 1694 , 1168 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 10 h 17 no 2 : c , 65 . 54 , h , 9 . 35 , n , 7 . 64 . found : c , 65 . 72 , h , 9 . 46 , n , 7 . 42 . a suspension of 500 mg ( 3 . 06 mmol ) of 4 - phenyl - 3 - hydroxy - 2 - azetidinone via and 15 mg of rh -- c in 10 ml of methanol was heated at 90 ° c . under 800 psi in an autoclave . after 5 days , the hydrogen pressure was released and the catalyst filtered on celite . evaporation of the solvent afforded a solid which was recrystallized in ethyl acetate to give 440 mg ( 85 %) of viie as a white solid : white solid ; mp 140 °- 140 . 5 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 65 . 1 ° ( c 0 . 66 , ch 3 oh ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , meoh - d 4 ) δ 0 . 75 - 1 . 10 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 12 - 1 . 35 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 40 - 2 . 00 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 28 ( dd , j = 9 . 7 , 4 . 6 hz , 1h ), 4 . 81 ( d , j = 4 . 6 hz , 1h ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ 0 . 75 - 1 . 00 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 10 - 1 . 35 ( m , 3h ), 1 . 37 - 1 . 55 ( m , 1h ), 1 . 58 - 1 . 85 ( m , 5h ), 3 . 10 ( dd , j = 9 . 6 , 4 . 7 hz , 1h ), 4 . 67 ( m , 1h ), 5 . 87 ( d , j = 7 . 8 hz , 1h ), 8 . 21 ( bs , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ 25 . 08 , 25 . 36 , 26 . 07 , 28 . 83 , 29 . 17 , 37 . 51 , 59 . 04 , 76 . 41 , 170 . 21 ; ir ( kbr ) 3312 , 3219 , 2928 , 1726 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 9 h 15 no 2 : c , 63 . 88 , h , 8 . 93 , n , 8 . 28 . found : c , 63 . 70 , h , 9 . 00 , n , 8 . 06 . once formed , β - lactams ( vii ) required protection at the hydroxyl group . the protecting groups were attached by methods described in examples 29 - 33 to yield β - lactams ( vi ). the identification data for β - lactams ( vi ) protected by different g groups are shown after each compound ( via - ee ) to ( vie - ee ). to a solution of 1 . 9 mmol of 3 - hydroxy - 4 - substituted - 2 - azetidinone in 20 ml of thf , was added at 0 ° c . 3 . 9 mmol of ethyl vinyl ether . after 2 hours , at 0 ° c ., the reaction mixture was diluted with ether and washed with saturated nahco 3 . the organic layer was dried over na 2 co 3 , filtered and concentrated to yield of 3 -( 1 - ethoxyethoxy )- 4 - substituted - 2 - azetidinone : 100 %; white solid ; mp 78 °- 80 ° c . ; 1 h nmr δ ( cdcl 3 ) 0 . 98 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 05 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 11 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 1 . 12 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3h !, 3 . 16 - 3 . 26 ( m ), 3 . 31 - 3 . 42 ( m ), 3 . 59 - 3 . 69 ( m ), 2h !, 4 . 47 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 68 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 4 . 82 ( d , j = 4 . 7 hz ), 4 . 85 ( d , j = 4 . 7 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 17 - 5 . 21 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 42 ( bd , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( m , 5h ); ir ( kbr ) 3214 , 2983 , 2933 , 1753 , 1718 , 1456 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 13 h 17 no 3 : c , 66 . 36 ; h , 7 . 28 ; n , 5 . 95 . found : c , 66 . 46 ; h , 7 . 11 ; n , 5 . 88 . 98 %; white solid ; mp 98 °- 99 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 17 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 1 . 18 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 26 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 35 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 3h !, 3 . 44 - 3 . 52 ( m ), 3 . 60 - 3 . 68 ( m ), 3 . 75 - 3 . 82 ( m ), 2h !, 4 . 41 ( dd , j = 4 . 9 , 8 . 5 hz , 1h ), 4 . 81 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 90 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 11 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz ), 5 . 11 ( d , j = 4 . 9 hz ), 1h !, 6 . 01 ( bs , 1h ), 6 . 27 ( dd , j = 8 . 5 , 15 . 9 hz ), 6 . 28 ( dd , j = 8 . 5 , 15 . 9 hz ), 1h !, 6 . 61 ( d , j = 15 . 9 hz ), 6 . 63 ( d , j = 15 . 9 hz ), 1h !, 7 . 27 - 7 . 42 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 15 . 04 , 20 . 37 , 20 . 42 , 57 . 22 , 57 . 81 , 61 . 23 , 62 . 22 , 78 . 77 , 79 . 29 , 99 . 50 , 99 . 82 , 125 . 56 , 125 . 79 , 126 . 59 , 128 . 12 , 128 . 65 , 134 . 47 , 134 . 58 , 136 . 15 , 168 . 59 , 168 . 77 ; ir ( kbr ) 3310 , 3030 , 2963 , 1770 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 15 h 19 no 3 : c , 68 . 94 ; h , 7 . 33 ; n , 5 . 36 . found : c , 69 . 13 ; h , 7 . 44 ; n , 5 . 16 . 100 %; colorless oil : α ! d 20 + 20 . 93 ° ( c 1 . 72 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 86 ( d , j = 6 . 5 hz , 3h ), 0 . 92 ( d , j = 6 . 5 hz , 3h ), 1 . 17 ( t , j = 7 . 0 hz , 3h ), 1 . 29 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 34 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 46 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 62 ( m , 1h ), 3 . 49 ( m ), 3 . 69 ( m ), 2h )!, 3 . 80 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 79 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 90 ( q , j = 5 , 4 hz ), 1h !, 4 . 87 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 78 ( bs , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 15 . 08 , 20 . 42 , ( 21 . 98 , 22 . 06 ), ( 23 . 15 , 23 . 22 ), 25 . 35 , ( 39 . 01 , 39 . 10 ), ( 53 . 35 , 53 . 69 ), ( 61 . 24 , 62 . 24 ), ( 77 . 79 , 77 . 92 ), ( 99 . 75 , 100 . 05 ), ( 169 . 56 , 169 . 65 ); ir ( neat ) 3269 , 2956 , 2871 , 1758 , 1468 , 1382 , 1340 , 1152 , 1115 , 1083 , 1052 , 936 , 893 cm - 1 . 100 %; colorless oil ; α ! d 20 + 10 . 92 ° ( c 1 . 42 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 84 - 1 . 71 ( m , 13h ), 1 . 16 ( t , j = 7 . 0 hz , 3h ), 1 . 28 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 33 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 3h !, 3 . 48 ( m , 1h ), 3 . 72 ( m ), 3 . 8 ( m ), 2h !, 4 . 78 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 85 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 4 . 82 ( m , 1h ), 6 . 76 ( bs , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 14 . 37 , 19 . 72 , 25 . 30 , 25 . 44 , 25 . 63 , ( 32 . 02 , 32 . 13 ), ( 33 . 09 , 33 . 17 ), ( 34 . 03 , 34 . 07 ), ( 36 . 98 , 37 . 07 ), ( 52 . 15 , 52 . 49 ), ( 60 . 49 , 61 . 52 ), ( 75 . 97 , 76 . 39 ), ( 99 . 00 , 99 . 35 ), ( 168 . 98 , 169 . 05 ); ir ( neat ) 3278 , 2924 , 2852 , 1758 , 1448 , 1382 , 1150 , 1114 , 1086 , 938 , 886 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 14 h 25 no 3 : c , 65 . 85 ; h , 9 . 87 ; n , 5 . 49 . found : c , 66 . 03 ; h , 9 . 71 ; n , 5 . 30 . 100 %; white solid ; mp 87 °- 89 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 83 ° ( c 0 . 76 , ch 3 oh ); 1 h nmr δ ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) 0 . 84 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 07 - 1 . 34 ( m , 9h ), 1 . 66 ( m , 6h ), 3 . 32 ( m , 1h ), 3 . 42 ( q , j = 7 . 7 hz ), 3 . 54 ( q , j = 7 . 7 hz ), 3 . 65 ( q , j = 7 . 7 hz ), 3 . 74 ( q , j = 7 . 7 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 81 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 80 ( m ), 4 . 90 ( q , j = 5 . 2 hz ), 1h !, 6 . 92 ( bs , 1h ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3412 , 2989 , 2931 , 1760 , 1443 , 1155 , 1114 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 13 h 27 no 3 : c , 64 . 70 ; h , 9 . 61 ; n , 5 . 80 . found : c , 64 . 82 ; h , 9 . 66 ; n , 5 . 64 . protected β - lactams ( vi ) in which g represents protecting groups described elsewhere in the specification were reacted with acyl chlorides , chloroformates or carbamoyl chlorides in the presence of a base according to preparation methods described in examples 34 to 52 . the resulting β - lactams obtained in examples 34 to 52 are shown in scheme 2 . identification data for β - lactams ( va ) to ( vd ) in which g represents different protecting groups are listed after each β - lactam following each example . a typical procedure is described for the preparation of ( 3r , 4s )- 1 - benzoyl - 3 -( ethoxylethoxy )- 4 - phenyl - 2 - azetidinone ( va - ee ). to a solution of via - ee ( 460 mg , 1 . 9 mmol ), 4 ( dimethylamino ) pyridine dmap ( 5 mg ), and triethylamine ( 542 ml , 3 . 9 mmol ) in 20 ml of dichloromethane , was added dropwise benzoyl chloride ( 340 ml , 2 . 9 mmol ) at 0 ° c . with stirring . the cooling bath was removed and the mixture was stirred at 25 ° c . for 2 h . the reaction mixture was washed with saturated aqueous nh 4 cl and brine , dried over anhydrous na 2 co 3 and concentrated in vacuo to give the oily crude product . the crude product was purified through a short silica gel column ( eluant : etoac / hexanes = 1 / 5 ) to afford pure va - ee ( 611 mg , 92 %) as a colorless oil : ir ( neat ) 3064 - 2933 , 1798 , 1682 , 1450 cm - 1 ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 04 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 14 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz )! ( 3h ), 1 . 11 - 1 . 17 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 23 - 3 . 74 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 57 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 76 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz )! ( 1h ), 5 . 28 ( d , j = 6 . 2 hz , 1h ), 5 . 43 ( d , j = 6 . 2 hz ), 5 . 46 ( d , j = 6 . 2 hz )! ( 1h ), 7 . 30 - 7 . 65 ( m , 8h ). to a solution of 2 . 2 mmol of 3 -( 1 - ethoxyethoxy )- 4 - substituted - 2 - azetidinone , 5 mg of dmap , 4 . 5 mmol of triethylamine in 20 ml of dichloromethane , was added dropwise at 0 ° c . 3 . 3 mmol of alkyl chloroformate dissolved in 5 ml of dichloromethane . the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature . the organic layer was washed several times with brine , dried over na 2 co 3 and concentrated . the crude solid was purified by chromatography on silica gel to yield n - protected β - lactam : 62 %; pale yellow oil ; α ! d 20 + 98 . 2 ° ( c 1 . 1 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 97 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 08 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 10 ( bt , j = 7 . 3 hz , 3h ), 3 . 21 ( dq , j = 9 . 5 , 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 32 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 64 ( dq , j = 9 . 5 , 7 . 1 hz ), 2h !, 3 . 76 ( s ), 3 . 77 ( s ), 3h !, 4 . 48 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 69 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 11 ( d , j = 5 . 9 hz ), 5 . 14 ( d , j = 5 . 9 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 23 ( d , j = 5 . 9 hz , 1h ), 7 . 34 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ ( 14 . 96 , 15 . 07 ), ( 19 . 84 , 20 . 69 ), 53 . 59 , ( 60 . 74 , 62 . 36 ), ( 61 . 14 , 61 . 92 ), ( 76 . 21 , 77 . 21 ), ( 99 . 16 , 99 . 56 ), ( 127 . 73 , 128 . 03 , 128 . 31 , 128 . 36 , 128 . 62 , 128 . 85 ), ( 133 . 41 , 133 . 58 ), ( 149 . 51 , 149 . 57 ), ( 165 . 21 , 165 . 67 ); ir ( neat ) 3033 , 2979 , 2957 , 1821 , 1738 , 1654 , 1440 , 1336 , 1101 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 15 h 19 no 5 : c , 61 . 42 ; h , 6 . 53 ; n , 4 . 78 . found : c , 61 . 55 ; h , 6 . 51 ; n , 4 . 90 . 82 %; colorless oil ; α ! d 20 + 100 . 9 ° ( c 1 . 08 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250mhz cdcl3 ) δ 0 . 95 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 06 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 08 ( bt , j = 7 . 3 hz , 3h ), 1 . 19 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 1 . 20 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3h !, 3 . 20 ( dq , j = 9 . 4 , 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 31 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 32 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 63 ( dq , j = 9 . 4 , 7 . 1 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 18 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 4 . 19 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 47 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 67 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 09 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 5 . 13 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 21 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 63mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 14 . 14 , ( 14 . 95 , 15 . 07 ), ( 19 . 86 , 20 . 05 ), ( 60 . 76 , 62 . 35 ), 62 . 36 , ( 61 . 14 , 61 . 90 ), ( 76 . 18 , 77 . 20 ), ( 99 . 17 , 99 . 53 ), ( 127 . 73 , 128 . 02 , 128 . 25 , 128 . 30 , 128 . 50 , 128 . 63 ), ( 133 . 59 , 133 . 77 ), ( 148 . 99 , 149 . 05 ), ( 165 . 33 , 165 . 79 ); ir ( neat ) 2978 , 2934 , 1814 , 1731 , 1646 , 1540 , 1456 , 1323 , 1175 , 1096 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 16 h 21 no 5 : c , 62 . 53 ; h , 6 . 89 ; n , 4 . 56 . found : c , 62 . 45 ; h , 6 . 63 ; n , 4 . 83 . 83 %; colorless oil ; α ! d 20 + 70 . 4 ° ( c 1 . 25 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 79 ( t , j = 7 . 3 hz , 3h ), 0 . 94 ( d , j = 5 . 1 hz ), 1 . 07 ( d , j = 5 . 1 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 07 ( t , j = 7 . 4 hz , 3h ), 1 . 20 ( m , 2h ), 1 . 51 ( quint , j = 6 . 7 hz , 2h ), 3 . 21 ( m ), 3 . 30 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 61 ( m ), 2h !, 4 . 09 ( m , 2h ), 4 . 46 ( q , j = 5 . 2 hz ), 4 . 66 ( q , j = 5 . 2 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 07 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 5 . 11 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 19 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz , 1h ), 7 . 28 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 13 . 50 , ( 14 . 95 , 15 . 29 ), 18 . 71 , ( 19 . 84 , 20 . 05 ), 30 . 42 , ( 60 . 77 , 62 . 33 ), ( 61 . 25 , 62 . 02 ), 66 . 51 , ( 76 . 24 , 77 . 26 ), ( 99 . 17 , 99 . 52 ), ( 127 . 76 , 128 . 03 , 128 . 22 , 128 . 27 , 128 . 50 , 128 . 60 ), ( 133 . 61 , 133 . 80 ), ( 148 . 96 , 149 . 02 ), ( 165 . 40 , 165 . 85 ); ir ( neat ) 2961 , 2933 , 1817 , 1732 , 1653 , 1456 , 1394 , 1250 , 1099 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 18 h 25 no 5 : c , 64 . 46 ; h , 7 . 51 ; n , 4 . 18 . found : c , 64 . 44 ; h , 7 . 57 ; n , 4 . 24 . 83 %; white solid ; mp 90 °- 91 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 70 . 4 ° ( c 1 . 25 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 96 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 08 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 09 ( t , j = 7 . 0 hz ), 1 . 10 ( t , j = 7 . 0 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 36 ( s ), 1 . 37 ( s ), 9h !, 3 . 23 ( dq , j = 9 . 5 , 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 32 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 65 ( dq , j = 9 . 5 , 7 . 1 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 48 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 69 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 03 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 5 . 07 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 18 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz , 1h ), 7 . 31 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ ( 14 . 98 , 15 . 08 ), ( 19 . 89 , 20 . 10 ), 27 . 84 , ( 60 . 74 , 62 . 32 ), ( 61 . 28 , 62 . 08 ), ( 75 . 91 , 76 . 54 ), ( 99 . 10 , 99 . 41 ), ( 127 . 76 , 128 . 07 , 128 . 20 , 128 . 42 , 128 . 85 ), ( 133 . 98 , 134 . 16 ), 147 . 56 , ( 165 . 61 , 166 . 04 ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3025 , 2982 , 2932 , 1809 , 1725 , 1601 , 1497 , 1331 , 1256 , 1152 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 18 h 25 no 5 : c , 64 . 46 ; h , 7 . 51 ; n , 4 . 18 . found : c , 64 . 50 ; h , 7 . 41 ; n , 4 . 17 . 79 %; white solid ; mp 50 °- 52 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 64 . 9 ° ( c 0 . 94 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 00 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 11 ( m ), 3h !, 1 . 14 ( m ), 3h !, 3 . 27 ( m ), 3 . 35 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 70 ( m ), 2h !, 4 . 54 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 4 . 74 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 25 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 5 . 29 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 34 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz , 1h ), 7 . 03 - 7 . 39 ( m , 10h ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3028 , 2981 , 2934 , 1815 , 1744 , 1591 , 1486 , 1327 , 1192 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 20 h 21 no 5 : c , 67 . 59 ; h , 5 . 96 ; n , 3 . 94 . found : c , 67 . 33 ; h , 6 . 06 ; n , 3 . 75 . 44 %; white solid ; mp 58 °- 60 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 91 . 4 ° ( c 1 . 16 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 97 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 09 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 10 ( t , j = 7 . 0 hz ), 1 . 11 ( t , j = 7 . 0 hz ), 3h !, 3 . 23 ( dq , j = 9 . 5 , 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 33 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 66 ( dq , j = 9 . 5 , 7 . 1 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 50 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 70 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 13 ( d , j = 5 . 6 hz ), 5 . 15 ( d , j = 5 . 6 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 19 ( s ), 5 . 20 ( s ), 2h !, 5 . 23 ( d , j = 5 . 6 hz , 1h ), 7 . 21 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 26 - 7 . 37 ( m , 8h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ ( 14 . 99 , 15 . 10 ), ( 19 . 90 , 20 . 10 ), ( 60 . 83 , 62 . 41 ), ( 61 . 64 , 62 . 14 ), 68 . 01 , ( 76 . 31 , 77 . 28 , ( 99 . 19 , 99 . 53 ), ( 127 . 37 , 127 . 86 , 128 . 07 , 128 . 16 , 128 . 36 , 128 . 52 , 128 . 63 , 128 . 85 ), ( 133 . 49 , 133 . 68 ), 134 . 89 , ( 148 . 72 , 148 . 78 ), ( 165 . 37 , 165 . 81 ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3028 , 2981 , 2934 , 1815 , 1733 , 1604 , 1450 , 1380 , 1004 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 21 h 23 no 5 : c , 68 . 28 ; h , 6 . 28 ; n , 3 . 79 . found : c , 68 . 07 ; h , 6 . 43 ; n , 3 . 72 . 91 % colorless oil ; α ! d 20 + 62 . 5 ° ( c 1 . 12 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 10 - 1 . 28 ( m , 6h ), 1 . 15 ( t , j = 7 . 0 hz , 3h ), 1 . 27 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 31 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 45 ( s ), 1 . 46 ( s ), 9h !, 1 . 63 - 1 . 70 ( m , 5h ), 3 . 43 ( dq , j = 9 . 2 , 7 . 0 hz ), 3 . 62 ( m ), 3 . 75 ( d , j = 7 . 0 hz ), 3 . 78 ( d , j = 7 . 0 hz ), 2h !, 3 . 85 ( t , j = 6 . 1 hz , 1h ), 4 . 78 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 88 ( m ), 1h !, 4 . 85 ( d , j = 6 . 1 hz ), 4 . 86 ( d , j = 6 . 1 hz ), 1h ! ; 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 15 . 07 , ( 20 . 25 , 20 . 37 ), ( 26 . 05 , 26 . 14 ), 26 . 26 , ( 27 . 33 , 27 . 95 ), ( 29 . 05 , 29 . 20 ), ( 30 . 04 , 30 . 23 ), ( 37 . 54 , 37 . 64 ), ( 61 . 19 , 62 . 53 ), ( 62 . 06 , 62 . 32 ), ( 75 . 42 , 75 . 85 ), 83 . 06 , 100 . 11 , 148 . 72 , ( 166 . 70 , 166 . 76 ); ir ( neat ) 2980 , 2931 , 2854 , 1807 , 1725 , 1450 , 1370 , 1329 , 1212 , 1118 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 18 h 31 no 5 : c , 63 . 32 ; h , 9 . 15 ; n , 4 . 10 . found : c , 63 . 15 ; h , 8 . 97 ; n , 3 . 96 . 86 %; white solid ; mp 69 °- 73 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 16 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 1 . 18 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 25 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 36 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 48 ( s , 9h ), 3 . 47 ( m ), 3 . 62 ( m ), 3 . 80 ( m ), 2h !, 4 . 68 ( dd , j = 5 . 8 , 8 . 8 hz , 1h ), 4 . 82 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 91 ( q , 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 09 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 5 . 11 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 1h !, 6 . 23 ( dd , j = 8 . 8 , 15 . 8 hz ), 6 . 25 ( dd , j = 8 . 8 , 15 . 8 hz ), 1h !, 6 . 72 ( d , j = 15 . 8 hz ), 6 . 73 ( d , j = 15 . 8 hz ), 1h !, 7 . 27 - 7 . 44 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 14 . 98 , 20 . 31 , 27 . 98 , 60 . 24 , 60 . 85 , 61 . 46 , 62 . 36 , 63 . 58 , 83 . 38 , 99 . 63 , 99 . 87 , 122 . 45 , 122 . 63 , 126 . 69 , 128 . 20 , 128 . 61 , 136 . 15 , 136 . 34 , 136 . 38 , 147 . 74 , 147 . 79 , 165 . 33 , 165 . 53 ; ir ( kbr ) 3027 , 3020 , 2984 , 2933 , 1809 , 1723 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 20 h 27 no 5 : c , 66 . 46 ; h , 7 . 53 ; n , 3 . 88 . found : c , 66 . 60 ; h , 7 . 50 ; n , 3 . 87 . 80 %; yellow oil ; α ! d 20 + 77 . 45 ° ( c 0 . 216 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 89 ( d , j = 5 . 7 hz , 6h ), 1 . 41 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz , 3h ), 1 . 25 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 31 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 45 ( s , 9h ), 1 . 51 - 1 . 67 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 48 ( dq , j = 9 . 3 , 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 55 - 3 . 71 ( m , 1h ), 3 . 80 ( dq , j = 9 . 3 , 7 . 1 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 08 ( q , j = 6 . 1 hz , 1h ), 4 . 70 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 4 . 90 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1h !, 4 . 85 ( d , j = 6 . 1 hz , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 14 . 95 , ( 20 . 11 , 20 . 28 ), ( 22 . 42 , 22 . 59 ), 22 . 70 , ( 24 . 89 , 25 . 07 ), 27 . 83 , ( 37 . 03 , 37 . 31 ), ( 56 . 14 , 56 . 38 ), ( 61 . 07 , 62 . 27 ), ( 75 . 65 , 75 . 92 ), 82 . 98 , 99 . 91 , 148 . 1 , ( 166 . 1 , 165 . 9 ); ir ( neat ) 2931 , 2960 , 2872 , ( 1790 , 1807 ), ( 1708 , 1726 ), ( 1454 , 1465 ), 1332 , 1256 , 1048 , 1158 , 996 , 955 , 857 , 834 , 770 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 16 h 29 no 5 : c , 60 . 93 ; h , 9 . 27 ; n , 4 . 44 . found : c , 61 . 19 ; h , 9 . 41 ; n , 4 . 37 . 93 %; yellow oil ; α ! d 20 + 75 . 64 ° ( c 0 . 78 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 81 - 1 . 74 ( m , 13h ), 1 . 19 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz , 3h ), 1 . 48 ( s , 9h ), 1 . 30 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 35 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 3h !, 3 . 45 ( dq , j = 9 . 3 , 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 62 - 3 . 71 ( m ), 3 . 78 ( dq , j = 9 . 3 , 7 . 1 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 01 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 81 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 4 . 91 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1h !, 4 . 86 ( d , j = 6 . 1 hz ), 4 . 87 ( d , j = 6 . 1 hz ), 1h ! ; 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 15 . 03 , 20 . 19 , 20 . 36 , 26 . 10 , 26 . 36 , 27 . 91 , ( 33 . 17 , 33 . 31 ), ( 33 . 35 , 33 . 49 ), ( 34 . 33 , 34 . 58 ), ( 35 . 39 , 35 . 68 ), ( 55 . 77 , 55 . 99 ), ( 61 . 14 , 62 . 21 ), ( 75 . 74 , 75 . 90 ), 82 . 96 , ( 99 . 86 , 99 . 95 ), 147 . 96 , 166 . 13 ; ir ( neat ) 2979 , 2923 , 2850 , 1719 , 1807 , 1449 , 1336 , 1154 cm - 1 . anal . calcd . for c 19 h 33 no 5 : c , 64 . 20 ; h , 9 . 36 ; n , 3 . 94 . found : c , 64 . 00 ; h , 9 . 17 ; n , 4 . 02 . to a solution of 0 . 5 mmol of a 3 -( 1 - hydroxy - protected )- 4 - substituted - 2 - azetidinone ( vi ) in 6 ml of tetrahydrofuran , was added dropwise at - 78 ° c . 0 . 6 mmol of n - butylitheum ( n - buli ). after 5 min , 1 mmol of an isocyanate was added . the reaction mixture was stirred 30 min at - 78 ° c . and quenched by addition of 2 ml sat . nh 4 cl solution . the reaction mixture was diluted with 30 ml of ether and the organic layer was washed several times with brine , dried over na 2 co 3 and concentrated . the crude solid was purified by chromatography on silica gel to yield the corresponding n - carbamoyl β - lactam ( vd ). 66 %; pale yellow solid ; mp 152 °- 155 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 87 . 8 ° ( c 0 . 9 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 07 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 13 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 16 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz , 3h ), 3 . 26 ( dq , j = 9 . 5 , 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 37 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 39 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 67 ( dq , j = 9 . 5 , 7 . 1 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 53 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 72 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 28 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 59 ( bs ), 6 . 60 ( bs ), 1h !, 7 . 10 - 7 . 55 ( m , 10h ), 8 . 68 ( bs , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ ( 15 . 04 , 15 . 16 ), ( 19 . 98 , 20 . 11 ), ( 60 . 99 , 62 . 53 ), 61 . 80 , ( 76 . 05 , 76 . 66 ), ( 99 . 34 , 99 . 70 ), ( 119 . 63 , 120 . 69 , 124 . 37 , 127 . 67 , 127 . 95 , 128 . 40 , 128 . 45 , 128 . 67 , 128 . 85 , 129 . 04 , 129 . 12 , 130 . 49 ), 133 . 48 , ( 137 . 03 , 137 . 28 ), ( 147 . 23 , 147 . 29 ), ( 168 . 12 , 168 . 52 ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3342 , 3017 , 2982 , 2932 , 1773 , 1719 , 1602 , 1548 , 1445 , 1312 , 1224 , 1210 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 20 h 22 n 2 o 4 : c , 67 . 78 ; h , 6 . 26 ; n , 7 . 90 . found : c , 67 . 92 ; h , 5 . 98 ; n , 8 . 17 . white solid ; mp 122 °- 124 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 28 ° ( c 0 . 5 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 39 ( s , 9h ), 4 . 43 ( d , j = 11 . 7 hz , 1h ), 4 . 55 ( d , j = 11 . 7 hz , 1h ), 5 . 28 ( d , j = 5 . 5 hz , 1h ), 5 . 76 ( d , j = 5 . 5 hz , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 27 . 81 , 60 . 80 , 77 . 03 , 78 . 76 , 84 . 40 , 127 . 73 , 128 . 58 , 129 . 09 , 131 . 55 , 147 . 71 , 152 . 17 , 160 . 34 ; ir ( chcl 3 ) 3016 , 2976 , 1819 , 1771 , 1732 , 1683 , 1244 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 17 h 18 cl 3 no 6 : c , 46 . 54 ; h , 4 . 14 ; n , 3 . 19 . found : c , 46 . 33 ; h , 4 . 34 ; n , 3 . 33 . white solid ; mp 63 °- 64 ° c . ; α ! d 20 + 32 . 1 ° ( c 0 . 81 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 37 ( s , 9h ), 1 . 65 ( s , 3h ), 5 . 22 ( d , j = 5 . 5 hz , 1h ), 5 . 83 ( d , j = 5 . 5 hz , 1h ), 7 . 23 - 7 . 33 ( m , 5h ); 3 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 19 . 71 , 27 . 81 , 60 . 84 , 75 . 94 , 84 . 07 , 127 . 43 , 128 . 31 , 128 . 67 , 132 . 44 , 147 . 25 , 162 . 39 , 168 . 83 ; ir ( chcl 3 ) 3026 , 2984 , 1815 , 1752 , 1731 , 1497 , 1371 , 1286 , 1224 , 1152 , 1024 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 6 h 19 no 5 : c , 62 . 94 ; h , 6 . 27 ; n , 4 . 59 . found : c , 63 . 17 ; h , 6 . 14 ; n , 4 . 52 . 74 %; pale yellow viscous oil ; α ! d 20 + 144 . 3 ° ( c 0 . 7 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 96 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 05 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 10 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz , 3h ), 1 . 33 ( s ), 1 . 34 ( s ), 9h !, 3 . 21 ( dq , j = 9 . 3 , 7 . 0 hz ), 3 . 30 ( q , j = 7 . 0 hz ), 3 . 33 ( q , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3 . 62 ( dq , j = 9 . 1 , 7 . 0 hz ), 2h !, 4 . 46 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 66 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 10 - 5 . 19 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 59 ( bs ), 6 . 60 ( bs ), 1h !, 7 . 23 - 7 . 36 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ ( 14 . 86 , 14 . 99 ), ( 19 . 75 , 19 . 95 ), ( 28 . 81 , 29 . 30 ), ( 60 . 62 , 61 . 20 ), ( 60 . 80 , 62 . 29 ), ( 75 . 57 , 76 . 76 ), ( 98 . 91 , 99 . 34 ), ( 127 . 07 , 127 . 40 , 127 . 70 , 128 . 17 , 128 . 29 , 128 . 53 ), ( 133 . 71 , 133 . 86 ), ( 148 . 54 , 148 . 59 ), ( 167 . 67 , 168 . 13 ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3362 , 3035 , 2977 , 2932 , 1767 , 1710 , 1605 , 1537 , 1457 , 1366 , 1320 , 1282 , 1217 , 1100 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 18 h 26 n 2 o 4 : c , 64 . 65 ; h , 7 . 84 ; n , 8 . 38 . found : c , 64 . 46 ; h , 7 . 75 ; n , 8 . 39 . 50 %; pale yellow viscous oil ; α ! d 20 + 66 . 2 ° ( c 0 . 8 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 99 ( d , j = 5 . 5 hz ), 1 . 08 ( d , j = 5 . 5 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 12 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 16 - 3 . 40 ( m ), 3 . 63 ( m ), 2h !, 4 . 35 - 4 . 55 ( m ), 4 . 69 ( q , j = 5 . 5 hz ), 3h !, 5 . 21 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 03 ( bs ), 7 . 05 ( bs ), 1h !, 7 . 32 ( m , 10h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ ( 15 . 01 , 15 . 14 ), ( 19 . 90 , 20 . 11 ), 43 . 83 , ( 60 . 66 , 62 . 44 ), ( 60 . 75 , 61 . 54 ), ( 75 . 93 , 77 . 04 ), ( 99 . 16 , 99 . 56 ), ( 127 . 25 , 127 . 64 , 127 . 69 , 128 . 17 , 127 . 93 , 128 . 35 , 128 . 55 , 128 . 64 , 128 . 74 ), ( 133 . 59 , 133 . 76 ), 137 . 80 , 150 . 02 , ( 167 . 73 , 168 . 19 ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3379 , 3090 , 3033 , 2980 , 2930 , 1773 , 1707 , 1604 , 1536 , 1455 , 1319 , 1270 , 908 cm - 1 . anal . calcd for c 21 h 24 n 2 o 4 : c , 68 . 46 ; h , 6 . 57 ; n , 7 . 60 . found : c , 68 . 30 ; h , 6 . 66 ; n , 7 . 51 . 63 %; pale yellow oil ; α ! d 20 + 96 . 7 ° ( c 0 . 9 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 96 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 04 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 3h !, 1 . 05 - 1 . 18 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 13 - 3 . 39 ( m ), 3 . 59 ( m ), 4h !, 4 . 45 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 4 . 65 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1h !, 5 . 16 ( m , 2h ), 6 . 60 ( bs ), 6 . 62 ( bs ), 1h !, 7 . 27 ( m , 5h ); 13 c nmr ( 63 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 14 . 98 , ( 19 . 84 , 29 . 93 ), 34 . 79 , ( 60 . 56 , 61 . 35 ), ( 60 . 72 , 62 . 35 ), ( 75 . 91 , 77 . 03 ), ( 99 . 14 , 99 . 54 ), ( 127 . 28 , 127 . 55 , 127 . 85 , 128 . 27 , 128 . 40 ), ( 133 . 74 , 133 . 89 ), ( 149 . 87 , 149 . 93 ), ( 167 . 62 , 168 . 07 ); ir ( chcl 3 ) 3378 , 3035 , 2980 , 2934 , 1774 , 1704 , 1537 , 1455 , 1321 , 1271 , 1112 , 1025 cm - 1 . a typical procedure is described for the preparation of ( 3r , 4s )-(-)- 1 - morpholinecarbonyl - 3 -( 1 - ethoxyethoxy )- 4 - phenyl - 2 - azetidinone ( vc - b ). to a solution of 30 mg ( 0 . 13 mmol ) of 3 -( 1 - ethoxyethoxy )- 4 - phenyl - 2 - azetidinone via - ee in 2 ml of ch 2 cl 2 , 2 mg of dmap and 0 . 05 ml of triethylamine was added at room temperature . after 5 min , 22 . 9 mg ( 0 . 15 mmol ) of morpholinecarbonyl chloride was added . the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h at room temperature . the reaction mixture was diluted with ml of ch 2 cl 2 and the organic layer was washed two times with brine , dried over na 2 co 3 and concentrated . the crude solid product was purified by chromatography on silica gel to yield pure vc - b : 87 %; pale yellow oil ; 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 90 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 1 . 01 ( d , j = 5 . 3 hz )! ( 3h ), 1 . 04 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 1 . 18 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz )! ( 3h ), 3 . 20 ( m , 4h ), 3 . 28 ( m ), 3 . 53 ( m ), 3 . 67 ( m )! ( 2h ), 3 . 60 ( m , 4h ), 4 . 41 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz ), 4 . 63 ( q , j = 5 . 3 hz )! ( 1h ), { 5 . 07 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 5 . 08 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz )! ( 1h ), 5 . 29 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz ), 5 . 32 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz )! ( 1h ), 7 . 23 - 7 . 27 ( m , 5h ). 55 %; colorless liquid ; 1 h nmr ( 250 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 0 . 98 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 1 . 10 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz )! ( 3h ), 1 . 12 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 1 . 13 ( t , j = 7 . 1 hz ), 3h !, 3 . 16 ( bs , 6h ), 3 . 37 ( m ), 3 . 67 ( m )! ( 2h ), 4 . 47 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz ), 4 . 71 ( q , j = 5 . 4 hz )! ( 1h ), 5 . 11 ( d , j = 5 . 7 hz ), 5 . 12 ( d , j = 5 . 7 hz )! ( 1h ), 5 . 34 ( t , j = 5 . 7 hz , 1h ), 7 . 34 ( m , 5h ). examples 53 - 56 below provide methods of preparation of baccatins ( iii ) and ( iv ) by using 14 - oh - dab , a natural compound , which was commercially obtained . identification data for the baccatins ( iiia ), ( iiib ) ( iii - b ) and ( iva ) are shown following these examples . 14 - hydroxy - 10 - deacetylbaccatin iii ( 14 - oh - dab ) ( 910 mg , 1 . 63 mmol ) was dissolved in 18 ml of anhydrous pyridine . the solution was heated at 80 ° c . and 1 ml of trichloroethylchloroformate was added . after stirring for 5 min , another 0 . 4 ml of trichloroethylchloroformate was added and the mixture was stirred for 30 sec ( total quantity of trichloroethylchloroformate : 1 . 4 ml , 2 . 15 g , 9 . 71 mmol , approximately 6 equivalents ). the reaction flask was removed from the oil bath and the reaction mixture was checked by thin layer chromatography ( tlc ) to confirm the completion of the reaction . then , some drops of methanol and a piece of ice were added to remove the excess chloroformate . the reaction mixture was extracted with chcl 3 and the extract was washed with 0 . 1n hydrochloric acid and saturated brine . after drying over anhydrous mgso 4 and removal of the solvent , the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 1 : 1 ) as the eluant to give 1 . 16 g ( 75 %) of iiia as a white solid . the identification data from iiia is shown below : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 20 ( s , 3h , h17 ), 1 . 28 ( s , 3h , h16 ), 1 . 88 ( s , 3h , h19 ), 2 . 08 ( m , 1h , h6β ), 2 . 18 ( s , 3h , h18 ), 2 . 33 , ( s , 3h , 4 - oac ), 2 . 63 ( m , 1h , h6α ), 3 . 75 ( bs , 1h , h14 ), 3 . 82 ( d , j = 7 . 1 hz , 1h , h3 ), 4 . 20 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20β ), 4 . 34 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20α ), 4 . 61 ( d , j = 11 . 8 hz , 1h , troc ), 4 . 79 ( s , 2h , troc ), 4 . 91 ( d , j = 11 . 8 hz , 1h , troc ), 4 . 97 ( bs , 1h , h5 ), 5 . 01 ( bs , 1h , oh ), 5 . 01 ( bs , 1h , h13 ), 5 . 59 , ( dd , j = 7 . 2 , 10 . 6 hz , 1h , h7 ), 6 . 10 ( d , j = 7 . 1 hz , 1h , h2 ), 6 . 25 ( s , 1h , h10 ), 7 . 50 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 65 ( m , 1h ), 8 . 03 ( d , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 10 . 80 , 15 . 22 , 21 . 56 , 22 . 21 , 25 . 63 , 33 . 05 , 41 . 28 , 46 . 71 , 56 . 44 , 68 . 93 , 71 . 79 , 75 . 78 , 76 . 00 , 76 . 54 , 77 . 56 , 79 . 03 , 79 . 91 , 83 . 49 , 84 . 09 , 88 . 25 , 94 . 10 , 127 . 87 , 129 . 01 , 129 . 86 , 130 . 92 , 134 . 38 , 144 . 81 , 152 . 76 , 153 . 12 , 153 . 18 , 164 . 73 , 170 . 64 , 199 . 97 . to a solution of 594 mg ( 0 . 654 mmol ) of 7 , 10 - ditroc - 14 - hydroxy - 10 - deacetylbaccatin iii ( iiia ) in 30 ml of pyridine , was added 230 ml ( 3 . 27 mmol , 5 equiv .) of acetyl chloride at - 10 ° c . the reaction mixture was stirred at - 10 ° c . for 24 h . the reaction mixture was extracted with etoac and washed with 0 . 1n hydrochloric acid and brine . the extract was dried over anhydrous mgso 4 and concentrated in vacuo to give the crude product . the crude product was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 1 : 1 ) as the eluant to give 402 mg ( 65 %) of iiib as a white solid having the identification data listed below : mp 225 °- 226 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 10 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 21 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 88 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 02 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 05 ( m , 1h , h6β ), 2 . 19 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 38 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 64 ( m , 1h , h6α ), 2 . 74 ( s , 1h , oh ), 3 . 19 ( bs , 1h , oh ), 3 . 98 ( d , j = 7 . 3 hz , 1h , h3 ), 4 . 23 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20α ), 4 . 30 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20β ), 4 . 61 ( d , j = 11 . 8 hz , 1h , troc ), 4 . 72 ( m , 1h , h13 ), 4 . 77 ( d , j = 7 . 1 hz , 1h , troc ), 4 . 91 ( d , j = 11 . 8 hz , 1h , troc ), 4 . 98 ( m , 1h , h5 ), 5 . 39 ( d , j = 5 . 4 hz , 1h , h14 ), 5 . 62 ( dd , j = 7 . 1 , 10 . 5 hz , 1h , h7 ), 5 . 84 ( d , j = 7 . 3 hz , 1h , h2 ), 6 . 30 ( s , 1h , h10 ), 7 . 44 - 7 . 62 ( m , 3h ), 8 . 03 - 8 . 06 ( m , 2h ). anal . calcd for c 37 h 40 cl 6 o 16 : c , 46 . 61 ; h , 4 . 23 . found : c , 46 . 80 ; h , 4 . 39 . a suspension of 14 - hydroxy10 - deacetylbaccatin iii ( 500 mg , 0 . 899 mmol ) and 5 % rh -- c catalyst ( 50 mg ) in meoh ( 8 ml ) and etoac ( 2 ml ) was hydrogenated at 50 ° c . and 900 psi of hydrogen for 36 h . after the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature , hydrogen gas was released , the catalyst filtered off , and the solvents evaporated in vacuo to give the crude product . the crude product was submitted to purification by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 1 : 1 ) as the eluant to give 498 mg ( 98 %) of iii - b as a white solid having the identification data listed below : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d 6 ) δ 0 . 88 ( s , 6h ), 1 . 46 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 86 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 14 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 12 - 2 . 24 ( m , 13h ), 3 . 59 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 93 ( d , j = 8 . 0 hz , 1h ), 3 . 99 ( d , j = 7 . 0 hz , 1h ), 4 . 25 ( d , j = 8 . 0 hz , 1h ), 4 . 36 ( m , 1h ), 4 . 39 ( s , 1h ), 4 . 76 ( d , j = 2 . 0 hz , 1h ), 4 . 88 ( bd , j = 9 . 1 hz , 1h ), 4 . 96 ( d , j = 7 . 1 hz , 1h ), 5 . 08 ( d , j = 2 . 0 hz , 1h ), 5 . 29 ( d , j = 7 . 1 hz , 1h ), 5 . 45 ( d , j = 5 . 2 hz , 1h ), 6 . 64 ( d , j = 6 . 3 hz , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( dmso - d 6 ) δ 9 . 36 , 14 . 51 , 21 . 14 , 22 . 05 , 24 . 82 , 25 . 04 , 25 . 23 , 26 . 40 , 28 . 11 , 28 . 44 , 36 . 41 , 42 . 04 , 42 . 56 , 45 . 78 , 57 . 17 , 70 . 70 , 72 . 21 , 73 . 22 , 74 . 08 , 74 . 54 , 75 . 05 , 75 . 39 , 79 . 80 , 83 . 58 , 135 . 15 , 139 . 11 , 169 . 52 , 174 . 62 , 209 . 87 . 14 - hydroxy - 10 - deacetylbaccatin iii ( 14 - oh - dab ) ( 900 mg , 1 . 61 mmol ) was dissolved in 18 ml of anhydrous pyridine . the solution was heated at 80 ° c . and 0 . 92 ml ( 1 . 42 g , 6 . 44 mmol , 4 equivalents ) of trichloroethyl - chloroformate was added . after stirring for 5 min , the reaction flask was removed from the oil bath and the reaction mixture was checked by thin layer chromatography ( tlc ) to confirm the completion of the reaction . then , some drops of methanol and a piece of ice were added to remove the excess chloroformate . the reaction mixture was extracted with chcl 3 and the extract was washed with 0 . 1n hydrochloric acid and saturated brine . after drying over anhydrous mgso 4 and removal of the solvent , the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 1 : 1 ) as the eluant to give 808 mg ( 55 %) of iva as a white solid : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 10 ( s , 3h , h17 ), 1 . 18 ( s , 3h , h16 ), 1 . 83 ( s , 3h , h19 ), 2 . 02 ( m , 1h , h6β ), 2 . 14 ( s , 3h , h18 ), 2 . 30 ( s , 3h , 4 - oac ), 2 . 61 ( m , 1h , h6α ), 3 . 22 ( m , 1h , oh ), 3 . 61 ( s , 1h , oh ), 3 . 66 ( m , 1h , oh ), 3 . 89 ( d , j = 7 . 1 hz , h 3 ), 4 . 01 ( m , 1h , h14 ), 4 . 18 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20β ), 4 . 28 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20α ), 4 . 60 ( d , j = 11 . 9 hz , 1h , troc ), 4 . 73 ( m , 1h , h13 ), 4 . 77 ( s , 2h , troc ), 4 . 83 ( d , j = 11 . 9 hz , 1h , troc ), 4 . 95 ( m , 1h , h5 ), 5 . 57 ( dd , j = 7 . 1 , 10 . 6 hz , 1h , h7 ), 5 . 79 ( d , j = 7 . 1 hz , 1h , h2 ), 6 . 24 ( s , 1h , h10 ), 7 . 40 - 7 . 60 ( m , 3h ), 8 . 02 ( bd , 2h ). examples 57 - 62 describe the syntheses of taxanes of the present invention by coupling of the β - lactams ( v ) with baccatins ( iii ) and ( iv ) as prepared in previous examples . the coupling reactions took place in the presence of a base as shown in schemes 3 and 4 . in example 57 the hydroxyl groups at c7 and c10 were protected , however , deprotection was carried out in example 58 . in example 59 both coupling and deprotection took place for the syntheses of both taxanes ib and ic . to a solution of baccatin iiia ( 86 . 9 mg , 0 . 093 mmol ) and n - benzoyl - β - lactam va - a - ee ( 47 . 3 mg , 0 . 14 mmol ) in 3 . 0 ml of thf , was added sodium hexamethyl disilazide ( nahmds ) 0 . 13 ml ( 1 . 2 eq , 0 . 85m soln . in thf ) at - 40 ° c . over the period of 30 min . tlc analysis of the reaction mixture revealed that baccatin iiia was completely consumed . the reaction mixture was quenched with 10 ml saturated nh 4 cl solution . the reaction mixture was extracted with ether ( 10 ml × 3 ), then dichloromethane ( 10 ml ), and the combined extracts were washed with brine , dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to give the crude product . the crude product was purified by column chromatography using etoac / hexane ( 1 / 2 ) as the eluant to give 95 . 9 mg of 2 &# 39 ;- ee - 7 , 10 - ditroc - 10 - deacetyl - 14 - hydroxy - taxol - 1 , 14 - carbonate as a white solid . this compound was treated with 0 . 5n hydrochloric acid in thf at room temperature for 1 h . the reaction mixture was dried and purified by chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexane ( 2 / 3 ) as the eluant to give 65 . 5 mg ( 75 % overall yield ) of taxane ia - ditroc as a white solid having the identification data listed below : mp 178 °- 180 ° c . ; α ! d 20 - 5 . 9 ° ( c 0 . 85 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 30 ( s , 6h , h16 , h17 ), 1 . 89 ( s , 3h , h19 ), 1 . 92 , ( s , 3h , h18 ), 2 . 08 ( m , 1h , h6β ), 2 . 56 ( s , 3h , 4 - oac ), 2 . 62 ( m , 1h , h6α ), 3 . 81 ( d , j = 7 . 4 hz , 1h , h3 ), 4 . 09 ( bs , 1h , 2 &# 39 ;- oh ), 4 . 24 ( d , j = 8 . 5 hz , 1h , h20β ), 4 . 31 , ( d , j = 8 . 5 hz , 1h , h20α ), 4 . 60 ( d , j = 11 . 9 hz , 1h , troc ), 4 . 76 ( s , 2h , troc ), 4 . 87 - 4 . 94 ( m , 4h , troc , h5 , h2 &# 39 ;, h14 ), 5 . 55 ( dd , j = 7 . 1 , 10 . 5 hz , 1h , h7 ), 5 . 93 ( dd , j = 2 . 8 , 8 . 9 hz , 1h , h3 &# 39 ;), 6 . 11 ( d , j = 7 . 4 hz , 1h , h2 ), 6 . 19 ( s , 1h , h10 ), 6 . 47 ( d , j = 6 . 2 hz , 1h , h13 ), 7 . 21 ( d , j = 8 . 9 hz , 1h , nh ), 7 . 31 - 7 . 64 ( m , 11h ), 7 . 75 ( d , j = 7 . 4 hz , 2h ), 8 . 12 ( d , j = 7 . 4 hz , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 10 . 93 , 14 . 63 , 22 . 39 , 22 . 51 , 25 . 39 , 33 . 07 , 41 . 64 , 46 . 39 , 54 . 92 , 56 . 47 , 68 . 88 , 73 . 87 , 74 . 42 , 75 . 78 , 75 . 88 , 77 . 22 , 77 . 45 , 78 . 29 , 79 . 61 , 80 . 17 , 83 . 59 , 88 . 01 , 94 . 02 , 94 . 07 , 126 . 80 , 127 . 31 , 127 . 73 , 128 . 34 , 128 . 64 , 129 . 07 ( 2 ), 130 . 16 , 132 . 04 , 132 . 46 , 133 . 44 , 134 . 35 , 137 . 53 , 139 . 71 , 151 . 63 , 153 . 06 , 153 . 15 , 164 . 79 , 167 . 69 , 171 . 37 , 172 . 03 , 199 . 33 ; ir ( chcl 3 ) 3038 , 2951 , 1820 , 1761 , 1737 , 1667 , 1479 , 1379 , 1250 , 1220 ; anal . calcd for c 52 h 49 ncl 6 o 19 : c , 51 . 85 ; h , 4 . 10 ; n , 1 . 16 . found : c , 51 . 67 ; h , 3 . 86 ; n , 1 . 13 . taxane ia - ditroc ( 100 mg ) was treated with zn dust ( 200 mg ) in acetic acid at 40 ° c . for several hours . the reaction mixture wag filtered on a glass filter and the filtrate was condensed in vacuo . the residue was redissolved in ch 2 cl 2 , and zn salt was removed by filtration to give the crude product . the crude product was recrystallized using etoac / hexane ( 3 : 1 ) to give pure taxane ia ( 48 mg , 72 %) as a white powder : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 21 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 27 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 78 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 85 ( m , 1h , h6β ), 2 . 04 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 54 ( s , 3h , 4 - oac ), 2 . 56 ( m , 1h , h6α ), 3 . 80 ( d , j = 7 . 6 hz , 1h , h3 ), 3 . 93 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h , 2 &# 39 ;- oh ), 4 . 28 ( m , 4h , h20 , h7 , oh ), 4 . 88 ( m , 3h , h5 , h14 , h2 &# 39 ;), 5 . 16 ( s , 1h , h10 ), 5 . 93 ( m , 1h , h3 &# 39 ;), 6 . 07 ( d , j = 7 . 6 hz , 1h , h2 ), 6 . 44 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz , 1h , h13 ), 7 . 23 - 7 . 60 ( m , 12h ), 7 . 73 ( bd , 2h ), 8 . 14 ( bd , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 10 . 10 , 14 . 22 , 14 . 39 , 21 . 11 , 22 . 17 , 22 . 61 , 25 . 57 , 36 . 67 , 41 . 62 , 45 . 97 , 54 . 71 , 57 . 86 , 60 . 47 , 69 . 43 , 71 . 63 , 73 . 82 , 73 . 99 , 74 . 66 , 76 . 18 , 77 . 27 , 79 . 76 , 80 . 43 , 84 . 13 , 88 . 37 , 126 . 79 , 127 . 40 , 127 . 91 , 128 . 28 , 128 . 59 , 129 . 07 , 130 . 22 , 131 . 98 , 133 . 56 , 134 . 25 , 135 . 76 , 136 . 22 , 137 . 67 , 151 . 89 , 165 . 02 , 167 . 67 , 171 . 09 , 172 . 06 , 209 . 76 . to a solution of baccatin iiia ( 100 mg , 0 . 107 mmol ) and n - t - boc - β - lactam vb - d - ee ( 52 mg , 0 . 155 mmol ) in 3 . 0 ml of thf , was added nahmds 0 . 12 ml ( 1 . 1 eq , 1 . 0m soln . in thf ) at - 30 ° c . over the period of 10 min . tlc analysis of the reaction mixture revealed that baccatin iiia was completely consumed . the reaction mixture was poured into a 100 ml beaker which contained 10 ml saturated nh 4 cl solution to quench the reaction . the reaction mixture was extracted with ether ( 10 ml × 3 ), then dichloromethane ( 10 ml ), and the combined extracts were washed with brine , dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to give a light yellow solid ( 170 mg ). the crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexane ( 1 / 1 ) as the eluant to afford taxane 13 - ( 2r , 3s )- 3 -( tert - butoxycarbonyl ) amino - 2 - eeo - 3 - phenylpropanoyl !- 10 - deacetyl - 14 - hydroxybaccatin - iii - 1 , 14 - carbonate ( ic - ee ) ( 118 mg , 88 %) as a white solid . the product was directly used for the next step to remove ee and troc protecting groups all at once . the crude taxane ic - ee ( 157 mg ) was treated with zn dust ( 480 mg ) in 2 ml glacial acid at room temperature for 8 hrs , then the temperature was raised to 50 ° c . for 4 hours . the solution was filtered , and the filtrate was poured into ice - cold saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 20 ml ). the solution was extracted with dichloromethane ( 20 ml ), the extract was dried over anhydrous mgso 4 , and concentrated to give a white solid , which was further purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexane ( 2 / 1 ) as the eluant to afford taxane ic ( 63 mg , 70 % overall yield from the baccatin iiia ) having the identification data shown below : mp 190 ° c . ( decomp . ); α ! d 20 - 22 . 83 ° ( c , 0 . 193 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( 300 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 36 ( s , 9h , t - boc ), 1 , 77 ( s , 3h , h 19 ), 1 . 82 ( m , 1h , h 6b ), 1 . 87 ( s , 3h , h 18 ), 2 . 43 ( bs , 3h , 4 - oac ), 2 . 55 ( m , 1h , h 6a ), 3 . 69 ( bs , 1h , oh ), 3 . 80 ( d , j = 7 . 5 hz , h 3 ), 4 . 20 - 4 . 30 ( m , 3h , h 20 , h 5 ), 4 . 69 ( s , 1h , oh ), 4 . 75 ( d , j = 6 . 7 hz , h 14 ), 4 . 92 ( d , j = 8 . 5 hz , 1h , h 7 ), 5 . 19 ( s , 1h , h 10 ), 5 . 30 ( m , 1h , h 3 ), 5 . 62 ( d , j = 8 . 6 hz , 1h , h 2 ), 6 . 01 ( d , j = 7 . 5 hz , 1h , h 2 ), 6 . 45 ( d , j = 5 . 9 hz , 1h , h 13 ), 7 . 51 - 7 . 64 ( m , 8h ), 8 . 02 ( d , j = 7 . 3 hz ); 13 c nmr ( 75 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 9 . 97 , 14 . 37 , 21 . 98 , 22 . 52 , 25 . 69 , 28 . 24 , 29 . 68 , 36 . 74 , 41 . 67 , 45 . 94 , 57 . 91 , 69 . 36 , 71 . 65 , 74 . 09 , 74 . 31 , 74 . 82 , 76 . 09 , 79 . 64 , 80 . 58 , 83 . 98 , 88 . 09 , 126 . 61 , 128 . 13 , 128 . 96 , 129 . 93 , 134 . 18 , 135 . 82 , 136 . 52 , 138 . 00 , 151 . 87 , 155 . 70 , 164 . 78 , 170 . 64 , 171 . 89 , 209 . 69 ; ir ( neat ) 3403 , 2931 , 1817 ( amide ), 1734 , 1715 , 1703 , 1242 , 1085 . anal . calcd for c 4 h 51 no 16 : c , 62 . 18 ; h , 6 . 05 ; n , 1 . 65 . found : c , 61 . 91 ; h , 6 . 33 ; n , 1 . 61 . to a solution of baccatin iva ( 79 . 6 mg , 0 . 09 mmol ) and n - benzoyl - β - lactam va - a - ee ( 45 . 8 mg , 0 . 14 mmol ) in 3 . 0 ml of thf , was added nahmds 0 . 13 ml ( 1 . 2 eq , 0 . 85m soln . in thf ) at - 40 ° c . over the period of 30 min . tlc analysis of the reaction mixture revealed that baccatin iiia was completely consumed . the reaction mixture was quenched with 10 ml saturated nh 4 cl solution . the reaction mixture was extracted with ether ( 10 ml × 3 ), then dichloromethane ( 10 ml ), and the combined extracts were washed with brine , dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to give the crude product . the crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 1 : 3 ) as the eluant to 2 - eeo - 3 - phenylpropanoyl !- 10 - deacetyl - 14 - hydroxy - baccatin iii ( iia - ee ) as a white solid . this protected taxane iia - ee was treated with zn in acetic acid at 60 ° c . for 9 h . the reaction mixture was filtered on a glass filter and the filtrate was condensed in vacuo . the residue was redissolved in ch 2 cl 2 , and zn salt was removed by filtration to give the crude product . this crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 3 : 1 ) as the eluant to give 33 . 7 mg ( 75 %) of taxane iia as a white powder having the identification data shown below : mp 198 °- 202 ° c . ; α ! d 20 - 13 . 2 ( c 0 . 38 , meoh ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 17 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 20 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 74 ( s , 3h , h19 ), 1 . 84 ( m , 1h , h6b ), 2 . 14 ( s , 3h , h18 ), 2 . 17 ( s , 3h , 4 - oac ), 2 . 60 , ( m , 1h , h6a ), 3 / 07 ( bs , 1h , 2 &# 39 ;- oh ), 4 . 03 ( d , j = 6 . 6 hz , 1h , h3 ), 4 . 14 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20 ), 4 . 27 ( m , 3h , h20 , h7 , 10 - oh ), 4 . 55 ( m , 1h , h2 &# 39 ;), 4 . 99 ( bd , 1h , h5 ), 5 . 07 ( m , 1h , h13 ), 5 . 17 ( d , j = 5 . 8 hz , 1h ), 5 . 34 ( s , 1h , h10 ), 5 . 65 ( d , j = 5 . 7 hz , 1h , h14 ), 5 . 83 ( bd , 2h , h2 , h3 &# 39 ;), 6 . 91 ( d , j = 9 . 4 hz , 1h , nh ), 7 . 36 - 7 . 59 ( m , 11h ), 7 . 77 ( bd , 2h ), 8 . 15 ( bd , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 9 . 53 , 15 . 32 , 20 . 66 , 22 . 08 , 26 . 03 , 29 . 69 , 37 . 06 , 42 . 85 , 46 . 50 , 54 . 68 , 58 . 00 , 71 . 63 , 72 . 06 , 73 . 60 , 75 . 03 , 76 . 60 , 77 . 12 , 78 . 82 , 80 . 31 , 83 . 98 , 127 . 10 , 127 . 24 , 128 . 25 , 128 . 42 , 128 . 84 , 129 . 04 , 130 . 62 , 132 . 51 , 133 . 59 , 135 . 04 , 137 . 89 , 140 . 68 , 166 . 49 , 168 . 13 , 170 . 86 , 172 . 12 , 211 . 58 ; ir ( chcl 3 ) n 3632 , 3434 , 3026 , 3016 , 2943 , 2838 , 1724 , 1648 ; anal . calcd for c 45 h 49 no 14 : c , 65 . 29 ; h , 5 . 97 ; n , 1 . 69 . found : c , 65 . 15 ; h , 6 . 01 ; n , 1 . 79 . this example included a deprotection step to obtain taxane ( iia ) as shown in scheme 4 . to a solution of 50 mg ( 0 . 055 mmol ) of baccatin iva in 10 ml of thf , 0 . 06 ml ( 0 . 06 mmol ) of nahmds was added at - 40 ° c . over 10 min period . a solution of 25 mg ( 0 . 083 mmol ) of n - t - boc - β - lactam vb - d - ee in thf was added at - 40 ° c . and stirred for 1 hr . the reaction was quenched by addition of saturated nh 4 cl at - 40 ° c . the organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined organic extracts were dried over anhydrous na 2 co 3 and concentrated in vacuo . the crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 1 : 3 ) as the eluant to give 54 . 2 mg ( 82 %) of 7 , 10 - ditroc - 14 - ( 2r , 3s )- 3 -( tert - butoxycarbonyl ) amino - 2 - eeo - 3 - phenylpropanoyl !- 10 - deacetyl - 14 - hydroxybaccatin iii ( iib - ditreo - ee ) as a white solid . this protected taxane iib - ditroc - ee was treated with 0 . 5n hcl in thf at room temperature for 1 hr . the reaction mixture was dried over anhydrous na 2 co 3 and purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 1 : 3 ) as the eluant to give 40 . 0 mg ( 81 %) of taxane iib - ditroc as a white powder : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 19 ( s , 3h , h17 ), 1 . 24 ( s , 3h , h16 ), 1 . 45 ( s , 9h ), 1 . 85 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 03 ( m , 1h , h6b ), 2 . 24 ( s , 3h , h18 ), 2 . 37 ( s , 3h , 4 - oac ), 2 . 65 ( m , 1h , h6a ), 3 / 01 ( d , j = 5 . 7 hz , 1h , oh ), 4 . 01 ( d , j = 6 . 8 hz , 1h , h3 ), 4 . 15 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20 ), 4 . 32 ( d , j = 8 . 4 hz , 1h , h20 ), 4 . 36 ( d , j = 5 . 6 hz , 1h , nh ), 4 . 62 ( d , j = 11 . 8 hz , 1h ), 4 . 79 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 92 ( d , j = 11 . 8 hz , 1h ), 4 . 95 - 5 . 02 ( m , 3h , h2 &# 39 ;, h5 , oh ), 5 . 18 ( d , j = 9 . 5 hz , 1h , h13 ), 5 . 34 ( d , j = 9 . 5 hz , 1h , h14 ), 5 . 63 ( dd , j = 7 . 2 , 10 . 5 hz , 1h , h7 ), 5 . 71 ( d , j = 5 . 1 hz , 1h , h3 &# 39 ;), 5 . 84 ( d , j = 6 . 8 hz , 1h , h2 ), 6 . 34 ( s , 1h , h10 ), 7 . 29 - 7 . 60 ( m , 8h ), 8 . 12 ( bd , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 15 . 33 , 22 . 25 , 28 . 11 , 28 . 17 , 28 . 30 , 28 . 45 , 28 . 50 , 33 . 26 , 42 . 85 , 46 . 82 , 55 . 98 , 56 . 51 , 71 . 88 , 73 . 05 , 73 . 60 , 76 . 22 , 76 . 57 , 77 . 61 , 77 . 67 , 77 . 88 , 79 . 65 , 80 . 01 , 81 . 31 , 83 . 54 , 83 . 60 , 94 . 21 , 126 . 97 , 128 . 99 , 128 . 37 , 128 . 74 , 128 . 92 , 130 . 48 , 131 . 21 , 133 . 67 , 138 . 55 , 144 . 71 , 153 . 07 , 153 . 22 , 156 . 23 , 166 . 22 , 171 . 04 , 171 . 97 , 200 . 88 ; this example shows only the coupling of baccatin ( iva ) with β - lactams ( vb - d ) protected with ee to obtain a protected taxane as shown in scheme 4 . in this example the taxane which was obtained was iib - ditroc . to a solution of 108 mg ( 0 . 09 mmol ) of iib - ditroc in 2 ml of acetic acid and 3 ml of meoh , 240 mg of zn ( activated ) was added at room temperature . the temperature was increased to 60 ° c . and the mixture was stirred for 2 hrs . the reaction mixture was filtered on a glass filter and the filtrate was condensed in vacuo . the residue was redissolved in ch 2 cl 2 , and zn salt was removed by filtration to give 116 mg of crude product . this crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using etoac / hexanes ( 4 : 1 ) as the eluant to give 48 . 8 mg ( 70 %) of taxane iib as a white powder : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 15 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 16 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 45 ( s , 9h ), 1 . 73 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 81 ( m , 1h , h6b ), 2 . 13 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 36 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 60 ( m , 1h , h6a ), 3 / 03 ( d , j = 5 . 7 hz , 1h , oh ), 4 . 02 ( d , j = 6 . 9 hz , 1h , h3 ), 4 . 17 ( d , j = 8 . 5 hz , 1h , h20 ), 4 . 25 - 4 . 34 ( m , 4h , h20 , h7 ), 4 . 83 ( d , j = 6 . 0 hz , 1h ), 4 . 99 ( m , 2h , h2 &# 39 ;, h5 ), 5 . 18 ( d , j = 9 . 5 hz , 1h , h13 ), 5 . 31 ( s , 1h , h10 ), 5 . 37 ( d , j = 9 . 5 hz , 1h , h14 ), 5 . 67 ( d , j = 6 . 0 hz , 1h , h3 &# 39 ;), 5 . 83 ( d , j = 6 . 9 hz , 1h , h2 ), 7 . 31 - 7 . 56 ( m , 8h ), 8 . 12 ( bd , 2h ); this example illustrates the deprotection step of iib - ditroc to obtain the taxane iib as shown in scheme 4 . compounds sb - t - 101131 , sb - t - 101133 , sb - t - 101134 , sb - t - 10114 , sb - t - 101141 , sb - t - 101142 , sb - t - 101143 , sb - t - 101144 , sb - t - 101146 , sb - t - 101151 and sb - t - 101161 were prepared according to the protocols described in examples 59 and 60 above . these compounds were evaluated for cancer activity against human cancer cell lines of a121 ( ovarian cancer ), a549 ( non - small cell lung cancer ), ht - 29 ( colon cancer ), mcf7 ( breast cancer ), and mcf7 - r ( adriamycin resistant breast cancer ). table 1 below illustrates the activity of these compounds as ic 50 values in a nm concentration . table 1______________________________________anticancer activity of new taxanes ( ic . sub . 50 nm ). a121 . sup . a a549 . sup . a ht - 29 . sup . a mcf7 . sup . ataxane ( ovarian ) ( nsclc ) ( colon ) ( breast ) mcf7 - r . sup . a , b______________________________________paclitaxel 6 . 1 3 . 6 3 . 2 1 . 7 300docetaxel 1 . 2 1 . 0 1 . 2 1 . 0 235sb - t - 101131 1 . 2 0 . 7 1 . 5 1 . 1 36sb - t - 101133 1 . 1 1 . 2 3 . 3 0 . 7 22sb - t - 101134 0 . 6 0 . 6 1 . 3 0 . 6 22sb - t - 10114 1 . 7 0 . 2 0 . 5 0 . 5 54sb - t - 101141 1 . 5 1 . 4 2 . 4 3 . 3 36sb - t - 101142 0 . 7 0 . 5 0 . 6 0 . 1 21sb - t - 101143 0 . 5 0 . 5 1 . 0 0 . 2 24sb - t - 101144 0 . 7 0 . 6 1 . 2 0 . 2 22sb - t - 101146 0 . 6 0 . 5 0 . 7 0 . 3 38sb - t - 101151 2 . 4 0 . 4 3 . 0 1 . 6 49sb - t - 101161 0 . 4 0 . 5 0 . 6 0 . 5 58______________________________________ . sup . a ic . sub . 50 represents the concentration that inhibits 50 % of cell proliferation . . sup . b mcf7r = mammary carcinoma cells 180 fold resistant to adriamycin . the cytotoxicities of the new taxanes shown in fig1 hereto and listed in table 1 were evaluated in vitro against human cancer cell lines according to methods more particularly described in ojima , i ., et al ., &# 34 ; structure -- activity relationships of new taxoids derived from 14β - hydroxy - 10 - deacetyl / baccatin iii ,&# 34 ; journal of medicinal chemistry , 37 , 1408 - 1410 ( 1994 ) and ojima , i ., et al ., &# 34 ; synthesis and biological activity of 14 - hydroxydocetaxel ,&# 34 ; bioorganic and medicinal chemistry letters , 4 , 1571 - 1576 ( 1994 ) the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full . the smaller the ic 50 number , the stronger the activity of the taxane . it is readily apparent that these compounds exhibit superior cytotoxicity when compared with paclitaxel and docetaxel . the cytotoxicity of these compounds against cancer cells was enhanced by at least one order of magnitude . the procedures set forth above describe highly sophisticated and elegant protocols for production of significantly enhanced compounds useful in the treatment of cancer . thus , while there have been described what are presently believed to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention , those skilled in the art will realize that other and further modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention , such further and other modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the appended claims .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

there is shown in the drawing in fig1 - 3 curtain hardware and more specifically , a curtain rod bracket 10 formed from a metal such as sheet steel and which may be fabricated by a stamping operation . the bracket 10 comprises a base 12 which is generally rectangular in configuration and which has a flat , curtain rod hook 14 extending from each long side edge in right angle relation to the horizontal plane of the base 12 . a pair of spaced prongs 16 are integral with and extend from each short edge of the base 12 in the opposite direction of the hooks 14 . each of the prongs 16 has a tapered , free terminal end which is adapted to penetrate wooden window trim and is in right angle relation to the horizontal plane of the base 12 . a rectangular hammer strike pad 18 is integral with and extends upwardly from the base 12 . the strike pad 18 is positioned between and spaced from the curtain rod hooks 14 and includes an upper surface 20 which lies on a horizontal plane positioned above the free edges of the curtain rod hooks 14 . the strike pad 18 in the embodiment disclosed in fig1 - 3 has a hollow interior open at the edge on the same horizontal plane as the base 12 . if desired , the strike pad could be a solid bar extending upwardly from the base 12 in the same position as the strike pad 18 . the strike pad 18 extends from one short edge of the base 12 to the other . a breakaway tab handle 22 extends from a corner of the base 12 on the same horizontal plane as the base 12 between a curtain rod hook 14 and a prong 16 . the tab handle 22 is generally rectangular in configuration although its free terminal end may be rounded in plan view as shown in fig1 . the tab handle 22 is weakened on a transverse breakaway line 24 in close proximity to the juncture with the base 12 . a groove , a series of in - line spaced apertures or other well known means may be utilized to provide the breakaway line 24 . the improved curtain rod bracket 10 is used in pairs , one bracket on each side of a window . the curtain rod bracket 10 is held by the operator in his left hand by grasping the tab handle 22 and then positioned on a wooden window casing . the right hand utilizes a hammer and by hitting the strike pad 18 drives the prongs 16 into the window casing . with the bracket 10 fixed in position , the tab handle 22 is bent up and down along the weakened line 24 breaking the tab handle 22 from the base 12 . another bracket 10 is positioned and nailed on the window casing on the opposite side from the first bracket 10 and in the same manner as the first bracket 10 . a pair of curtain rods may then be engaged to the curtain rod hooks 14 in a manner well known in the art . a variation of the bracket 10 is shown in the drawings at fig4 and 5 , numbered 10a . the curtain rod bracket 10a is formed of similar materials and in a similar manner to that of the bracket 10 . the bracket 10a comprises a generally rectangular base 12a which has a flat , curtain rod hook 14a extending from a long side edge in right angle relation to the horizontal plane of the base 12a . a prong 16a extends from each short edge of the base 12a in the opposite direction from that toward which the curtain rod hook 14a extends . the prongs 16a have the same configuration and function as the prongs 16 . a rectangular hammer strike pad 18a extends upwardly from the base 12a and spaced from the curtain rod hook 14a . the strike pad 18a has the same configuration and construction as the strike pad 18 , has its upper surface 20a located on a plane above the free edge of the hook 14a and extends from one short edge of the base 12a to the other . a breakaway tab handle 22a extends from a corner of the base 12a on the same horizontal plane as the base 12a . the tab handle 22a is weakened on a line 24a which is positioned and formed in the same manner as the line 24 of the tab handle 22 . the variation 10a of the bracket 10 is also used in pairs in the same manner as the bracket 10 and the tab handle 22a , after being utilized in the same way as the tab handle 22 , is broken off and discarded . a pair of the bracket variations 10a are adapted to be engaged to a window casing in the usual manner to hold a single curtain rod . there is shown in fig6 - 11 window shade hardware and more specifically a pair of window shade holders comprising a slot member 26 and an aperture 28 . the aperture member 28 comprises a cup - like base portion 30 having a peripheral edge 32 from which a pair of prongs 16b extend . the prongs 16b are positioned on opposite sides of the base portion 30 and each of them has a tapered , free terminal end which is adapted to penetrate wooden window trim or frames . a through hole 34 is formed in the base portion 30 and has its vertical axis coaxially aligned with the vertical central axis of the base portion 30 . a breakaway tab handle 22b is integral with and extends from the peripheral edge 32 on a horizontal plane at right angles to the vertical , central axis of the base portion 30 . the tab handle 22b is weakened on a transverse breakaway line 24b which is formed in close proximity to the juncture with the peripheral edge 32 . the slot member 26 comprises a cup - like base portion 30a having a peripheral edge 32a from which a pair of prongs 16c extend . the prongs 16c are similar in configuration and in position to the prongs 16b . a breakaway tab handle 22c similar in configuration , function , and location to the tab handle 22b extends from the peripheral edge 32a and includes a transverse breakaway line 24c positioned in close proximity to the juncture with the peripheral edge 32a . the window shade holders are used in pairs with the aperture member 28 positioned on one side of a window casing and the slot member 26 positioned on the other side of the window casing .

5Mechanical Engineering; Lightning; Heating; Weapons; Blasting

referring initially to fig1 , a tubular skylight made in accordance with the present invention is shown , generally designated 10 , for lighting , with natural sunlight , an interior room 12 having a ceiling dry wall 14 in a building , generally designated support the roof 18 and ceiling dry wall 14 . as shown in fig1 , the skylight 10 includes a rigid hard plastic or glass roof - mounted cover 21 . the cover 21 is optically transmissive and preferably is transparent . in one embodiment , the cover 21 can be the cover disclosed in the above - mentioned &# 39 ; 712 patent . or , the cover 21 can be other suitable covers , such as the covers marketed under the trade name “ solatube ” by the present assignee . the cover 21 is mounted to the roof 18 by means of a ring - like metal flashing 22 that is attached to the roof 18 by means well - known in the art . the metal flashing 22 can be angled as appropriate for the cant of the roof 18 to engage and hold the cover 21 in the generally vertically upright orientation shown . as further shown in fig1 , an internally reflective hollow metal shaft assembly , generally designated 24 , is connected to the flashing 22 . the cross - section of the assembly 24 can be cylindrical , rectangular , triangular , etc . accordingly , while the word “ tube ” is used from time to time herein , it is to be understood that the principles of the present invention are not to be limited to a tube per se . the shaft assembly 24 extends to the ceiling 14 of the interior room 12 . per the present invention , the shaft assembly 24 directs light that enters the shaft assembly 24 downwardly to a light diffuser assembly , generally designated 26 , that is disposed in the room 12 and that is mounted to the ceiling 14 or to a joist 20 as described in the above - mentioned &# 39 ; 593 patent . or steel , or the shaft assembly 24 can be made of plastic or other appropriate material . the interior of the shaft assembly 24 is rendered reflective by means of , e . g ., electroplating , anodizing , metalized plastic film coating , or other suitable means . in one preferred embodiment , the shaft assembly 24 is rendered internally reflective by laminating the inside surface of the shaft assembly with a multi - ply polymeric film made by minnesota mining and manufacturing ( 3m ). a single ply of such film is transparent , but when hundreds of layers are positioned flush together and then thermally laminated to the interior surface of the shaft assembly 24 , the combination is specularly reflective , preferably , over fifty percent ( 50 %) specular reflective . by fifty percent ( 50 %) specular reflective , it is meant that fifty percent ( 50 %) of an incident beam is reflected back off the film for each reflection . in one preferred embodiment , the shaft assembly 24 is established by a single shaft . however , as shown in fig1 , if desired , the shaft assembly 24 can include multiple segments , each one of which is internally reflective in accordance with present principles . specifically , the shaft assembly 24 can include an upper shaft 28 that is engaged with the flashing 22 and that is covered by the cover 21 . also , the shaft assembly 24 can include an upper intermediate shaft 30 that is contiguous to the upper shaft 28 and that can be angled relative thereto at an elbow 31 if desired . moreover , the shaft assembly 24 can include a lower intermediate shaft 32 that is slidably engaged with the upper intermediate shaft 30 for absorbing thermal stresses in the shaft assembly 24 . and , a lower shaft 34 can be contiguous to the lower the bottom of the lower shaft 34 being covered by the diffuser assembly 26 . the elbow 35 is angled as appropriate for the building 16 such that the shaft assembly 24 connects the roof - mounted cover 21 to the ceiling - mounted diffuser assembly 26 . it is to be understood that where appropriate , certain joints between shafts can be mechanically fastened and covered with tape in accordance with principles known in the art . as shown in fig2 and disclosed in further detail below , each segment of the shaft assembly 24 ( or the sole segment of a single - shaft assembly 24 ) is internally coated and configured as follows . taking the lower shaft 34 as illustration , to provide a means by which light reflected through the shaft is diffused before reaching the diffuser assembly 26 , plural surface irregularities 38 are formed on the interior surface 36 of the lower shaft 34 . when a first ray of light , represented by line 40 , is reflected by a surface irregularity 38 , it is reflected at an angle with the interior surface 36 that is different from the reflection angle of a second ray of light , represented by line 42 , that is reflected by a different portion of the interior surface 36 . as shown , this continues as the light 40 , 42 is reflected through the length of the shaft 34 . each time , the first ray of light 40 is reflected by a surface irregularity 38 or a smooth portion of the interior surface 36 at an angle different from the second ray of light 42 . thus , as sunlight , including the first ray 40 and second ray 42 , is reflected through the shaft 34 , it is diffused by the surface irregularities 38 , and the likelihood of any focal points forming in the reflected light is eliminated . it is to be discernable pattern , as shown . referring to fig3 a , details concerning the configuration of a non - limiting example of a surface irregularity 38 is shown . fig3 shows that a surface irregularity 38 can include an upper - oriented surface 44 and a lower - oriented surface 46 . as shown , the upper surface 44 is formed at an angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis l . the angle α is such that it will alter the path of a ray of light striking it without causing the light to be reflected back up the shaft toward the skylight dome 21 , e . g ., α & lt ; ninety degrees ( 90 °). it is to be understood that the angle α can be altered if the shaft 34 is angled with respect to vertical in order to prevent light from being reflected up the shaft 34 . the angle β is chosen so that it is less acute than the angle α , or otherwise established to ensure that the length of the lower - oriented surface 46 is less than the length of the upper - oriented surface 44 , to prevent downward - propagating light from being reflected back up the shaft 34 toward the dome 21 . it is to be appreciated that the surface irregularities 38 can be nearly any shape and size , as long as they alter the reflection angle of light traveling through the shaft 34 , but do not reflect light back up the shaft 34 . it is also to be appreciated that each of the shafts 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 which can make up a multi - segment shaft assembly 24 can be formed with the surface irregularities 38 so as to diffuse the light along the entire length of the shaft assembly 24 . fig3 a shows that the surface irregularity 38 can be formed in the shaft 34 . the shaft 34 acts as a substrate to which a reflective film 47 is attached using an substrate and then the film 47 is laid over the adhesive 48 . fig3 b shows that a surface irregularity 38 a can be formed in an adhesive 48 a instead of a substrate , i . e ., a shaft 34 a . then , as described in detail below , a film 47 a can be laid over the adhesive 48 a . in either case , whether formed in the substrate or the adhesive 48 , 48 a , since the film 47 , 47 a conforms to the adhesive 48 , 48 a and the substrate , the irregularity introduces a surface anomaly in an otherwise smooth cylindrical film surface for diffusing light . still further , as shown in fig3 c plural radial grooves 38 c can completely or partially circumscribe a shaft 24 c to establish the present surface irregularity . each groove 38 c can have an upper segment 39 c and a lower segment 39 d , with the length “ x ” of each upper segment 39 c being one - half the length “ y ” of the lower segment 40 c . as yet another example , fig3 d shows that plural longitudinal grooves 38 d that run part way or completely the vertical length of a skylight shaft 24 d can establish the present surface irregularities . or , surface irregularities can be formed randomly , without any pattern at all . referring now to fig4 , a method for forming the surface irregularities 38 is shown . commencing at block 50 , a flat substrate , e . g ., a sheet of aluminum or steel , is provided . at block 52 , the surface irregularities 38 are formed in the substrate . the surface irregularities can , e . g ., be formed by moving the substrate through appropriately formed rollers , rolling an appropriately formed roller across the to the logic , at block 54 adhesive is applied to the substrate . thereafter , a reflective film is applied to the substrate on the adhesive . at block 58 , a shaft , having the surface irregularities on the inside , can be formed by bending the flat substrate into a cylinder . fig5 shows a first alternative method for forming the surface irregularities of the present invention . commencing at block 60 , a flat substrate is provided . at block 62 , adhesive is applied to the substrate . moving to block 64 , the surface irregularities are formed in the adhesive by , e . g ., rolling the adhesive using a roller having a pattern in the desired configuration , so that portions of the adhesive are thicker than other portions , establishing the irregularities . thereafter , at block 66 , a reflective film is applied to the substrate over the adhesive formed with the surface irregularities . continuing to block 68 , a shaft is formed from the substrate . referring to fig6 a second alternative method for forming the surface irregularities is shown and commences at block 70 wherein a flat substrate is provided . then , at block 72 an adhesive is applied to the substrate . proceeding to block 74 , a reflective film is applied to the substrate on the adhesive . at block 76 , the surface irregularities are formed by , e . g ., rolling a roller across the film , to alter the thickness of the adhesive between the film and the substrate in the appropriate places . thereafter , at block 78 , a shaft can be formed with the surface irregularities located in the interior of the shaft . irregularities . commencing at block 80 , a flat substrate is provided . continuing to block 82 an adhesive is applied to the substrate . then , at block 84 a reflective film is applied to the substrate over the adhesive . moving to block 86 , the surface irregularities are formed in the substrate such that they protrude through the reflective film . the surface irregularities can be formed , e . g ., by moving the substrate with the film glued , or otherwise attached thereto , through appropriately formed rollers . thereafter , a shaft can be formed that has the surface irregularities formed therein . it is to be understood that each tubular component of the shaft assembly 24 can be formed with the surface irregularities 38 described above . moreover , it can be appreciated that the surface irregularities 38 effectively diffuse sunlight entering the shaft assembly 24 such that focal points are reduced at the diffuser . moreover , hot spots within the light exiting the shaft assembly 24 are eliminated . fig8 shows another way of forming the surface irregularities . commencing at block 88 the substrate is provided , and at block 90 the film is provided . at block 92 the adhesive is applied to the film to establish the desired surface irregularities . the film is then applied to the substrate at block 94 , and the substrate then formed into the shaft , tubular or otherwise , at block 96 . fig9 shows yet another way of forming the surface irregularities . commencing at block 98 the substrate is provided , and at block 100 the film is provided . the adhesive is applied to the film at block 102 in a thin , uniform layer . in contrast , at block 104 a random or repeatable surface irregularity pattern is applied at block 102 . the film is then adhered to the substrate at block 106 , and the substrate then formed into the shaft , tubular or otherwise , at block 108 . while the particular skylight tube with reflective material surface and surface irregularities as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above - described objects of the invention , it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and is thus representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention , that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art , and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims , in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “ one and only one ” unless explicitly so stated , but rather “ one or more ”. all structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above - described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims . moreover , it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention , for it to be encompassed by the present claims .

5Mechanical Engineering; Lightning; Heating; Weapons; Blasting

referring now to fig1 there is seen an exemplary beamforming system 20 of the prior art . the system 20 is seen to comprise an array 22 of transducers 24 , three such transducers 24 being shown by way of example , it being understood that many more transducers 24 may be utilized in the array 22 . individual ones of the transducers 24 are coupled via delay lines 26 to the input terminals of a summer 28 which sums together the signals of the respective transducers 24 , the signals being delayed by the delay lines 26 by amounts of delay corresponding to the differences in times of arrival of a wavefront 30 upon the respective transducers 24 . the wavefronts 30 are understood to be the wavefronts of a sound wave propagating towards the array 22 in the direction of an arrow 32 . while known circuit elements , such as amplifiers which are coupled between the transducers 24 and the delay lines 26 , have been deleted to simplify the figure . memories 34 , which may be read - only memories , are coupled to the respective delay lines 26 for varying the delays in accordance with the direction in which a beam is to be formed . a generator 36 addresses the memories 34 in accordance with the desired angle of the beam , the beam signal appearing at the output terminal of the summer 28 on line 38 . the symbols for the frequency ω of the transducer signal , for time t , and for a delay τ imparted by a delay line 26 as shown in the figure . the mathematical expressions for the signals at the output terminals of the delay lines 26 are also shown in fig1 these mathematical expressions being of interest in that they are altered by the introduction of an intermediate frequency as will be seen with reference to fig2 . referring now to fig2 there is seen a simplified representation of a beamforming system 50 which comprises a set of signal channels 52 coupled to respective ones of the transducers 24 . in accordance with the invention , each of the channels 52 comprises a mixer 54 and a phase shifter 56 in addition to the delay line 26 and the memory 34 of fig1 . with reference to the mathematical expressions appended to the lines at the output terminals of the delay line 26 and the phase shifter 56 , it is noted that the order of the signal processing by the delay line 26 and the phase shifter 56 may be interchanged . as will be seen subsequently with reference to fig3 and 4 , the phase shifter 56 of the preferred embodiment of the invention is coupled between the mixer 54 and the delay line 26 in each signal channel 52 . however , in order to demonstrate the correction term introduced by the phase shifter 56 , the simplified diagram of fig2 shows the phase shifter 56 following the delay line 26 . as will be described subsequently with reference to fig4 the phase shift term introduced by the phase shifter 56 is accomplished digitally by multiplying a sample of the signal of a transducer 24 by a phase shift factor , the operation of the multiplier being independent of the frequency of the transducer signal thereby insuring that the phase shift function can be accomplished while retaining the bandwidth of the transducer signal . thereby , the signal bandwidth of the system 50 can be as large as the signal bandwidth of the system 20 of fig1 even though a phase shift correction term has been introduced as shown in the mathematical expressions . furthermore , it is noted that the magnitude of the phase shift term is independent of the frequency of the transducer signal , the magnitude of the phase shift term being dependent only on the frequency of a reference signal applied along line 58 to the mixer 54 by an oscillator 60 , and upon the magnitude of the delay introduced by a delay line 26 . in fig2 the operation of the three memories 34 of fig1 has been combined into that of a single memory 62 . in addition , the channels 52 comprise memories 64 which are addressed by the delay command signals on the lines 66 , individual ones of the lines being further identified by the legends a - c . thereby , since the delay line 26 and the memory 64 of a channel 52 are addressed by the same signal , the memory 64 directs the phase shifter 56 to provide the phase shift term which compensates for the delay introduced by the delay line 26 . with reference to both fig1 and 2 , and with reference to the mathematical expressions appended to the output terminals of the respective delay lines 26 , there is seen a delay term which is equal to the product of a frequency times a delay increment . the frequency in the delay term is the frequency of the signal of the respective transducer 24 , while the delay increment is the amount of delay imparted to the transducer signal by the respective delay line 26 . the mathematical symbol for the delay increment includes a subscript identifying the corresponding channel 52 . upon comparing the mathematical expressions of fig1 and 2 , it is seen that the output signal of the delay line 26 of fig2 includes an extraneous term equal to the product of the delay increment times the reference frequency on line 58 . the extraneous term is brought about in the system 50 by virtue of the operation of the mixer 54 which translates the frequency of the transducer signal to if . upon removal of the extraneous term by the phase shifter 56 , the mathematical expressions at the input terminals of the summers 28 in both fig1 and 2 are seen to contain the same delay terms , and are seen to be equal apart from the frequency translation . thereby , it is seen that the translation of the transducer signal on line 68 to a lower frequency on line 70 , whether the lower signal on line 70 be an if signal or a base band signal , can be accomplished by the system 50 without any dimunition in the accuracy of the beamforming process . the accuracy of the beamforming operation is retained with each beam direction that is selected by the address generator 36 since , upon an addressing of the memory 62 to provide the requisite delays in each of the channels 52 , the memories 64 provide the corresponding phase correction factors which are to be implemented by the phase shifters 56 . referring also to fig3 the first and the second graphs portray a situation wherein the mixer 54 of fig2 has reduced the frequency of the transducer signal on line 68 by an exemplary factor of two , it being understood that factors of three , four or other such factor , or the translation of the transducer signal to base band on line 70 , may be utilized . the signal on line 68 is portrayed in the first graph of fig3 while the if signal at the reduced frequency , on line 70 , is portrayed in the second graph of fig3 . the first two graphs are shown in registration with each other and with a third graph which depicts a set of sampling pulses . in the exemplary situation of fig3 it is seen that five of the sampling pulses occur during one cycle of the signal on line 68 while ten of the sampling pulses occur within one cycle of the signal on line 70 . since , in a sampled data system ( as will be described with reference to fig4 and 5 ), a quantization in the sampling operation produces temporal increments which are a fraction of the duration of a cycle of the signal being sampled . a finer quantization results in a greater accuracy in the beamforming operation . accordingly , it is seen that by translating the signal to the lower frequency of the second graph , greater accuracy is obtained than would have been possible by sampling the higher frequency signal portrayed in the first graph . referring now to fig4 there is shown the preferred embodiment of the system 50 which is shown in simplified diagrammatic form in fig2 . the embodiment of fig4 identified by the legend 50a , provides for both inphase and quadrature sampling of the transducer signal on line 68 in addition to the mixing operation described previously with reference to the mixer 54 . the inphase and quadrature sampling of the transducer signal ensure complete regeneration of the transducer signal upon a translation of the transducer signal to base band as well as to an intermediate frequency . the mixing and sampling operations are accomplished in a mixing system 54a , the phase shifting operation on the inphase and quadrature samples being accomplished by a phase shifter 56a , and the delaying of the inphase and quadrature samples being accomplished by a delay unit 26a . in fig4 the letters i and q identify the inphase and quadrature components of the sampled signal . appended to line 68 is a mathematical expression of an exemplary transducer signal , identified by the legend x ( t ), which is seen to have both an amplitude and phase which may vary as a function of time , t . the subscripts 1 , 2 , and 3 identify specific ones of the channels 52 in which the corresponding signals are found . the legend ts identifies the interval of time between successive samples of the transducer signal . the delay increments are in multiples , identified by the legend m , of the intersample interval , ts . the sample is accomplished in response to strobing signals provided at terminal c 1 of a clock 80 . the reference signal for the mixing operation is provided along line 58 from the oscillator 60 as was previously seen in fig2 . similarly , the generator 36 and the memory 62 function in fig4 as was taught previously with reference to fig2 . the system 50a further comprises a pair of summers 28 , one for summing the inphase component and one for summing the quadrature component of the delayed signals produced by each of the channels 52 . by way of example in the utilization of the beamformer of fig4 the inphase and quadrature beam component signals on lines 38a and 38b , respectively , are seen to be applied to an exemplary signal processor 82 having a fast - fourier transformer ( fft ) 84 . as is well known , an fft operates with inphase and quadrature signal samples , such as the beam samples of fig4 to provide spectral data thereof , such data being conveniently displayed as a signature pattern on a display 86 . referring also to fig5 the mixing system 54a is seen to comprise a pair of mixers 89 - 90 , a pair of filters 93 - 94 for extracting the lower side band of the mixing operation of the mixers 89 - 90 , a pair of sampling units 97 - 98 which are strobed by the clock 80 for sampling signals provided by the filters 93 - 94 , and a ninety - degree phase shifter 100 for introducing a quadrature relationship between the reference signals applied to the two mixers 89 - 90 . the phase shifter 52a is seen to comprise a set of four multipliers 101 - 104 , a pair of summers 107 - 108 and the memory 64 which was previously seen in fig2 . the delay unit 26a is seen to comprise a pair of delay lines 111 - 112 each of which comprises a shift register 114 and a selector switch 116 coupled to output terminals of the register 114 . in operation , the channel 52 of fig5 is seen to translate the transducer signal on line 68 to a lower frequency by the mixers 89 - 90 , the lower frequency signal being extracted from the mixers 89 - 90 by the filters 93 - 94 . thereupon , the signals provided by the filters 93 - 94 are sampled by the samplers 97 - 98 and applied to the multipliers 101 - 104 such that the inphase component of the signal samples are applied to the multipliers 101 and 103 while the quadrature component of the signal samples are applied to the multiplier 102 and the multiplier 104 . phase factors , identified by a mathematical expressions appended to the lines 119 - 120 of the memory 64 serve as the phase correction factors which , upon being multiplied by the inphase and quadrature components , result in the summation of a corrective phase factor in the argument of the sinusoidal function as was shown previously by the mathematical expressions of fig2 . the products of the multipliers 101 - 102 are summed together by the summer 107 , and the product of the multiplier 103 is subtracted from the product of the multiplier 104 by the summer 108 . the sum signals of the summers 107 - 108 , representing respectively the inphase and quadrature components of the transducer signal , are then applied respectively to the shift registers 114 of the delay lines 111 - 112 . in response to clock pulses from terminal c 1 of the clock 80 , the registers 114 shift the signal samples from cell to cell of the register 114 , the switch 116 selecting a sample upon a traversal of a predetermined number of cells of the register 114 to provide the delay designated by the memory 62 . the switches 116 and the delay lines 111 - 112 are operated by the delay command signal on the lines 66a - c which are referred to earlier with reference to fig2 . thereby , the correction factors introduced by the multipliers 101 - 104 corresponds to the delay imposed on the signal samples by the delay unit 26a . the output signals of the delay unit 26a are then coupled to the input terminals of the summers 28 as described diagrammatically in fig4 . the legends appended to the output terminals of the delay unit 26a in fig5 correspond to the legends appended to the output signals of the first of the channels 52 in fig4 . each of the channels 52 has , therefore , provided for a sampling of a transducer signal subsequent to the reduction of the frequency of the transducer signal , which , in accordance with the teachings of fig3 provides for a finer temporal quantization of the transducer signal by the delay unit 26a resulting in a more accurately formed beam sample by the summers 28 of fig4 . it is also noted that the correction factors on lines 119 - 120 of fig5 are independent of the frequency of the transducer signal on line 68 . furthermore , it is noted that the multipliers 101 - 104 are capable of operating at the sampling rate , fs , and , accordingly , do not introduce any bandwidth restrictions to the transducer signal . thereby , the system 50a of fig4 is capable of operating on the transducer signals without introducing any bandwidth restrictions thereto . it is understood that the above described embodiment of the invention is illustrative only and that the modifications thereof may occur to those skilled in the art . accordingly , it is desired that this invention is not to be limited to the embodiment disclosed herein but is to be limited only as defined by the appended claims .

6Physics

fig1 illustrates a basic multi - threaded micro - architecture 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention . the multi - threaded micro - architecture 100 can be leveraged across numerous multi - user spread spectrum receiver applications . the multi - threaded micro - architecture 100 includes a data cache 102 , a first finger processing element 104 , a second finger processing element 106 , an “ nth ” ( where “ n ” represents an arbitrary , configurable number ) finger processing element 108 , and a master control unit 110 . the master control unit includes a time slot table 112 and a partial sums search table 114 . in an exemplary embodiment , the number of finger processing elements in the architecture 100 is dependent on various design constraints and can vary from architecture to architecture without departing from the essence of this invention . for ease of explanation , three finger processing elements 104 , 106 , 108 are illustrated in fig1 . each finger processing element includes a secondary cache 122 , a data selection module 124 , a despread / dechannelize datapath 126 , and a symbol integration module 128 . incoming digital data , which contains code modulated user information , is buffered in the data cache 102 . the data cache 102 is shared by all finger processing elements 104 - 108 . each finger processing element 104 - 108 contains the necessary datapath for despreading , dechannelization , and symbol integration of the individual user channels . the master control unit 110 allocates time slots , maintains synchronization of the finger processing elements 104 - 108 , and maximizes throughput . for example , the partial sums search table 114 is allocated on a per searcher basis to extend search control flexibility across time slots . in an exemplary embodiment , the master control unit 110 is linked to an external processing element to manage time slot allocation among finger processing elements 104 - 108 . in an exemplary embodiment , the data cache 102 is a parallel port memory that is configured to enable multi - threaded access at virtually the same time . in one embodiment , a hierarchical caching structure is implemented where the data cache 102 includes a primary cache that is accessible by each finger processing element 104 - 108 in a round - robin manner . each finger processing element 104 - 108 includes a secondary cache that is configured to prefetch data from the primary cache and store such prefetched data . for example , if there are 16 finger processing elements , the first finger processing element 104 , during its turn to access the primary cache , prefetches 16 samples , such that it has 16 clock cycles of time before it needs to prefetch again . similarly , during the next clock cycle , the second finger processing element 106 prefetches 16 samples and so on . this way , the data cache 102 can be built as a multi - ported ram ( e . g ., 16 - ported ) at very low cost . further details on caching systems are disclosed in the above - referenced , concurrently filed application entitled “ generic finger architecture for spread spectrum applications ”. the processor architectures in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention use a common processing element ( e . g ., finger processing elements 104 - 108 ) to support varying spreading factors , modulation schemes , and user data rates . furthermore , the processor architecture enables flexible searching algorithms with variable length search windows , which are made possible in part by a shared search table and a master control . in addition , multiple data stream selection , such as varying antenna configuration , can be used to further reduce silicon costs for manufacturing the finger processing elements . further details on appropriate processor architecture are disclosed in the above - referenced , concurrently filed application entitled : “ apparatus and methods for sample selection and reuse of rake fingers in spread spectrum systems .” in one embodiment , the multi - threaded micro - architecture 100 is a hardware computation resource that can be applied to a single computation process ( e . g ., a multipath of a given channel ). in another embodiment , the computation resource provided by the multi - threaded micro - architecture 100 can be enhanced by running the multi - threaded micro - architecture 100 at a clock rate higher than that required by a process ( e . g ., higher than the data rate for a communication protocol ). in this manner , resources of individual computation components , such as the multi - threaded microarchitecture 100 , can be time - shared across multiple computation processes ( e . g ., several multipaths and / or multiple channels ). additional information on the design and implementation of configurations into a configurable communication device is provided in a co - pending application bearing ser . no . 09 / 492 , 634 , now abandoned , and entitled “ improved apparatus and method for multi - threaded signal processing .” this application is commonly assigned and is hereby incorporated for all purposes . fig2 illustrates an exemplary process for designing an optimal time - sliced and multi - threaded architecture . at step 202 , symbol processing requirements are determined . in an exemplary embodiment , a microprocessor workstation receives inputs of a range of applications to be supported by the architecture being designed . the process of determining an optimal component combination that maximizes the efficiency of the multi - threaded chip rate processor involves consideration of various system requirements . in an exemplary embodiment , system requirements include : ( 1 ) possible antenna configurations , incoming data rates , and combining requirements ; ( 2 ) downstream processing requirements that dictate output symbol rate requirements ; ( 3 ) processor interface requirements that impact the efficient allocation of finger processing elements ; ( 4 ) variations in the spreading / modulation processes that are applied to the expected data streams ; and ( 5 ) environmental requirements , such as search time , simultaneous multi - path tracking , and peak / average channel capacity requirements . in an exemplary embodiment , after consideration of system requirements , including the ones listed above , key architecture aspects can be determined . examples of the key aspects include : data cache memory requirements , number of finger processing elements , performance requirements of the finger processing elements , performance constraints of the finger processing elements , memory bandwidth requirements of the data cache , and time slot size to accommodate convenient downstream processing . in an exemplary embodiment , fundamental processing units are defined by applying a profiling process . the fundamental processing units are parameterizable processing blocks that may be application specific but can be enabled for a variety of protocols . the profiling process is performed from a system and hardware perspective to optimize time sliced and multi - threaded architecture . illustrative examples of fundamental processing units are the hardware kernels described in fig2 of co - pending u . s . application ser . no . 09 / 772 , 584 entitled “ a wireless spread spectrum communication platform using dynamically reconfigurable logic .” additional information on the profiling process is provided in co - pending u . s . application ser . no . 09 / 565 , 654 , now u . s . pat . no . 6 , 807 , 155 , and entitled “ method of profiling disparate communications and signal processing standards and services .” these applications are commonly assigned and are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes . during profiling , a determination is made of the lowest level of timing granularity needed . in digital signal processing the fundamental time unit is ordinarily the over - sampling rate of the originally transmitted signal which typically is the nyquest rate . in a typical spread spectrum system , the fundamental unit of time is the chip rate . the fineness of a desired granularity is determined by profiling the types of processing required for each application . further , in determining granularity , a trade off between fine granularity and high context switching overhead should be considered . in general , the finer the granularity , the better the algorithmic performance . but at the same time , the finer the granularity , the more context switching is required in hardware . in a preferred embodiment , the granularity should be fine enough that the targeted algorithms perform signal processing efficiently while allowing a given process of the targeted algorithms to run in the processor for as long as possible , thus , minimizing context switching overhead . in an exemplary embodiment , the time - sliced architecture in accordance with the invention is capable of supporting multiple spread spectrum applications that run at different granularities when optimized . for example , a first application may be optimized at 8 × chip rate granularity while a second application may be optimized at 1 × chip rate granularity . in another exemplary embodiment , the time - sliced architecture is able to call programming across different protocols in a given application space . in contrast to prior art architectures where the overall concern is regarding hardware resource utilization at a known and fixed performance level , the architecture in accordance with embodiments of this invention is not only application specific ( for a set of applications ) but also flexibly reconfigurable to support multiple applications . in one embodiment , the present architecture enables speed grading ( i . e ., sorting and assembly of components into useable devices in accordance with their demonstrated operating speed instead rejection of components for failure to meet a specified operating speed ) to control available flexibility . that is , the architecture can be configured into different channel densities depending on the number of logical processors it supports for each application . at step 204 , the target silicon processes needed to achieve the fundamental processing units defined in the previous step ( i . e ., profiling ) are determined . that is , actual physical parts that are capable of delivering each type of processes are determined . for example , most communication operations are linear , so adder and multiplier processing units are frequently required . thus , during this step , for a given application , the physical location of each necessary adder and / or multiplier ( as well as the physical locations of other processing units ) on silicon is determined based on data control flow and input / output location . at step 206 , the input and output data rates are determined for each application . in an exemplary embodiment , the input data rate is calculated on a data - samples - persecond - provided - at - input basis . output are determined by the worst case minimum rate reduction that occurs in the signal processing path . at step 208 , the size of the data cache 102 is determined . the appropriate size for data cache 102 for a spread spectrum application is determined based on balancing a trade - off between the size of the implementation ( in terms of actual die size ) and the delay spread that is associated with the mobile terminals or handsets . typically , all mobile terminals in the spread spectrum system are operating in the same frequency range . thus , the data cache 102 should be able to support two or more mobile terminals simultaneously at any given time . in an exemplary embodiment , a parallel port memory is used as the data cache 102 and a hierarchical caching structure that allows multiple threads to access the same data at the same time is implemented . in the hierarchical caching structure , a secondary cache associated with each processing thread prefetches data from a primary cache for that processing thread . at step 210 , a sensitivity analysis is performed . that is , varied combinations of time slot sizes and processing threads are checked for an optimized combination . for example , the optimal trade - off between context switching overhead and the size of the processing granularity is determined . in an exemplary embodiment , varying time slot sizes , finger processing element numbers , and independent data cache read ports are tested . the optimal number and size are determined in accordance with optimizing the complexity of silicon , including size , and channel capacity requirements . variability in time scheduling is determined based on basic time units . in other words , once basic time units have been determined , then variability in scheduling ( e . g ., timing of the occurrence of certain processes , number of each process per algorithm , etc .) for each algorithm is determined . for example , a given logic algorithm may require use of multiple processing threads . thus , an optimal trade - off between the number of logic algorithms running on the system and the amount of time needed to run each algorithm should be determined in view of the overall goal of maximizing channel density . in an exemplary embodiment , real time scaling can be achieved . for example , during off - peak hours , some or all logical threads may be disabled to conserve power consumption . the foregoing examples illustrate certain exemplary embodiments of the invention from which other embodiments , variations , and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art . the invention should therefore not be limited to the particular embodiments discussed above , but rather is defined by the claims .

7Electricity

referring now to the drawings , wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout , there is seen in fig1 a powered hand spreader 10 according to the present invention . spreader 10 comprises an upper assembly having a container 12 that may be selectively attached to or detached from a bottom assembly comprising a base 14 . container 12 comprises an upper housing 16 having a user handle 18 and defining a cavity 20 therein for holding particulate matter therein . as seen in fig4 , container 12 further includes a tubular chute 22 extending outwardly therefrom and having a series of circumferentially extending external ridge 24 . tubular chute 22 defines an opening 26 in the bottom of container 12 that allows any particulate in cavity 20 to be a gravity fed out of container 12 through opening 26 . it should be recognized by those of skill in the art that opening 26 may be temporarily covered by a foil or other closure to ensure that any potentially harmful particulate stored in container 12 are maintained in place prior to spreading operations . container 12 is preferably blow molded and further includes a pair of planar surfaces 28 and 30 to allow container 12 to be stabily positioned on a horizontal surface with opening 26 facing upwardly . as seen in fig4 , container 12 is interconnected to base 14 via a hook plate 32 that engages and is retained to the lower edge of container 12 via a hole 34 formed therethrough which tubular chute 22 may extend so that hole 34 engages ridge 24 . hook plate also include a peripheral edge 36 dimensioned to encompass and retain the lower edge 38 of container 12 . due to the inherent inaccuracies in blow molding processes , hook plate 32 can be injection molded and used to compensate for manufacturing irregularities in container 12 so that container 12 and hook plate 32 have consistent dimensions for further coupling to the bottom assembly of spreader 10 . as explained in detail below , this provides a modular design and allows for dependable coupling of container 12 to base 14 . to connect to base 14 , hook plate 32 further includes two opposing tabs 40 and 42 extending from hole 34 for releasable attachment to the rest of spreader 10 . referring to fig5 and 6 , spreader 10 further comprises a slide plate 44 having slots 46 and 48 corresponding to tabs 40 and 42 , respectively , to allow container 12 and hook plate 32 to be releasably attached to slide plate 44 . for example , slots 46 and 48 may each have a first , wide receiving portion 50 that extends to a second , narrow locking portion 52 so that container 12 and hook plate 32 may be mated with slide plate 44 by positioning container 12 and hook plate 32 at a rotationally offset angle from slide plate 44 , inserting tabs 40 and 42 into each wide receiving portion 50 of each of slots 46 and 48 , then rotating container 12 and hook plate 32 relative to slide plate 44 so that tabs 40 and 42 are moved into frictional locking engagement with narrow locking portion 52 of each of slots 46 and 48 to firmly engage container 12 and hook plate 32 with slide plate 44 . reverse rotation of container 12 and hook plate 32 relative to slide plate 44 thus allows for container 12 and hook plate 32 to be disengaged from slide plate 44 . slide plate 44 further includes a tubular channel 56 that has a first end 58 that is aligned and dimensioned to mate with tubular chute 22 of container 12 . the opposing end 60 of tubular channel 56 includes a first , closed portion 62 that covers a portion of opening 26 of container 12 as well as a second , open portion 64 having a control aperture 66 that is in fluid communication with opening 26 of container 12 , thereby reducing the amount of particulate that can be gravity fed out of opening 26 of container 12 . a rotatable slide 70 comprising a partial disk is positioned in tubular channel 56 , such as by a pivot boss 72 , to be moveable in response to manual input , such as by grasping one of more protrusions 74 extending from slide 70 . slide 70 can thus be selectively positioned to cover none or various amounts of control aperture 66 , thereby allowing adjustment of the amount of particulate that can flow from container 12 through chute 22 and out of control aperture 66 . in addition to controlling size of control aperture 66 , slide 70 assists in the dispensing of particulate by ensuring a relatively even flow of particulate into base 14 . more particularly , slide 70 may be aligned so that it does not extend perpendicularly to the direction of flow of particulate and thus encourages particular to flow toward control aperture 66 . in addition , by virtue of the agitation produced by the rotation of a blower 80 , described in detail below , slide 70 will vibrate at a high frequency corresponding to the rotational speed of blower 80 . this vibration of slide 70 assists with the flow of particulate to and through aperture 66 by preventing bridging of the particulate or stoppage of flow . to improve vibration of slide 70 , blower 80 may comprise an unbalanced fan , such as one having a single fan blade that is thicker than the other blades . referring to fig8 , spreader 10 further comprises a base 14 having a passageway 82 positioned in operative relation to control aperture 66 to accept any particulate matter and eject it from spreader 10 . more particularly , passageway 82 extends from a point adjacent to blower 80 circumferentially around blower 80 , thereby forming a shroud 86 for blower 80 , while gradually widening until a point 88 just proximate to and upstream of control aperture 66 . at a point 88 just prior to control aperture 66 , passageway 82 narrows slightly and then widens again as reaches and passes under aperture 66 and continues widening until reaching an exit opening 90 formed in base 14 . thus , any particulate fed through control aperture 66 will be entrapped in the airstream created by blower 80 , forced along passageway 82 and driven out of exit opening 90 . as seen in fig8 , base 14 further includes an air intake 92 in fluid communication with blower 80 so that blower can create an air stream in passageway 82 that leads out of exit opening 90 . the width of passageway 82 is defined and controlled as explained above to reduce air pressure at blower 80 , thereby improving efficiency , and also to create a slight negative pressure in passageway 82 underneath control aperture 66 . as a result , particulate being fed from container 12 is less likely to be forced back into container 12 and will instead be drawn into passageway 82 by gravity and a slight venturi effect . referring to fig1 , base 14 further comprises a cover 91 positioned over passageway 82 that includes an opening 93 aligned with control aperture 66 and passageway 82 to permit fluid communication therebetween . cover 91 further includes a battery compartment 94 and a detent 96 for supporting a motor 98 that is interconnected to and drives blower 80 . battery compartment 94 may include a door 97 enclosing compartment 94 that is aligned with and positioned in slide plate 44 . thus , in a preferred embodiment , slide plate 44 , cover 91 , and base 14 for a bottom assembly for spreader 10 and may be manufactured and assembled separately from container 12 and then coupled or decoupled from the upper assembly of container 12 and hook plate 32 during manufacturing or by a user . referring to fig1 , base 14 additionally includes a pull 100 that is moveable between a first , closed / off position and a second , open / on position . pull 100 is operatively interconnected to motor 98 , such as by having movable electrical contact points as part of a switch , to allow manual activation and deactivation of blower 80 as desired . pull 100 further includes an extending portion 102 that is capable of selectively covering the opposite side of control aperture 66 from slide 70 . thus , at the same time that pull 100 electrically activates or deactivates blower 80 , pull 100 also selectively uncovers and covers control aperture 66 . preferably , the distance that pull 100 moves before turning on blower 80 is less than the distance required to uncover aperture 66 , thus allowing an air stream to be formed in passageway 82 by blower 80 before any particulate is allowed to fall into passageway 82 through control aperture 66 . spreader 10 thus includes two assemblies that may be readily detached from each other . first , is an upper assembly comprising container 10 and hook plate 32 that are frictionally engaged to each other ( such as at the time of manufacture ) and , second is the bottom assembly comprising slide plate 44 , cover 93 , and base 14 , which can be permanently attached to each other at manufacture . this modularity allows either bottom assembly or top assembly to be reused or reconfigured for attachment to a replacement for the other assembly , as desired or needed . a user can thus obtain a spreader 10 that has been pre - filled with particulate , take spreader 10 to the location where the particulate is to be spread , extend pull 100 to activate blower 80 and , nearly simultaneously , allowing particulate to fall into passageway 82 , thereby blowing particulate out of spreader 10 onto the desired location . when spreading operations have concluded , the user can close pull 100 , thereby preventing any more particulate from being dispensed into base 14 and also turning off blower 18 . if all particulate has been exhausted , the user can separate base 14 from container 12 by twisting container 12 relative to slide plate 32 , and then attach a filled container 12 or a refilled container 12 back to base 14 for further use .

0Human Necessities

referring to the figures , the exteriorly mountable vehicle step 10 of the present invention is depicted . as will be recognized , the step 10 is releasably mounted to a conventional receiver tow hitch 12 ( shown in fig1 and 5 ) which is rigidly attached to the frame or chassis of a motor vehicle 14 . as is well known , the receiver hitch 12 is formed having a square or rectangular axial opening 16 ( shown in fig5 ) and a hitch pin aperture 18 . the opening 16 is sized to receive a conventional trailer hitch ( not shown ) which is selectively mounted to the receiver hitch 12 via a hitch pin 19 ( shown in fig2 ) which is extended through the hitch pin aperture 18 and into the trailer hitch ( not shown ). the step 10 of the present invention is adapted to be mounted to the receiver hitch 12 in an analogous fashion . the step 10 includes a support component 26 which , in the preferred embodiment , comprises a rung upon which a user can stand and which preferably includes a generally flat central portion 28 for firm footing . in the preferred embodiment , the support component 26 is formed of a tubular metal material which can be chrome plated , painted or coated as desired . a coupler component 30 is rigidly attached for instance by a weld to the support component 26 and extends perpendicularly outwardly therefrom . the coupler component 30 is formed having a generally rectangular cross sectional configuration which is complimentary to and is sized to be received within the aperture opening 16 formed within the conventional receiver hitch 12 . the coupler component 30 includes a plurality of apertures 32 formed therein , the diameter of which is sized to receive the conventional hitch pin 19 therein . as best shown in fig4 and 5 , the lower surface of the support component 26 may include an l - shaped locking member 40 which is selectively mounted to the under surface via a threaded fastener such as a threaded knob 42 . by turning the knob 42 , the locking member 40 is moved toward or away from the under surface of the support member 26 . in the preferred embodiment , the locking member 40 is formed of metal but coated with a polymer material . with the structure defined , the mounting and operation of the step 10 of the present invention may be described . as best shown in fig5 the coupler component 30 of the step 10 is aligned with the opening 16 of the receiver hitch 12 and the support component 30 may then be axially positioned , i . e ., slidably received within the aperture 16 of the receiver hitch 12 . one of the apertures 32 formed on the coupler component 30 is aligned with the hitch pin aperture 18 formed in the receiver hitch 12 . as will be recognized , due to the coupler component 30 having plural apertures 32 formed therein , the step 10 may be adjusted relative the bumper of the vehicle 14 by aligning a desired aperture 32 with the aperture 18 formed in the receiver hitch 12 . when aligned , a conventional hitch pin 19 ( shown in fig2 ) may be extended through the aperture 18 and selected aperture 32 to lock the step 10 in a desired position upon the receiver hitch 12 . subsequently , the threaded knob 42 can be loosened to allow the distal end 50 of the locking member 40 to be positioned to extend over the enlarged end flange 52 formed on the conventional receiver hitch 12 . in this position , the proximal end 54 of the locking member 40 extends vertically upward to contact the support member 26 ; and upon tightening of the threaded knob 42 , tightly engages the under surface of the support member 26 . upon continued tightening of the threaded knob 42 , the distal end 50 of the locking member 40 tightly engages the end flange 52 of the receiver hitch 12 while the proximal end 54 tightly engages the under surface of the support component 26 . continued tightening of the threaded knob 42 causes a continual spring or biasing force to be applied to the locking member 40 which serves to eliminate relative movement or rattling of the step 10 relative the receiver hitch 12 . when mounted upon the vehicle 14 , the step 10 provides an easy and convenient platform to allow easy access to roof racks or truck beds or the like of a vehicle . further , the step 10 offers additional protection to vulnerable molded bumpers and the like of the vehicle 14 whereby during moderate impact , the vehicle bumper will be protected .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

the present invention , an exemplary embodiment of which is shown in fig7 includes an assay module or cytology collection apparatus 10 , comprising first and second detachable portions 44 , 42 , having first and second ports 54 , 41 , respectively . the first and second detachable portions 44 , 42 define a chamber 50 and the first and second ports 54 , 41 define a fluid flow path through the chamber 50 . a porous arrangement 46 having a collection site 45 adapted to collect cells may be positioned across the fluid flow path , the collection site 45 communicating with the first port 54 . the porous arrangement 46 within the cytology collection apparatus 10 is preferably adapted to define a flow path having first and second branches , the first branch 60 extending through the collection site 45 and the second branch 61 bypassing the collection site 45 . in a preferred embodiment , the invention includes a porous arrangement 46 having a first porous medium 46b , suitable for preventing the passage of cells therethrough , and a second porous medium 46a , suitable for removing particulate matter from the fluid . in a preferred embodiment , the porous arrangement 46 includes a first porous medium 46a and a second porous medium 46b , more preferably , a porous membrane 46b and a depth filter 46a wherein the depth filter communicates with the first port 54 through the porous membrane . in another embodiment , the depth filter 46a communicates with the first port 54 through a first branch of the flow path extending through the porous membrane 46b and communicates directly with the first port 54 through a second branch of the flow path . the first port 54 may be configured as a connector and may be adapted to connect to a container , or may be configured as a needle or cannula 74 or the like . second port 41 may be configured as a connector and may be adapted to connect to a syringe , or the like . the porous arrangement 46 may include a unitary structure having a first zone of density and pore size suitable to prevent the passage of cells therethrough and a second zone of density and pore size suitable for passing the fluid therethrough . the second zone may also remove particulate matter from the fluid . while the cytology collection apparatus 40 can be used for any biological fluid , it is particularly useful for preparing testing samples from urine and its associated cells for pap smears . it should be noted that various types of porous membrane can be used interchangeably with that of the present embodiment . while a polycarbonate membrane is especially suitable for use in the cytology collection apparatus of the present invention , other porous membranes are also suitable . one membrane that can be used for fluid screening is leucosorb ™, a leucocyte retention medium manufactured by pall biosupport division of pall corporation . other membranes manufactured and sold by the pall corporation are biodyne a ™, an unmodified nylon with surface chemistry 50 % amine and 50 % carboxyl group which has an isoelectric point of ph 6 . 5 ; biodyne b ™, a surface - modified nylon with surface chemistry characterized by a high density of strong cationic quaternary groups ( the zeta potential is positive to ph & gt ; 10 ); biodyne c ™, a surface - modified nylon with surface chemistry characterized by a high density of anionic carboxyl groups ( the zeta potential is negative to ph & gt ; 3 ; and loprodyne ™, a low protein binding nylon 66 membrane with a tightly controlled microporous structure having high voids volume for rapid , efficient throughput of liquids and absolute retention of microparticles designed for cell separation and bacterial cell immunoassays . in a preferred embodiment , the porous arrangement includes a porous polycarbonate membrane 46b , suitable for preventing the passage of cells therethrough . the porous arrangement may further include a depth filter 46a laminated to the porous polycarbonate membrane 46b . the depth filter 46a may be made of polypropylene or high density polyethylene porex ® porous plastics . a preferred embodiment of the invention , shown in fig8 includes an assay module or cytology collection apparatus 10 which may be mounted on a collection cup 11 in which urine or other biological fluids , such as blood , cerebrospinal fluid ( csf ), bronchial lavage , sputum or fine needle aspirates may be collected . the collection cup 11 may be any container suitable for collection of body fluids . after fluid collection , the patient or supervising medical personnel places a lid 14 on the cup housing 16 . the cup housing 16 is preferably provided with an external threaded surface 12 the lid 14 may include a vent hole 13a with an optional removable vent cap 13b . the vent hole 13a may also be used to introduce a brush or spatula into the cup containing physiological saline solution or preservative after brushing or scraping the body site to obtain the cytology specimen . preferably , the lid has a body 20 which is molded with a downwardly directed cylindrical extended skirt or flange 22 which is threaded 24 on its inner surface 23 for screwing onto the external threaded surface 12 of the cup housing 16 . the lid body 20 also defines a well 26 in which a threaded nipple 28 may be integrally molded . the nipple 28 is provided with a channel 29 or the like leading to a hollow tube 30 which is preferably separately secured to the other side of the lid body in a circular planar seat 33 with its lumen 31 being axially aligned with the channel 29 of the nipple 28 . the tube 30 may have a series of perforations 32 and an open end 34 near the bottom of the collection cup 11 which allow different fluid layers as well as urinary sediments to be simultaneously tested when the urine or biological fluid is withdrawn from the cup . as shown in fig1 and 7 , the cytology collection apparatus 10 is preferably a two piece housing 40 with a first detachable portion 44 and a second detachable portion 42 , although any housing providing access to the porous arrangement 46 is suitable . preferably , a first porous medium 46b is mounted on a second porous medium 46a to form the porous arrangement 46 . more preferably , a porous polycarbonate membrane 46b is laminated on filter member 46a to form the porous arrangement 46 . the porous arrangement 46 may be mounted on an annular step or seat 43 formed in the interior cavity 50 of the second detachable portion 42 . the porous polycarbonate membrane 46b preferably has a pore size from about 0 . 22 microns to about 8 microns , more preferably from about 1 micron to about 6 microns , most preferably about 2 microns , which allows it to trap cells which are more than 3 microns in size . the polycarbonate membrane 46b , which may be mounted on the second porous medium 46a , is suitable to allow fluid flow to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of cells 60 . the second porous medium 46a is suitable for passing fluid therethrough and may also be capable of removing particulate matter from the fluid . the pore size of the second porous medium 46a may range from about 5 microns to about 60 microns , preferably from about 15 microns to about 45 microns , most preferably about 35 microns . as noted above , the second port 42 may be adapted to connect to a syringe 64 , or the like . exemplary connections include , but are not limited to a luer lock , a threaded luer lock , a friction connection , a tapered hose connection and a threaded connection . any means suitable for inducing the flow of fluid from a source container through the cytology collection apparatus may be used as part of the present invention . exemplary fluid flow inducing means include , but are not limited to a syringe or pump type device . syringe 64 has a barrel 66 and a piston ( not shown ) with assault piston head . in place of syringe 64 , any suitable pump type device , such as an autovial spunglass filter manufactured by genex corporation , could be used . also included in the scope of the present invention is the use of a flexible , collapsible container , such as a specimen container , which may be squeezed to force fluid through the cytology collection apparatus and into the syringe . the cytology collection apparatus 10 , as more clearly shown in fig1 , 7 and 8 may be mounted to syringe luer lock 62 and the nipple 28 of collection cup 11 . the cytology collection apparatus 10 preferably includes an easily openable housing and may comprise a simple two - piece construction including a first detachable portion 44 and a second detachable portion 42 . preferably , the cytology collection apparatus 10 comprises a female detachable portion 44 screwed onto a male detachable portion 42 . a skirt member 48 extends outward from base 47 and defines a cavity 50 and a flange 51 which holds o - ring 53 . the cavity 50 communicates with the bore 52 of the port 41 . the skirt 48 includes an annular step 43 , which forms a seat for a porous arrangement 46 . the inner surface 80 of the skirt 48 may be threaded . the porous arrangement 46 may comprise a polycarbonate membrane 46b laminated onto a disk shaped second porous medium 46a , which is preferably a depth filter . the second porous medium 46a may be provided with an outer cylindrical wall 81 having a threaded external surface , if such is desired , to screw into the step channel cut into skirt member 48 of the second detachable portion 42 . the outer cylindrical wall 81 of the porous arrangement 46 may extend past the end wall 49 of skirt member 48 . the area of the porous arrangement 46 which extends past skirt end wall 49 may act as a vent ( low resistance to flow ) to prevent piling up of cells on the surface 45 of the porous membrane 46b . as noted , the second detachable portion 42 may be provided with a threaded nipple 41 having a throughgoing bore 52 . the body of the second detachable portion 42 ( planar base 47 and skirt 48 ) defines a frustro conical chamber or cavity 50 in which a step 43 is formed which serves as a seat for the porous arrangement 46 . as previously noted , port 41 of the cytology collection apparatus 10 may be a threaded projection which is adapted to fit onto the luer lock 62 of a syringe 64 , such as one manufactured by becton dickinson & amp ; co . the first detachable portion 44 may be provided with a threaded luer lock 54 having a throughgoing bore 55 communicating with the chamber 50 . the threaded luer lock 54 may be screwed onto nipple 28 of a collection cup 11 to remove liquid from the collection cup or alternatively attached to a needle assembly 70 as shown in fig9 . the needle assembly 70 is constructed with a support member 72 defining a throughgoing aperture 73 in which is mounted a fine aspiration needle 74 with a lumen 75 . a threaded nipple member 76 is secured to the wall of the support member 72 thereby providing a means for the needle assembly 70 to be attached to the port 54 of the first detachable portion 44 . thus the needle assembly 70 can be used to aspirate biological fluid which is contained in the syringe or pump 66 . the present invention also includes a the method for transferring cells to a microscope slide . in contrast to currently available methods , the use of membrane filtration provides a method of depositing cells evenly over a slide with minimal overlap . this allows for clear observation and optimal diagnostic accuracy . as shown in fig1 , cells 60 from the collection site 45 on the surface of the polycarbonate membrane 46b may be placed on a glass slide 120 to transfer the cells , which then may be stained for cytologic determination . it is intended that the present invention should not be limited by the type of stain or detection protocol used . when the biological fluid is pulled from the collection cup 11 through tube 30 and port 54 of the first detachable portion 44 , fluid flows through porous membrane 46b and depth filter 46a as shown in fig5 so that a monolayer of cells is formed on the surface 45 of the porous membrane 46b . once the monolayer of cells is formed , fluid flow is reduced in the center of membrane 46b and increases towards the may be due to the blockage of fluid flow by the collected cells as they form the monolayer on the surface 45 of membrane 46b . when the monolayer has mostly covered the surface 45 of membrane 46b , as shown in fig1 , the flow of fluid bypasses the membrane surface 45 and passes through the extended side area of the second porous medium 46a . thus , the area of the second porous medium 46a extending beyond the end wall 49 of skirt 48 of the second detachable portion 42 acts as a vent ( with low resistance to flow ) which prevents the piling up of cells . the cytology collection apparatus 10 may then be disconnected from collection cup 11 and , optionally , from syringe 64 . it may then be unscrewed into two parts and the second detachable portion 42 and accompanying cell coated membrane 46a may be placed on a slide 120 , as shown in fig1 , so that a transfer of the membrane 46b with the monolayer on surface 45 occurs . the membrane 46b is then pressed on the slide using a tissue wipe allowing cells 60 to form a monolayer on the slide 120 . the membrane 46b can be removed from the slide leaving the cells 60 on the slide . this allows a cytological examination to be performed on the cells by the practitioner without the interference of the pores in the membrane or delay due to processing requirements . the cytology collection apparatus 10 described above may be used in combination with other suitable filtration or treatment devices . fig5 and 6 illustrate the use of a cytology collection apparatus 10 in combination with a debris filtering device 100 . any suitable debris filtration device 100 , such as a debris shuttle , may be used . the debris filtration device 100 preferably contains a cell filter 101 , has an inlet 102 and outlet 103 , and may be detachably connected to the cytology collection apparatus 10 . referring to fig5 a body fluid is first passed , preferably aspirated with a syringe , through the debris filtration device 100 . as the body fluid passes through the debris filtration device 100 , cells in the body fluid accumulate on the cell filter 101 mounted within the debris filtration device . the cell filter 101 should have pores large enough to permit debris to flow through while retaining the desired cells in the surface of the cell filter . the pore size of the cell filter 101 is preferably from about 3 microns to about 35 microns , more preferably 5 microns . fluid is continually aspirated through the cell filter 101 until the flow is stopped by the accumulation of a cell mass on the filter . after the flow of the body fluid ceases , the debris filtering device 100 may be connected to the first port 54 of the cytology collection apparatus 10 . fluid may be expelled through the debris filtering device 100 and the cytology collection apparatus 10 , in a direction opposite that employed above . this results in the transfer of the cell mass , in the form of a monolayer , from the cell filter 101 of the debris filtering device 100 to collection site 45 of the porous arrangement 46 within the cell collection apparatus 10 . a treatment device may also be used in combination with the cytology collection apparatus 10 . any suitable diagnostic or detection assembly may be used in conjunction with the cytology collection apparatus 10 . however , a preferable device is an apparatus for testing for the presence of cancer utilizing a sandwich assay . for example , the apparatus may comprise a housing including inlet and outlet ports defining a flow path between the inlet and the outlet ; a filter positioned across the flow path ; and substrate beads having a primary antibody bound to the surface thereof , the beads being contained within the outlet , as disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 953 , 561 . the cytology collection apparatus 10 of the present invention also allows for isolation and collection of fresh cells and / or microorganisms from biological fluids to perform dna probe and chromosomal analysis once the cells are hemolyzed by the proper buffer . the most widely used stain for visualization of cellular changes in cytology is the papanicolaou staining procedure . this stain , which is used for both gynecologic and non - gynecologic applications , is basically composed of blue nuclear and orange , red and green cytoplasmic counterstains . the nuclear stain demonstrates the chromatic patterns associated with normal and abnormal cells , while the cytoplasmic stains help to indicate cell origin . the success of this procedure can be attributed to the ability to observe a number of factors , including definition of nuclear detail and cell differentiation . this staining procedure also results in a multicolor preparation that is very pleasing to the eye , possibly reducing eye strain . since cellular detail is dependent on fixation , it is preferred that cells be fixed immediately after being deposited on the slide . too long a delay between preparation and fixation may expose the cells to drying , which may be detrimental to the cellular structure . moreover , air drying artifacts can adversely affect the subsequent staining results . an exception is when the cells are stained with wright - giemsa , where air drying is used as the fixation step . in an another embodiment of the present invention , the monolayer of cells may be fixed directly on the collection site . this may be carried out by first depositing a monolayer of cells on the collection site of the cytology collection apparatus as described above and subsequently passing a solution containing a fixative , such as alcohol or acetone , through the cytology collection apparatus . included within the scope of the present invention is the production of multiple specimens from a single patient sample . additional slides for other stain applications can be easily prepared . human papilloma virus testing , for example , by newer methods such as immunocytochemistry or in - situ hybridization can be performed on the additional slides . as oncogene products or other immunocytochemical tests are developed , more slides may be necessary . the different fixations that these tests may need can easily be incorporated into the procedure since the preparation does not require the slides to be fixed in only one way . this same slide preparation procedure can be used for virtually all forms of cytology . furthermore , the use of completely contained disposable components addresses biohazard concerns . ultimately , the enhanced presentation of cells , yielding improved cytologic interpretation , may expand the role of cytology by providing more consistent and reliable patient diagnosis . also , captured microorganisms can be cultured , as shown in fig1 , in culture medium such as a standard petri dish 90 . after a monolayer of cells has been collected in the cytology collection apparatus 10 , fluid may be passed through the collection site 45 towards first port 54 , thereby transferring the microorganisms to the petri dish 90 . in bacteria testing , the membrane 45 can be used for culturing with a qualture device ( not shown ) to determine the presence of specific bacteria colonies . the qualture device is a plastic capsule containing a filter membrane and four nutrient pads of dehydrated , selective media . the qualture technique is more sensitive than the agar plate method and more rapid in determining a presumptive diagnosis . the device screens , isolates and presumptively diagnoses bacterial isolates in one step most often in 4 - 6 hours . tests have demonstrated that recovery from fifty milliliters of fluid is excellent and sensitive . although the present invention has been described in terms of a particular preferred embodiments , it is not limited to those embodiments . alternative embodiments , examples , and modifications which would still be encompassed by the invention may be made by those skilled in the art , particularly in light of the foregoing teachings . therefore , the following claims are intended to cover any alternative embodiments , examples , modifications , or equivalents which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims .

6Physics

reference is now make in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention , examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings . it is to be noted that like reference numerals denote the same components in the drawings . fig3 a to 3 f are schematic views of pn sequence ( orthogonal code ) generators based on hopping , delay , and interleaving of orthogonal or biorthogonal codes according to embodiments of the present invention . fig3 a illustrates a pn sequence ( orthogonal code ) generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig3 a , an orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 generates a predetermined orthogonal code hopping pattern . a delay controller 370 generates a delay control signal in accordance with the hopping pattern received from the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . the present invention envisions similar apparatus , such as that described in fig3 a , to be deployed at a plurality of base stations whereby signal collision is prevented by setting different hopping patterns and delay amounts at each base station . orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 generate corresponding orthogonal symbols to be hopped . that is , each orthogonal symbol generator generates a code sequence corresponding to a specific walsh code number . orthogonal symbols output from generators 320 to 340 are supplied to one of the respective delays 325 to 345 . an orthogonal symbol selector 350 selects one of the delayed orthogonal symbols received from the delays 325 to 345 . the amount of delay and particular symbol selected are made under the control of the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . in operation , the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 each generate an orthogonal code sequences as shown in fig5 a and 6a . the code sequences are hopped according to a hopping pattern defined by symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . the hopping pattern represents the order in which code sequences are sent . the delays 325 to 345 delay the outputs of the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 to be cyclically shifted by a number of symbols , predetermined by a delay controller 370 . what cyclically shifted means is as follows : ( a 1 a 2 a 3 * a 10 ) ( a 1 a 2 a 3 * a 10 )* is changed to ( a 2 a 3 * a 10 a 1 ) ( a 2 a 3 * a 10 a 1 )* where (*) is the peod . the orthogonal symbol selector 350 selectively outputs the delayed orthogonal symbols received from each of the respective delays 325 to 345 according to hopping pattern information received from the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 to thereby produce a pn sequence . fig5 a illustrates an exemplary reference orthogonal code set , and fig5 b , 5 c , and 5 d are related figures which illustrate the code set of fig5 a modified while maintaining orthogonality . the code sets of fig5 b , 5 c , and 5 d are obtained by cyclically shifting the reference orthogonal code set in the pn sequence generator , as shown in fig3 a . in the drawings , shaded portions indicate cyclically shifted chips in the respective rows , as determined by the delay controller 370 . fig3 b is a schematic view of a pn sequence generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig3 b , the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 generates predetermined hopping pattern information of an orthogonal code . an interleaver controller 380 generates an interleaving control signal based on the hopping pattern information received from the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 generate their corresponding orthogonal symbols , that is , rows of reference orthogonal symbols ( i . e ., orthogonal code sequences ), shown in fig5 a or 6 a , to be hopped . interleavers 322 to 342 interleave orthogonal symbols received from the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 under the control of the interleaver controller 380 . the orthogonal symbol selector 350 selectively outputs the interleaved orthogonal symbols under the control of the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . in operation , the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 of fig3 b generate orthogonal symbols to be hopped according to a hopping pattern as in fig3 a . the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 generates the hopping pattern information for an orthogonal code . the interleaver controller 380 controls interleaving of the orthogonal symbols , and the interleavers 322 to 342 interleave the orthogonal symbols received from the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 in chip units according to the hopping pattern . this interleaving scheme is different in each base station , thereby preventing signal collision . the orthogonal symbol selector 350 selectively outputs the symbols received from the interleavers 322 to 342 according to the hopping pattern information defined by hoping pattern generator 360 . fig5 e to 5 h illustrate modified orthogonal code sets with orthogonality maintained , which are obtained by interleaving the reference orthogonal code sets of fig5 a in a pn sequence generator such as the one shown in fig3 b . shaded portions indicate interleaved chips , that is , columns locations that have been exchanged . in the present embodiment , the delays 325 to 345 of fig3 a are replaced by the interleavers 322 to 342 of fig3 b , resulting in the same effects in generating a pn sequence . control of the delays 325 to 345 and the interleavers 322 to 342 over a different number of orthogonal symbols in each orthogonal code produces modified sequences shown in fig6 b , which lose orthogonality since the modified code symbol is not included in the orthogonal code set . fig3 c is a schematic view of a pn sequence generator based on orthogonal gold code hopping according to a third embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig3 c , the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 generates hopping pattern information of an orthogonal code . the interleaver controller 380 generates an interleaving control signal according to the hopping pattern information received from the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . an initial value register 366 stores an initial value , and an m - sequence generator 367 reads the initial value from the initial value register 366 and generates a first m - sequence corresponding to the supplied initial value . an initial value register 362 stores the hopping pattern information as an initial value , and a second m - sequence generator 363 generates a second m - sequence corresponding to the initial value received from the initial value register 362 . therefore , the m - sequence generators 363 and 367 output first and second m - sequences , different from each other as a consequence of different supplied initial values . an exclusive - or gate 364 exclusive - ors the outputs of the m - sequence generators 363 and 367 to produce a gold sequence . a comparator 369 compares the status ( i . e ., initial stored ) value of the m - sequence generator 367 with a predetermined value and generates a switch controlling signal according to the comparison result . a switch 368 is selectively coupled to both a zero input value 365 and the output of the exclusive - or gate 364 . the switch 365 selects the zero input for one clock period by the switch controlling signal received from the comparator 369 if the output of the m - sequence generator 367 is equal to the predetermined value . otherwise , if they are different , the switch 368 selects the output of the exclusive - or gate 364 , that is , the gold sequence . the switch 368 may be implemented as a multiplexer . the interleaver controller 380 generates a control signal for interleaving the symbols received from the switch 368 according to the hopping pattern information received from the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . the interleaver 322 interleaves the output of the switch 368 under the control of the interleaver controller 380 to produce a pn sequence . in operation , the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 determines an initial value for the m - sequence ( with a period of 2 n − 1 ) generator 363 . the determined initial value is stored in the register 362 . another m - sequence , generator 367 ( with a period of 2 n − 1 ) generates an m - sequence whose initial value is wholly unrelated to the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . the initial value for m - sequence generator 367 is stored in the register 366 . the outputs of the two m - sequence generators 363 and 367 are exclusive - ored to produce gold sequence as output from the exclusive - or gate 364 . to generate an orthogonal gold code from the gold sequence , the comparator 369 compares the status value of the m - sequence generator 367 with a predetermined value . if they are equal , the m - sequence generators 363 and 367 are stopped for one clock period , and the switch 368 inserts a zero value into the gold sequence for the one clock period . if they are different , however , the gold sequence is selected by the switch 368 . then , the interleaver 322 interleaves the output of the switch 368 under the control of the interleaver controller 380 . as an exemplary output of this process , fig5 e - 5h illustrate interleaved versions of fig5 a . fig3 d is a schematic view of a pn sequence generator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig3 d , a biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 generates hopping pattern information . the delay controller 370 generates a delay control signal in accordance with the hopping pattern received from the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 . it should be noted that there is no requirement in the present invention for configuring the orthogonal ( biorthogonal ) symbol hopping pattern generator in relation to an interleaver controller for determining an interleaving pattern or a delay controller for controlling a delay amount . in other words , the delay amount or an interleaving pattern is generated independent of the hopping pattern generator and provided thereto . however , it is required that each base station should have a different delay amount or interleaving pattern . therefore , since each base station has a different hopping pattern , the base station will have a different delay amount or interleaving pattern if it uses a delay amount or interleaving the pattern corresponding to its unique hopping pattern in an embodiment of the present invention . the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 generate corresponding code sequences to be hopped . the delays 325 to 345 delay orthogonal symbols received from the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 under the control of the delay controller 370 . an orthogonal symbol selector 350 selects one of the delayed orthogonal symbols received from the delays 325 to 345 at every orthogonal code sequence duration time under the control of the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 . the exclusive - or gate 390 exclusive - ors the orthogonal symbol sequence received from the orthogonal symbol selector 350 and code bits of the biorthogonal code hopping pattern information to produce a pn sequence . it is apparent , therefore , that the pn sequence generator of fig3 d is operationally equivalent to the pn sequence generator based on orthogonal code hopping . the biorthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 generate biorthogonal symbols to be hopped according to a hopping pattern , generated by the symbol hopping pattern generator 358 . the delays 325 to 345 delay the outputs of the biorthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 to be cyclically shifted , where a delay controller 370 determines how many symbols to delay . the orthogonal symbol selector 350 selectively outputs the delayed orthogonal symbols received from the delays 325 to 345 according to hopping pattern information received from the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 to thereby produce a pn sequence . given that the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 generate orthogonal symbols of the same length as in previous embodiments the output of the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 is twice as long as that of the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 described in fig3 a - 3c . the exclusive or gate 390 performs an exclusive - or operation on the pn sequence output from orthogonal symbol selector 350 and sign components ( i . e ., plus and minus ) from the hopping pattern information bit by bit . thus , the number of resulting pn sequences is twice as large as that of the pn sequences ( orthogonal codes ) in fig3 a because sign components (+ and −) are added to the latter . as a result , the probability decreases that different base stations use the same pn sequence cyclically shifted to the same amount in the same time period . fig3 e is a schematic view of a pn sequence generator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig3 e , the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 generates hopping pattern information of an orthogonal code . the interleaver controller 380 generates an interleaving control signal based on the hopping pattern information received from the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 . that is , signal collision is prevented by using different hopping patterns and interleaving schemes in different base stations . the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 generate their corresponding orthogonal symbols to be hopped . the interleavers 322 to 342 interleave orthogonal symbols received from the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 under the control of the interleaver controller 380 . the orthogonal symbol selector 350 selectively outputs the interleaved orthogonal symbols under the control of the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 . the exclusive - or gate 390 exclusive - ors the orthogonal symbol received from the orthogonal symbol selector 350 and the biorthogonal code hopping pattern information to produce a pn sequence . therefore , the pn sequence generator of fig3 e is a modification of the pn sequence generator based on orthogonal code hopping . in operation , the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 generate orthogonal symbols to be hopped according to a hopping pattern . the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 generates the hopping pattern information of an orthogonal code . the interleaver controller 380 controls interleaving of the orthogonal symbols , and the interleavers 322 to 342 interleave the orthogonal symbols received from the orthogonal symbol generators 320 to 340 according to the hopping pattern . the orthogonal symbol selector 350 selectively outputs the symbols received from the interleavers 322 to 342 according to the hopping pattern to output a pn sequence . with an orthogonal code of the same length given , the output of the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 is twice as long as that of the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . the pn sequence selected by the orthogonal symbol selector 350 and the hopping pattern information are exclusive - ored by a bit like msb or lsb in the exclusive - or gate 390 . fig3 f is a schematic view of a pn sequence generator based on biorthogonal gold code hopping according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig3 f , the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 generates hopping pattern information of an orthogonal code . the interleaver controller 380 generates an interleaving control signal according to the hopping pattern information received from the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 . the initial value register 366 stores an initial value , and the m - sequence generator 367 reads the initial value from the initial value register 366 and generates an m - sequence corresponding to the initial value , the initial value register 362 stores the hopping pattern information as an initial value , and the m - sequence generator 363 generates an m - sequence corresponding to the initial value received from the initial value register 362 . therefore , the m - sequence generators 363 and 367 output different m - sequences . the exclusive - or gate 364 exclusive - ors the outputs of the m - sequence generators 363 and 367 to produce a gold sequence . the comparator 369 compares the status value of the m - sequence generator 367 with a predetermined value and generates a switch controlling signal according to the comparison result . the switch 368 is selectively switched between a zero value input and the output of the exclusive - or gate 364 . the switch selects the zero value input for one clock period responsive to the switch controlling signal received from the comparator 369 when the output of the m - sequence generator 367 is equal to the predetermined value . otherwise , if the values are different , the switch 368 selects the output of the exclusive - or gate 364 , that is , the gold sequence . the switch 368 may be implemented as a multiplexer . the exclusive - or gate 390 exclusive - ors the orthogonal symbol received from the switch 368 and the biorthogonal code hopping pattern information . the interleaver controller 380 generates a control signal for interleaving the symbols received from the switch 368 according to the hopping pattern information received from the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 . the interleaver 322 interleaves the output of the exclusive - or gate 390 under the control of the interleaver controller 380 to produce a pn sequence . in operation , the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 determines an initial value for the m - sequence ( with a period of 2 n − 1 ) generator 363 . the determined initial value is stored in the register 362 . another m - sequence ( with a period of 2 n − 1 ) generator 367 generates an m - sequence with an initial value with no relation to the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 and the initial value is stored in the register 366 . the outputs of the two m - sequence generators 363 and 367 are exclusive - ored to produce a gold sequence as output from the exclusive - or gate 364 . to generate a orthogonal gold code from the gold sequence , the comparator 369 compares the status value of the m - sequence generator 367 with a predetermined value . if they are equal , the m - sequence generators 363 and 367 are stopped for one clock period , and the switch 368 inserts a zero value into the gold sequence for the clock period . if they are different , the gold sequence is selected by the switch 368 . with an orthogonal code of the same length given , the output of the biorthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 358 is twice as long as that of the orthogonal symbol hopping pattern generator 360 . the pn sequence output from the switch 368 and the hopping pattern information are exclusive - ored by a bit like msb or lsb in the exclusive - or gate 390 . then , the interleaver 322 interleaves the output of the exclusive - or gate 390 under the control of the interleaver controller 380 . from fig4 a and 4b , it is noted that while a receiver receives signals using the same pn generating orthogonal code oc 3 and the same channel identifying orthogonal code at the same time from at least two base stations , different cyclic shift or interleaving for each base station according to the present invention prevents signal collision caused by use of the same code . a receiver can recover a signal received from a transmitter having a pn sequence generator of the present invention by cyclic shift and deinterleaving according to the same hopping pattern used in the transmitter , or extract the hopping pattern information from a received signal . in this case , the transmitter operates according to an initial hopping pattern for generating a pn sequence when data is initially transmitted , and the receiver also operates according to the initial hopping pattern . if the hopping pattern is changed , the transmitter notifies the receiver of the changed hopping pattern . the receiver includes a lookup table for storing the hopping patterns for pn sequences received from the transmitter , and detects a pn sequence according to hopping pattern information read from the lookup table when the hopping pattern is changed . the pn sequence generator of the present invention as described above generates a pn sequence by interleaving or cyclically shifting the symbols of an orthogonal code according to a hopping pattern . therefore , even though a receiver simultaneously receives signals spread by pn sequences generated from hopping of the same orthogonal or biorthogonal code in different transmitters , concurrent spreading of the data symbols can be prevented by varying the amount of interleaving or cyclic shift . while the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments , they are mere exemplary applications . thus , it is to be clearly understood that many variations can be made by anyone skilled in the art within the scope and spirit of the present invention .

7Electricity

referring in more detail to the drawings , in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views , fig1 shows the lower portion of a large fuel storage tank 10 which includes an upright cylindrical wall 11 , bottom wall sections 12 , 13 and 14 , and sump 15 . the liquid separating system 16 includes a valve assembly 18 and a water drain conduit 19 with an external valve 17 located outside the storage tank . the valve assembly 18 functions as an internal valve means and the water drain conduit functions as a flow passage from the sump 15 and the bottom of the internal valve means 18 to the outside of the tank . as is better illustrated in fig2 the valve assembly 18 communicates with the internal end 20 of water drain conduit 19 . the inner end of the water drain conduit 19 terminates in a pipe section 21 that has an upwardly facing internal valve seat 22 . a main float valve 24 is spherical or ball - shaped and is sized to engage the valve seat 22 and to close the water drain conduit from inside the fuel storage tank 10 . valve housing 25 is positioned about float valve 24 and includes l - shaped support plates 26 each oriented in a vertical plane at its lower portion , a cylindrical side wall 28 supported at its lower end by the support plates 26 and a cover 29 closing the upper end of the cylindrical side wall . the cylindrical side wall 25 is open at its lower end so that there is free communication to the lower end of the valve housing 25 . the lower end of the cylindrical side wall 28 of the valve housing includes a plurality of slots 30 extending upwardly from the support plates 20 , and the upper edge 31 of each of the slots is positioned at a level above the center of the main float valve 24 but below the uppermost point of the valve . the portion of the valve housing above the upper edges of slot 31 is liquid - tight except for upper flow passage 32 . flow passage 32 is formed by an opening 34 in the top wall 29 of the valve housing and a pipe section 36 inserted in the opening . pipe section 36 is oriented in a vertical attitude and includes upper valve seat 38 for engagement by upper float valve 39 and a lower end 40 which defines a series of slots 41 . a valve cage 42 extends about the upper float valve 39 and comprises a pipe section 44 which includes flow ports 45 at its lower end and a plug 46 which also defines a flow port 48 . the valve cage 42 functions to maintain the upper float valve 39 over its valve seat 38 . main float valve 24 and upper float valve 39 are both fabricated so as to have a specific gravity which is less than the specific gravity of water and greater than the specific gravity of the fuel in the tank 10 . for example , both float valves can be fabricated in spherical form from stainless steel with a hollow interior , and the interior can be filled with ballast of sufficient weight to regulate the exact specific gravity of the float valve . of course , other materials can be used and the float valves can be either solid or hollow , depending upon the materials , size , etc . and formed in different shapes . the specific gravity of the float valves causes the valves to float in the heavier water but not in the lighter fuel . when the level of the water in the fuel storage tank rises so that it tends to cover the main float valve 24 , the float valve will begin to float in the water and move away from its upwardly - facing valve seat 22 . if the valve housing 25 is substantially filled with the lighter fuel , the heavier water will tend to displace the lighter fuel from the valve housing 25 as the level of the water rises in the tank by moving through the slots 30 in the lower end of the cylindrical side wall of the valve housing and into the valve housing , and the lighter fuel will tend to be displaced upwardly and to dislodge the upper float valve 39 from its seat 38 an amount sufficient to allow the lighter fuel to leak around the upper float valve . this condition is illustrated in fig3 where the level of water is indicated at 50 and the main float valve 24 has floated off its seat . as the level of the water continues to rise so that the main float valve 24 finally reaches the upper end of valve housing 25 , the main float valve 24 will rest against the lower end 40 of the pipe section 36 and the slots 41 in the lower end of the pipe section will assure that free communication is maintained about the main float valve 24 so that substantially all of the lighter fuel can be displaced from the valve housing about the upper float valve 39 and out through the flow ports 45 and 48 . as the level of the water continues to rise in the fuel storage tank so that it begins to cover the upper float valve 37 , the lighter upper float valve 39 will float in the heavier water and move away from its valve seat 38 , as shown in fig4 . when an attendant opens the external valve means 17 to drain the water from the fuel storage tank 10 , the water in the sump 15 can flow freely through the lower end of valve housing 25 and into the water drain conduit 19 and then outside the fuel storage tank . as the level of the water in the tank recedes below the position of the upper float valve 39 , the upper float valve 39 sinks in the lighter fuel so that it reengages its upper valve seat 38 and thereupon closes communication through the top wall 29 of valve housing 25 . thus , as shown in fig5 a supply of the heavier water is trapped in the upper portion of valve housing 25 . as the water continues to flow about the lower end of valve housing 25 and into the water drain conduit 19 , the level of water continues to recede in the fuel storage tank , but the supply of the heavier water is maintained in the upper portion of the valve housing 25 . the float valve 24 will thus continue to float in the upper portion of the valve housing even though the level of the heavier water outside the valve housing recedes well below the upper position of the float valve 24 . when the level of the water in the tank finally reaches the upper edges 31 of the slots 30 in the lower end of the cylindrical side wall 28 of the valve housing 25 , the ligher fuel will then be in communication with the inside of the valve housing 25 at the upper portions of the slots 30 and the heavier water can then be displaced from inside the valve housing by the lighter fuel flowing through the slots . this causes the level of the heavier water to recede abruptly in the valve housing 25 so that the float valve 24 drops rapidly in the valve housing toward its upwardly - facing valve seat 22 to abruptly close the water drain conduit . this causes the flow of water through the water drain conduit 19 to terminate and the attendant who is outside the fuel storage tank 10 will realize that the water has been properly drained from the tank and he can then close the external valve means 17 . since a supply of the heavier water is maintained in the valve housing 25 and directly over the valve seat 22 as the water is drained from the tank , when the level of water in the storage tank becomes low enough so as to be in fairly close communication with the entrance to the water drain conduit 19 , the lower level of the lighter fuel will communicate first through the slots 30 at the lower portion of the valve housing 25 and the heavier water will be allowed to flow downwardly directly toward the vicinity of the valve seat 22 , assuring that only the heavier water will flow through the water drain conduit 19 and no fuel will pass through the drain conduit . thus , the water drain conduit 19 cannot become filled with fuel during the water draining operation . it will be understood that the foregoing relates only to a disclosed embodiment of the present invention , and that numerous changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

fig1 a schematic of a configuration of the high - pressure slurry pump , shown generally as the numeral 10 . a source of slurry material 16 to be pressurized and pumped is in communication with pump or slurry head 12 through valve 20 . slurry material 16 is composed of a solid material and a slurry carrier fluid . valve 20 can be a number of types of valves . a preferred type is a spring activated flapper valve . the pump head , shown generally as the numeral 12 , incorporates an inlet chamber 24 , an intake valve 28 , an exhaust valve 32 , and a control valve 40 , which controls the flow of a supply of clean fluid 36 . the clean fluid is provided at a higher pressure than that of the slurry material 16 . connected at pump head 12 is an elongated piston cylinder 14 providing a path for a driving piston 48 , which moves in a reciprocating fashion to provide the pressurizing and pumping action on the slurry material . piston 48 can be free - floating ( hydraulic or magnetic ) or a power rod as shown by rod 52 can provide the driving force . any of these can be considered as a means for driving piston 48 through an intake and exhaust stroke cycle . a power rod such as 52 can be connected to the piston 48 from either the pressure side face 56 of the piston or connected as shown in fig1 . a preferred power rod configuration is the one shown in fig1 . piston 48 can also ( not shown ) have sweeps , seal rings and / or be coated with urethane or other tough , slick surface coatings for sealing with piston cylinder 14 . for selected hydraulic pump versions , the pressure differential across the piston 48 can be very low , minimizing sealing requirements . pump action utilizing the clean flush of the instant invention is shown sequentially in fig1 , 2 , and 3 and described as follows : a specific volume of clean fluid is injected , via control valve 40 and channel 44 into inlet chamber 24 at the beginning and at the end of the intake stroke . fig1 exhibits the beginning of the intake stroke as the piston begins to move to the right to draw material into piston cylinder 14 . when clean fluid 36 is injected , spring activated flapper valve 20 closes . this allows clean fluid to be placed across the intake valve 28 when it opens . as the intake stroke cycle continues , clean fluid injection continues and a set volume is placed at the piston ‘ slurry side ’ face 56 to provide a buffer of clean fluid to keep it clear of solids on the return stroke that would impede its movement or damage the piston 48 seal with piston cylinder 14 . clean fluid injection stops at a set piston position or flush volume . as the intake stroke cycle continues , slurry now enters inlet chamber 24 , through valve 20 , through intake valve 28 and into piston cylinder 14 . fig2 shows this part of the intake stroke cycle where slurry material from 16 is now flowing through open spring activated flapper valve 20 , through intake valve 28 and into piston cylinder 14 . the initial volume of clean fluid is shown still protecting the front pressure face 56 of piston 48 . fig3 illustrates the final part of the intake stroke where control valve 40 again opens and flapper valve 20 closes , allowing clean fluid to displace slurry material through intake valve 28 , clearing that valve and the pump head end 12 of erosive materials . this clean fluid allows intake valve 28 to close on clean fluid and it allows for the exhaust valve 32 to open surrounded by clean fluid in the pump or slurry head 12 . the inlet chamber 24 now also contains clean fluids to reside around the intake valve 28 while it is closed . as the exhaust cycle ( not shown ) begins intake valve 28 closes due to pressure and piston 48 discharges a volume of pressurized clean fluid followed by all of the slurry through exhaust valve 32 . at the end of the exhaust cycle , the clean fluid injected earlier still buffers the piston face 56 and surrounds the exhaust valve 32 during its closing stroke with sufficient clean fluid into the exhaust . an alternative method of using the clean fluid injection technique is to also inject some clean fluid in the middle of the intake stroke to provide clean fluids traveling through intake valve 28 and exhaust valve 32 during the maximum flow periods seen in crank powered pumps . in the instant invention slurry pump , as shown in fig1 , 2 , and 3 , the entry of clean fluid to displace the slurry mixture is controlled by valve 40 . this clean fluid control valve 40 is responsive to sensors 64 that monitor the position of piston 48 in cylinder 14 . with valve 40 open , the clean fluid flows through channel 44 , into inlet chamber 24 ahead of intake valve 28 and then on into the piston cylinder 14 at specified points in the stroke cycle . valves 28 & amp ; 32 are typically flute or flapper valves , but can be of any type . the control , timing ( on / off ) and injected volume ( length of time on ), of this clean fluid injection / replacement is by one or more transmitters 60 on the piston 48 and sensors 64 on the piston cylinder 14 . in the shown position sensing method , a transmitter 60 , such as a magnetic or radioactive source , is mounted in / on the piston 48 and sensors 64 to identify and react to the piston &# 39 ; s transmitter 60 positions are mounted / installed on the outer wall of the piston cylinder 14 . these sensors / instruments 64 , which could be any number of types such as magnetic , mass , optical , or density sensors , then signal the clean fluid valve 40 to open and / or close . alternate methods to control clean fluid entry are for position sensors / instruments installed on a connecting rod or on the crankshaft or cam , if these exist on a given model that relates piston 48 position within the piston cylinder 14 . slurry valve 20 , upstream of inlet chamber 24 is optional and only helps separate slurry from the clean fluid buffer and prevent dilution of the slurry circulation system . as an alternate embodiment , control valve 40 and channel 44 could inject clean fluids directly into pump head 12 , or cylinder 14 which are downstream of the intake valve 28 . this would provide a buffering clean fluid into the immediate vicinity of both the intake valve 28 and the exhaust valve 32 . as an additional embodiment of the controlled addition of clean fluid , control valve 40 could as an alternative not be controlled by the sensors described above but operate as a mechanically controlled valve operated to deliver prescribed amounts of clean fluid during the stroke cycles . piston 48 sticking and seal wear will be mostly due to movement under pressure over rough slurry particles trapped in front of piston 48 advancement at piston cylinder 14 wall . fig4 shows an option to keep slurry solids from settling on the cylinder walls and sticking piston 48 . in this option , piston 48 can have internal channels 110 from a clean source ( such as the clean power side in a hydraulic version or the same clean flush fluid described earlier ) to the slurry side with a one - way check valve 120 controlling flow direction . such channels direct the higher pressured clean fluid to the front outside edges of the piston on the slurry side . a nozzle or choke may be installed in the internal channel 110 to control the flow rate for a given pressure differential . also , piston 48 can have scrapers or knives 116 on the slurry side face edge to scrape off solids of cylinder wall ahead of the piston . in fig1 the internal surface of piston cylinder 14 is shown as smooth . in fig5 , to aid in keeping the slurry mixed during the stroke cycle , an optional internal surface of the piston cylinder 14 is shown in cross section that has a helical ( single , double or more ) spiral path . for this option , a plunger / piston 48 with an outer surface that matches the piston cylinder pattern is required . also note that piston 48 must now rotate in piston cylinder 14 as it strokes . in this version , the piston 48 can also have paddles or fins 114 ( in fig4 ) on the slurry side face to keep the solids and fluids moving and away from the cylinder wall . fig6 is a longitudinal view , shown generally by the numeral 200 , of the embodiment of fig5 . the piston cylinder 14 in this view shows an internal surface with a helical spiral path 50 . piston 48 has an outer surface that matches the piston cylinder pattern . the resulting rotation of piston 48 helps keep the slurry mixed during the stroke cycle . an alternate means ( not shown ) of rotating the piston and maintaining mixing of the slurry is by incorporating a centralized rod through the piston cylinder that has a helical ( single , double or more spirals ) surface pattern . this can be with any internal piston cylinder surface design , smooth or helical spiral . the piston must now have an internal helical bore to match the rod pattern and have matching seals . a viscous clean fluid stream , that is at least twice as viscous as the slurry carrier fluid , would make the overall flushing performance more efficient by better clearing and suspending of solids out of the way of the valves 28 and 32 and piston 48 movement . therefore , less buffer volume is needed of a viscous clean fluid than a thinner clean fluid resulting in more slurry pumped . multiple pumps in coordination ( electronic , mechanical or connecting rod ) are required for continuous slurry pumping , to provide a more uniform slurry density , and / or to increase the overall pumping rate over a given design . although not shown , two slurry pumps of the design of the instant invention can be connected with a common means to drive both pistons to allow continuous , non - interrupted slurry pumping . slurries using liquid carbon dioxide as the carrier fluid can also be pumped with the proposed pumping assembly if the full pump assembly system is held above the critical pressure . the downstream system pressure must be pre - charged / pressurized to above the critical pressure before switching to the liquid co 2 , or it will flash to gas in the pump , which is undesirable . also , a backpressure valve positioned downstream of the pump &# 39 ; s exhaust valve could maintain a sufficient backpressure to prevent gas flashing within the pump . use of liquid co 2 for the slurry carrier fluid and the clean flush / buffer fluid would allow for a completely dry and non - combustible abrasive jetting system . use of other flush fluids , such as water or alcohols and similar products , is also possible . while one ( or more ) embodiment ( s ) of this invention has ( have ) been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described above , it will be evident to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essence of this invention . all such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention is now explained with reference to fig1 . [ 0057 ] fig1 is a system structural diagram showing the outline of the present system . a medical practitioner , a nurse 70 for example , receiving education with the present system will be educated in a conversational format with a portable pet terminal 20 having installed therein a program pet ( personal educational tool ) described later in accordance with one &# 39 ; s own job description and expertise . a test is conducted after the completion of each chapter ( lesson ) of this education program , and this test result is transmitted to the education system server 10 from the pet terminal 20 via a network 50 . an education system server 10 accumulates the test result sent from the pet terminal 20 in its internal database . the education system server 10 compiles the test results per participant based on the database , conveys such results to the pet terminal 20 or each individual 70 via the network 50 , and further compiles the test results in a prescribed format per medical institution to which the participant belongs and conveys the results thereof to a hospital server 40 belonging to the respective medical institutions . by connecting the education system server 20 with a server 90 of cap , which is an accreditation organization , the test results of the present education program may be reflected on the authentication criterion or standard , utilized as materials for cap actually auditing the medical institutions , or employed as materials for authentication or certification . contrarily , the authentication or certification criterion of cap may be reflected on the present education system , and the present education program may be renewed in accordance therewith . next , the structure of the pet terminal 20 , which is used by each of the medical practitioners directly receive education , is explained with reference to fig2 to 4 . as shown in fig2 the pet terminal 20 comprises an input means 22 for receiving inputs from the participant , a first storage means 24 for storing a program to be executed on the terminal , a second storage means 25 for storing the respective data , a transmission / reception means 26 for conducting the transmission / reception of data with the education system server 10 , and a control means 21 for controlling the overall pet terminal . the program file accumulated in the first storage means 24 comprises an education implementation program ( for displaying the education contents , displaying and rating the test results , and storing such test results ) as the education implementation means , a communication control program as the communication means for controlling the transmission / reception means 26 for communicating with the education system server 10 , an authentication program as the authentication means for authenticating whether the participant has been registered in the present system beforehand , and a camera control program as the picture control means provided to the pet terminal and for controlling the camera picture . the second storage means 25 as the education content storage means comprises an individual personal information file and an education content file . as shown in fig3 the individual personal information file has fields containing the participant &# 39 ; s medical institution id , his / her personal id , password , progress of lesson , non - transmitted lesson number , and non - transmitted lesson score . meanwhile , the education content file , as shown in fig4 has the respective courses and a plurality of lesson contents contained in such courses as well as the test questions per such lesson . the education contents are provided with various pieces of educational information relating to medical care , sanitation , medicine , and so on , and , for instance , “ ic general ” is provided as the initial course , and “ standard precautions and personal protective equipment ( ppe )” is provided as one of the lessons of such initial course ( described later with reference to fig1 to 15 ). the respective lessons of the education content file , including the tests thereof , are conducted in a short time period , and , for example , are arranged for completion in 15 minutes . thus , the participant may take lessons in a short time period . the structure of the education system server is now explained with reference to fig5 to 7 . as illustrated in the system structural diagram of fig5 the education system server 10 comprises an input means 12 for inputting the request or test result from the pet terminal 20 , an output means 13 for outputting data to the pet terminal 20 , a first server storage means 14 , a second server storage means 15 , and a control means 11 for controlling the operation of the overall education system server . the second server storage means 15 stores two types of databases , one is the entire individual personal information file for retaining the entire information of persons participating in the present education system as shown in fig6 and the other is an individual medical institution information file for retaining information edited for each medical institution as shown in fig7 . the first server storage means 14 has various program files , including a test result storage program as the test result storage means , a test result editing program as the test result editing means , a communication control program as the communication control means , and an authentication program as the authentication means . the test result storage program stores the test results sent from the pet terminal 20 in every individual personal information file within the second server storage means 15 . the test result editing program edits the results per medical institution from every individual personal information file , creates the foregoing individual medical institution information file , and edits and output this in a prescribed format . the communication control program controls the input means 12 and the output means 13 . and an authentication program authenticates the data from the pet terminal 20 . an embodiment of learning on the pet terminal is explained with reference to fig2 and fig8 to 15 . [ 0073 ] fig8 is a front view of the pet terminal 20 . as depicted in fig8 the terminal 20 comprises a display 203 , a keyboard 204 , a communication device 201 , a speaker 205 and a camera 202 . with the terminal 20 , various pieces of knowledge and information demanded in medical practitioners are displayed as an educational program on the display 203 in text and images , and further conveyed verbally from the speaker 205 . display of moving images is also possible on the display 203 in order to convey something that requires a series of movements within the program ; for instance , the method of sterilization , in an easy - to - understand manner . the camera 205 is used to authenticate the participant . in other words , it is used in the education system server 20 to determine whether the plurality of test results sent from the terminal 20 belong to the same individual . in consideration of the communication traffic , the image data picturized with the camera 202 is sent to the education system server 10 via the communication device 101 every definite period of time . the state where a participant is actually receiving education is now explained . the control means 21 makes the participant input the login name and password via the input means 22 ( s 161 of fig9 ). the authentication program 24 checks whether its contents have been pre - registered in the individual personal information file 25 ( s 162 of fig9 ). if the login name and password are correct , the education implementation program 24 displays the relevant portion of the education content file 25 on the screen 500 as illustrated in fig1 via the output means 23 ( s 163 of fig9 ). as depicted in fig1 , a topic menu screen 501 is displayed in the center of the screen 500 . a version title 502 of “ ic general ” and a version title 503 of “ ic special ”, which are educational courses , are displayed therein , and the participant selects a title in accordance with his / her learning progress . buttons 504 a , 504 b and 504 c are displayed at the bottom of the screen 501 . the button 504 a is to be pressed when the participant completes the entire education program , and , when this button 504 a is clicked , the control means 21 activates the communication control program 24 and transmits , via the transmission / reception means 26 , such participant &# 39 ; s personal id to the education system server 10 , and conveys that such participant finished participating in every education program ( s 165 of fig9 ). the button 504 b is clicked when the participant wishes to display the previous test results . when the button 504 b is pressed , the control means transmits , via the transmission / reception means 26 , the relevant personal id to the education system server 10 , and downloads , via the transmission / reception means 26 , the previous test results of such participant from every individual personal information file of the education server 10 to the pet terminal 20 and displays this on the output means 23 ( s 166 of fig9 ). the button 504 c is used for displaying all education contents in a text slide format . the control means 21 searches the relevant data from the education content file 25 and displays the same ( s 167 of fig9 ). when a course is selected in the topic menu screen 501 , the education implementation program searches the education content file stored in the second storage means 25 , and , as shown in fig1 , displays a list of lessons ( chapters ) prepared within the course as a course / lesson menu screen 601 ( s 168 of fig1 ). in consideration of medical practitioners who are often temporally committed , each lesson is set to a short time period including the test , set to approximately 15 minutes for instance . when the participant selects a certain lesson , such lesson begins . fig1 represents an example of a lesson screen 701 . as illustrated in fig1 , the education implementation program displays the lesson screen 701 , and , for example , displays an animation for education accompanying movement , and further outputs verbal instructions ( s 169 of fig1 ). when one lesson is finished , the participant takes a test to confirm whether he / she understood the lesson contents . as shown in fig1 , the education implementation program displays the test contents on the test screen 801 ( s 170 of fig1 ). when the participant takes the test , as depicted in fig1 , the test result is displayed on the test result display screen 901 ( s 173 of fig1 ). in order to facilitate the participant &# 39 ; s test , a “ hint ” of the test is displayed or the narration thereof is output when the participant clicks the hint button 802 ( s 171 , s 172 of fig1 ). if the percent correct exceeds a prescribed value , 70 % for example , the participant may then send this result to the education system server 20 via the network ( s 174 of fig1 ). if the test result is not sent , the lesson number and score are accumulated in the individual personal information file in the second storage means 25 by the education implementation program , and sent to the education system server 10 together with the test result obtained at the end of tests conducted for any subsequent lessons . thereafter , it is judged whether the participant will continue to take the subsequent lesson ( s 175 of fig1 ), and , if the participant is to continue , the routine proceeds to the next lesson ( s 176 of fig1 ), and the lesson contents are displayed ( s 169 of fig1 ). this procedure is repeated thereafter . while the participant is taking a series of lessons , the camera control program appropriately picturizes the face of the participant from the camera 202 provided to the pet terminal 20 and sends the image data thereof to the education system server 10 via the transmission / reception means 26 . this image data is sent once every prescribed time in consideration of the communication traffic and the like . this data is used for authenticating the participant with the education system server 10 . the participant may also be requested to answer a questionnaire regarding the present education program . the server &# 39 ; s storage mode of the test results sent from the pet terminal 20 is described with reference to fig5 fig1 and fig1 . foremost , details of the second server storage means 15 are described with reference to fig5 to 7 . as described above , the second server storage means 15 is structured from an entire individual personal information file and an individual medical institution information file . as shown in fig6 the entire individual personal information file contains all necessary data of every participant including classification by medical institutions . in other words , it contains the fields of medical institution id , id of each participant , password of each participant , score per lesson of each participant , total score of each participant , and personal total score per lesson . as shown in fig7 the individual medical institution information file has the compiled data of the entire individual personal information file described above . that is , this is a compilation of the total score of each participant and the personal total score per lesson for each medical institution . the authentication operation is foremost explained with reference to fig5 and fig1 . the participant id , password or the participant &# 39 ; s image data is sent from the pet terminal 20 via the input means 12 ( s 181 ). the authentication program compares the input data and the personal id and password of the entire individual personal information file ( s 182 , s 183 ). if authentication is confirmed , the authentication procedure is finished . if the received data is an image , such image is authenticated by being compared with the initially sent image data . the control means 11 inputs the test results from the input means 12 ( s 191 of fig1 ). the test result storage program as the test result storage means accumulates the input test results in the relevant field of the entire individual personal information file in the second server storage means 15 ( s 192 of fig1 ). moreover , when the previous test result data up to the previous lesson is requested from the pet terminal 20 ( s 201 of fig1 ), as described above , the foregoing authentication procedure is conducted with the authentication program ( c . f . fig1 ). thereafter , the test result editing program as the test result editing means searches the entire individual personal information file stored in the second server storage means 15 and removes the requested data from the relevant field ( s 202 of fig1 ), and returns the removed data to the pet terminal 20 via the output means 13 ( s 203 of fig1 ). the operation of the education system server upon receiving a display request of the compiled test results from the medical practitioner who received the education of the present system or from the medical institution is now explained . foremost , when a request is received from the participant , the test result editing program as the test result editing means searches the entire individual personal information file using the relevant personal id as the key ( s 211 of fig1 ), edits the list of results per lesson in a prescribed format ( s 212 of fig1 ) and then transmits this to the individual ( s 213 of fig1 ). when the request is received from the medical institution , the test result editing program extracts all personal test results belonging to such medical institution from the entire individual personal information file stored in the second server storage means 15 ( s 211 of fig1 ), creates a list of results , edits the average score or average total score per lesson of such medical institution from the individual medical institution information file ( s 212 of fig1 ), reflects this to the list of results , and thereafter returns the same ( s 213 of fig1 ). the format of this list of results is arbitrary , and , for instance , a list of results of all practitioners or the medical institution may be created , a list of results for each internal division of such medical institution may be created , or a list of results for only the top - ranking participants or only the bottom - ranking participants may be created . further , the format of transmission to individuals or medical institutions may be via email or mail . in the event that the foregoing personal education with the pet terminal is not possible due to the work shift of the medical institutions or medical practitioners , the present medical education may be conducted in a seminar style ; that is , medical practitioners may receive the medical education at a predetermined time and place by employing a projector or the like . [ 0104 ] fig2 shows the system structural diagram thereof . a certain number of medical practitioners 70 participate in the medical program of the present system at a seminar site 400 . the participants participate in the present medical education program by viewing , for example , a projector 500 as the display device . the picture projected on this projector 500 or the verbal explanations thereof are approximately the same as those of the pet terminal 20 described above . the test to be conducted after the completion of each lesson is conducted via a communication terminal , for example , a cellular phone 80 provided to the respective participants in advance . the operation of this test is explained below . each participant presses the button showing the completed lesson number and connects to the education system server via the network 50 . the education system server 10 a selects one test question among the plurality of test patterns prepared in advance , returns this to the cellular phone 80 via the network 50 , and displays this on the display screen of the cellular phone . a different test is enabled for each participant of the same lesson by this function . thus , the possibility of cheating will decrease and an appropriate test may thereby be conducted . next , when the participant 70 presses a button corresponding to the answer to the test displayed by the first education implementation means ( not shown ) on the cellular phone 80 in his / her hand , the data thereof is returned to the education system server 10 a via the network 50 . the education system server rates this data , and stores the result . it further conveys this result to the cellular phone 80 . the first education implementation means and communication control means contained in the cellular phone 80 is of a standard type of usage in cellular phones having internet browser function , as in an i - mode ( trade mark ) cellular phone in japan for example , and the explanation thereof is omitted since they merely provide the respective functions of personal id and lesson number notification , test content display , answer number notification , and result display during the seminar style lesson . the education system server 10 a comprises the first server storage means 14 a and the second storage means 15 a . the first server storage means 14 a is structured by adding , to the respective programs of the first server storage means 14 of the education system server 10 explained with fig5 a terminal identification program as the question selection means and test implementation program ( presentation of questions , rating , storage of results ) as the second education implementation means as shown in fig2 . the second storage means 15 a is structured by adding the individual terminal test contents ( c . f . fig2 ) storage means as question storage means to the second server storage means 15 of the education system server 10 . the control means 11 a inputs the personal id and lesson number from the cellular phone 80 via the input means 12 ( s 221 of fig2 ). the terminal identification program selects a test question corresponding to the received terminal id among the individual terminal test contents shown in fig2 . for example , the individual terminal test contents illustrated in fig2 starts from test pattern 1 , and contain a plurality thereof . thus , the number of different types of tests that may be implemented is the same as the number of existing test patterns for the same lesson . the individual terminal identification program selects this test pattern per type of individual id ; that is , per type of cellular phone . this selection is made so that a test pattern displayed in a cellular phone will not be the same as a test pattern displayed in another cellular phone as much as possible . the test implementation program sends this selected test question to the cellular phone 80 via the output means 13 ( s 222 of fig2 ). accordingly , a different test question can be distributed for each participant . moreover , the same test question may be given for the same lesson to conduct a test where the multiple choice answers are counterchanged . next , the control means 11 a inputs the answer data from the participant ( s 223 of fig2 ). the test implementation program rates this answer , and stores the result in the entire individual personal information file within the second storage means 15 a ( s 224 of fig2 ). this test result is returned to the cellular phone 80 via the output means 13 ( s 225 of fig2 ). the participant &# 39 ; s learning progress may thereby be sought with accuracy . accordingly , an education program structured for a relatively short period of time on a terminal including portable one is able to alleviate the burden on medical practitioners who are often committed temporally and locally . further , by connecting the server of the insurance company to which the respective medical institutions are affiliated with the server of the present system , the ratio of medical practitioners achieving a prescribed result or higher may be utilized in calculating the insurance premium between the medical institution and insurance company , or discounts on the insurance premium may be given to medical practitioners who have achieved favorable results . although medical education was exemplified in the embodiments , the target education field of the present system is not limited thereto , and may be employed in educations of other fields by changing the contents of the education program . according to the present invention , the participant may receive education on a terminal including portable terminal capable of carrying an education program . thus , a participant who is often committed temporally and locally is thereby able to efficiently receive education . moreover , according to the present invention , since the test results of all participants of the present education system are retained on the education system server , the data thereof may be edited and processed in a prescribed format . thus , the participant , the institution to which such participant belongs , and the accrediting institution can respectively utilize this edited and processed data .

6Physics

the object of the present invention is to provide an olfactometer which is fast , exact , easy to use , adapted for multichannel arrangements , and which does not have the disadvantages of the known olfactometers . this is achieved by an olfactometer of the above - described kind , wherein the carrier gas supply means comprises a mass flow controlling means with variable flow rate disposed before the saturation chamber for providing variable carrier gas flow to the saturation chamber and by a multiplicity of capillaries of different diameter connecting the mixing means with the sniffing port via individual injection means . the success of a threshold olfactometer of the present invention in applications using odorants depends on its dilution capacity and the sample presentation . a very large continuous dynamic dilution range as well as a perfectly memory - free on / off - switching of the odorous stimulus are the key parameters of the present invention that fulfills these requirements . according to a preferred embodiment of the invention , the dosage of the sample is computer controlled and is available in the form of a self - instructing measurement protocol operating as a virtual instrument which guarantees identical measurement conditions for various sensorial measurements . this embodiment of the invention requires only a minimumally trained panelist . the detailed description of the invention , of course , includes and is further illustrated with reference to the following drawings . in the following a preferred embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings . fig1 illustrates a schematical diagram of an olfactometer according to the invention . fig2 illustrates cross - sectional views of the injection blocks in two different operating positions . the apparatus illustrated in fig1 enables one to perform experiments at a high technical level taking into account important aspects of sensory measurements . it offers a continuously tunable dynamic range of 10 % of the saturated headspace concentration down to 10 - 8 . the flow of the analyte channel is regulated by two mass flow controllers 1 , 2 which are positioned at a position before the saturation chamber 3 . mass flow controller 1 supplies air for higher sample flows and has a range of 50 : 1000 ml / min whereas mass flow controller 2 has a range of 1 : 50 ml / min . the sample carrier gas is introduced from the saturation chamber 3 into the mixing chamber 6 which is connected with a second gas inlet for introducing nitrogen for diluting the sample carrier gas . the final mixing of the sample carrier gas and nitrogen is achieved in a t - junction followed by a mixing restriction 5 . a continuous dilution is achieved from a maximum level of 1 : 1 down to 1 : 1000 . the amount of nitrogen introduced is controlled by a valve 4 which is driven by the output signal calculated from a pd ( proportional , differential ) regulation system which uses the signal from a pressure sensor 10 as input . the pressure is measured in the mixing chamber and monitored by a computer 12 . a constant pressure in the mixing chamber is important for a constant flow through outlets 7 . the outlets may be glass capillaries . the diameters of these outlets are chosen in such a way , that highly accurate flow rates are available in a range of 1 : 1 to 1 : 10000 . the sample carrier gas can be selectively injected by a computer controlled injection mechanism 8 from the mixing chamber 6 to the outlets 7 and into the sniffing port 9 where it is continuously mixed with a gas flow 11 having a constant flow rate of 10 l / min . this is approximately equal to the amount of air breathed by a human . the measurement program is responsible for selecting the right dilution level and the necessary capillary in order to obtain a continuously accessible dilution range of 1 : 10 , 000 , 000 . in the present invention , sources of contamination are reduced to a minimum in a very efficient way . controlling the flow to the saturation chamber ensures that neither the mass flow controller nor the valve is ever in touch with an odorous molecule . after fine - machining and honing , the stainless steel surfaces of all critical elements , are electro - polished ( mixing chamber , injection mechanism ) giving memory - free measurement conditions . the temperature of the mixing chamber itself can be raised by a few degrees compared to ambient temperature when low volatile compounds have to be measured . a complete cleaning procedure can be done by disassembling the mixing chamber , capillaries and the injection mechanism and by heating them in an oven ( similar to gc - column purification ). as illustrated in fig2 the final dilution step is done as previously mentioned , by injecting the sample flow from a capillary into the transport channel 13 of the sniff port by means of an injection block . the injection block 8 comprises a cube ( 200 × 25 × 20 mm ) having two longitudinally machined holes , i . e . an exhaust line 13 and a transport line 14 to the sniff port 9 . the block 8 contains six individual injection systems for the glass capillaries . the two longitudinal holes are drilled in the horizontal center of the block but are vertically connected through small guiding holes which are machined along the vertical axis . adapter capillaries 16 are capped 17 but have outlets 18 which are positioned a few mm from the top of the apparatus . between the top and sample inlets o - ring seals 19 are inserted in order to prevent the sample stream from traveling into the transport channel while the adapter - capillaries are held in the off - position shown in fig2 a . in the off - position ) the capillary outlet is flushed directly into the exhaust line . holes 21 are sealed with teflon . the adapter - capillaries 16 in fact are used for mechanical protection of the glass capillaries 7 which are delicate and constitute a well - calibrated system . a computer - controlled pneumatic compact - cylinder 20 switches each adapter capillary from the off - to the on - position ( see fig2 b ). introducing an adjusted make up gas flow ( nitrogen ) from the lower end 22 of the adapter - capillary 16 makes sure that even for the lowest flow rates measured at the smallest glass - capillary the sample reaches the transport line 14 in the same time as measured on the larger glass - capillaries . a flush - line constantly purges the o - ring - seal 19 against the flow - direction of the sample carrier gas which ensures that no traces of the sample can reach the transport line 14 . an optimum &# 34 ; blank &# 34 ; is achieved when all injection units are switched to the &# 34 ; off - position &# 34 ;. intensity rating or ranking is well known in sensory research and several measurement methods have been developed . magnitude estimation , reference scaling and category scaling are the most popular ones . recently , the labelled magnitude scale has been presented and compared to magnitude estimation . operations on the olfactometer are computer controlled and the instrument control has been developed under labview . so called virtual instruments ( vi &# 39 ; s ) are programmed and displayed on the screen if necessary . on such a vi , the operater can set , for example , a desired concentration which is then delivered from the olfactometer . the flexibility of the software allows one to summarize any kind of measurement sequence as a measurement protocol . a very fast and universal method of measuring the dose / response behavior of odorous substances has been successfully applied using the labelled magnitude scale ( lms ). the measured and fitted values can be matched to the astm ( american soc . for testing and materials ) values and any other substance can be compared to the standard . for example , an evaluation of linalool shows an increased slope of the dose / response curve . intensity matching experiments can be carried out simultaneously on two modules . this kind of measurement allows the determination of the just notable differences at any concentration level in the supra - threshold regime of an odorant . adaptation phenomena can be measured in a separate measurement protocol . the measurement protocol uses the following sequence : second sequence is the same but prior to the evaluation of the delivered sample the panellists nose is exposed 5 seconds to a very high dose of the same odorant . the supra - threshold olfactometer according to the present invention has a flexible design which allows the olfactometer to attach different sample saturation chambers . it is possible to perform intensity measurements on applied systems , such as fragrances deposited on laundry etc . these measurements allow a fast comparison of substantivity of different products . while the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to illustrative embodiments and modes of practice , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention . accordingly , the invention is not to be limited by the illustrative embodiments and modes of practice .

6Physics

a system ( 100 ) described in this document is a novel approach to optimizing the airflow in a building ( e . g ., a home ) based on user set goals for savings , comfort or both . in this implementation , the system is comprised of five major components as seen in fig1 . in one implementation there is a wireless router & amp ; processor that deploys a pre - configured wireless network ( 203 ) which communicates with the vents ( 200 ), sensor platforms ( 201 ), thermostat ( s ) ( 202 ) and the control interface ( 204 ). in one implementation of the system , all of the vents in a home are replaced with new wirelessly controlled actuating vents ( also called “ vents ” or controlled supply registers herein ). in other words , the traditional covering ( or faceplate ) of the terminus of a portion of the duct work of a forced - air heating or cooling system is replaced . in an illustrative example , the terminus of the duct work is the location at which the duct stops flush with the wall or ceiling of a room . in another embodiment , only a few of these vents would need to be replaced . these vents allow the system to control the airflow within the existing ductwork , without damaging the hvac system due to lack of airflow , within a home . embodiments of such vents are shown in fig2 . in another embodiment no new vents are installed , but the system operates using impulses from the sensors alone . in this type of system , the hvac is turned on / off based on temperatures in any room in the home — allowing much more control . for example , a user can instruct the system to maintain a bedroom at a desired setpoint . the system would cycle on and off to maintain the desired setpoint in the bedroom without regard for how the other rooms are affected . in another example , the system can be configured with more complex instructions , such as attempt to maintain a first room at a first setpoint but only if a second setpoint set for another room is not exceeded . in all cases the conditions inside of the ducts are measured and taken into account when controlling the vents . these are examples only , and other configurations are within the scope of the invention . in addition , while implementations of the invention are described as being used with hvac systems , it is understood that systems that only heat , only cool , or only supply forced air are within the scope of the invention . in one embodiment , the added vent closing device may be added into main return ducts . in another embodiment , an airflow control device may be added to a fresh air intake . with these additions the system can control outdoor air intake to improve energy efficiency , or meet occupancy fresh air demands if paired with co 2 sensors . in one embodiment , this system may be operated as an hvac economizer , or include operations that resemble an economizer . the system can thus add outdoor air when temperature or humidity conditions are favorable to driving the system temperatures in the right direction ( heating or cooling , dehumidification or humidification ). this will allow for “ free ” heating or cooling , as the system need not operate the heat pump , furnace , ac unit , or other cooling device to control the temperature , dramatically reducing energy consumption . in one embodiment , the sensor platforms ( 201 ), as seen in fig3 , provide the router & amp ; processor ( 203 ) with real time data on the temperature , humidity , air pressure , and motion in the rooms within the home or building . the sensor platforms provide feedback to the router & amp ; processor which in turn controls the vents . embodiments of this system can vary in that the configuration of the vents ( in quantity , integrated sensors , and opening and closing mechanisms ), the sensor platforms ( in both types of sensors installed ( i . e . pressure sensors , multiple temperature sensors ), as well as location and quantity ), and the network protocol can change or adapt as long as there is a method for the system to receive feedback regarding the state of the home or building within which it is installed . this means , in various embodiments , only a few sensor platforms may be necessary if the system can determine the states of the whole home or building through correlation . in yet another embodiment , only one sensor may be installed , which is moved from room to room over a period of time , to develop an understanding of the home . in yet another embodiment , no sensors are deployed , and the system would gather feedback by querying the user . in one embodiment , the system is added to a fixed volume air conditioning system . in another embodiment , the system is added to an existing variable air volume system for added control or to supplement problem areas . in another embodiment , the system is added to an active chilled beam system . in yet another embodiment , the system is added to a doas ( dedicated outdoor air system ). in other embodiments , the system may be added to other hvac or other fluid providing systems . to control the system , in one embodiment the user uses the control interface ( 204 ), as seen in fig6 , to instruct the router & amp ; processor on the user &# 39 ; s preferences for mode and / or temperatures for each room . using the user &# 39 ; s preferences ( e . g ., environmental variable set points ), and feedback from the sensors , the router & amp ; processor adjusts the vents throughout the home in response to changing conditions to optimize the airflow and help the home reach equilibrium . more details and embodiments for the control interface are described later in this report . in one embodiment , the system operates based on anticipated and / or current occupancy . the system may use occupancy - use patterns for each room or combinations of rooms to determine what hours of the day and days of the week to operate . in one embodiment , the system uses occupancy sensors , which may include infrared , acoustic ( passive or active ultrasonic sensors ), microwave detector sensors , or other sensors . in another embodiment , the system may detect a device on a person , such as a smartphone , tablet , laptop , or other wifi / bluetooth / electromagnetic wave emitting device to detect occupancy . in one embodiment , the system may interface with existing or new lighting systems that employ occupancy sensors , using the same sensors for both . in controlling the zones and adapting , the system may employ adaptive control , neural networks , fuzzy logic , thermodynamic modeling of hvac zones , fan power energy consumption modeling , minimum outdoor air , room use type , predictive heating demand control , dynamic occupancy patterns , or other control methods . in another embodiment , the system operates based on fixed schedule . in yet another , the system operates using preferences set by the user . in yet another , the system allows individual zoning of each room , allowing the user to set the conditions of each room independently . in one embodiment , the system uses pressure as an input . in another embodiment , the vents use pressure and temperature as inputs . by measuring the pressure within the ducts , or calculating it based on other measurements , the system can prevent creating a pressure environment that impacts the health of the existing hvac system , or efficiency . by using both pressure and temperature a better estimate of system health is obtained . in one embodiment , the vent ( as shown in fig2 ) has pressure sensors on the device . in another , pressure sensors are placed within or affixed to the duct and communicate to the system . in one embodiment , pressure may be measured on the sensor platform ( as seen in fig3 ), then calculations can be applied to understand the pressure on the system . in another , the pressure measurement is used to calculate volumetric airflow through the vent . in another embodiment pressure is measured on each sensor platform . by using pressure and temperature measurements at all , or even a subset of , sensors and vent locations the local temperature gradient can be deduced . this calculation allows comfort at any height in the building to be calculated and better controlled . when determining a temperature or any other gradient for an environmental variable , the information about the environmental variables can be collected by a sensor information aggregator . the aggregator can use manual locations for the sensors provided by the user or the system can determine the positions of the sensors relative to each other using wireless communication signal strength between the sensors and the location of the aggregator . the aggregator can reside in any of the components of the system described herein , and it performed the determination of the gradient value based on the information supplied by the various sensors . in one embodiment the router & amp ; processor ( fig5 ) controls the existing hvac unit within the home through the thermostat ( 202 ), which receives wireless instruction from the processor and thus actuates the hvac system . in yet another , the system may instruct the user to turn on and off their system . in yet another , the router and processor may communicate directly to the hvac unit through a wireless interface built into the hvac , or added on . the concept here is that the router & amp ; processor , using feedback from the sensor platforms , vents , and a smart learning control algorithm that optimizes the use of the hvac system for any situation . the algorithm uses machine learning techniques in combination with data collected from the vents , sensors , and user inputs to learn the characteristics of the home including heat loads , air leakage , humidity load , forced air pressure characteristics , and others . once the algorithm learns the characteristics of the home , the use of the hvac system can be optimized according to a blend of comfort and economy according to user preferences . the user can also be alerted to sudden changes in system characteristics that may indicate an anomaly that warrants attention . in one embodiment the algorithm learns the home characteristics through normal use . in another the algorithm exercises the entire home hvac and system components in order to learn more quickly and completely the home characteristics . the vent , as shown in fig2 , includes an airflow adjusting mechanism ( 300 ), a processor with firmware ( 301 ), a power subsystem ( 303 ), a communication subsystem ( 304 ), and sensors ( 305 ). in one embodiment , the vent receives wireless instructions from the router & amp ; processor ( 203 ) via the communication subsystem ( 304 ). in another , the vent may receive wireless instructions directly from the sensor platforms . in another , the vent may receive wireless instructions directly from the control interface . the vents in the system are the component of the system that impacts airflow within the house in a real time fashion . the vents open and close using an airflow adjusting mechanism ( 300 ) that control the amount of air allowed through the vent when the system is running . the sensors on the vent can optionally include an air flow measurement device . there are a few components in certain embodiments of the vent ( pictured in fig1 , 14 ). the first being the airflow adjusting mechanism themselves ( 300 ). this airflow adjusting mechanism is comprised of a mechanism that constricts the air ( 401 ), and a mechanism to control the constrictor ( 402 ). in regards to the constricting mechanism ( 401 ), these are the devices that constrict the air . they are controlled by a movement mechanism that serves to adjust the constriction level . the movement mechanism ( 402 ) operates the constricting mechanism in response to an instruction received from an outside controller , such as the processor and firmware ( 301 ). in regards to the air constricting mechanism ( 401 ), in one embodiment , the louvers are horizontally mounted . in another , they are vertically mounted . yet in another embodiment , these louvers are a shutter mechanism , similar to that of a curtain that is mounted horizontally or vertically . yet in another embodiment , the mechanism is an iris , similar to that of a camera aperture . yet in another embodiment , this mechanism is a parachute configuration , where a semi rigid membrane is extended to catch the air . a novel concept here is to constrict the air in a manner best suited for the needs of the system . this includes balancing reliability with cost , motion with battery life , and constricting the air in a manner to minimize audible noise and other undesired side effects . moreover , adjustments in airflow can take into account future weather forecasts when determining what is needed to maintain a user &# 39 ; s desired environmental variable set point . in one embodiment , the air constricting mechanism replaces the existing exterior duct grill . in another embodiment , the air constricting mechanisms is mounted in the interior of the duct . interior mounting may use springs with significant normal force , screws , adhesives , or other methods . in one embodiment , adjustable size louvers will be added to fit different duct sizes , for either interior or exterior grills . in one embodiment , duct louvers telescope , to adjust to larger sizes . space between louvers may vary as well , with hinges , springs , or other methods to adjust the spacing . in one embodiment , the system employs a fabric which constricts to block flow . in another embodiment , the system may include multiple arms or springs to allow for installing at a slanted angle relative to the duct , allowing for application to multiple different heights . in regards to the mechanism that controls the constrictors ( 402 ), in one embodiment , a motor is used . in another , a stepper motor is used . in yet another , a solenoid is used . in yet another embodiment , memory wire , or metal that changes shape due to an electrical impulse is used . in yet another embodiment , electromagnets are used . in another embodiment , a material that changes shape at different temperatures due to thermal expansion is used . in even another embodiment , the air coming from the duct is used to adjust the constrictors . the airflow adjusting mechanism ( 300 ), as seen in fig2 and 13 , is controlled using custom firmware loaded on a processor ( 301 ). this firmware has algorithms to accept commands from the main router and processor ( 203 ) or other outside controller to control the vent itself . it has algorithms to open and close vents , send sensor information and state information back to the router and processor , and intelligence to minimize power use of the vent itself . it also has algorithms to process the information from the onboard sensors on the vent ( 305 ). the processor and firmware receives instructions from the router and processor ( 203 ) via the communication subsystems ( 304 ). the communication sub system receives signals wirelessly through wi - fi ( 802 . 11 ). in other embodiments , the system receives signals via an analog rf signal , zigbee , 802 . 15 , z - wave , bluetooth , infrared , other types of electromagnetic waves , or another wireless method . in another embodiment , the system communicates via electrical wires , a wired configuration . in other embodiments , the system and subsystems may communicate in any combination of the above methods . it is noted that in one embodiment , the communication subsystem ( 304 ) and the processor and firmware ( 301 ) are integrated into a single device . in one embodiment the vent includes sensors ( 305 ) such as pressure and temperature sensors ( 408 ), as shown in fig5 , on the vent to monitor real time pressure in all ducts to avoid placing the hvac system in a stressful or damaging environment . in other embodiments , other sensors are included , such as sound , air speed , temperature , humidity , co 2 levels , occupancy , and other sensors as well . in yet another embodiment , sensors may be removed entirely . in one embodiment , the sensors on the vent &# 39 ; s primary purpose is to understand the airflow characteristics ( such as velocity , pressure , temperature , humidity ) being presented to the hvac system for the purpose of preventing damage to the system while modifying those airflow characteristics . in one embodiment , the vent is wireless . as such , they include a power source on the vent itself . the power subsystem ( 303 ), in one embodiment includes a battery ( 406 ). to maximize battery life , the vent may also include power generation ( 407 ) on board as shown in fig1 and 16 , for use with a rechargeable battery . this power is generated using the air within the vent itself through a turbine . in another embodiment , the power is generated using vibration within the vent . in yet another embodiment , power is generated using solar panels . in another embodiment power is generated via a thermo - electric device such as a peltier generator . in another embodiment , power is provided by a capacitor . in another embodiment , a means of mechanical energy storage such as a spring may be used . in yet another embodiment , a piezoelectric device may be used , which may capture vibrations or be paired with a part moved by the airflow . this part may use a flexible horizontal plate that oscillates in the airflow , an unstable small “ wing ” that uses lift to oscillate , or other devices . in yet another embodiment , power is provided to the vents via a power source such as a local outlet , or the central breaker . in one embodiment the system includes active noise cancellation technology ( 411 ) on the vents . in this embodiment the vents reduce noise levels due to airflow and ducting by actively cancelling the noise before it exits the vent . in such an implementation , a noise cancellation module samples the noise arriving at the vent from within the ducting with one or more microphones , determines the appropriate sound waveform to reduce the noise level , and produces the waveform using one or more speakers within the vent . in one implementation , vents may use seals or gaskets on the outside to ensure a tighter seal once the vent is installed to maximize efficiency and comfort . in another , vents may clamp against the duct to ensure a tight seal . in another embodiment , duct insulation may act as a barrier to air leakage . in another embodiment , the system acts to encourage airflow instead of restricting it , employing a fan or other device to provide additional driving force for the air . fig1 presents a front plate ( 409 ) that can be installed and removed without tools . in one embodiment , the plate is attached with magnets ( 412 ). in another , a hook and loop attachment is used ; further still , a slide mechanism is used in another . in one embodiment the vent installs in the home without the use of tools . in one embodiment this is accomplished by a warped shape ( 410 ) in the vent that creates a friction fit as shown in fig1 and 19 . specifically , the top and bottom of shape ( 410 ) are bowed slightly outward . in another a lever mechanism engages the wall . in another wedges may be inserted by hand between the vent and the duct . the faceplates of the vents are designed to diffuse air in a more efficient and quieter manner . these faceplates provide the same amount of diffusion , while presenting a lower pressure load on the existing hvac system — meaning the vents themselves are more efficient than existing solutions . by lowering the “ all open ” pressure , the vent allows more potential to add pressure to the system without reaching a damaging state . in other words , such vents have a greater range of back - pressure available . in one embodiment of the system , the sensor platform ( 201 ) is employed to provide feedback to the router & amp ; processor . in one implementation , the sensor platform , as seen in fig3 , uses temperature , motion , and humidity sensors ( 310 ) to detect characteristics of the environment and send that information through the processor and firmware ( 308 ) via the communication subsystem ( 307 ). in another implementation , the sensor platform senses ambient pressure . in this embodiment the sensors correlate pressure altitude with temperature to form a temperature gradient . in another , the sensor platform has two temperature sensors , allowing the system to calculate temperature gradients . in another embodiment the sensor platform has sensors mirrored on the top and bottom so that accurate measurements are taken despite the orientation of the outlet that the sensor is plugged into . in another implementation , the sensor platform may also sense carbon monoxide , vocs , carbon dioxide , humidity , or air quality . in yet another , they may only sense temperature . in yet another , they may include audio sensors , motion sensors , infrared sensors , an accelerometer , or a gyroscope ( solid state or otherwise ). in yet another , they may include video or other optical sensors . in several embodiments , the motion , carbon monoxide , carbon dioxide , acoustic , optical , or other sensors may be designed to detect occupancy . thus , detection and manipulation / control of any of the aforementioned environmental variables is within the scope of the invention . in one embodiment , the communication subsystem may also act as a wifi repeater to increase wifi coverage , or a repeater for any other wireless protocol employed as part of the main communication system used in the system . in another embodiment , the sensor suite may deploy a wifi network and act as a hub for the system . in certain embodiments , it is preferred that particular sensors be wall - mounted , and , thus , stationary , while other sensors be portable . fig2 and 21 show one implementation ( 500 ) of the sensor platform ( 201 ). sensor device ( 500 ) derives its power from a wall outlet using a standard plug ( 505 ). in another implementation , a sensor platform include batteries . in yet another , they may be light - powered . the power subsystem ( 309 ) ensures that regardless of the source of power , the sensor platform itself receives clean power so as not to compromise the accuracy and precision of the sensors installed . in one embodiment , the power subsystem ( 309 ) may also supply a number of usb ports to allow the user to charge devices . in one implementation the sensor platform ( 309 ), as shown in sensor device ( 500 ), includes pass - through plugs ( 510 ) so that when the user installs them , they do not lose an outlet within their home . optionally , sensor device ( 500 ) has openings ( 515 ) that provide access to sensors within the device . in another implementation the sensor platform may provide wireless control of the pass through plugs individually . in another implementation the sensor platform may have modules to expand it &# 39 ; s capability that are attachable via an exposed port such as usb ( not shown ). as mentioned above , the communication system is wi - fi ( 802 . 11 ), however in other embodiments can include zigbee , 802 . 15 , z - wave , analog rf , bluetooth or infrared or hard wired communication . the next component is the router and processor , as seen in fig5 . in one embodiment , we can install our own router and processor ( 203 ). this device is a router that deploys a wireless network . it may also connect to the internet with the communication system . this device may include our code already integrated , or packaged with a small computer or microprocessor that houses our firmware . in another embodiment the sensors use their onboard capabilities to provide the routing and processing capability . in this embodiment a single sensor may act as the router and processor or the tasks may be distributed automatically and dynamically amongst the installed sensors . in another embodiment , code is integrated on an existing wireless network by integrating it into existing compatible routers , and use that to integrate our devices . in all embodiments , any of the protocols mentioned earlier may be deployed . in one embodiment , the processor and firmware ( 320 ) for the router and processor ( 203 ) houses the algorithm and control system , communication capabilities ( 319 ), and a power supply ( 321 ). the algorithm , and control system offers multiple modes . one mode is the installation mode , which enables the user to install the system . another mode is the operation mode , where the algorithm receives stimuli from all the sensors platforms installed ( 201 ), the vents ( 200 ), the thermostat ( 202 ) and the control interface ( 204 ) to optimize operation in the home . the installation mode is described later in this document . the operation mode algorithm flowchart is presented in fig7 . this operation mode algorithm may take into account all the variables mentioned earlier , such as humidity in each room , temperature in each room , motion in each room , vent state in each room , as well as other variables including but not limited to : location of sun , local outdoor weather , number of windows in the room , location of the room , and cloud cover among others . this algorithm may also take into account user preferences , which include but are not limited to : comfort zones , priority , schedule , and location . the algorithm is complex enough to learn and has variables necessary for successful home or building optimization , and future growth , but simple enough to implement and execute . the next component in the system is the thermostat as seen in fig4 . in one embodiment the thermostat can be mounted on a wall and includes a power system ( 314 ) to provide power , processor and firmware ( 313 ) to process data and instructions given via the communication ( 312 ) or the interface ( 318 ). in one embodiment there is a display ( 315 ) used for status and message reporting . the thermostat is used to control the hvac system in response to stimuli received from the main router and processor ( 203 ) via the operation mode algorithm . optionally , the thermostat ( 202 ) may include one or more on - board sensors ( 316 ), as described in connection with the sensor platform ( 201 ). in one embodiment , the thermostat features an e - paper or similar display to minimize power draw . the thermostat on the wall can also be controlled via the control interface ( 204 ) rather than the router and processor ( 203 ). in yet another embodiment , the thermostat may be another device which includes an api ( application programming interface ) to allow remote control of the device by our system . in yet another embodiment , the user may not replace the thermostat but prefer manual control as given direction by the system through the control interface . in yet another embodiment the system may not interact with the existing thermostat and only respond to predicted performance of that thermostat . the final component is the control interface ( 204 ), shown in fig6 . in one embodiment , the control interface includes a communication subsystem ( 323 ), a power subsystem ( 325 ), a display ( 327 ), custom firmware or software ( 328 ) and a user interface ( ui )( 329 ). optionally , instructions to support an installation mode ( 324 ) can be included or can be part of the custom firmware ( 328 ). in one embodiment the control interface is a 10 ″ ( or equivalent ) android tablet , with a custom application loaded on with a custom android rom . in another embodiment , the user may use their own device running a custom native or web based application . the device has multiple functions . the first is the installation mode ( fig8 ) as described in the following sections , enables a novel method of using the control interface as a feedback device to instruct a user through system installation . another function is to configure the control interface to allow the user to control the system , denoted operation mode ( algorithm flow presented in fig7 ). the ui ( 329 ) of the control interface produces multiple screens to allow control of the system using custom firmware . the device communicates with the router & amp ; processor through the communication sub system , ( 323 ) which uses wifi or one of the other embodiments mentioned above . in one embodiment the control interface allows the user to see all the zones in their home , multiple statuses ( such as motion , temp and humidity ) and set schedules and priorities for the system . in one embodiment , the system allows the user to set modes for the home , and see status from all the components the system controls . in another embodiment , the user may select an automated zone where the system calculates everything by querying the user on comfort . in another embodiment , the system operates and calculates the ideal state based on occupancy . in another embodiment , the user may use the tablet device to set occupancy manually . when determining what adjustments are needed to attain the desired conditions in the one or more rooms or spaces in a building , the system can send airflow values to be maintained by the one or more vents in the building or can provide relative feedback , e . g ., that one or more vents needs to open more or close more relative to its present setting . in yet another embodiment , the system may be configured to pick the best configuration to save the most energy . in one embodiment , this interface also provides status to the user regarding the battery life of devices , communications status , and the overall health of not only the system , but the systems it controls ( i . e . update the user on potential faults within their existing hvac system ). in one embodiment , the supplied tablet device is open for use by the user as a conventional android tablet . in the installation mode ( fig8 ), the supplied control interface is used as a feedback system for installing the rest of the system . while this embodiment focuses solely on how aspects of the system are used in setting up the system itself , the same principles are applied to many different applications , such as installing appliances , tv &# 39 ; s , computers and computer equipment , sound systems , even self - assembled furniture . for instance , imagine the installation of a new tv . when performing the install of the tv , an application on the phone would be employed to aid installation . when you plug the tv in , it finds the devices ( through a wireless protocol such as wifi ), then provides instructions on how to install it . for instance , if you want to install a cable box , it walks you through which cables to install , and what to press on the remote . essentially because the tv can communicate with the installation app , it can walk you through the installation step by step . the embodiment presented in fig1 describes the architecture necessary for using the control interface as an installation device . in this embodiment , the control interface receives stimuli from the router & amp ; processor — which is the key installation feedback stimuli . in future embodiments , the vents and sensor platforms are substituted . in other embodiments , no other devices may be used , by simply using the camera or other sensors on the control interface , the system can surmise correct installation steps as defined by user manuals . fig8 - 12 present flow charts for the installation mode as it applies in this embodiment , for installing a specific embodiment of this system . in fig8 is the configuration step of the control architecture . in this embodiment , the system boots into a screen asking the user to enter initialization mode . the device has a custom application running which hosts the necessary algorithms for installation of this system . fig9 describes the initialization mode , where in this embodiment , the tablet is turned on and it greets the user . it then instructs the user to set up the wireless network or plug in the router & amp ; processor in this case . once it is set up , the tablet confirms that the configuration was successful and enters the instruction mode . if the configuration was not successful , the router identifies the next steps , then instructs the user to execute them and tests the configuration again . once the configuration is confirmed , the tablet enters the instruction mode . in this embodiment , the instruction mode ( fig1 ) boots the instruction manual , or in this case a specific set of software , and enter step 1 ( as described in fig1 ). it then confirms step 1 . if successful it moves to the next step , if not , it selects the applicable course of action , and instruct the user on those steps . it then retries the confirmation of step 1 . in this embodiment , fig1 describes the logic behind each step ( in this case step 1 ). the system enters step 1 , as defined in fig1 , the control interface instructs the user to plug in one of the other devices ( such as a vent , or sensor platform ). it then attempts to detect the device and if successful , identify the device . if the detection is unsuccessful , the system determines the correct course , instruct the user and try the detection again . in this implementation , after the device is detected , the system identifies the type of device , and confirms with the user . if the confirmation matches , the system then moves to location . if it doesn &# 39 ; t match , the system identifies the next steps , instructs the user then tries to confirm the identification again . in this embodiment after the device is identified and confirmed , the system queries the user about the location of the device . the user enters the location , and the system confirms . if the confirmation is accepted , the system ends step 1 and returns to fig1 . if it is not accepted , the system determines the best next steps , and instructs the user , then confirms the location again . once step 1 is confirmed , it repeats this process for every step defined in the instruction manual , until all steps are confirmed . it then moves into the operation mode as defined in step 13 . once in operation mode the control interface switches to the operational interface behave as a control device as described previously , until further installation of devices is necessary . fig2 illustrates a front perspective view of a faceplate assembly 600 according to an embodiment of the invention . the faceplate assembly 600 has a bezel 605 and a deflector plate 610 . the deflector plate 610 is spaced apart from the bezel 605 to define an annular passage 615 between the space behind the faceplate and the space in front of the faceplate . fig2 illustrates a front view of the faceplate assembly 600 . fig2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a housing 700 and the faceplate assembly 600 according to an embodiment of the invention . fig2 shows the deflector plate 610 separate from the bezel , revealing an angled bevel 615 of the deflector plate 610 . the figure also shows an optional interchangeable inlay plate 620 , which can impart a decorative aspect to the deflector plate 610 . the figure also shows an optional edge material 625 , which is applied to the deflector plate 610 and surrounds the edge of the deflector plate ( described in more detail below ). a ball pin 630 is removably attached to the back surface of the deflector plate 610 . the ball pin 630 fits into socket 705 that is part of the housing 700 . the ball pin 630 and socket 705 cooperate to hold the deflector plate 610 apart from the bezel 605 . fig2 illustrates a cross - sectional side view of the housing 700 and the faceplate assembly 600 . this figure shows the cooperation between the socket 705 of the housing and ball pin 630 attached to the deflector plate 610 that provides the spacing to define the annular passage 615 . in addition , this figure illustrates how the bezel 605 is attached to the housing 700 . as described above , the bezel can be magnetically mounted to the housing or by using known methods of attachment , such as screws , adhesives , or clips that attach to the housing sides . fig2 illustrates a perspective view of two ball pins 630 according to an embodiment of the invention . as shown in the figure , each ball pin has a neck portion 635 . the ball pins are interchangeable and each can have a neck portions of different lengths . in one implementation of the ball pin 630 , the length of neck portion 635 a is relatively long , while in another implementation , the length of neck portion 635 b is relatively short . ball pins with relatively longer neck portions will define relatively larger annular passages 615 as compared to ball pins having relatively shorter neck portions . fig2 illustrates a front perspective view of the faceplate assembly 600 . the ball pin and socket form a joint that enables the deflector plate 610 to be tilted relative to the bezel 605 . when the deflector plate 610 is held substantially flat relative to the bezel plane , the annular passage 615 is open on all four edges of the bezel . this forms a 4 - way vent that distributes air flowing through the annular passage in all four directions . when the deflector plate 610 is tilted upwards , the top edge of the deflector plate 610 contacts the top bevel of the bezel 605 , thereby sealing off the top portion of the annular passage 615 a . meanwhile , the bottom portion of the annular passage 615 b is opened more widely . in this way , the faceplate assembly 605 forms a directional vent when coupled to a housing present in the ductwork of an hvac system . a user can direct air in the desired direction using the vent . in a rectangular implementation , tilting the deflector plate 610 towards its long edge creates a vent that directs air in predominately one direction ( a 1 - way vent ), while tilting the deflector plate towards its short edge creates a vent that directs air in predominately three directions ( a 3 - way vent ). although only a rectangular implementation is shown and described , other shapes , such as square , circular , oval , triangular , and polygonal are within the scope of the invention . fig2 illustrates detail a of fig2 . as mentioned above , an implementation of deflector plate 610 has optional edge material 625 . edge material 625 can be rubber , silicone , or any other pliable and resilient material to help create a seal between the edge of the deflector plate and the bevel of the bezel 605 . detail a also shows the mounting of the bezel 605 to the housing 700 . embodiments of the faceplate assembly 600 offer less resistance to airflow than known vent / register faceplates . for example , simulations of the faceplate assembly attached to a housing of about 6 inches by 10 inches with a two - piece variable shutter mechanism were performed . the 1 - way faceplates were modelled using a scoop design that directed air in predominately one direction . when compared to stamped steel register faceplates , the simulated faceplate assembly shows at least about a 25 % less pressure drop at a flow rate of 98 cubic feet per minute at a velocity of 500 feet per minute ( 0 . 057 inches of water versus 0 . 076 inches of water ). meanwhile , simulations of the faceplate assembly compared to stamped steel register faceplates shows at least about an 8 % less pressure drop at a flow rate of 208 cubic feet per minute at a velocity of 500 feet per minute ( 0 . 374 inches of water versus 0 . 409 inches of water ). it is expected that some embodiments of the faceplates described herein will have at least about 5 % less pressure drop compared to stamped steel register faceplates . other embodiments are expected to have at least about 10 % less pressure drop compared to stamped steel register faceplates . while still other embodiments are expected to have at least about 15 % less pressure drop compared to stamped steel register faceplates . still further embodiments are expected to have at least about 20 % less pressure drop compared to stamped steel register faceplates . other embodiments are expected to have at least about 30 % less pressure drop compared to stamped steel register faceplates . embodiments of the faceplate assembly 600 also produce less noise than known vent faceplates and are believed to encourage a more laminar flow condition than known vent faceplates . for example , simulations of noise produced by the 6 inch by 10 inch model faceplate assembly described were performed . when compared to stamped steel register faceplates , the simulated faceplate assembly shows at least about 11 . 8 % less pressure noise at a nominal flow rate ( 75 decibels versus 85 decibels ). it is expected that some embodiments of the faceplates described herein will produce at least about 5 % less noise compared to stamped steel register faceplates . other embodiments are expected to produce at least about 10 % less noise compared to stamped steel register faceplates . while still other embodiments are expected to produce at least about 15 % less noise compared to stamped steel register faceplates . still further embodiments are expected to produce at least about 20 % less noise compared to stamped steel register faceplates . other embodiments are expected to produce at least about 25 % less noise compared to stamped steel register faceplates . the percentage reductions of noise recited herein are intended as percentage reductions of decibel values . certain aspects of the techniques and systems disclosed herein may be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system or computerized electronic device . such implementations may include a series of computer instructions , or logic , fixed either on a tangible medium , such as a computer readable medium ( e . g ., a diskette , cd - rom , rom , flash memory or other memory or fixed disk ) or transmittable to a computer system or a device , via a modem or other interface device , such as a communications adapter connected to a network over a medium . the medium may be either a tangible medium ( e . g ., optical or analog communications lines ) or a medium implemented with wireless techniques ( e . g ., wi - fi , cellular , microwave , infrared or other transmission techniques ). the series of computer instructions embodies at least part of the functionality described herein with respect to the system . those skilled in the art should appreciate that such computer instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems . furthermore , such instructions may be stored in any tangible memory device , such as semiconductor , magnetic , optical or other memory devices , and may be transmitted using any communications technology , such as optical , infrared , microwave , or other transmission technologies . it is expected that such a computer program product may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation ( e . g ., shrink wrapped software ), preloaded with a computer system ( e . g ., on system rom or fixed disk ), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the network ( e . g ., the internet or world wide web ). of course , some embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a combination of both software ( e . g ., a computer program product ) and hardware . still other embodiments of the invention are implemented as entirely hardware , or entirely software ( e . g ., a computer program product ). preferred embodiments of the invention are described above as having communications , routing , and processing functions located in various components of the system . for example , the sensor platform 201 can act as a repeater for other system components . however , these functions can be distributed in other components of the system and remain within the scope of the invention . thus , for example , vents can communicate directly with a thermostat , a control interface , or any other system component . likewise , the determination of operating parameters that is described as being performed by one particular component can be performed by another component .

5Mechanical Engineering; Lightning; Heating; Weapons; Blasting

[ 0027 ] fig1 shows an example of a disk drive system 100 in the prior art . disk drive system 100 includes a disk device 102 and associated control circuitry 104 . disk device 102 includes storage media 106 . storage media 106 is comprised of magnetic disks . control circuitry 104 includes write channel 110 and read channel 120 . write channel 110 includes encoder 112 , compensation 114 , and write interface 116 connected in series . read channel 120 includes sampler 121 , adaptive filter 122 , interpolator 123 , detector 124 , and decoder 126 connected in series . detector 124 includes servo circuitry 125 . interface 116 and sampler 121 communicate with disk device 102 . data signal 130 carries user data . write channel 110 receives data signal 130 and transfers a corresponding write signal 133 to disk device 102 . disk device 102 stores the user data on storage media 106 . subsequently , disk device 102 reads storage media 106 and transfers a corresponding read signal 134 to read channel 120 . write signal 133 and read signal 134 should both represent the user data . read channel 120 processes read signal 134 to generate data signal 139 . ideally , data signal 139 carries the same user data as data signal 130 . write channel 110 operates as follows . encoder 112 receives and encodes data signal 130 to generate encoded signal 131 . the encoding provides error - checking capability when the data is subsequently decoded . encoder 112 transfers the encoded signal 131 to compensation 114 . compensation 114 adjusts the timing of transitions in the encoded signal 131 to generate time - adjusted signal 132 . compensation 114 transfers the time - adjusted signal 132 to interface 116 . interface 116 converts the time - adjusted signal 132 from digital format to analog format to generate the write signal 133 . interface 116 transfers the write signal 133 to disk device 102 . write signal 133 drives a magnetic head that alters a magnetic field to create magnetic transitions on the magnetic disk . these magnetic transitions should represent the user data and servo data . the magnetic head subsequently detects the magnetic transitions to generate read signal 134 . the positioning of heads relative to the disk is essential for proper system operation . the servo data is stored on the disk to facilitate this positioning . read signal 134 includes this servo data . the control circuitry 104 processes the servo data from read signal 134 to control the location of the heads relative to the disk . read channel 120 operates as follows . sampler 121 receives and samples the read signal 134 to generate read samples 135 . sampler 121 transfers the read samples 135 to adaptive filter 122 . adaptive filter 122 removes distortion by shaping the read samples 135 to generate equalized samples 136 . adaptive filter 122 transfers the equalized samples 136 to interpolator 123 . interpolator 123 synchronizes the equalized samples 136 with the clock for detector 124 to generate interpolated samples 137 . interpolator 123 transfers the interpolated samples 137 to detector 124 . detector 124 uses a detection algorithm , such as a viterbi state machine , to convert the interpolated samples 137 into an encoded signal 138 that represents the user data . detector 124 transfers the encoded signal 138 to decoder 126 . detector 124 also detects the servo data from the interpolated samples 137 using servo circuitry 125 . the servo circuitry 125 generates and transfers a servo signal 159 that represents the servo data . decoder 126 decodes the encoded signal 138 into data signal 139 by applying a decoding technique , such as pr 4 with d = 0 constraints . decoder 126 also performs error - checking functions . data signal 139 should represent the user data . [ 0033 ] fig2 shows an example of servo circuitry 125 in the prior art . the servo circuitry 125 is comprised of servo detector system 201 , sign bit system 206 , and register 208 . servo detector system 201 is comprised of matched filter system 211 and comparator 214 . matched filter system 211 comprises matched filters 251 - 258 . in operation , sign bit system 206 receives the interpolated samples 137 from the interpolator 123 . sign bit system 206 is configured to change the polarity of the servo circuitry 125 to match the polarity of the interpolated samples 137 . sign bit system 206 transfers the interpolated samples 137 to register 208 . register 208 receives and buffers the interpolated samples 137 to generate a sample block 238 . register 208 is a sixteen - sample register . register 208 transfers the sample block 238 to matched filter system 211 . matched filters 251 - 258 receive the sample block 238 . matched filters 251 - 258 are programmed with sixteen - bit error correcting grey code ( ecgc ) servo codes . matched filters 251 - 258 compare the sample block 238 to the servo codes . matched filters 251 - 258 generate weighted values 239 . the weighted values 239 represent how closely the servo codes programmed into matched filters 251 - 258 match the sample block 238 . the operation of matched filters is well known in the art . matched filters 251 - 258 transfer the weighted values 239 to comparator 214 . comparator 214 compares the weighted values 239 for the sample block 238 to determine which matched filter 251 - 258 generated the highest weighted value . comparator 214 selects the servo code from the matched filter 251 - 258 that generates the highest weighted value for the sample block 238 . comparator 214 generates a three - bit code that represents a translation of the selected servo code . the three - bit code is represented in fig2 as servo signal 159 . servo signal 159 should represent the servo data . [ 0037 ] fig3 depicts an example of a disk drive system in accord with the present invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention . those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features could be combined to form multiple variations of the invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of the disk drive system have been simplified or omitted for clarity . [ 0038 ] fig3 shows disk drive system 300 that includes disk device 302 and associated control circuitry 304 . disk device 302 includes storage media 306 that is made of magnetic material . control circuitry 304 includes write channel 310 and read channel 320 . write channel 310 includes encoder 312 , compensation 314 , and write interface 316 connected in series . read channel 320 includes sampler 321 , adaptive filter 322 , interpolator 323 , detector 324 , and decoder 326 connected in series . detector 324 includes servo circuitry 325 . interface 316 and sampler 321 are coupled to disk device 302 . data signal 330 carries user data . write channel 310 receives data signal 330 and transfers a corresponding write signal 333 to disk device 302 . disk device 302 stores the user data on storage media 306 . subsequently , disk device 302 reads storage media 306 and transfers a corresponding read signal 334 to read channel 320 . write signal 333 and read signal 334 should both represent the user data . read channel 320 processes read signal 334 to generate data signal 339 . ideally , data signal 339 carries the same user data as data signal 330 . write channel 310 operates as follows . encoder 312 receives and encodes data signal 330 to generate encoded signal 331 . encoder 312 transfers the encoded signal 331 to compensation 314 . compensation 314 adjusts the timing of transitions in the encoded signal 331 to generate time - adjusted signal 332 . compensation 314 transfers the time - adjusted signal 332 to interface 316 . interface 316 converts the time - adjusted signal 332 from digital format to analog format to generate write signal 333 . interface 316 transfers the write signal 333 to disk device 302 . read channel 320 operates as follows . sampler 321 receives and samples read signal 334 to generate read samples 335 . sampler 321 transfers the read samples 335 to adaptive filter 322 . adaptive filter 322 removes distortion by shaping the read samples 335 to generate equalized samples 336 . adaptive filter 322 transfers the equalized samples 336 to interpolator 323 . interpolator 323 synchronizes the equalized samples 336 with the clock for detector 324 to generate interpolated samples 337 . interpolator 323 transfers the interpolated samples 337 to detector 324 . detector 324 uses a detection algorithm to convert the interpolated samples 337 into an encoded signal 338 that represents the user data . detector 324 transfers the encoded signal 338 to decoder 326 . detector 324 also detects servo data from the interpolated samples 337 using servo circuitry 325 . the servo circuitry 325 generates and transfers a servo signal 359 that represents the servo data . the operation of servo circuitry 325 is discussed further with regard to fig4 . decoder 326 decodes the encoded signal 338 into data signal 339 by applying a decoding technique . decoder 326 also performs error - checking functions . data signal 339 should represent the user data . [ 0043 ] fig4 depicts specific examples of servo circuitry in accord with the present invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from these examples that do not depart from the scope of the invention . those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described could be combined with other embodiments to form multiple variations of the invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of the servo circuitry have been simplified or omitted for clarity . [ 0044 ] fig4 shows a block diagram that illustrates an example of servo circuitry 325 . servo circuitry 325 is comprised of servo detector system 401 , servo detector system 402 , servo detector system 403 , and comparator 416 . comparator 416 is coupled to servo detector system 401 , servo detector system 402 , and servo detector system 403 . in a first example of the operation of servo circuitry 325 , servo detector system 401 receives the interpolated samples 337 . the interpolated samples 337 include servo data . servo detector system 401 performs a first comparison by comparing the interpolated samples 337 to a plurality of servo codes . servo detector system 401 selects a first one of the plurality of servo codes based on the first comparison . servo detector system 401 then indicates the first one of the plurality of servo codes as a first selected code . servo detector system 401 transfers the first selected code to comparator 416 . servo detector system 402 also receives the interpolated samples 337 . servo detector system 402 performs a second comparison by comparing a first shifted version of the interpolated samples 337 to the plurality of servo codes . servo detector system 402 selects a second one of the plurality of servo codes based on the second comparison . servo detector system 402 then indicates the second one of the plurality of servo codes as a second selected code . servo detector system 402 transfers the second selected code to comparator 416 . comparator 416 receives the selected codes from servo detector systems 401 - 402 . comparator 416 performs a third comparison of the selected codes . comparator 416 selects one of the selected codes based on the third comparison . comparator 416 transfers the one of the selected codes . the one of the selected codes represents the servo data and is represented in fig4 as signal 359 . in some examples , servo detector system 403 also receives the interpolated samples 337 . servo detector system 403 performs a fourth comparison by comparing the second shifted version of the interpolated samples 337 to the plurality of servo codes . servo detector system 403 selects a third one of the plurality of servo codes based on the fourth comparison . servo detector system 403 then indicates the third one of the plurality of servo codes as a third selected code . servo detector system 403 transfers third selected code to comparator 416 . comparator 416 includes the third selected code in the third comparison . in a second example of the operation of servo circuitry 325 , servo detector system 401 receives the interpolated samples 337 . servo detector system 401 performs the first comparison by comparing the interpolated samples 337 to a plurality of first servo codes . servo detector system 401 selects one of the plurality of first servo codes based on the first comparison . servo detector system 401 then indicates the one of the plurality of first servo codes as the first selected code . servo detector system 401 transfers the first selected code to comparator 416 . servo detector system 402 also receives the interpolated samples 337 . servo detector system 402 performs the second comparison by comparing the interpolated samples 337 to a plurality of second servo codes . the plurality of second servo codes could be a shifted version of the first servo codes . servo detector system 402 selects one of the plurality of second servo codes based on the second comparison . servo detector system 402 then indicates the one of the plurality of second servo codes as the second selected code . servo detector system 402 transfers the second selected code to comparator 416 . comparator 416 receives the selected codes from servo detector systems 401 - 402 . comparator 416 performs the third comparison of the selected codes . comparator 416 selects one of the selected codes based on the third comparison . comparator 416 transfers the one of the selected codes . the one of the selected codes represents the servo data and is represented in fig4 as signal 359 . in some examples , servo detector system 403 also receives the interpolated samples 337 . servo detector system 403 performs the fourth comparison by comparing the interpolated samples 337 to a plurality of third servo codes . the plurality of third servo codes could be a shifted version of the first servo codes and the second servo codes . servo detector system 403 selects one of the plurality of third servo codes based on the fourth comparison . servo detector system 403 then indicates the one of the plurality of third servo codes as the third selected code . servo detector system 403 transfers third selected code to comparator 416 . comparator 416 includes the third selected code in the third comparison . [ 0054 ] fig5 depicts an example of servo circuitry in accord with the present invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention . those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described could be combined with other embodiments to form multiple variations of the invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of the servo circuitry have been simplified or omitted for clarity . [ 0055 ] fig5 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of servo circuitry 325 . servo circuitry 325 comprises sign bit system 506 , register 508 , servo detector system 401 , servo detector system 402 , servo detector system 403 , and comparator 416 . servo detector system 401 is comprised of matched filter system 511 and comparator 514 . servo detector system 402 is comprised of delay 518 , matched filter system 512 , and comparator 515 . servo detector system 403 is comprised of delay 519 , matched filter system 513 , and comparator 516 . matched filter system 511 comprises matched filters 551 - 558 . matched filter system 512 comprises matched filters 561 - 568 . matched filter system 513 comprises matched filters 571 - 578 . sign bit system 506 is coupled to register 508 . register 508 is coupled to matched filter system 511 , delay 518 , and delay 519 . matched filter system 511 is coupled to comparator 514 . comparator 514 is coupled to comparator 416 . delay 518 is coupled to matched filter system 512 . matched filter system 512 is coupled to comparator 515 . comparator 515 is coupled to comparator 416 . delay 519 is coupled to matched filter system 513 . matched filter system 513 is coupled to comparator 516 . comparator 516 is coupled to comparator 416 . register 508 is a sixteen - sample register . matched filters 551 - 558 , 561 - 568 , and 571 - 578 are sixteen - bit filters . matched filters 561 - 568 and 571 - 578 could be the same filters as matched filters 551 - 558 . in other words , matched filters 551 - 558 , matched filters 561 - 568 , and matched filters 571 - 578 are programmed with the same coefficients . in operation , sign bit system 506 receives the interpolated samples 337 from the interpolator 323 . sign bit system 506 is configured to change the polarity of the servo circuitry 325 to match the polarity of the interpolated samples 337 or vice - versa . sign bit system 506 transfers the interpolated samples 337 to register 508 . register 508 receives and buffers the interpolated samples 337 to generate a sample block 538 . register 508 transfers the sample block 538 to servo detector systems 401 - 403 . matched filter system 511 receives the sample block 538 . matched filters 551 - 558 , within matched filter system 511 , compare the sample block 538 to error correcting grey codes ( ecgc ) servo codes . each matched filter 551 - 558 is programmed with a sixteen - bit servo code . matched filters 551 - 558 generate weighted values 539 based on the servo codes . the weighted values 539 represent how closely the servo codes programmed into matched filters 551 - 558 match the sample block 538 . matched filters 551 - 558 transfer the weighted values 539 to comparator 514 . comparator 514 processes the weighted values 539 to generate a selected code 531 . comparator 514 generates the selected code 531 based on which matched filter 551 - 558 generates the highest weighted value for the sample block 538 . the selected code 531 is a three - bit code that represents a translation of the sixteen - bit servo code that is programmed into the matched filter 551 - 558 that generated the highest weighted value . comparator 514 transfers the selected code 531 and the highest weighted value to comparator 416 . the highest weighted value is represented in fig5 as weighted value 534 . delay 518 also receives the sample block 538 . delay 518 delays the sample block 538 by one sample , or one bit , and transfers delayed sample block 543 to matched filter system 512 . matched filters 561 - 568 , within matched filter system 512 , compare the delayed sample block 543 to the ecgc servo codes . each matched filter 561 - 568 is programmed with a sixteen - bit servo code to match the servo codes programmed in matched filters 551 - 558 . matched filters 561 - 568 generate weighted values 540 based on the servo codes . the weighted values 540 represent how closely the servo codes programmed into matched filters 561 - 568 match the delayed sample block 543 . matched filters 561 - 568 transfer the weighted values 540 to comparator 515 . comparator 515 processes the weighted values 540 to generate a selected code 532 . comparator 515 generates the selected code 532 based on which matched filter 561 - 568 generates the highest weighted value for the delayed sample block 543 . the selected code 532 is a three - bit code that represents a translation of the sixteen - bit servo code that is programmed into the matched filter 561 - 568 that generated the highest weighted value . comparator 515 transfers the selected code 532 and the highest weighted value to comparator 416 . the highest weighted value is represented in fig5 as weighted value 535 . delay 519 also receives the sample block 538 . delay 519 delays the sample block 538 by two samples , or two bits , and transfers the delayed sample block 544 to matched filter system 513 . matched filters 571 - 578 , within matched filter system 513 , compare the delayed sample block 544 to the ecgc servo codes . each matched filter 571 - 578 is programmed with a sixteen - bit servo code to match the servo codes programmed in matched filters 551 - 558 and 561 - 568 . matched filters 571 - 578 generate weighted values 541 based on the servo codes . the weighted values 541 represent how closely the servo codes programmed into matched filters 571 - 578 match the delayed sample block 544 . matched filters 571 - 578 transfer the weighted values 541 to comparator 516 . comparator 516 processes the weighted values 541 to generate a selected code 533 . comparator 516 generates the selected code 533 based on which matched filter 571 - 578 generates the highest weighted value for the delayed sample block 544 . the selected code 533 is a three - bit code that represents a translation of the sixteen - bit servo code that is programmed into the matched filter 571 - 578 that generated the highest weighted value . comparator 516 transfers the selected code 533 and the highest weighted value to comparator 416 . the highest weighted value is represented in fig5 as weighted value 536 . comparator 416 receives the selected codes 531 - 533 and the weighted values 534 - 536 . comparator 416 selects one of the selected code 531 - 533 based on the highest of the weighted values 534 - 536 . comparator 416 transfers the one of the selected codes 531 - 533 , referred to as a detected code . the detected code is shown in fig5 as servo signal 359 . comparator 416 also transfers the highest of the weighted values 534 - 536 to channel quality circuitry so that the channel quality circuitry can monitor the performance of detector 324 . the highest of the weighted values 534 - 536 is shown in fig5 as weighted value 559 . servo circuitry 325 could operate in two modes . for instance , in normal mode , servo circuitry 325 operates using only servo detector system 401 . then , disk drive system 300 could change servo circuitry 325 to operate in phase shift improvement mode . servo circuitry 325 operates in phase shift improvement mode as described above using servo detector systems 401 - 403 . disk drive system 100 could control servo circuitry 325 using a phase shift improvement mode bit . [ 0065 ] fig6 depicts an example of servo circuitry in accord with the present invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention . those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described could be combined with other embodiments to form multiple variations of the invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of the servo circuitry have been simplified or omitted for clarity . [ 0066 ] fig6 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of servo circuitry 325 . servo circuitry 325 comprises sign bit system 606 , register 608 , servo detector system 401 , servo detector system 402 , servo detector system 403 , and comparator 416 . servo detector system 401 is comprised of matched filter system 611 and comparator 614 . servo detector system 402 is comprised of matched filter system 612 and comparator 615 . servo detector system 403 is comprised of matched filter system 613 and comparator 616 . matched filter system 611 comprises matched filters 651 - 658 . matched filter system 612 comprises matched filters 661 - 668 . matched filter system 613 comprises matched filters 671 - 678 . sign bit system 606 is coupled to register 608 . register 608 is coupled to matched filter system 611 , matched filter system 612 , and matched filter system 613 . matched filter system 611 is coupled to comparator 614 . comparator 614 is coupled to comparator 416 . matched filter system 612 is coupled to comparator 615 . comparator 615 is coupled to comparator 416 . matched filter system 613 is coupled to comparator 616 . comparator 616 is coupled to comparator 416 . register 608 is a sixteen - sample register . matched filters 651 - 658 , 661 - 668 , and 671 - 678 are sixteen - bit filters . matched filters 651 - 658 , 661 - 668 and 671 - 678 are each programmed with different coefficients . matched filters 651 - 658 are programmed with coefficients to match a first set of servo codes . matched filters 661 - 668 are programmed with coefficients to match a second set of servo codes . the second set could be a one - bit shifted version of the first set . matched filters 671 - 678 are programmed with coefficients to match a third set of servo codes . the third set could be a two - bit shifted version of the first set . in operation , sign bit system 606 receives the interpolated samples 337 from the interpolator 323 . sign bit system 606 is configured to change the polarity of the servo circuitry 325 to match the polarity of the interpolated samples 337 or vice - versa . sign bit system 606 transfers the interpolated samples 337 to register 608 . register 608 receives and buffers the interpolated samples 337 to generate a sample block 638 . register 608 transfers the sample block 638 to servo detector systems 401 - 403 . matched filter system 611 receives the sample block 638 . matched filters 651 - 658 , within matched filter system 611 , compare the sample block 638 to the first set of servo codes . matched filters 651 - 658 generate weighted values 639 based on the first set of servo codes . comparator 614 processes the weighted values 639 to generate a selected code 631 . comparator 614 generates the selected code 631 based on which matched filter 651 - 658 generates the highest weighted value for the sample block 638 . comparator 614 transfers the selected code 631 and the highest weighted value to comparator 416 . the highest weighted value is represented in fig6 as weighted value 634 . matched filter system 612 also receives the sample block 638 . matched filters 661 - 668 compare the sample block 638 to the second set of servo codes . matched filters 661 - 668 generate weighted values 640 based on the second set of servo codes . comparator 615 processes the weighted values 640 to generate a selected code 632 . comparator 615 generates the selected code 632 based on which matched filter 661 - 668 generates the highest weighted value for the sample block 638 . comparator 615 transfers the selected code 632 and the highest weighted value to comparator 416 . the highest weighted value is represented in fig6 as weighted value 635 . matched filter system 613 also receives the sample block 638 . matched filters 671 - 678 compare the sample block 638 to the third set of servo codes . matched filters 671 - 678 generate weighted values 641 based on the third set of servo codes . comparator 616 processes the weighted values 641 to generate a selected code 633 . comparator 616 generates the selected code 633 based on which matched filter 671 - 678 generates the highest weighted value for the sample block 638 . comparator 616 transfers the selected code 633 and the highest weighted value to comparator 416 . the highest weighted value is represented in fig6 as weighted value 636 . comparator 416 receives the selected codes 631 - 633 and the weighted values 634 - 636 . comparator 416 selects one of the selected code 631 - 633 based on the highest of the weighted values 634 - 636 . comparator 416 transfers the one of the selected codes , referred to as a detected code . the detected code is shown in fig6 as servo signal 359 . comparator 416 also transfers the highest of the weighted values 634 - 636 to channel quality circuitry so that the channel quality circuitry can monitor the performance of detector 324 . the highest of the weighted values 634 - 636 is shown in fig6 as weighted value 659 . [ 0075 ] fig7 depicts an example of servo circuitry in accord with the present invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention . those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described could be combined with other embodiments to form multiple variations of the invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of the servo circuitry have been simplified or omitted for clarity . [ 0076 ] fig7 shows a block diagram of an example of servo circuitry 325 . servo circuitry 325 is comprised of sign bit system 706 , adder 707 , register 708 , servo detector system 401 , servo detector system 402 , servo detector system 403 , and comparator 416 . sign bit system 706 is coupled to adder 707 . adder 707 is coupled to register 708 . register 708 is coupled to servo detector systems 401 - 403 . servo detector systems 401 - 403 are coupled to comparator 416 . register 708 is an eight - sample register . servo detector systems 401 - 403 operate as described above and shown in fig6 or 7 . one difference is that the matched filters in servo detector systems 401 - 403 in this example contain eight - bit ecgc servo codes instead of sixteen - bit servo codes . in operation , sign bit system 706 receives the interpolated samples 337 from interpolator 323 . sign bit system 706 is configured to change the polarity of the servo circuitry 325 to match the polarity of the interpolated samples 337 . sign bit system 706 transfers the interpolated samples 337 to adder 707 . adder 707 adds pairs of the interpolated samples 337 . because all transitions in ecgc are in the same interleave , the interpolated samples 337 from each interleave can be added without losing any of the servo data . adder 707 transfers the added samples 735 to register 708 . register 708 receives and buffers the added samples 735 . register 708 transfers a sample block 738 to servo detector system 401 , servo detector system 402 , and servo detector system 403 . servo detector systems 401 - 403 and comparator 416 operate on the sample block 738 substantially as described above . matched filters within servo detector systems 401 - 403 compare eight - bit servo codes to the sample block 738 . the matched filters each generate and transfer a weighted value that represents how closely each servo code matched the sample block 738 . servo detector systems 401403 transfer selected codes 531 - 533 and weighted values 534 - 536 to comparator 416 . the selected codes 531 - 533 are three - bit codes that represent a translation of the eight - bit servo codes . comparator 416 generates detected code 359 and weighted value signal 759 as described above . those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above - described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention . as a result , the invention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed above , but only by the following claims and their equivalents .

6Physics

a careful review of the process by which the kalman filter develops the state estimates reveals a number of intriguing similarities between itself and the affine scaling algorithm . specifically , it can be shown that , in the affine scaling algorithm , the value of w ( k ) in equation 3 ( d ) is a least squares solution . thus , the developed value of the dual vector w ( k ) is one that minimizes ∥( ad x ( k )) t w ( k )- d x ( k ) c ∥ 2 . correspondingly , it can be shown that the state vector estimate in a kalman filter arrangement z ( t ) is a least square estimate of the state vector z ( t ), where z ( t ) is the true state vector and z ( t ) is the filtered state vector . that is , the developed value of z ( t ) is one that minimizes ∥ z ( t )- z ( t )∥ 2 . question : if it is assumed that the dual vector w ( k ) is really the estimate of the state vector of some hypothetical system , can w ( k ) in each affine scaling iteration be evaluated by means of a kalman filter ? we first recognized that at each iteration of the affine scaling algorithm the value of w ( k ), though unknown , is unique and fixed . placing this in a kalman filter environment , it means that if w ( k ) corresponds to the state ( z ) of some hypothetical system , it must be one that is static . in other words , we discovered that w ( k ) can be obtained from a kalman filter that operates on a hypothetical system whose state transition matrix f is equal to i and the input ( u ) is 0 , so that at all kalman filter iterations , t , the state vector of the hypothetical system , w ( t ), per equation ( 2a ), is constant ; i . e ., we also discovered that equation ( 4 ) can be rewritten as ## equ5 ## and in this form , equation ( 5b ) corresponds to equation ( 1b ) when the following variable substitutions are made : and ## equ6 ## with these substitutions in place , various conceptual and computational parallelisms between the two techniques can be brought to light . the kalman filter ( kalman system ) operates in a stochastic environment , while the affine scaling algorithm ( affine system ) works essentially in a deterministic framework . the affine system projects the weighted cost vector ( weighted gradient of the objective function d x ( k ) c ) onto the null space of the weighted constraint set ad , per equation ( 5b ). the kalman system projects the measurement vector y ( t ) onto the hyperplane which spans the sets of state vectors , per equation ( 1b ). fig2 presents a pictorial representation of this correspondence . the kalman system estimates the states of the stochastic system on which it operates from the measurements of the noisy output of the system , y ( t ). the affine system derives the information from the weighted gradient of the cost function d x ( k ) c . since c is a constant , the only variable is d x ( k ), or x ( k ) itself , which essentially contains the entire information . the kalman system computes the states z ( t ) of a system in the minimum variance sense from the observations . the affine system also computes the dual vector w ( k ) in the least squares sense , from the observation ( which is the current interior feasible point , x ). both the kalman system and the affine system can be considered as predictor - corrector mechanisms . that is , they start at some point and move towards optimality in steps by predicting the next point from the information that is currently available . as far as the kalman system is concerned , the next estimate of states is based on the &# 34 ; residuals &# 34 ; defined as ( see equation 2d ). for the affine system , the next direction of move is based on &# 34 ; reduced cost vector &# 34 ;, which in the transformed space is defined as : for the kalman system , the optimality conditions are given by the zero mean of residuals and the statistical orthogonality ( statistical independence ) between the residuals vector and the observation vector . likewise , for the affine system the conditions of optimality are the reduced costs which are greater than or equal to zero ( dual feasibility ) and the geometrical orthogonality between the reduced costs vector and the current interior point vector ( complementary slackness ). stated simply , with proper inputs , the filtered state vector developed by a kalman filter is equal to the dual vector of the affine scaling algorithm . in light of the above discovery , implementation of the affine scaling lp algorithm ( linear constraints and a linear cost function ) can be carried out with the aid of a kalman filter . fig3 presents an illustrative block diagram of this implementation . in fig3 the system whose operation is to be optimized is depicted by block 40 . as in fig1 system 40 may be any commercial or industrial system that utilizes resources in the course of its operation and that is characterized by an expense that is involved with such utilizing of resources . the objective , of course , is to reduce the expenses in accordance with a cost function that is characteristic of system 40 . in accordance with the affine scaling algorithm and the arrangement depicted in fig3 the controller that sends commands to system 40 is a feed - forward controller . it does not have a feedback path to allow controlling of system 40 based on its present state . of course , inasmuch as the interior point method invented by karmarkar requires an initial , feasible , starting point , the present operating point of system can be fed to the controller to serve as that initial , feasible , starting point . this may speed the computations for developing the optimizing control signals . thus , the fig3 embodiment is simply a realization of the affine scaling optimization algorithm for an lp problem associated with a non - stochastic system that is controlled in a feed - forward manner . in fig3 the lp affine scaling algorithm controller of system 40 comprises blocks 60 and 51 - 56 . more specifically , block 60 in fig3 develops the dual vector w ( k ) that corresponds to equation ( 3d ). block 51 computes the value of γ based on the value of w ( k ), a , d x ( k ) and c in accordance with equation ( 4a ). processor 52 , responsive to w ( k ), γ , c , a , and d x ( k ) develops the next value , x ( k + 1 ), in accordance with equation ( 4 ). it also develops the diagonal matrix for this new value of x ( k + 1 ), multiplied by the cost vector c , and stores that value in register 56 for the next iteration as an input to block 60 . block 53 performs the test of equation ( 4c ) based on the value of w ( k ), a , c and d x ( k ), and it determines whether the iterations that encompass blocks 60 , 51 , 52 , and 56 should continue . when block 53 determines that additional iterations are not necessary , gate 54 is enabled to allow the value of the vector x to be applied to system 40 . in accordance with the principles of our invention , block 60 develops the dual vector of w ( k ) with a kalman filter that is identical in structure to the filter described in fig1 . the difference lies in the fact that the kalman filter is made to estimate the state of a hypothetical system or , more particularly , the difference lies in the signals that are applied to the kalman filter of fig3 . specifically , the input to the blocks that maintain the r matrix is ηi , where η is a selected constant close to 0 ( to insure computational stability ). the input to the block that maintains the q matrix is 0 . the input to the block that maintains the h matrix that corresponds to a t d x ( k ), and the input to the block that maintains the f matrix is i . also , either the input to the block that maintains the g matrix is 0 , or the input to the memory that receives the input signal u ( t ) in fig1 is 0 ( or both ), and the input to the memory that received the observed output signal y ( t ) in fig1 is d x ( k ) c . one can purchase a kalman filter and apply thereto the signals specified above . however , it should be realized that one does not have to use the &# 34 ; full fledged &# 34 ; kalman filter in connection with the fig3 structure . since a number of the inputs are trivial ( 0 or i ), a number of the processors in block 60 of fig3 actually can be dispensed with and the complexity reduced . viewed differently , equations ( 2a ) through ( 2f ) can be simplified substantially when g = 0 , q = 0u = 0 and f = i . the above describes the use of a conventional kalman filter with appropriate modifications to its inputs , in combination with other elements , to realize the affine scaling algorithm for solving linear programming optimization tasks . similar results hold true for optimization tasks where the cost function is quadratic . this follows from the fact that in a copending application , ser . no . 237 , 264 , filed aug . 28 , 1988 , and in a publication in the 13th international math . symp ., titled &# 34 ; a new karmarkar - based algorithm for optimizing convex , non - linear cost functions with linear constraints &# 34 ;, tokyo , japan , 1988 , aug . 29 - sept . 2 , an algorithm to solve qp ( quadratic programming ) problems using affine scaling was disclosed . this qp algorithm can be summarized as follows a &# 34 ; minimum fuel &# 34 ; problem can be posed as a qp problem to minimize 1 / 2x t ωx - c t x subject to a set of linear constraints where x ≧ 0 , ω is a positive definite or semi - definite matrix , and c , a , and b are the same as in the lp problem . when the problem is posed in this manner , the qp algorithm proceeds as follows . 1 . at each iteration k , where a feasible solution x ( k ) is known , compute the descent direction by using d x ( k ) is the diagonal matrix containing the components of x ( k ). 2 . compute α = min ( α 1 , α 2 ), where ## equ7 ## β being a selected constant between 0 and 1 , and ## equ8 ## 4 . if ## equ9 ## ( where ε is chosen small positive number ) then stop again , we discovered that δx p of equation ( 9a ) can be written as and that allows one to formulate the state space equations corresponding to this qp algorithm for kalman iterations . in the above , the matrix l is such that t = ll t . as before , it can be shown that a dual vector w ( k ) can be obtained for each iteration k of the affine scaling algorithm from the filtered state estimate of a kalman filter operating on a hypothetical system whose state , w ( t ), is fixed within the kalman iterations , t ; to wit , the state of the hypothetical system corresponds to the dual vector of the affine scaling algorithm , because the function and ## equ10 ## it should be noted that both g and t change from one iteration of the affine scaling algorithm to the next ( i . e ., as k increments ) because , as indicated by equation ( 9b ), t is a function of d x ( k ). the qp algorithm can be posed as a kalman filtering problem . as already indicated earlier one needs a routine for the matrix inversion of the step expressed by equation 2 ( c ). the same routine can be used to obtain t , l , and l - 1 and , hence , no special routines are necessary for the qp implementation that employs a kalman filter . in short , the controller depicted in fig3 is applicable to optimization of a system 40 where the cost function is linear ; and the controller depicted in fig4 which is essentially identical to that of fig3 but with different inputs , is applicable to optimization of a system 40 where the cost function is quadratic . the controller of fig3 - 4 is shown to include a kalman filter and a number of additional components . although it is presumed that in realizing the controller artisans would simply purchase a kalman filter , fig1 - 4 present sufficient information to allow a skilled artisan to create the filter &# 34 ; from scratch &# 34 ;. that is , as suggested earlier , each of the processors in the kalman filter can be created for the specific computational function that it needs to perform or , alternatively , each of the processors can be realized with a general purpose processing element , such as a microprocessor , with attendant memory and stored program control . the same applies to the processors outside the kalman filter that are included in the controller of fig3 . indeed , the entire fig3 controller can be implemented in a single general purpose computer , under program control , and the program control can even include a switch function to allow the processor to a . execute the kalman filter function per equation ( 6 ), together with the remainder of the affine scaling algorithm -- to solve an lp problem , or b . execute the kalman filter function per equation ( 14 ), together with the remainder of the affine scaling algorithm -- to solve a qp problem . the process of controlling such a general purpose processor is shown in the form of a flow chart in fig5 . the first step ( 302 ) is to model the system or process to be controlled to develop the a , b , and c information . the modeling process is , of course , not part of the direct process of control . it is an &# 34 ; off line &# 34 ; step that is the predicate to the control process . once the modeling part is done , decision process 305 determines whether a minimum time ( 306 ) or a minimum energy ( 307 ) control strategy will be employed , and applies the developed states to process 308 or to process 309 . in process 308 the lp based controller of equation ( 6 ) is implemented , and in process 309 the qp based controller of equation ( 14 ) is implemented . fig6 illustrates a unified three - in - one observer / controller system in accordance with the principles of our invention . block 401 is the system or process to be controlled . blocks 402 and 412 include appropriate transducers which generate electrical signals corresponding to the input and output of the system , respectively . these electrical signals are often analog in nature and , hence , blocks 403 are provided , which are analog - to - digital converts that make these signals ready for use by a digital computer . signal lines 404 carry this digital data to element 405 , which is a digital computer . upon the arrival of the data , computer 405 invokes the kalman filter by setting appropriate parameters in the common software 406 residing in the memory of the computer , and estimates the states of the system . setting of the parameters in software 406 is tantamount to applying the appropriate inputs to the kalman filter , as depicted in fig3 and 4 . the information on the states estimated by computer 405 is displayed on the console 408 of the computer for human monitoring . the console is also used to provide input to computer 405 on the type of control action to be taken ( minimum time or minimum energy ) and the corresponding parameters ( desired output , control horizon , penalty for deviating from desired output goal , limits on control input , etc .) to be used in deploying the selected control strategy . once this information is provided to computer 405 , the appropriate parameters in the common software 406 are set , the processes described in connection with the selected control strategy are executed , and the appropriate control signals 410 , in the form of digital data , are developed . this data is then converted to analog signals 411 with the help of digital - to - analog converters 412 . these analog signals drive corresponding operating mechanisms 413 ( for example valves of a chemical reactor ) to provide actual inputs to the system or process to be controlled .

6Physics

the fusible powders are prepared in a number of sequential steps , the first being ( step 1 ) the preparation of oligomeric amic acids end - capped with amino groups . in this embodiment , an aromatic diamine component such as mda is reacted with a dianhydride such as 3 , 3 &# 39 ;, 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride ( btda ) in an organic polar solvent at ambient temperature to form a solution of oligomeric amic acid end - capped with amine groups . the molar ratio of diamine / dianhydride is about 2 . 0 to 1 . 15 , preferably 1 . 5 to 1 . 2 . such molar ratio is responsible for obtaining an oligomeric amic acid having amino groups at chain ends . the reaction is monitored using nmr ( nuclear magnetic resonance ) spectroscopic analysis to make sure the anhydride groups are reacted . the reaction of step 1 is illustrated below : ## str1 ## where n is an integer from 2 to about 8 . as the second step ( step 2 ) in the production of the fusible reactive end - capped amide / imide prepolymer powders of the present invention , the amine end - capped oligomeric amic acid solution prepared as disclosed above is reacted with an unsaturated carbocyclic monomeric anhydride to form unsaturated carbocyclic - capped amic acid prepolymers . the equivalent ratio of aromatic diamine to the combination of dianhydride and unsaturated anhydride is from about 1 . 0 : 1 . 0 to about 1 . 0 : 1 . 05 with about 5 mole % excess of unsaturated anhydride to ensure that the amine groups are fully reacted . the reaction of step 2 is illustrated below ( using nadic anhydride ): ## str2 ## the unsaturated carbocyclic monomeric anhydrides of use in this embodiment of the present invention are nadic anhydride ( 5 - norbornene - 2 , 3 - dicarboxylic anhydride ) and its halogen or c 1 to c 6 linear or branched alkyl derivatives , i . e ., ## str3 ## where r is c 1 to c 6 linear or branched alkyl , halo or maleic anhydride and its c 1 to c 6 linear or branched alkyl derivatives where r &# 39 ; is the same or different than r described above . mixtures of the above compounds may also be used . the r and r &# 39 ; groups in these monomeric anhydrides include both mono - substituted compounds as well as disubstituted ones . thus , compounds such as methyl maleic anhydride ( citraconic anhydride ) or dimethyl maleic anhydride as well as 5 - methyl - 5 - norbornene - 2 , 3 - dicarboxylic anhydride or 5 , 6 - dimethyl - 5 - norbornene - 2 , 3 - dicarboxylic anhydride are useful herein . in step 3 , the unsaturated carbocyclic - capped amic acid prepolymer is then warmed up to about 130 ° to 180 ° c ., preferably 135 ° to 160 ° c ., for an appropriate period of time to partially imidize the prepolymer , i . e ., 30 to 80 %, preferably 40 to 70 % imidization . the reasons for keeping imidization below 80 % are : ( i ) to allow imidized product solubility in the solution so that it can be used readily for casting or coating and ( ii ) to keep the melting temperatures of the imidized product ( powder ) below 280 ° c ., preferably below 260 ° c ., which is lower than the crosslinking temperature ( 300 °- 340 ° c .) of the norbornenyl groups . it is desirable to have a wide enough processing window , preferably greater than 20 ° c ., for molding operation . the level of imidization is monitored by nmr analysis . a typical thermal imidization of the norbornenyl - capped amic acid prepolymer is illustrated below : ## str4 ## as a final step , step 4 , the solution of step 3 is cooled to ambient temperature and gradually poured into water or other organic non - solvent , which is miscible with the solvent used in the reaction , under agitation to precipitate the norbornenyl - capped amide / imide prepolymer . the powdered product is filtered and dried . the particulate prepolymer may be separated or recovered from the liquid medium by any suitable procedure , such as filtration , decantation , vacuum distillation or centrifugation . after drying the product under vacuum or under a flow of air or inert gas ( e . g ., nitrogen ) at a temperature in the range of 25 ° to 100 ° c . to remove most of residual quantities of water and solvent ( s ), the particulate prepolymer powder is typically subjected to a final drying in a vacuum oven at 100 °- 150 ° c . to remove the solvent from the prepolymer particles . examples of solvents which are suitable for use in the formation of the precursor include the dipolar aprotic ones such as n , n - dimethylformamide , n , n - dimethylacetamide , n , n - diethyl - formamide , n , n - diethylacetamide , n - methylpyrrolidone , dimethylsulfoxide , sulfolane , and the like , including mixtures of two or more such solvents . other solvents , such as ketones , ethers , and the like may also be included in the solutions formed above , provided that such co - solvents do not prevent the polyimide from precipitating from solution in proper physical form during the course of the ensuing thermal dehydration reaction in step 3 . a feature of this invention is that no reaction intermediate , e . g ., the reaction product of step 1 , need be recovered or isolated , and the entire reaction can be , and preferably is , conducted in the same reactor , in effect as a one - stage unit operation . the aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides which may be employed in the process may be represented by the formula where a is an aromatic group . illustrative compounds of this type include : mixtures of two or more such illustrative dianhydrides are also useful reactants . pyromellitic acid dianhydride , 2 , 2 - bis ( 3 , 4 - dicarboxyphenyl ) hexafluoropropane dianhydride , and 3 , 3 &# 39 ;, 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride are particularly preferred reactants . typically , to the reaction product of step 1 nadic anhydride or maleic anhydride is added at an equimolar ratio to that of the unreacted amino group . it is preferred that the molar ratio of carbocyclic monoanhydride : bis -( aminophenyl ) methane : aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride is from about 2 : 3 : 2 to about 2 : 9 : 8 . small amounts of the corresponding tetracarboxylic acid monoanhydride may be present in the reaction system , either as the customary impurity in commercial grades of the dianhydride or as a deliberately added component . the amount present usually will not exceed about 5 mole % of the dianhydride . in lieu of or in addition to the tetracarboxylic dianhydride , use may be made of its acid halides or esters as reactants in the process . in a preferred embodiment , a homogeneous solution in step 2 above is formed by stirring or otherwise agitating the mixture at a temperature of up to about 100 ° c . it should be noted that the order of addition of the components to the reactor is critical . preferably this operation is conducted at ambient temperatures . as illustrated below for two of the carbocyclic monoanhydrides of the present invention , the polyimide precursors ( i . e ., polyamic acids ) resulting from the completion of steps 2 and 3 may be represented by the following structures : ## str5 ## where a is the integer 2 to about 8 . because the molecular weight of the end - capped polyimide is relatively low , 1500 - 4000 , the imidized material is generally soluble int he solvent used in the reaction . the end - capped polyimide is typically made into a solution with one or more solvents mentioned earlier and poured gradually into a non - solvent such as water under vigorous agitation to cause the polyimide to separate in particulate form and to prevent the formation of excessive quantities of agglomerated particles or masses within the system . the particulate polyimide product is filtered and washed with a suitable non - solvent having a boiling point below about 160 ° c . ( preferably below about 100 ° c .) and then dried in a vacuum oven at a temperature in the range of 25 to 200 ° c ., preferably in the range of 50 ° to 175 ° c . to remove residual quantities of solvent ( s ). the diamine portion of the polymers is based on a bis -( aminophenyl ) methane , such as bis -( 4 - aminophenyl ) methane or bis -( 3 - aminophenyl ) methane , and mixtures thereof , as the sole or as the predominant ( more than 50 mole %) diamine reactant used in producing the polyimide polymer . when forming co - polyimides wherein one or a mixture of bis ( aminophenyl ) methane constitute the predominant aromatic primary diamine component , the balance ( less than 50 mole %) of the aromatic diamine ( s ) used will be one or more unsubstituted or substituted aromatic or heterocyclic primary diamines such as : the particulate prepolymer may be separated or recovered from the liquid reaction medium by any suitable procedure , such as filtration , decantation , vacuum distillation , or centrifugation . in the preferred washing step of this invention , any inert solvent boiling below about 160 ° c . ( most preferably below about 100 ° c .) may be employed , including low boiling paraffins , cycloparaffins , chlorinated solvents , ethers , water , ketones , etc ., including mixtures of such solvents . it is important that the solvent used for washing be miscible with the aprotic solvent and thus can remove the aprotic solvent from the polymer particles . after drying the product under vacuum or under a flow of inert gas ( preferably nitrogen , although argon , etc ., may be used ), preferably using staged drying temperatures in the manner described above , the particulate prepolymer powder may be subjected to a final drying in a vacuum tray dryer at a temperature in the range of 50 ° to about 175 ° c . and at a pressure in the range of 0 to 20 mm hg . ordinarily grinding of the product is not required , but may be resorted to in any situation where it is deemed desirable . having described the basic concepts of this invention , reference will now be made to the following specific examples which are illustrative but not limitive of its practice . 59 . 4 g ( 0 . 30 mole ) of mda and 480 g of dmac were placed in a 1 l four - neck round bottom flask equipped with a condenser , thermometer , and a mechanical stirrer . to above mda solution under agitation , 64 . 4 g ( 0 . 20 mole ) of btda was added in ten portions into the reaction flask under nitrogen atmosphere over a period of 30 minutes at 25 °- 35 ° c . the reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature range for about 6 hours . a small sample of the reaction solution was analyzed by proton nmr analysis which did not show detectable unreacted mda or btda . 32 . 4 g ( 0 . 20 mole ) of nadic anhydride was added in 10 portions over a period of 30 minutes into the reactor at 25 ° to 30 ° c . the reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature range for an additional 90 minutes . the proton nmr analysis of a small sample of the reaction solution indicated that the end - capping was essentially complete . about a quarter ( by volume ) of the reactive end - capped oligomeric amic acid solution from example 1 was placed in a 300 - ml round - bottom flask . the solution was stirred and heated at about 130 °- 135 ° c . for about 1 / 2 hour and then cooled to ambient temperature . the resulting brown solution was then poured into cold water ( the volume of water was about 4 times of that of the brown solution ) with stirring to precipitate the imidized oligomer product . the fine powder product was filtered , washed with water , air - dried for 4 hours and then vacuum - dried ( 70 ° c . and 30 inch hg pressure ) to yield 34 . 5 g yellow powder . the proton nmr analysis of the product indicated about 50 - 60 % imidization . the melting temperature range of the powder was about 220 ° c . another quarter of the reactive end - capped oligomeric amic acid solution from example 1 was heated at 130 °- 135 ° c . for about one hour . at the end of the heating , yellow fine particles started to appear from the brown solution . the heating was discontinued . the solution was poured into water to precipitate the imidized oligomer powder . the proton nmr analysis of the imidized product indicated about 70 - 80 % imidization . the powder melted at about 230 ° c . to compare the reactive end - capped oligomeric imide with the traditional pmr - 15 resin , several grams of the yellow powder with 50 - 60 % imidization from example 2 and several grams of the commercially available m - 100 imidized pmr - 15 powder ( brown powder ) from hysol grafil composite components company were compression molded and cured separately at 600 ° f . for 30 minutes into several thin specimens ( thickness varied from 0 . 7 to 1 . 3 mm ). the glass transition temperatures ( using dmta method ), tg , of the cured m - 100 pmr - 15 specimens ranged from 270 ° to 285 ° c . while the tg of the cured specimens from our yellow powder ranged 350 ° to 360 ° c . after post - curing for 16 hr at 600 ° f ., 4 hr at 650 ° f ., and 4 hr at 700 ° f ., the tg of hysol grafil &# 39 ; s pmr - 15 specimens increased to the range of 315 ° to 345 ° c . while tg of our specimens increased to the range of 360 ° to 370 ° c . during compression - molding the powders , we experienced the difficulty of molding the m - 100 pmr - 15 powder because it became very fluid when it melted and would overflow when a small pressure was applied ; therefore , we were not able to mold a 1 / 4 inch thick disk from hysol grafil &# 39 ; s powder . we did not have difficulty to mold a 1 / 4 inch thick disk from our powder because the melt viscosity of our powder is significantly higher than that of the m - 100 pmr - 15 powder . the reactive end - capped oligomeric imide solution will be useful in applications such as high temperature adhesives , coating , and prepregging . the reactive end - capped oligomeric imide powder can be used for compression / transfer resin molding and powder prepregging to produce structure parts . example 3 shows that the glass transition temperatures ( tg ) of compression molded specimens , with and without post - cured , from the yellow prepolymer powder of this invention are higher than those of the corresponding specimens from the m - 100 pmr - 15 powder . both the prepolymer powder mentioned in example 3 and the m - 100 pmr - 15 powder are prepared from similar monomeric components and molar ratio but are prepared via different reaction process . to further demonstrate the differences in the natures of these two powder products , we measured the melt viscosity ( rds measurement ) and inherent viscosity ( η inh ) of these two powder samples . the results are following : ______________________________________ inherent viscosity melt viscosity ( at 250 ° c .) source of ( 1 . 0 % in dmac , time = time = powder 25 ° c . 0 sec . ; 80 sec . ______________________________________m - 100 pmr - 15 0 . 14 dl / g 2 × 10 . sup . 4 poise 3 × 10 . sup . 4 poisethis invention 0 . 36 dl / g 3 × 10 . sup . 4 poise 8 × 10 . sup . 6 poise______________________________________ both inherent viscosity and melt viscosity of the prepolymer powder of this invention are significantly higher than those of commercial pmr - 15 powder . that indicates that the process of this invention would produce a prepolymer which has higher average molecular weight than the conventional pmr - 15 process . the melt viscosity of the commercial pmr - 15 prepolymer increased much less in the span of 80 sec . than that of the prepolymer of this invention . that would explain why we experienced the difficulty for molding a thicker specimen from the commercial pmr - 15 powder mentioned in example 3 . to compare the fracture toughness of the molded and cured neat resin from the prepolymer powder of this invention and conventional pmr - 15 , the plane - strain fracture toughness ( k lc ) of compression - molded / cured neat resin from our norbornenyl - capped amide / imide prepolymer powder were determined by use of the compact tension specimen of astm 399 . the average k ic of three determinations is 846 ( psi )( in ) 1 / 2 . according to a paper presented by r . h . pater and c . d . morgan at the 1988 spe antec technical conference apr . 18 - 21 , 1988 ( sampe journal , vol . 24 , no . 5 , sept ./ oct . 1988 , pp 25 - 32 ), the neat resin fracture toughness , k lc , of pmr - 15 is about 500 ( psi )( in ) 1 / 2 .

2Chemistry; Metallurgy

briefly my invention comprises a lifting tool bar mounted on castering wheels and adapted to be tightly coupled behind another implement which , in turn , is pulled by a farm tractor . the wheels can be locked in a fixed position or released to caster thus allowing considerable flexibility in pulling the implement . more specifically and referring to the figures , i illustrate my device as being pulled behind a disc 10 having a frame 11 . my device is connected to the frame 11 of the disc by a tongue 12 pivotally coupled to the frame 11 in the customary manner . the disc is pulled in the usual way by a tractor not shown . the tongue 12 is part of a frame 13 which supports the implement . that frame includes side bars 14 and a rear member 15 forming a triangular shape and a center member 16 which is an extension of the tongue 12 . the rear member 15 has downwardly projecting legs 17 at each end . support links 18 are pivotally connected to these legs 17 and extend rearwardly . at the rearward end , these links 18 carry the tool bar 20 on which are supported the tools 21 specifically adapted for whichever operation the bar is to be used for . a lifting bar 22 is pivotally journalled to the rear member and lies parallel to that member . at its outward ends , lifting links 23 are fixed to the bar 22 and will be operated by the bar . the lifting links 23 are preferably placed directly above the support links 18 . the lifting links 23 can then be flexibly connected to the support links 18 by a chain 25 or the like . if the links were offset from each other , then the connection from the lifting links would have to be made with some other part of the bar 20 . in order to provide for controlled lifting of the tool bar 20 through the linkage just described , a power control is provided . i prefer a hydraulic piston - cylinder arrangement 26 connected between the center member 16 of the frame and an arm 27 fixed to the bar 22 . thus , extension of the hydraulic mechanism pushes the arm 27 and tends to rotate the bar 22 . in the mechanism shown , such rotation would be in a direction to lift the tool bar 20 , but if the direction of extension of the arm were reversed , a retraction of the hydraulic mechanism could be used through similar means to raise the tool bar . in order to provide for ease in making shorter turns at the ends of crop rows and the like , i provide a novel arrangement for attaching my device to another pulled device such as the disc 10 . the carrying wheels 30 are mounted to the frame 13 so that they will caster . specifically and as is best shown in fig2 - 5 , i provide a bracket 31 on the side bar 14 on which is pivotally mounted a wheel carrier having a horizontal member 32 pivoted to the bracket 31 and a vertical member 33 . the axle 34 of the wheel 30 is fixed to the vertical member 33 and is located so that the wheel is slightly offset from the pivot on the bracket 31 . the member 33 also is swept back from its juncture with the horizontal member 32 toward the rear of the frame so that the wheel trails behind the pivot axis . this formation provides a castering mechanism so that the wheels 30 adjust to the line of travel of the frame 13 to which they are attached . in order to provide for direct tracking of the device , i also provide for locking the castering device . a pin bracket 35 extends from the side bar 14 over each wheel carrier near the end of each horizontal member 32 when the wheels are substantially aligned with the center member 16 . a plate 36 on the horizontal member 32 of the wheel carrier has its ends bent downward at 37 ( fig4 ) so that it will guide the wheel carrier under the bracket 35 . a pin 38 is mounted on the bracket 35 and may be spring loaded in a downward direction . this pin projects through the bracket 35 and through a hole formed in the horizontal member 32 of the wheel carrier . the engagement of this pin 38 with the bracket 35 and the member 32 then pins the wheel carrier in place so that the wheel tracks in a straight forward direction . when the pin is released the wheels are free to caster . in order to provide for the shortest turning radius , i couple the frame 13 of my device to the frame 11 of the pulling device . as shown in fig1 i prefer to use chains 40 because the length can be readily adjusted . however , any flexible coupling device could be used . by coupling the two devices closely and allowing almost no flexibility , the tool bar on its castering wheels could be turned very sharply , and might even swing in a direction such that the wheels would be turned at right angles to normal travel . in that mode , the device can also be driven in reverse , because the pulling disc 10 ( or other implement ) can be backed like a two - wheeled trailer , and the castering wheels 30 would allow the tool bar carrier and the disc to act as a unit when tightly coupled . in use in a field where the tool bar carrier is supposed to travel in a straight line , the coupling chains 40 can be relaxed or released and the wheels pinned , and then the bar carrier will operate in the same manner as previously known carriers .

0Human Necessities

the presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which various embodiments are shown . however , it should be understood that this invention may take many different forms and thus the specifically illustrated embodiments should not be construed as limiting the present invention . all publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference for all purposes to the extent allowable by law . in addition , in the figures like numbers refer to like elements throughout . the terms “ a ” and “ an ” as used herein do not denote a limitation of quantity , but rather denote the presence of at least one of the elements . all known prior art cm logic systems generate a cm clock signal , transmit that cm clock , perform a current - to - voltage conversion on the received cm clock , buffer the resulting voltage mode clock signal , and then distribute the voltage mode clock signal to various circuit devices . the result was a full voltage swing clocking network that used a significant chip area to implement the required buffer and a large dynamic power to drive clock line capacitances . in direct contrast the principles of the present invention enable cm flip - flops that directly receive a current mode clock signal . this reduces the overall power consumption and required chip area . the present invention can find use in synchronously clocked vlsi chips , preferably implemented on a silicon die . the present invention also can be used in other types of devices and systems . fig2 illustrates a cm logic pulsed flip - flop 200 ( hereinafter usually referred to as a “ cmpff 200 ” for convenience ). fig3 present simulation results of the cmpff 200 . the cmpff 200 includes a reference voltage generator 202 , a reference mirror 203 , an input current receiver 204 , a current - comparator stage 206 , a pulse forming stage ( discussed in more detail subsequently ) having a pair of inverter amplifiers 210 and 212 , pulse formers 214 and 216 , a register stage 220 and a static storage cell 222 . in operation the current - comparator stage 206 compares an input push - pull current i in on a clock ( line 240 ) with a reference current i 1 and conditionally amplifies the clock current i in to a full - swing voltage pulse that latches data into the register stage 220 , with the data being stored in the static storage cell 222 and output on a line 242 . the cmpff 200 is in stark contrast to previous cm logic schemes which utilized large and expensive rx circuits and buffers to drive storage flip flops . by switching on input push - pull currents i in the cmpff 200 enables use of a relatively simple transmitter tx circuit ( discussed in more detail subsequently ) while maintaining a relatively constant bias voltage on interconnects . the cmpff 200 is designed to be sensitive to the unidirectional push current to provide the positive edge trigger needed for operation . this approach lends itself to the use of a complementary current comparator tx that uses a pull current to produce negative clock edges . still referring to fig2 , the reference voltage stage 202 includes a pair of mos transistors ( m 1 - m 2 ) that creates a first reference current ( i ref 1 ). the first reference current ( i ref 1 ) is mirrored by reference mirror 203 m 5 to produce a current il similarly , the input current receiver 204 includes a reference voltage generator pair m 3 - m 4 that creates a flip - flop reference current ( i ref 2 ). that flip - flop reference current ( i ref 2 ) is combined with input current i in . the resulting current combination is mirrored by m 6 of the current - comparator stage 206 to generate a modified current i 2 . the difference between the first reference current i ref 1 and the modified current i 2 is applied on line b . in practical applications the reference mirror 203 m 5 voltage may use a global reference in place of the reference voltage stage 202 . that can increase overall system robustness by reducing transistor mismatches between flip - flops while also saving two transistors per cmpff 200 . saving those two transistors reduces required static power with a negligible performance penalty . however , the reference mirror 203 m 5 voltage would require global distribution and consume metal routing resources . thus the preferred embodiment is shown in fig2 . still referring to fig2 , the difference in the mirrored currents i 1 and i 2 is compared using an inverting amp 210 whose input is at a node b . the output of the inverting amp 210 is applies to a cmos logic level by inverting amp 212 . then inverter pair 214 and 216 generates the required voltage pulse duration using feedback that is applied to m 7 of the current - comparator stage 206 . the feedback applied to m 7 quickly pulls node b down . this facilitates generating small voltage pulses having less than 50 % duty cycle and results in fewer transistors in the register stage ( see below ). the register stage 220 is similar to a single - phase register as used in j . j . yuan and c . svensson , “ high - speed cmos circuit technique ,” solid - state circuits , ieee journal of , 24 ( 1 ): 62 - 70 , but requires fewer transistors . it also has a reduced clock load . the current - generated voltage pulse ( clk_p ) triggers storing data in the static storage cell 222 . in fig2 , the size of m 7 of the current - comparator stage 206 is critical to the voltage pulse . preferably it is a minimum sized nmos transistor having a unity aspect ratio . the width of the generated voltage pulse ( clk_p ) is also sensitive to the width and amplitude of input current i in . the amplitude of i in strongly affects flip flop performance by changing the operating point of m 6 . this may add extra delays to the generated clk_p . to achieve minimum c - to - q delay , the input current should have ± 2 . 3 ua amplitude and be about 70 ps wide . fig3 illustrates waveforms 300 of the cmpff 200 . the input current i in is shown on line 302 . as shown that input current i in involves pulses centered about 0 amperes . the resulting clock v clk_p at the output of inverter 216 is shown on line 304 . data to be clocked in is shown on line 306 . finally , the output voltage v q on line 242 is shown on line 308 . to integrate cmpff 200 into a vlsi a reliable transmitter tx that can provide the required push - pull current into a clocked network of cmpffs 200 while distributing the required current to each cmpff 200 is needed . fig4 illustrates a vlsi device 400 having such transmitter tx 402 . also shown is a symmetric h - tree network 404 having a balanced set of cmpffs 200 . the transmitter tx 402 receives a traditional voltage clk from a pll / clock divider on line 410 . the transmitter tx 402 then supplies a pulsed current to the symmetric h - tree network 404 which has equal impedances in each branch . the symmetric h - tree network 404 distributes current evenly to each cmpff 200 on each leaf node . the transmitter tx 402 of fig4 is similar to previous tx circuits used in a . katoch , h . veendrick , and e , seevinck , “ high speed current - mode signaling circuits for on - chip interconnects ,” in iscas , pages 4138 - 4141 , may 2005 and in m . dave , m . jain , s . baghini , and d . sharma , “ a variation tolerant current - mode signaling scheme for on - chip interconnects , ieee tvls1 , pp ( 99 ): 1 12 , jan . 2012 . however , the transmitter tx 402 uses a nand - nor design . the nand gate 412 uses the clk signal and a delayed inverted clk signal , clkb , as inputs to generate a small negative pulse to briefly turn on m 1 . hence , the pmos transistor briefly sources charge from the supply while the nmos is off . similarly , the nor gate 414 utilizes the negative edge of the clk and clkb signals to briefly turn on m 2 . hence , the nmos transistor briefly sinks current while the m 1 is off . the non - overlapping input signals from the nand - nor gates 412 , 414 beneficially prevent short circuit current from the transmitter tx 402 . the transmitter tx 402 mi and m 2 device sizes are preferably adjusted to supply / sink charge into the symmetric h - tree network 404 cdn . the root wires of the symmetric h - tree network 404 carry currents that are distributed to all branches . thus the sizing of the symmetric h - tree network 404 wires is critical for performance and reliability . if the resistance of the wires are too high , the current waveform magnitude and period will be distorted and negatively affect performance of the cmpff 200 . the wire width must also consider electromigration effects while carrying the total current to drive all the cmpff 200 with the required current amplitude and duration . fig5 provides simulated waveforms 500 of the vlsi device 400 that help illustrate how the internal current - to - voltage pulse generation ( clk_p ) triggers input data capture . the clk input on line 410 is shown on line 502 . the resulting voltage of the delayed clkb which is applied to nand - nor gates 412 , 414 is shown on line 504 . the resulting current clock applied to the cmpff 200 is shown on line 506 . the simulation of fig5 confirms that a voltage mode input is converted to a constant cdn voltage and a representative push - pull current results at each cmpff 200 . in practice the cmpffs 200 consumes about 2 . 9 % less silicon area than traditional voltage mode flip flops . a practical layout the vlsi device 400 would use 45 nm cmos technology with each cmpff 200 being compatible with a standard cell library height of 12 horizontal m 2 tracks . the symmetric h - tree network 404 cdn would span about 1 . 2 mm × 1 . 2 mm . typical clock frequencies would be between 1 . 5 and 5 ghz using a 1 v supply and have around 20 ps slew . it is to be understood that while the figures and the above description illustrates the present invention , they are exemplary only . they are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed , and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching . others who are skilled in the applicable arts will recognize numerous modifications and adaptations of the illustrated embodiments that remain within the principles of the present invention . therefore , the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims .

6Physics

a schematic side elevation view of a folding apparatus is represented in fig1 . this folding apparatus has two web inlets 01 , 02 for the receipt of multi - layered webs 03 , 04 of material , in particular paper webs 03 , 04 , which multi - layered webs 03 , 04 will be hereinafter identified as the inner web 03 or as the outer web 04 in what follows . both webs 03 , 04 pass through a respective traction roller pair 06 , 07 , respectively for setting their tension and both webs then encounter a conveying cylinder 11 at the height of respective first and second cutting gaps 08 , 09 . these gaps are formed between the conveying cylinder 11 , on the one hand , and one of cutting cylinders 12 , 13 on the other hand . in place of two inlets 01 , 02 and two cutting gaps 08 , 09 , it is also possible to provide three or more inlets and cutting gaps . in the course of this web travel , the webs 03 , 04 preferably first come into contact with the respective cutting cylinder 12 , 13 in each cutting gap 08 , 09 , respectively , and thereafter come into contact with the conveying cylinder 11 . the webs 03 , 04 thus first loop around the counter cylinder 12 , 13 and then around the conveying cylinder 11 . each one of the cutting cylinders 12 or 13 has a circumference corresponding to at least one , and preferably to two lengths of the signatures to be produced from the webs 03 , 04 . each cutting cylinder supports two cutting blades 14 . the circumference of the conveying cylinder 11 corresponds to the length of more than five , and in particular to seven signatures . seven counter - cutting strips , which are cut or inlaid into , and located at uniform spacing distances on the circumferential surface of the conveying cylinder 11 , for example hard rubber strips , are used as backstops 15 , each of which backstops is works together with a cutting blade 14 when these cutting blades 14 are cutting the webs 03 , 04 . a holding device 16 , for example a spur strip 16 , with spur needles 23 , which spur strip 16 can be extended radially , as seen in fig2 to 5 , is arranged on the conveying cylinder 11 adjoining each backstop 15 . in the position of the conveying or transporting device , as represented in fig1 , a cutting blade 14 of the cutting cylinder 12 and a backstop 15 of the conveying cylinder 11 are just passing through the first cutting gap 08 and , in the process , cooperate cut the inner web 03 . the leading edge of the inner web 03 which is formed by this first cut , is spiked on the spur needles 23 of a spur strip 16 , which spur strip 16 had been extended briefly prior to its reaching the cutting gap 08 and which also fixedly holds the inner web leading edge on the surface of the conveying cylinder 11 during further conveying . the signature cut off the inner web 03 in this process is conveyed on by the conveying cylinder 11 to the second cutting gap 09 , where the outer web 04 is placed on top of it and is also spiked by the spur needles 23 of the spur strip . the rotation of the first and second cutting cylinders 12 , 13 is synchronized in such a way that the two cutting blades 14 of each of the first and second cutting cylinders 12 and 13 always enter a narrow gap in the surface of the backstop 15 , and ideally always strike the same line . during their passage through the second cutting gap 09 , two successive signatures 24 , 27 , which were both cut off the inner web 03 , are caused to be separated by a gap 26 , as is shown in fig2 . the width of the inner signature separation gap 26 is slightly greater than that of the section of the backstop 15 into which the cutting blades 14 strike . the formation of gap 26 will prevent that , in the course of their passage through the cutting gap 09 , these inner signatures 24 , 27 being again cut . different techniques for forming this gap 26 will be explained in the discussion which follows , and by reference to fig2 to 5 . in the configuration represented in the drawings , the angular distance between the two cutting gaps 08 , 09 is approximately 75 °. it is advantageous if this cutting gap angular distance differs from the angular distance of the spur strips 16 from each other , which spur strip angular distance is preferably 51 . 5 °, or from a multiple thereof , so that cutting is not performed simultaneously at both cutting gaps 08 , 09 . a half - integral multiple of this value is also disadvantageous from the viewpoint of vibration avoidance . following its passage through the second cutting gap 09 , each spur strip 16 supports a whole product , which is composed of a signature 24 cut off the inner web 03 and of a signature 27 cut off the outer web 04 . seven whole signatures , or products are formed in the course of every revolution of the conveying cylinder 11 in the same way as if both webs 03 , 04 were fed via a common inlet 01 , 02 in the customary way . however , since the cutting of each individual signature 24 , 27 is spaced over two separate cutting steps at the first and second cutting gaps 08 , 09 , the force required to be provided in each cutting step is less . the result is that a satisfactory synchronous running of the machine is easier to maintain . furthermore , seven folding blades , which are not specifically represented in the drawing figure shown in fig1 , are attached to the conveying cylinder 11 , each of which folding blades is extended when reaching a gap 17 between the conveying cylinder 11 and a folding jaw cylinder 18 in order to transfer the products 24 , 27 conveyed by the conveying cylinder 11 to the folding jaw cylinder 18 in a manner that is known per se , and to thereby fold them . the folded products are then transferred from the folding jaw cylinder 18 to a bucket wheel 19 and are deposited by the bucket wheel 19 on a conveyor belt 21 . fig2 shows a detailed view of a first preferred embodiment of the second cutting gap 09 and its surroundings in accordance with the present invention . two of the seven spur strips 16 of the conveying cylinder 11 are represented in fig2 and are indicated as first and second spur strips 16 ′, 16 ″, respectively . spur strips 16 ′, 16 ″ are each pivotable around a shaft 22 in a controlled manner and each support spur needles 23 which are oriented in such a way that their tips can extend out of the circumference of the conveying cylinder 11 are each located farther away from the center of the shaft 22 than are their bases that are located in the interior of the conveying cylinder 11 . the spur needles 23 of the first spur strip 16 ′, as depicted in fig2 , are in a comparatively far or full extended position in which full extended position they previously had also passed through the cutting gap 08 . this same position is shown in dashed lines at the location of the second spur strip 16 ″. in comparison with the first spur strip 16 ′, the second spur strip 16 ″ is shown in fig2 as being pivoted back some distance farther into the interior of the conveying cylinder 11 . this retraction pivot movement results in a displacement of the line of intersection between the spur needles 23 and the surface of the conveying cylinder 11 to opposite the direction of rotation of the conveying cylinder 11 . because of this displacement , the signature 24 held by the spur strip 16 ″ has been slightly displaced on the circumferential surface of the conveying cylinder 11 opposite to the direction of rotation of the conveying cylinder 11 in comparison with the position in which inner signature 24 was cut off from the inner web 03 at the first cutting gap 08 . after passing through the second cutting gap 09 , the second spur strip 16 ″ returns back into the original , extended position that is indicated by dashed lines , or even makes a transition to an even further extended position , in order to cancel , or to overcompensate for the prior retrograde displacement of the signature 24 . in this way , a narrow gap 26 is initially formed between each signature 24 and a previous signature 27 , which had been cut off immediately prior to it , into which narrow gap 26 the cutting blade 14 of the second cutting cylinder 13 can enter , and in this way the cutting device can push the outer web 04 against the backstop 15 and can cut it without risking the danger of again cutting one of the signatures 24 , 27 . fig3 shows an alternative embodiment of the conveying cylinder 11 and of the cutting cylinder 13 in a partial sectional view that is analogous to that of fig2 . with respect to each cutting blade 14 , in this embodiment the cutting cylinder 13 has a strip 28 extending axially along , and projecting radially past its exterior circumference , which strip 28 passes through the cutting gap 09 shortly before the associated cutting blade 14 . a complementarily shaped groove 29 is provided in the circumferential surface of the conveying cylinder 11 and is located opposite the strip 28 during each passage of strip 28 through the gap . the strip 28 pushes a trailing edge area of the inner signature 27 cut off the inner web 03 , as well as the outer web 04 , into the groove 29 . the trailing end of the inner signature 27 is pulled forward by this and the signature spacing gap 26 is opened . with this embodiment it is therefore not necessary for the second spur strip 16 ″ to be pivoted outward again after its passage through the second cutting gap 09 in order to form the signature spacing gap 26 . a third embodiment of the present invention is represented in fig4 , again by the use of a partial section through the conveying cylinder 11 and the second cutting cylinder 13 . the second cutting cylinder 13 is identical to the second cutting cylinder 13 shown in fig2 . the conveying cylinder 11 of the third embodiment differs because of the arrangement of the shafts 22 around which the spur strips 16 can be pivoted . while in the embodiments of fig2 and 3 , these shafts 22 are located ahead of the spur needles 23 , in the direction of rotation of the conveying cylinder 11 , these shafts 22 are arranged behind the spur needles 23 in the embodiment of fig4 . the orientation of the spur needles 23 , in relation to the surface of the conveying cylinder 11 , is the same in all cases . they are slightly inclined forward , opposite the normal surface , and in the direction of rotation of the conveying cylinder 11 , so that a tension , acting on the material spiked on the spur needles 23 , keeps the material pressed against the surface of the conveying cylinder 11 . a changed sequence of the pivoting movement of the first and second spur strips , here identified as 16 *, 16 **, results from the changed arrangement of the shafts 22 shown in fig4 . the first spur strip 16 *, which is still far removed from the second cutting gap 09 , is in a comparatively only slightly extended position , in which slightly extended position its spur needles 23 extend far enough past the circumference of the conveying cylinder 11 for holding an incoming inner web 03 . the second spur strip 16 ** is shown as being farther extended only shortly prior to it reaching the cutting gap 09 for also now spiking the outer web 04 , as can be seen by reference to the second spur strip 16 **. in this third embodiment , the radially outward movement of the spur needles 23 causes a displacement of their intersection with the circumference of the conveying cylinder 11 in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the conveying cylinder 11 , and therefore a movement of the leading edge of the signature 24 held by the second spur strip 16 ** away from the impact point of the second cutting blade 14 on the backstop 15 . the spur needles 23 of the third spur strip 16 *** have now been retracted radially some distance farther back into the conveying cylinder 11 in order to move the signature 27 , which they hold , forward in the circumferential direction and to open the gap 26 at the level of the backstop 15 in this way . with this third embodiment , several directional changes in the movement of the spur needles 23 , in the course of a revolution of the conveying cylinder 11 , are avoided . a fourth embodiment of the cutting device in accordance with the present invention is represented in fig5 , again in a partial sectional view that is analogous to fig4 . in this fourth embodiment , first and second cylinder surface segments 32 *, 32 **, as well as other similar segments , which are not specifically shown , are arranged on the circumference of the conveying cylinder 11 between each two of first , second and third successive spur strips 16 *, 16 **, 16 ***. these segments 32 *, 32 ** are utilized for increasing the circumference of the conveying cylinder 11 . each one of these segments 32 *, 32 **, is composed of a plurality of flexible plates , which are arranged side - by - side in the axial direction of the conveying cylinder 11 and which are also spaced apart axially by gaps 17 . during the transfer of the finished cut signatures 24 , 27 to the folding jaw cylinder 18 , these axially spaced gaps 17 , between axially adjacent segment 32 *, 32 ** are used as respective outlet openings for tines of a folding blade , which is not specifically represented . the ends of the flexible plates are each anchored to top strips 33 which top strips 33 can be displaced in the circumferential direction of the conveying cylinder 11 . the first cylinder surface segment 32 * is in a configuration in which the course of its plates corresponds to the cylindrical shape of the conveying cylinder 11 . after the passage of such a first segment 32 * through the second cutting gap 09 , its top strips 33 are displaced toward each other , for example in a motion that is controlled by a cam disk which is not specifically represented , so that its flexible plates , as indicated for the second segment 32 **, form a protrusion extending radially outwardly past the circumference of the conveying cylinder 11 . as a result of this radially outwardly extending protrusion , the distance between the second and third spur strips 16 ** and 16 ***, as measured along the surface of the conveying cylinder 11 , is greater than the distance between the first and second spur strips 16 * and 16 **, the latter distance corresponding to the length of the signatures 24 , 27 produced at the first cutting gap 08 . therefore , the bulging of the second cylinder surface segment 32 ** causes the formation of the gap 26 between the signatures 24 and 27 , into which newly formed gap 26 the cutting blade 14 of the second cutting cylinder 13 can enter . a modified embodiment of the cutting device of the present invention differs from the one represented in fig1 in that the modified embodiment has only a single inlet 01 , or 02 for a single web 03 , or 04 to be cut . reference is again made to fig1 for its description , wherein the web 03 and the cutting cylinder 12 are assumed not to exist . at the second cutting gap 09 , the outer web 04 , which has been conveyed via the second inlet 02 and which may be imprinted with alternating patterns a and b , meets the conveying cylinder 11 , whose spur strips 16 alternatingly carry either a signature with the pattern a or no signature , when entering the second cutting gap 09 . since the number of spur strips 16 is an odd number , a free spur strip 16 meets a pattern a on the outer web 04 at the second cutting gap 09 , and a spur strip 16 , previously provided with a signature equipped with the pattern a in a prior rotation , meets a pattern b on the web 04 . the signatures with the pattern a , which had already been held on the conveying cylinder 11 , prior to their passage through the cutting gap 09 , are each displaced , during their passage through the cutting gap 09 , in one of the ways described above with reference to fig2 to 5 , so that trailing ends of these signatures are not cut again during their second passage through the cutting gap 09 . every time a spur strip 16 , that is now carrying or holding two signatures a and b , passes the folding gap 17 , the whole product obtained in this manner is transferred , in a manner that is generally known per se , to the folding jaw cylinder 18 . the second transverse cutting device 13 is arranged with a phase offset on the circumference of the conveying cylinder 11 for cutting . the cut of the first transverse cutting device 12 on the cutting cylinder 11 takes place essentially next to the other cut of the second transverse cutting device 13 , in particular within a distance of 10 mm next to it . the first and second transverse cutting devices 12 , 13 are arranged spaced from each other about the conveying cylinder 11 in the circumferential direction of the conveying cylinder 11 . in all modes of operation of the transport or conveying device in accordance with the present invention , a further conveying cylinder for taking over the signatures can be connected downstream of the first conveying cylinder 11 , instead of the folding jaw cylinder 18 , downstream of which further conveying cylinder a folding jaw cylinder or a belt system can be arranged . it is also possible for each of the webs 03 , 04 to have the same patterns a or b located one behind the other , typically in the conveying direction as depicted at the right in fig6 . preferably these patterns a and b are imprinted by the use of at least one formed cylinder of a printing unit , which at least one formed cylinder has two identical patterns a and b on its circumference . the webs 03 , 04 are guided on top of each other , so that signatures with patterns a and b located on top of each other are formed , each of which web is transferred to the downstream located folding jaw cylinder 18 in the gap 17 . the conveying cylinder 11 does not absolutely have to have an odd - numbered division for this , but instead can also have an even - numbered division , preferably greater than 4 or 6 . preferably , each of the patterns a , b , c , d identifies two newspaper pages , wherein a 1 , a 2 , b 1 , b 2 , c 1 , c 2 , d 1 , d 2 each identifies a newspaper page . the identification of a web 03 , 04 is understood to represent at least one web 03 , 04 , but preferably should be understood to be a representation of a strand consisting of several webs 03 , 04 placed on top of each other . here , the webs 03 , 04 can each be imprinted by the use of formed cylinders of printing units which either have a pattern a or b on the circumference , which is a single circumference , or two patterns a or b on the circumference , which is a double circumference . with double circumference formed cylinders , two identical patterns a , a , or b , b , or two different patterns a , b can be arranged on the circumference . therefore , four modes of operation of the transport or conveying device in accordance with the present invention are possible . in a first and in a second mode of operation , both webs 03 , 04 are brought together on the conveying cylinder 11 ahead of the first inlet 01 , or ahead of the second inlet 02 and are together severed in the course of a single cutting operation . in this case , in a first mode of operation , the webs 03 , 04 have identical patterns a or c in sequence , and the same products are formed sequentially on the conveying cylinder 11 during each revolution of conveying cylinder 11 and are directly transferred to the downstream located folding jaw cylinder 18 . in the second mode of operation , the webs 03 , 04 have patterns a , b or c , d , which patterns alternate behind each other and which patterns are alternatingly deposited on the conveying cylinder 11 during a first revolution of the conveying cylinder 11 , which conveying cylinder 11 is here provided with an odd number of fields and is thus a collection cylinder , and the signatures or products are additionally provided with a second layer of the product portion during the second revolution . in a third and fourth mode of operation , two webs 03 , 04 are separately fed in , wherein , in the third mode of operation , the webs 03 , 04 alternatingly bear the patterns a , b or c , d located one behind the other as may be seen in fig6 . in this third mode , during a first revolution of the conveying cylinder 11 , which is again acting as a collection cylinder , first signatures with the pattern a , c of each web 03 , 04 are conducted on all and on every second spur strip 16 , so that now every second spur strip 16 carries a signature with the pattern a , c . during the second revolution of the conveying cylinder 11 again two signatures with the pattern b , d from each web 03 , 04 are conducted on the spur strips 16 . therefore , during the second revolution of the conveying cylinder 11 , signatures a , c , b , d on the spur strips 16 alternate with spur strips 16 carrying only signatures with the patterns a , c , the already completely collected signatures , i . e . the product with the pattern a , b , c , d of each second field , are transferred to the folding jaw cylinder 18 . in a fourth mode of operation , the webs 03 , 04 have identical patterns a , a , or c , c located behind each other as seen in fig7 , so that , with each revolution of the conveying cylinder 11 , each spur strip 16 carries a product with signatures with the pattern a , c , which products are directly transferred to the folding jaw cylinder 18 when they arrive there . while preferred embodiments of a transport or conveying device , in accordance with the present invention , have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove , it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in , for example the printing cylinder and the like could be made without departing from the true spirt and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the following claims .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings . in the following , detailed descriptions of well - known functions and constructions will be omitted to avoid obscuring the essence of the present disclosure . in a mobile telecommunication system , a number of subscriber equipment and a number of base stations ( small base stations and outdoor base stations ) use the same frequency channel at the same time . the use of the same frequency channel causes interferences among the simultaneous callers and the base stations . thus , each base station is required to properly control its transmit power in order to improve system efficiency and call quality . in one embodiment , the small base station may include a femto base station , a pico base station , a micro base station , an indoor base station , a relay for use in cell expansion and the like . further , in one embodiment , a network base station may include an outdoor base station and a small base station . in the drawings , a cell of the outdoor base station is a macrocell and a cell of the small base station is a femtocell by way of example . fig1 is a diagram showing a mobile telecommunication system in accordance with one embodiment and fig2 is a graph for determining transmit power of the small base station in accordance with one embodiment . a signal to interference and noise ratio sinr reported , which is periodically transmitted to the small base station by a user equipment ue included in the service area of the small base station , can be expressed as follows . wherein p ue , i r , femto represents interference caused by the small base station adjacent to the user equipment ue , p ue r , macro represents interference caused by the outdoor base station adjacent to the user equipment ue , p ue r , thermal represents noise component of the user equipment ue of the small base station and p ue , k r , femto represents a signal component of the user equipment ue of the small base station . a maximum output of the small base station is represented as p max t , femto and a dynamic range of the transmit power of the small base station is represented as δ . δ is a value fixed according to the characteristics of a power amplifier . two values sinr t - lower ( lower limit ) and sinr t - upper ( upper limit ) in the range of a reference signal to interference and noise ratio are compared with the signal to interference and noise ratio sinr reported which is reported by the user equipment ue included in the service area of the small base station to thereby determine the transmit power of the small base station . a minimum required reference signal to interference and noise ratio for allowing the small base station to provide service is represented as sinr min . a change in the transmit power of the small base station may cause mutual interferences with the neighboring small base stations . thus , sections where the transmit power of the small base station is not changed , such as routes 1 and 2 in fig2 , may be set to prevent radiation of the transmit powers of the neighboring small base stations at p max t , femto or p max t , femto − δ due to the mutual interferences between the small base stations and to suppress frequent changes in the transmit power of the small base station . the transmit power of the small base station may be varied within the range from p max t , femto − δ to p max t , femto due to the dynamic range δ . route 1 is a section where sinr min & lt ; sinr reported & lt ; sinr t - upper and route 2 is a section where sinr t - lower & lt ; sinr reported . for example , if a user of the small base station is in the periphery of the coverage area of the small base station , where the channel state is not favorable and sinr reported = sinr min and p k t , femto = p max t , femto , the user of the small base station moves closer to the small base station so that the channel state becomes favorable , at which time the transmit power of the small base station may be set to be p k t , femto = p max t , femto until sinr reported reaches sinr t - upper ( i . e ., sinr reported = sinr t - upper ) according to route 1 . in other words , the transmit power of the small base station may be maintained at a maximum level . in the state where sinr reported = sinr t - upper , if the channel state becomes more favorable so that sinr reported exceeds sinr t - upper , the transmit power of the small base station may be decreased to be p k t , femto = p max t , femto − δ . in other words , the transmit power of the small base station may be decreased to a minimum level . thereafter , in a still more favorable channel state , sinr reported higher than sinr t - upper can be obtained with the minimum output , that is , p k t , femto = p max t , femto − δ , according to route 2 . on the other hand , in the state where p k t , femto = p max t , femto − δ , if the channel state deteriorates , the transmit power may be maintained to be p k t , femto = p max t , femto − δ in the section where sinr reported & gt ; sinr t - lower according to route 2 . further in the state where p k t , femto = p max t , femto − δ , if the channel status becomes worse at the section where sinr reported = sinr t - lower and , thus , sinr reported has a value less than sinr t - lower , the transmit power may be raised until p k t , femto reaches p max t , femto ( i . e ., p k t , femto = p max t , femto ). the transmit power of the small base station cannot be raised over p max t , femto . thus , in the case that the channel state becomes even worse so that sinr reported = sinr min , it is determined that the service from the small base station cannot be maintained any more and a handover to the neighboring base station may be performed . at this time , if the handover fails to operate , a call drop may occur . if a plurality of small base stations are present , which may mutually interfere with one another , sinr t - lower and sinr t - upper serve to keep a certain small base station from radiating its transmit power under the influence of other small base stations . for example , if the transmit power of a certain small base station is raised , interference components affecting other small base stations increase and , therefore , the transmit powers of the neighboring small base stations are also raised . in return , interference components affecting the certain small base station increase and then the transmit power of the certain small base station is raised accordingly . in this case , sinr t - lower and sinr t - upper may be set in the section where the transmit power of the small base station varies to thereby fix the transmit power therebetween . the transmit power of the small base station may be fixed temporarily at the lower limit and the upper limit in the power increasing section and the power decreasing section , respectively , so that the transmit power of the small base station converges . a convergence degree of the transmit power of the small base station is expected to vary depending on the values of the lower and upper limits , which are set to proper values according to the channel state surrounding the small base station . in one embodiment , when one hundred small base stations with a size of 10 m × 10 m are randomly arranged within a service area of the outdoor base station with a coverage of 1 km and p max t , femto , δ , sinr t - upper and sinr t - lower are set to be p max t , femto = 20 dbm , δ = 20 db , sinr t - upper = 10 db and sinr t - lower = 0 db , the transmit power levels of the one hundred small base stations in accordance with the present embodiment are as shown in fig3 . at this time , the transmit powers of the one hundred small base stations may be determined according to the surrounding interference environments which may vary depending upon the locations of the small base stations . in the above embodiment , a method for controlling the transmit power by using the sinr transmitted to the small base station by the user equipment ue is explained by way of example . however , modulation and coding set ( mcs ), channel quality indicator ( cqi ), acknowledgment / negative acknowledgement ( ack / nack ) information and the like may also be used to control the transmit power , through which the states of the channel and / or link performance of the user equipment can be predicted . while the above - described methods are explained with reference to certain exemplary embodiments , the methods can also be realized as a computer readable code in a computer readable recording medium . the computer readable recording medium may include any form of recording apparatus as long as the recording apparatus can store data readable by a computer system . by way of example , the computer readable recording medium may be a rom , a ram , a cd - rom , a magnetic tape , a floppy disk , an optical data storage unit or the like . the computer readable recording medium may also be realized in the form of a carrier wave ( e . g ., transmission via internet ). the computer readable recording medium may be distributed in the computer system connected by a network , where the computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distribution manner . a functional program and , a code and its segments for realizing the above - described embodiments can be easily implemented by programmers skilled in the art . as used in this application , entities for executing the actions can refer to a computer - related entity , either hardware , a combination of hardware and software , software , or software in execution . for example , an entity for executing an action can be , but is not limited to being , a process running on a processor , a processor , an object , an executable , a thread of execution , a program , and a computer . by way of illustration , both an application running on an apparatus and the apparatus can be an entity . one or more entities can reside within a process and / or thread of execution and an entity can be localized on one apparatus and / or distributed between two or more apparatuses . the program for realizing the functions can be recorded in the apparatus , can be downloaded through a network to the apparatus and can be installed in the apparatus from a computer readable storage medium storing the program therein . a form of the computer readable storage medium can be any form as long as the computer readable storage medium can store programs and is readable by an apparatus such as a disk type rom and a solid - state computer storage media . the functions obtained by installation or download in advance in this way can be realized in cooperation with an os ( operating system ) in the apparatus . while certain embodiments have been described , these embodiments have been presented by way of example only , and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosures . indeed , the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms ; furthermore , various omissions , substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure . the accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure .

7Electricity

embodiments of the present invention use look ahead structures for memory management . the look ahead structures allow for bank management to be performed early without excessive per - client dedicated buffering . in embodiments where the command queue has been removed , the look ahead structures are used to precharge and activate banks ahead of actually unloading the requests . additionally , the look ahead structures are used for pipelining a precharge , activate , and read - write arbiter . previously a command queue was used to pipeline requests to hide their bank management overhead for all clients . however , in some embodiments the command queue has been removed . in order to precharge and activate banks ahead of actually unloading memory requests a look ahead structure is used . the look ahead structure allows for bank management to be performed early without excessive per - client dedicated buffering . fig2 is a block diagram of a computer system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention . computer system 200 includes a central processing unit ( cpu ) 202 and a system memory 204 communicating via a bus path that includes a memory bridge 205 . memory bridge 205 , which may be , e . g ., a conventional northbridge chip , is connected via a bus or other communication path 206 ( e . g ., a hypertransport link ) to an i / o ( input / output ) bridge 207 . i / o bridge 207 , which may be , e . g ., a conventional southbridge chip , receives user input from one or more user input devices 208 ( e . g ., keyboard , mouse ) and forwards the input to cpu 202 via bus 206 and memory bridge 205 . display output is provided on a pixel based display device 210 ( e . g ., a conventional crt or lcd based monitor ) operating under control of a graphics subsystem 212 coupled to memory bridge 205 via a bus or other communication path 213 , e . g ., a pci express ( pci - e ) or accelerated graphics port ( agp ) link . a system disk 214 is also connected to i / o bridge 207 . a switch 216 provides connections between i / o bridge 207 and other components such as a network adapter 218 and various add - in cards 220 , 221 . other components ( not explicitly shown ), including usb or other port connections , cd drives , dvd drives , and the like , may also be connected to i / o bridge 207 . bus connections among the various components may be implemented using bus protocols such as pci ( peripheral component interconnect ), pci - e , agp , hypertransport , or any other bus or point - to - point communication protocol ( s ), and connections between different devices may use different protocols as is known in the art . graphics processing subsystem 212 includes a graphics processing unit ( gpu ) 222 and a graphics memory 224 , which may be implemented , e . g ., using one or more integrated circuit devices such as programmable processors , application specific integrated circuits ( asics ), and memory devices . gpu 222 may be configured to perform various tasks related to generating pixel data from graphics data supplied by cpu 202 and / or system memory 204 via memory bridge 205 and bus 213 , interacting with graphics memory 224 to store and update pixel data , and the like . for example , gpu 222 may generate pixel data from 2 - d or 3 - d scene data provided by various programs executing on cpu 202 . gpu 222 may also store pixel data received via memory bridge 205 to graphics memory 224 with or without further processing . gpu 222 also includes a display engine configured to deliver pixel data from graphics memory 224 to display device 210 . the display engine is an isochronous processing engine that obtains pixel data from graphics memory 204 using contracts , as described below . cpu 202 operates as the master processor of system 200 , controlling and coordinating operations of other system components . in particular , cpu 202 issues commands that control the operation of gpu 222 . in some embodiments , cpu 202 writes a stream of commands for gpu 222 to a command buffer , which may be in system memory 204 , graphics memory 224 , or another storage location accessible to both cpu 202 and gpu 222 . gpu 222 reads the command stream from the command buffer and executes commands asynchronously with operation of cpu 202 . the commands may include conventional rendering commands for generating images as well as general - purpose computation commands that enable applications executing on cpu 202 to leverage the computational power of gpu 222 for data processing that may be unrelated to image generation . it will be appreciated that the system shown herein is illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible . the bus topology , including the number and arrangement of bridges , may be modified as desired . for instance , in some embodiments , system memory 204 is connected to cpu 202 directly rather than through a bridge , and other devices communicate with system memory 204 via memory bridge 205 and cpu 202 . in other alternative topologies , graphics subsystem 212 is connected to i / o bridge 207 rather than to memory bridge 205 . in still other embodiments , i / o bridge 207 and memory bridge 205 might be integrated into a single chip . the particular components shown herein are optional ; for instance , any number of add - in cards or peripheral devices might be supported . in some embodiments , switch 216 is eliminated , and network adapter 218 and add - in cards 220 , 221 connect directly to i / o bridge 207 . the connection of gpu 222 to the rest of system 200 may also be varied . in some embodiments , graphics system 212 is implemented as an add - in card that can be inserted into an expansion slot of system 200 . in other embodiments , a gpu is integrated on a single chip with a bus bridge , such as memory bridge 205 or i / o bridge 207 . a gpu may be provided with any amount of local graphics memory , including no local memory , and may use local memory and system memory in any combination . for instance , in a unified memory architecture ( uma ) embodiment , no dedicated graphics memory device is provided , and the gpu uses system memory exclusively or almost exclusively . in uma embodiments , the gpu may be integrated into a bus bridge chip or provided as a discrete chip with a high - speed bus ( e . g ., pci - e ) connecting the gpu to the bridge chip and system memory . it is also to be understood that any number of gpus may be included in a system , e . g ., by including multiple gpus on a single graphics card or by connecting multiple graphics cards to bus 213 . multiple gpus may be operated in parallel to generate images for the same display device or for different display devices . in addition , gpus embodying aspects of the present invention may be incorporated into a variety of devices , including general purpose computer systems , video game consoles and other special purpose computer systems , dvd players , handheld devices such as mobile phones or personal digital assistants , and so on . fig3 illustrate a memory interface 300 used in computer system 200 incorporating a look ahead structure which allows for bank management to be performed early without excessive per - client dedicated buffering , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention . memory interface 300 services n clients ( client 1 305 a , client 2 305 b , . . . , client n 305 n ). for the purposes of illustration , three clients are shown although it will be understood that an arbitrary number of clients is contemplated . memory interface 300 is used to provide access to a memory 330 , which can be a dram . clients 305 a - 305 n include memory access commands such as precharge , activate , and read / write . client 1 305 a , client 2 305 b , . . . , client n 305 n also include look ahead structures ( 1 , . . . , n ) 325 a , . . . , 325 n , respectively . memory interface 300 includes an arbiter module 315 as well as a memory controller 317 . the arbiter module 315 further includes three arbiters 315 a , . . . , 315 c . those skilled in the art will realize that different embodiments can use more or less than three arbiters depending on the application . in one embodiment the three arbiters are used as a precharge arbiter , activate arbiter and read / write arbiter . unlike the prior art memory interface , which is illustrated in fig1 , memory interface 300 does not include a command queue . clients 305 a - 305 n determine when more data is needed and send individual requests to the memory controller 310 requesting that the memory controller 310 retrieve the specific data from the memory 330 . the individual requests include the address , width and size of each array of data being requested . clients 305 a - 305 n also use look ahead structures to manage memory 330 through the memory controller 310 . the look ahead structure includes an rbd ( row - bank - direction ) queue and the tiering logic . the entries in the rbd queue is a parallel queue structure to the request queue , and can contain one entry for each row - bank - direction change , as well as additional entries for additional quantas of work to the same row - bank - direction . one entry in the rbd queue can correspond to many entries in the request queue . tiers are created by exposing the head k entries of the rbd queue . the tiering logic manages look - ahead pointers to these tiers for purposes of efficient bank management . further details are provided with reference to fig4 a - 5 . the tiering logic can have separate precharge and activate pointers identifying the tier which contains the next row - bank to be prepared by precharging and activating respectively . when a tier wins its respective arbitration , the pointer advances and the next tier is presented for arbitration . whenever a tier loses the bank - state it once reached , the pointers are reset accordingly . further details of the tiering are provided with reference to fig5 . the request queue can also carry a single - bit indication for “ tier_changed ” for the first reference of each tier . when this bit is seen and the request queue has already been partially unloaded for the current tier , the head tier is discarded . when the head tier is discarded , the rbd queue is popped , the existing tiers are relabeled , and the tier pointers are updated to reflect the new tier labeling . the client look ahead structures 325 a - 325 n , ( rbd ) fifo , and tiering logic expose choices for precharge , activate , and read / write the three arbiters 315 a , 315 b , and 315 c prepare memory 330 to access data . arbiter 1 315 a is used to precharge the memory , arbiter 2 315 b is used to read / write to and from the memory , and arbiter 3 315 c is used to activate the memory . the arbiter module 315 also prioritizes the commands generated by the three arbiters 315 a , . . . , 315 b before sending the commands out . once the arbiters provide the appropriate commands to manage the memory 330 and the arbiter module 315 has prioritized those commands , the memory controller 317 sends the commands to the memory 330 to either write or retrieve data from the memory . if data is retrieved from the memory 330 , then retrieved data is sent back to the clients 305 a , . . . , 305 n where it is stored in a respective client buffer until it is needed . clients 305 a , . . . , 305 n then processes the retrieved data , as needed . arbiter module 315 includes three arbiters 315 a , . . . , 315 c , each which evaluate for arbitration the references and row - banks exposed by clients 305 a through 305 n memory 330 can consists of banks of memory module that can be addressed by bank number , row number , and column number . in one embodiment , memory 330 can be sdram . fig4 a is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of a look ahead structure 400 , including a tiering logic 410 and a row - bank - direction ( rbd ) queue 415 , a request queue 420 , a precharge arbiter 430 , an activate arbiter 435 , and read / write arbiter 440 . the rbd queue 415 operates according to first - in - first - out ( fifo ) principles . rbd queue 415 is a parallel queue structure to the request queue 420 , and contains one entry for each row - bank - direction change , as well as additional entries for additional quantas of work to the same row - bank - direction . details of addresses and commands stored in the rbd queue 415 and the parallel request queue 420 are described with reference to fig4 b . similarly details of a table used in conjunction with the tiering logic 410 are described with reference to fig4 c . details illustrating the flow of information between tiering logic 410 , rbd queue 415 , request queue 420 and other components used to control the memory are described with reference to fig5 . fig4 a shows that the client supplies addresses and commands to both the look ahead structure 400 and the request queue 420 so that both the rbd queue 415 and the request queue 420 can process these addresses and commands in parallel . the rbd queue then communicates with the tiering logic 410 which will output commands to precharge arbiter 430 and activate arbiter 435 which will eventually be used to efficiently manage the memory . the rbd queue 415 also directly communicates with the read / write arbiter 440 to efficiently manage the memory . finally the request queue 420 is coupled to the read / write arbiter and commands to read or write are processed through the arbiter in an efficient manner . look ahead structure 400 includes tiering logic 410 that contains separate precharge and activate pointers identifying the tier which contains the next row - bank to be prepared by precharging and activating respectively . when a tier wins its respective arbitration , the pointer advances and the next tier is presented for arbitration . whenever a tier loses the bank - state it once reached , the pointers are reset accordingly . this may be implemented by receiving bank state information from the hit , miss , closed module . a flush signal may also reset the pointers to the head of the rbd fifo . an example case requiring flushing would be a dram refresh precharging all dram banks . fig4 b is a block diagram illustrating an example of a request stream , which shows the rbd queue 415 entries and request queue 420 entries as an rbd fifo ( first - in - first - out ) 450 and a request fifo 460 , respectively . the rbd fifo 450 representing the rbd queue 415 and the request fifo 460 representing the request queue 420 are shown side by side and in parallel to illustrate that the client can supply addresses and commands to both the rbd queue 415 and the request queue 420 at substantially the same time and both the rbd queue 415 and the request queue 420 can process the addresses and commands in parallel . rbd fifo 450 includes columns for the row , bank direction . request fifo 460 includes columns for the read - modify - write , column address , bank and a bit for tier changed indicator . when this bit is seen and the request queue has already been partially unloaded for the current tier , the head tier is discarded . in other embodiments , a different number of bits can be used to indicate a tier changed . the request fifo 460 can also include a field for direction . the arbiter looks at field for direction and chooses another client in the same direction when read / write direction changes from the current client . rbd fifo 450 entries are connected to the request fifo 460 entries with dotted lines to illustrate that one entry from rbd queue 415 can be mapped to one or more entries in the request queue 420 . as the address is sent from the client to the rbd queue 415 and the request queue 420 , the addresses are split into two streams with one part of the stream becoming an entry in the request fifo 460 and the other part of the stream becoming an entry in the rbd fifo 450 if “ tier_changed = 1 ”. the bank entry is redundant and is shown as being stored in both the rbd fifo 450 and the request fifo 460 , although this is not required . in an alternative embodiment , the bank is stored solely in the rbd fifo 450 and the rw arb 540 is provided with the bank information from the rbd fifo 450 . rbd fifo 460 which is part of the rbd queue 415 is coupled to the tiering logic 410 and transmits information to the tiering logic as illustrated in fig4 b . the lower four entries of the rbd fifo 460 are coupled to the tiering logic 410 with the output of the first entry labeled as tier 0 , the output of the second entry labeled as tier 1 , the output of the third entry labeled as tier 2 , and the output of the fourth entry labeled as tier 3 . fig4 c is a block diagram illustrating the tiering logic 410 entries as a tiering logic table 470 . tiering logic table 470 includes a precharge pointer and activate pointer . the pointers stored in the tiering logic table 470 are mux selects used to steer the precharge and activate tier select muxes . the memory bank is prepared by rbd fifo 450 and request fifo 460 are used to read and write to the memory . fig5 is a block diagram illustrating a memory interface between a client and dram memory in a gpu using a look ahead structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention . the look ahead structure 500 which includes a tiering control logic 505 and a row - bank - direction ( rbd ) queue 510 , is located within the tiered client . the tiering control logic 505 communicates to tier precharge select mux 520 and tier activate select mux 525 . the look ahead structure 500 is set up in parallel to the request queue 515 . the memory interface further includes a precharge arbiter ( pre arb ) 530 , an activate ( act ) arb 535 , a read / write ( r / w ) arb 540 , a dram controller 545 , a bank state reporter module 550 , and a hit - miss - closed module 555 the row - bank - direction ( rbd ) queue 510 is a matrix showing memory requests from the client for different count , row and banks . similarly , the request queue 515 is a matrix showing possible read - modify - write operations and respective column addresses and bank which are used to carry out requests from the client . the look ahead structure 500 includes a precharge tier select mux 520 and an activate tier select mux 525 , which are both coupled to the rbd queue 510 . tier selects 520 and 525 are multiplexers ( mux ), which are used to expose the next available precharge or activate command . tier select mux 520 is directly coupled to the activate arbiter 535 whereas tier select mux 525 is directly coupled to the precharge arbiter 530 . tier select mux 520 and tier select mux 525 receive inputs from the rbd queue 510 and sends one of these inputs to the outputs based on the values of one or more selection inputs or control inputs . precharge arbiter 530 , activate arbiter 535 , and read / write arbiter 540 act independently and each has its own separate respective client interface . the tier select mux 520 is used to couple the activate arbiter 535 to the rbd queue 510 . the tier select mux 525 is used to couple the precharge arbiter 530 to the rbd queue 510 . similarly the request queue 515 is directly coupled to the read / write arbiter 540 . since the precharge , activate , and read / write each has its own arbiters independent arbitration is performed for each of these . each arbiter 530 , 535 , and 540 includes rules to prevent memory bank conflicts such that the result of independent arbitration is an efficient staggering of sub - command phases in different memory banks . for example , while one memory bank is being accessed for a read / write sub - command on behalf of one client the independent arbitration permits activate sub - command phases and precharge sub - command phases to be performed on other memory banks on the behalf of other clients . the precharge arbiter 530 examines client memory access request commands and arbitrates precharge sub - commands to determine whether a precharge needs to be done to close a row in a bank . that is , precharge arbiter 530 examines open rows and makes an arbitration decision regarding which open banks , if any , should be closed on a particular clock cycle . in one embodiment , a precharge closes when there is a miss to a bank . when there is a simultaneous hit and miss to a particular bank from different clients , then precharge arbiter 530 may weigh the client priorities and elect to close or not close the bank . in other words , in one embodiment precharge arbiter 530 considers client priorities and also hits and misses in determining whether to close a bank . there also may be a timer that closes a bank after a timeout period when there is no hit demand for that bank . the tiering control logic may issue information via a “ commit bit ” to the precharge arbiter . this informs the precharge arbiter that a subsequent bank has been activated by a tiered client , and that there are still column address references in request fifo 510 corresponding to that bank for previous tiers . this prevents the precharge arbiter from closing that bank before those column references have been exposed at the head of the request fifo 510 . the activate arbiter 535 examines client memory access requests and arbitrates activate sub - commands to determine which bank needs to be open ( and which row activated ) in a particular clock cycle . that is , activate arbiter 535 examines closed rows of banks and makes an arbitration decision regarding which closed row / bank , if any , should be activated on a particular clock cycle . the read / write arbiter 540 examines client memory access requests and arbitrates read / write sub - commands to determine which read / write sub - commands get to banks to do a read and a write . that is , read / write arbiter 540 examines activated banks / rows and makes an arbitration decision regarding which read / write sub - commands should be issued for activated rows . in one embodiment , misses are blocked from arbitration in the read / write arbiter 540 until a hit . dram controller 545 is coupled to a bank state reporter module 550 that monitors which banks are active , which rows are active , and monitors timing parameters . the bank state reporter 550 is coupled to the hit - miss - closed module 555 , which determines if there was a hit , missed or closed bank . bank state reporter module 550 generates control signals that are provided to precharge arbiter 530 , activate arbiter 535 , read / write arbiter 540 , and the hit - miss - closed module 555 based on the status of the dram memory , which is not shown . in one embodiment , an individual bit , called a touch bit , is used to indicate at least one read / write has been performed on a bank . the purpose of the touch bit is to prevent the precharge arbiter 530 from closing a newly opened bank that has not yet performed a read / write . for example , in one implementation , a bank remains open ( within a timeout period ) until it is read / written , at which time the touch bit is set , making the bank eligible for precharge . in one implementation a default condition is that a bank that has been touched remains open to facilitate servicing additional read / write sub - commands from the same client that initiated the initial touch . the information provided by bank state reporter 550 to precharge arbiter 530 , activate arbiter 535 , and read / write arbiter 540 allow for independent arbitrations based on information regarding the bank state . for example , in order for an activate to happen on a particular bank , the bank has to be already shut . thus , arbitration decisions made by activate arbiter 535 are performed by arbitrating between banks already closed , which requires information about the bank state sufficient to identify banks that are closed . the read / write arbiter 540 arbitrates between banks already open and matching the same row (“ a hit ”), which requires information about the bank state sufficient to identify open banks . precharge is performed only on open banks . thus , precharge arbiter 530 also requires information about bank state sufficient to identify open banks . in one embodiment precharge arbiter 530 , activate arbiter 535 , and read / write arbiter 540 use memory timing parameters to manage the memory . in this embodiment the bank state reporter module 555 also acquires and provides timing parameters so that arbiters 530 , 535 , and 540 can estimate when banks will be available for precharge , activate , and read / write operations . further details of how the arbiters take into account timing parameter are disclosed in the co - pending and co - owned patent application of james van dyke et al ., titled “ memory interface with independent arbitration of precharge , activate , and read / write ,” u . s . provisional patent application no . 60 / 813 , 803 , filed on jun . 14 , 2006 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety . in one embodiment , dram controller 545 receives the arbitration decisions of the different arbiters 530 , 535 , and 540 and then dram controller 545 issues precharge , activate , and read / write sub - commands to dram memory . as previously described , the different arbiters 530 , 535 , and 540 have bank state information from which they determine an appropriate set of banks / rows to perform an arbitration . for example , on a particular clock cycle , clients arbitrated by the activate arbiter 535 are not arbitrated by the read / write arbiter 540 because the activate arbiter arbitrates with respect to closed banks whereas the read / write arbiter 540 arbitrates with respect to activated banks / rows . therefore , while the arbitration decisions of the different arbiters 410 , 415 , and 420 are made independently the arbitration rules that are applied result in an efficient bank interleaving that avoids bank conflicts . arbitration decisions can be based on many factors that are weighed against each other . in one embodiment , an individual request has a priority defined by a weight based on client urgency ( how urgently a client needs a memory access ) and efficiency ( how efficient the memory access is likely to be given the size of transfers and latency ). it will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that , while the present invention has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments , it is not limited thereto . various features and aspects of the above - described invention may be used individually or jointly . further , although the invention has been described in the context of its implementation in a particular environment and for particular applications , those skilled in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be utilized in any number of environments and implementations .

6Physics

the present invention relates generally to mems devices , and more particularly , to a mems acoustic sensor such as a microphone . the following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements . various modifications to the described embodiments and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art . thus , the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein . in the described embodiments micro - electro - mechanical systems ( mems ) refers to a class of structures or devices fabricated using semiconductor - like processes and exhibiting mechanical characteristics such as the ability to move or deform . mems devices often , but not always , interact with electrical signals . mems devices include but are not limited to gyroscopes , accelerometers , magnetometers , pressure sensors , microphones , and radio - frequency components . silicon wafers containing mems structures are referred to as mems wafers . in the described embodiments , the mems device may refer to a semiconductor device implemented as a micro - electro - mechanical system . the mems structure may refer to any feature that may be part of a larger mems device . the semiconductor layer with the mechanically active mems structure is referred to as the device layer . an engineered silicon - on - insulator ( esoi ) wafer may refer to a soi wafer with cavities beneath the silicon device layer or substrate . a handle wafer typically refers to a thicker substrate used as a carrier for the thinner silicon device substrate in a silicon - on - insulator wafer . a handle substrate and a handle wafer can be interchanged . in the described embodiments , a cavity may refer to an opening or recession in a substrate wafer and an enclosure may refer to a fully enclosed space . a post may be a vertical structure in the cavity of the mems device for mechanical support . a standoff is a vertical structure providing electrical contact . in the described embodiments , a back cavity may refer to a partially enclosed cavity equalized to ambient pressure via pressure equalization channels ( pec ). in some embodiments , a back cavity is also referred to as a back chamber . a back cavity formed within the cmos - mems device can be referred to as an integrated back cavity . pressure equalization channels , also referred to as venting or leakage channels / paths , are acoustic channels for low frequency or static pressure equalization of a back cavity to ambient pressure . in the described embodiments , a rigid structure within a mems device that moves when subject to force may be referred to as a plate . although rigid plates are preferred for the described embodiments , semi rigid plates or deformable membranes could replace rigid plates . plates may comprise of silicon , silicon containing materials ( e . g . poly - silicon , silicon oxide , silicon nitride ), metals and materials that are used in semiconductor processes ( e . g . aluminum nitride , germanium ). a back plate may be a solid or perforated plate comprising at least one electrode . the electrode can be comprised of semiconductor process compatible conductive materials ( e . g . poly - silicon , silicon , aluminum , copper , nickel , titanium , chromium , gold ). the electrodes may have insulating films on one or more surfaces . in the described embodiments , perforations refer to acoustic openings for reducing air damping in moving plates . an acoustic port may be an opening for sensing the acoustic pressure . an acoustic barrier may be a structure that prevents acoustic pressure from reaching certain portions of the device . linkage is a structure that provides electrical conductivity and compliant attachment to a substrate through an anchor . extended acoustic gap can be created by step etching of the post and creating a partial post overlap over the pec . in - plane bump stops limit range of movement in the plane of the plate if the plates move more than desired ( e . g . under a mechanical shock ). similarly rotational bump stop are extensions of the plate to limit the displacement normal to the plane due to out - of - plane rotation . in the described embodiments , structures ( plates ) of mems device and electrodes formed on cmos substrate form sensor capacitors . sensor capacitors are electrically biased for detection of change of capacitance due to acoustic pressure . to describe the features of the present invention in more detail , refer now to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures . fig1 a and 1b show different embodiments of top views of device layers 100 a and 100 b of torsional microphone . fig1 a and 1b illustrates a first plate 140 , 142 that senses acoustic pressure on its first surface , and a second plate 150 with perforations 160 and a linkage 250 , 252 attached to an anchor 240 , 242 . in an embodiment the first plate 140 , 142 and second plate 150 are rigid . the difference between fig1 a and 1b are the locations of linkages 250 , 252 . a different embodiment may include combination of linkages 250 and 252 resulting in four linkages , adding a central cutout portion to fig1 a and 1b . the first plate 140 , 142 is partially surrounded by a pressure equalization channel ( pec ) 230 , 232 , and the device layer 100 a , 100 b is surrounded by a seal 260 to ensure that the only acoustical input to the device will be via an acoustic port 190 ( in fig2 a and 2b . when a force is applied ( acoustic pressure variation ) on the first surface of first plate 140 , 142 , the first plate 140 , 142 is rotationally displaced around an axis passing through linkages 250 , 252 , hence the second plate 150 is displaced in an opposite direction ( rotational displacement around the same axis ). the linkages 250 , 252 form torsional restoring forces acting against movement and will bring the plates to their initial position once externally applied acoustic force is zero . undesired in plane movements can be limited by introducing in plane bump stops 340 at locations where undesired movement / rotation has a high amplitude , e . g . furthest away from linkages 250 , 252 . the in plane bump stops 340 can be defined and manufactured on the second plate 150 or the device layer 100 a , 100 b or the first plate 140 , 142 or any combination of these . in an embodiment , protruding tabs that form rotational bump stops 350 are provided to limit the rotation of the first 140 , 142 and second plates 150 . by proper design the rotational bump stops 350 may eliminate need for reduction or turning off the potential difference between first and second plates 140 , 142 and 150 , and the electrode 170 shown in fig2 a and 2b for recovery from a tip - in or out of range condition . fig2 a and 2b show the cross section of the torsional microphone 200 a and 200 b with integrated back cavity 130 along 2 a - 2 a and 2 b - 2 b in fig1 a and b respectively . in an embodiment , integrated back cavity 130 is formed by a fusion bond 220 between the second substrate 120 and the device layer 100 a and 100 b which is further bonded to the first substrate 110 by conductive alloy ( eutectic ) bond 200 by processes as described in a commonly owned u . s . pat . no . 7 , 442 , 570 , entitled , “ method of fabrication of a al / ge bonding in a wafer packing environment and a product produced therefrom ”, which is incorporated herein by reference . static pressure in the back cavity 130 is equalized by ambient pressure via air flow through the pec 230 and 232 . ideally , pec 230 and 232 , provide high resistance to air flow in the frequency range of interest ( e . g . 100 hz and above ), and low resistance at lower frequencies down to static pressure changes . linkages 250 are attached to standoffs 180 both mechanically and electrically . the standoffs 180 in an embodiment are lithographically defined protruding members of device layer that are mechanically and electrically connected to top conductive layers of the first substrate 110 via alloy or eutectic bonding . the device layer 100 a and 100 b in an embodiment is lithographically patterned to form the first plate 140 , a second plate 150 , with perforations 160 , pec 230 , 232 and an acoustic seal 260 , around the active device . the second plate 150 with perforations 160 forms a first electrode and is electrically connected to an integrated circuit ( ic ) manufactured on the first substrate 110 , while a second electrode 170 is disposed on the first substrate 110 . second electrode 170 is aligned with the first electrode or second plate 150 . a first surface of second plate 150 and the second electrode 170 form a variable capacitor whose value changes due to pressure being applied on a first surface of first plate 140 . 142 . in an embodiment , additional material such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide is deposited on the second electrode 170 . the additional material can be lithographically patterned to form bump stops 270 to reduce stiction force by reducing the contact area in the undesired event that first and / or second plate 140 , 142 and 150 come into contact with first substrate 110 . fig3 a and 3b illustrate the conceptual design describing the operation of the torsional microphone of fig2 a or 2 b with a symbolic anchor 183 , and a symbolic torsional linkage , 253 . referring now to fig3 a , the acoustic port 193 is a channel in the first substrate 110 that allows acoustic pressure to reach the first surface of the first plate 143 . under an applied acoustic pressure , the first plate 143 rotates slightly either clockwise or counter - clockwise depending on polarity of acoustic pressure . in fig3 b , the case where the first plate 143 rotates in a clockwise direction around a rotation axis that coincides with linkage like structure 253 is depicted . rotational movement coupled to the perforated second plate 153 results in a reduced gap between first surface of the second plate 153 and a second electrode 173 , hence the capacitance defined by these two surfaces increases . an ic manufactured on the first substrate 110 is electrically connected to both the second plate 153 and second electrode 173 detects the change in capacitance proportional to the acoustic pressure . fig4 shows a top view of device layer 400 of a piston microphone with rigid first plate 144 that senses acoustic pressure on its first surface , a rigid second plate 154 with perforations 164 , and linkages 254 attached to an anchor 244 . the number of linkages 254 shown in the device is four , but the number of linkages could be any number and that would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention . undesired in plane movements can be limited by introducing in plane bump stops 344 at locations where undesired movement / rotation has a high amplitude , e . g ., furthest away from the linkages 254 . the in plane bump stops 344 can be defined on the second plate 154 or the device layer 104 or the first plate 144 , or any combination thereof . fig5 shows the cross section of the piston microphone 500 , with integrated back cavity 134 along 5 - 5 in fig4 . in an embodiment , the device layer 104 is device layer 400 in fig4 . the integrated back cavity 134 is formed by a fusion ( oxide ) bond 224 between a second substrate 124 and the device layer 104 which further is bonded to the first substrate 114 by a conductive alloy ( eutectic ) bond 204 by processes as described in a commonly owned u . s . pat . no . 7 , 442 , 570 , entitled , “ method of fabrication of a al / ge bonding in a wafer packing environment and a product produced therefrom ”, which is incorporated herein by reference . static pressure in the back cavity 134 is equalized by ambient pressure via air flow through the pec 234 . linkages 254 are attached to the standoffs 184 both mechanically and electrically . acoustic barriers 364 may be introduced wherever suitable for required low frequency response enhancement . the first plate 144 is partially surrounded by a pec 234 . the entire structure is surrounded by a seal 264 to ensure that the only acoustical input to a cavity 134 is via acoustic port 194 . when an acoustic force is applied on the first surface of first plate 144 , the first plate 144 is displaced up or down depending on polarity of pressure . the second plate 154 is displaced in the same direction as the first plate 144 . both plates 144 and 154 are attached to the anchors 244 via the linkages 254 , which apply an opposite restoring force to first and second plates 144 and 154 . when the acoustic force is reduced to zero , the restoring force brings first and second plates 144 and 154 to their original operating position . the standoffs 184 are lithographically defined protruding members of the device layer that are mechanically and electrically connected to the first substrate 114 via alloy ( eutectic ) bonding to a top metal layer of the first substrate 114 . the device layer 104 is lithographically patterned to form the first plate 144 , second plate 154 and plate with perforations 164 , the pec 234 and an acoustic seal around the active device . the second plate 154 forms a first electrode and is electrically connected to an integrated circuit ( ic ) manufactured on the first substrate 114 , while a second electrode 174 manufactured on the first substrate 114 is designed to be aligned with first electrode 174 . a first ( bottom ) surface of the second plate 154 and the second electrode 174 forms a variable capacitor whose value depends on the pressure applied on the first surface of the first plate 144 . the second electrode 174 in an embodiment is buried under a stack of silicon nitride and silicon dioxide which further can be lithographically patterned to form bump stops 274 to reduce stiction force by reducing contact area in the undesired event that first and / or second plates 144 and 154 come into contact with the first substrate 114 . fig6 a and 6b illustrate the conceptual designs showing the operation of a piston microphone of fig5 . the linkages 254 in fig5 are now represented by symbolic springs 256 and support the first plate 146 , second plate 156 the acoustic port 196 is a channel in a first substrate 116 for acoustic pressure to reach the first surface of the first plate 146 . under an applied acoustic pressure the first plate 146 slightly moves up or down depending on polarity of sound pressure . in fig6 b , the case where the first plate 146 moves up is depicted . this upward movement of first plate 146 is coupled to a second plate 156 with perforations 166 , which in turn results in increased gap between the first surface of the second plate 156 and the second electrode 176 ; hence the capacitance defined by these two surfaces decreases . an ic manufactured on the first substrate 116 is electrically connected to both of the electrodes 156 and 176 ; hence it is used to detect the change in capacitance , which is proportional to the acoustic pressure . fig7 shows alternative manufacturing options for a torsional microphone 700 . in one alternative scheme , the posts 210 can be made wider to overlap over a pec 230 , while forming a shallow recess step to form a well - controlled and shallow extended pec 280 for improving the low frequency response of the microphone . the depth of the channel is controllable as well as the length to provide a means to properly design a pressure equalization channel for proper frequency response . similarly defining a partial overlap of the second substrate 120 over the outer periphery of the second plate 150 creates a bump stop 310 which limits out of plane , upward movement of the first and second plates 140 and 150 . by proper design of the bump stop 310 the potential risk of the first plate 140 touching the first substrate 110 can be reduced significantly . similarly , proper design of the length of an extended pec 300 over outer edge ( furthest away from the rotation axis ) of the first plate will limit the rotational movement of the first and second plates 140 and 150 and may be used for significantly reducing the potential risk of first or second plates 140 , 150 touching the first substrate 110 . limiting out of plane movement improves device reliability , especially against stiction , vibrations and shocks . in another embodiment , the first and second plates 140 and 150 can be thinned down selectively so as to have a thicker portion and a thinner portion , creating a stepped device layer 290 , for increasing resonant frequency of the device and reducing acoustic resistance of the perforations 160 . in an embodiment , linkage 250 can have the same thickness as the thicker portion of first plate 140 or second plate 150 . in another embodiment , linkage 250 can be same thickness as the thinner portion of first plate 140 or second plate 150 . in another embodiment , linkage 250 can be of any thickness independent of the first and second plates . by proper design of the step profile of the first and second plates 140 and 150 , first and second plates can be manufactured to be stiff enough to perform as microphone plates . in another embodiment , back plate 330 with perforations 320 is provided to serve as a rigid electrode on the first substrate covering acoustic port 190 , which faces the first surface side of the first plate 140 . in an embodiment , the rigid back plate 330 can partially or completely cover the acoustic port 190 . by proper design of a plate 330 with perforations 320 , acoustic pressure input through acoustic port 190 will reach the first surface of the first plate 140 without noticeable attenuation , while the parallel plate capacitance formed by this backplate 330 and the first plate 140 will increase the electronic sense capacitance . under the influence of acoustic input , the capacitance between the backplate 330 and first plate 140 will change in the opposite phase to the capacitance formed between the second plate 150 and the second electrode 170 . the phase difference between sense capacitances enables differential sensing . an additional benefit of the differential structure is the possibility of recovering from a stiction . in the event that either the first plate 140 or the second plate 150 comes into contact with the first substrate 110 and gets stuck , an electrical bias can be applied between the plate that is not in contact with the first substrate 110 and corresponding electrode ( second electrode 170 or the backplate 330 ) for recovering from stiction . it is also possible to sense the tilting of plates and dynamically adjust bias applied across the plates to ensure that they do not come into contact with the first substrate 110 . fig8 shows alternative manufacturing embodiment for the piston microphone . in one embodiment , the posts 214 can be made wider to overlap over a pec 234 , while forming a shallow recess step to form a well - controlled and shallow extended pec 284 , in order to improve low frequency response of the microphone . in a similar way , a partial overlap of bump stop 314 of the second substrate 124 over the outer periphery of the second plate 154 limits out of plane ( upward ) movement of the first and second plates 144 , 154 . limiting of out of plane movement improves device reliability , especially to vibrations and shocks . in another alternative scheme , the first and second plates 144 , 154 can be thinned down selectively , creating a stepped device layer 294 to increase resonant frequency of the structure and to reduce acoustic resistance of perforations . in another embodiment , backplate 334 with perforations 324 is provided to serve as an electrode on the first substrate covering acoustic port 194 , which faces the first surface side of the first plate 144 . in an embodiment , the rigid back plate 334 can partially or completely cover the acoustic port . by proper design of a plate 334 with perforations 324 , acoustic input ( sound pressure ) through the opening ( acoustic port 194 ) will reach the first surface of the first plate 144 without noticeable attenuation , while the parallel plate capacitance formed by this backplate 334 and the first plate 144 will increase the electronic sense capacitance . under the influence of acoustic input , this capacitance will change in the same phase as the capacitance formed between the second plate 154 and the second electrode 174 . hence the total sense capacitance will increase . fig9 a , 9 b , and 9 c show packaging schemes for that can be applied to any of the described embodiments of a microphone . fig9 a illustrates a capped package 900 a with integrated device 914 . back cavity 916 is self - contained in the integrated device 914 . fig9 b shows a molded package 900 b where a plastic or similar encapsulating material 924 is molded or formed over the integrated device 922 . fig9 c illustrates a capped package 900 c that forms an extended back cavity 927 via an acoustic port 926 opened on top surface of integrated device 918 . fig1 shows an embodiment which integrates a mems microphone 370 with one or more other mems devices 380 on the first and second substrates . other mems devices include but are not limited to the gyroscope , accelerometer , pressure sensor and compass . mems microphone 370 can be a piston microphone or a torsional microphone as described in fig1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 , and 8 . both torsional and piston designs of microphone provide improvements over conventional designs . the integrated back cavity where the enclosure is defined by the first and second substrates and integrated electronics from the cmos - mems construction enables a significantly smaller package footprint than in conventional two - chip solutions . the integrated back cavity also relieves packaging considerations where the mems die and package together form the back cavity . the torsional design inherently is expected to be less sensitive to accelerations during operation compared to similar dimensioned or larger microphones . piston design , in terms of electronic pickup and movement of plates , is similar to existing mems and condenser microphones , but unlike the others is based on movement of solid plates , not diaphragms . also , unlike other designs , pressure sensing area and electrode area can be adjusted separately , giving extra flexibility on design at a cost of area / mass . although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown , one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention . accordingly , many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

with reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate an understanding of the present invention , a number of embodiments of the physical training apparatus of the present invention are described . in the embodiment of fig4 - 7 , two short cables are provided , one cable 28 being connected to the earphones 24 and having a male audio jack 30 and a second cable 32 having a male jack 34 for insertion into the receptacle ( not shown ) of the audio source 22 and a male jack 36 on the other end . as shown in fig4 - 7 and 10 - 15 , a length of cable 38 may be embedded in , or attached to , the fabric of the garment in any suitable conventional way and extend between a female receptacle 40 proximate to the neck opening of the garment and a female receptacle 42 proximate to the arm opening of the garment . note that the location of the receptacle 42 may vary from the distal end of a sleeved garment illustrated in fig4 and 14 to the shoulder of the sleeved garment shown in fig5 and the sleeveless garment illustrated in fig6 . as shown in fig4 and 14 , the cable 38 may be located along the shoulder seam of the garment and the upper part of the garment sleeve . alternatively , and as shown in fig7 , the cable 38 may be located along a garment sleeve . in addition the garment may be provided with a pocket to receive and retain the audio source thereby eliminating the need to secure the audio source to the arm . as a matter of ease in illustration only , the embedded cable is shown only on one side of the garment . however , it is to be understood that the embedded cable may alternatively be located on the right side of the garment . while only one cable internal of the shirt is shown in these and the other figures , it is also to be understood that cables may be provided on both sides to provide alternative connections as may be favored by right or left handed exercisers . where two cables are provided , they may connect to individual or a common female jack adjacent the neck opening . two source connectors may be provided , e . g ., one at the arm opening and one at the torso opening , to give the wearer an option as to where to wear the source on his body ( see , fig1 ). as shown in the embodiments of fig8 and 9 , the use of a headphone jack may be obviated by attaching the cable to the garment rather than embedding it within the fabric of the garment . as shown in fig8 , the cable 44 may be continuous between the audio source 22 and the earphones 24 , but desirably shortened and provided with spaced apart fabric connectors 46 , 48 such as the hook / loop connectors marketed as velcro ®. these connectors may removably connected to connectors 50 , 52 permanently attached to the garment along the shoulder seam . as shown in fig9 , the garment may be provided with the spaced apart connectors 50 , 52 and the connectors 46 , 48 attached to a flexible container 54 or envelop suitable for receiving and retaining any length of cable 44 in excess to that needed for the size of the wearer . in this way , a portion of the length of cable conventionally provided with headsets 24 may be retained within the container 54 on the wearer &# 39 ; s shoulder to constrain the extra length and reduce the likelihood of entanglement and injury associated with a free cable during exercise . with reference to fig1 , 11 and 15 , the cable 38 may be embedded in the garment along the shoulder seam , around the front sleeve seam ( fig1 , 12 and 15 ) or the rear sleeve seem ( fig7 and 13 ). as shown in fig1 , 12 , 13 and 15 , the cable may extend down the side of the garment to a jack proximate to the waist opening , for both sleeved and sleeveless garments ( fig1 and 11 ) as well as for garments that terminate above ( fig1 and 15 ) or below ( fig1 and 13 ) the waist . where it is desirable that the garment extends below the waist so as to hide the audio source 22 from view , the female receptacle 42 may be made accessible from the inside of the garment as shown in fig1 and 13 . with the exception of the neck area , this eliminates the exposure of the cable to snags . where the female receptacle 42 is on the inside of the garment , the garment may be provided with a small slit through which the cable to the audio source may pass . this gives a user wearing the audio source 22 on their waist the option of having the garment tucked , or not tucked , into their shorts . note that the earphone receptacle 40 may be on the back of the neck opening , but is desirably on the side of the neck opening ( fig5 - 7 and 11 - 13 ) or in the front of the neck opening ( fig4 and 14 ). alternatively as shown in fig1 , the earphone receptacle 40 may be located on the front of the garment , e . g . under a logo or other ornamental design element so that the garment may be worn without disclosing its potential for use with an audio source . in various embodiments , the present invention reduces the likelihood of entanglement of an audio cable around the hand or on exercise equipment when exercising and provides support for the audio cable so that the weight thereof bouncing while running is less likely to effect a disconnect or to yank the earphones out of the ears of the person exercising . the likelihood of chaffing from movement of the cable against the body is reduced to the extent the cable is secured to the garment . the cable itself may be reduced in length , and thus in weight , reducing tension on the earphones and allowing a full range of motion of the neck and both arms with a significant reduction in the probability of cord entanglement around surrounding objects . the cable restraining means selectively attached to the garment allows the user to restrain a cable with excessive length . the connection of the earphones to the front of the garment , e . g ., under a logo , may be desirable because the connection may be hidden permitting the garment to be worn in social as well as exercise environments . the connection to the front of the garment rather than the rear thereof facilitates access and thus the connection of the audio source to the garment by the wearer thereof . while preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described , it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence , many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof .

7Electricity

throughout all the figures , same or corresponding elements are generally indicated by same reference numerals . these depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way . turning now to the drawing , and in particular to fig1 there is shown a schematic illustration of a traction drive , generally designated by reference numeral 1 a in starting mode and incorporating a tensioning device according to the present invention , generally designated by reference numeral 2 for realizing a sufficient tension of a traction member 3 , e . g . a belt , even when a torque introduced into the traction drive 1 a changes its direction . the tensioning device 2 includes a hub 9 and two lever arms 6 , 7 which are rigidly mounted to the hub 9 in offset relationship , whereby the lever arm 6 supports on the hub - distal end a tension pulley 4 , which bears against a pulling strand 10 of the traction member 3 , and the lever arm 7 supports on the hub - distal end a tension pulley 5 , which bears against a return strand 11 of the traction member 3 . the entire tensioning device 2 is swingably mounted about a rotation axis 9 disposed centrally in the hub 9 to effect a sufficient tensioning of the traction member 3 which is guided about the tension pulleys 4 , 5 . the traction drive 1 a is incorporated in an internal combustion engine and intended for driving various aggregates of the internal combustion engine . each of the aggregates of the internal combustion engine includes a belt pulley about which the traction member 3 is looped . the traction drive 1 a also interacts with a starter - generator unit , which combines a starter and a generator within a unitary structure and includes a pulley 12 about which the traction member 3 is guided . the concept of the starter - generator unit involves an introduction of a torque by the starter - generator or the internal combustion engine into the traction drive 1 a in dependence on the operating mode , i . e . the direction of the torque changes between the starting mode and the normal operating mode . thus , the tensioning device 2 for the traction drive 1 a should be able to keep the return strand 11 of the traction member 3 sufficiently taut , i . e ., slip - free , in particular in the area of the starter - generator . as shown in fig1 the tension pulleys 4 , 5 , bearing against the traction member 3 , are arranged in offset relationship at an angle of & gt ; 70 °. the tension pulley 4 is hereby positioned near a dead center in which the tension pulley 4 assumes the function of a deflection roller for the pulling strand 10 . a distance measure 12 is hereby defined between the direction of a resultant force , characterized by a directional arrow 15 , of the pulling strand 10 in the area of the tension pulley 4 and the rotation axis 9 of the tensioning device 2 . in the starting mode shown in fig1 the distance measure 12 approaches hereby zero . as a consequence of this position and arrangement of the tension pulley 4 in the starting mode , a change in the force of the pulling strand 10 is prevented from influencing in any way the tension pulley 5 of the tensioning device 2 . the tension pulley 5 of the tensioning device 2 is supported upon the return strand 11 at establishment of a longer distance measure l 1 between the direction of a resultant force , characterized by a directional arrow 16 of the return strand 10 in the area of the tension pulley 5 and the rotation axis 9 of the tensioning device 2 . the resultant force 16 is hereby oriented in a way as to exploit the lever arm defined by the distance measure l 2 which substantially corresponds to a maximum length of the lever arm 7 . in this disposition of the tensioning device 2 , the moment balance is established almost exclusively by a spring moment or a spring force of a spring member 25 , translated to the respective distance measure and the force of the return strand acting on the distance measure l 1 . the spring member 25 has one spring end 26 , engaging formfittingly in the torsionally rigid axle 27 , and another spring end 28 connected formfittingly with the lever arm 7 of the tensioning device 2 . the spring member 25 acts as torsion spring and applies a force component upon the tensioning device 2 in clockwise direction . the traction member 3 is looped about the tension pulley 4 by a wrap angle α which is greater than a wrap angle β by which the traction member 3 is looped about the tension pulley 5 . the wrap angles α , β determine also the length of the traction member 3 wrapped about the tension pulleys 4 , 5 and affect the tensioning force of the traction member 3 . as the wrap angle β is smaller than the wrap angle α , the tensioning force in the return strand 11 of the traction member 3 can be realized by applying a slight tension of the tensioning device 2 . [ 0032 ] fig2 shows a schematic illustration of a traction drive 1 b in normal operating mode , whereby the traction drive 1 b further includes a belt pulley 13 , which is operatively connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine . parts corresponding with those in fig1 are denoted by identical reference numerals and not explained again . in this embodiment , the traction drive 1 b is driven by the crankshaft via the pulley 13 , instead of the starter - generator via the pulley 12 . in the normal operating mode , the tension pulley 4 of the tensioning device 2 is now associated to the return strand 11 whereas the tension pulley 5 bears against the pulling strand 10 and is loaded by the drive moment of the generator , thus resulting in a pivoting of the tensioning device 2 counterclockwise . as a consequence , the distance measure l 1 decreases and is accompanied at the same time by an increase of the distance measure l 2 of the tension pulley 4 . an increase of the distance measure l 2 & gt ; 0 results in a return force by the tension pulley 4 upon the tension pulley 5 of the tensioning device 2 . a moment balance is reached by the spring moment or a spring force of a spring member , translated to the respective distance measure i . e . to the resultant force of the pulling strand 10 acting on the distance measure l 2 as well as the force of the return strand 11 acting on the distance measure l 1 . also in this embodiment of the traction drive 1 b , the wrap angles α , β of the traction member 3 about the tension pulleys 4 , 5 are different . the smaller wrap angle β about the tension pulley 5 enables an increase in the tensioning force of the traction member 3 in the return strand 11 . the wrap angles α , β are dimensioned in the normal operating mode in such a manner that the tension pulley 4 takes up more slack of the traction member 3 than the loose length of the traction member 3 by which the tension pulley 5 slackens so that the return strand 11 of the traction member 3 is subject to a greater tensioning force . [ 0033 ] fig3 shows a schematic illustration of a traction drive , generally designated by reference numeral 1 c , which is similar to the traction drive 1 a . parts corresponding with those in fig1 are denoted by identical reference numerals and not explained again . the traction drive 1 c differs from the traction drive 1 a only by the provision of a combined spring and damping device 14 which acts upon the lever arm 7 of the tension system 2 to effect a sufficient tension of the traction member 3 and to prevent disadvantageous deflections of the tensioning device 2 as a result of , e . g ., imbalances of the internal combustion engine during normal operation . as an alternative , the spring and damping device 14 may also interact with the lever arm 6 of the tensioning device . [ 0034 ] fig4 shows a schematic illustration of a traction drive in normal operating mode , generally designated by reference numeral 1 d , which is similar to the traction drive 1 b . parts corresponding with those in fig1 are denoted by identical reference numerals and not explained again . the traction drive 1 d differs from the traction drive 1 b only by the provision of a combined spring and damping device 14 which operates in a same way as described in connection with fig3 . as an alternative to the provision of the unitary structure of the spring and damping device 14 , the tensioning device 2 may also be comprised of separate components arranged at different locations , e . g ., a spring member which is arranged in concentric surrounding relationship to the rotation axis 9 and has one end supported by the hub 8 of the tensioning device 2 . examples of a spring member include mechanical as well as hydraulic spring members . referring back to fig3 there is clearly shown the geometric configuration of the tensioning device 2 . the lever arms 6 , 7 have hereby a length ratio of about 2 : 1 , whereby the lever arms 6 , 7 are arranged at an angle of & gt ; 70 ° relative to one another . also the different diameter of the tension pulleys 4 , 5 is depicted here , whereby the diameter of the tension pulley 5 on the longer lever arm 7 is significantly greater than the diameter of the tension pulley 4 on the shorter lever arm 4 . while the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail , it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention . for example , the tensioning device may have lever arms arranged at an angle relative to one another which deviates from & gt ; 70 °, or the lever arms may be configured at different length ratio , or the tension pulleys may have identical diameters . the embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated . what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by letters patent is set forth in the appended claims and their equivalents :

5Mechanical Engineering; Lightning; Heating; Weapons; Blasting

referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first , particularly , to fig1 and 1a thereof , the wire foil for paper production installations comprises a supporting strip 1 with an upper side to which plates 2 of ceramic material are fixed over its entire length . on the underside , the supporting strip 1 is formed over its entire length with a groove 10 , by means of which it can be fixed to a supporting frame and can be displaced with respect to the latter transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the wire of the paper production installation . on its upper side , the supporting strip 1 is formed with two grooves 11 likewise extending over its entire length . in the same way , the plates 2 of ceramic material are also formed on their underside with grooves 21 extending over their entire length . the grooves 11 and 21 are used to hold fixing elements 3 for fixing the plates 2 of ceramic material to the supporting strip 1 . the connecting elements 3 are arranged in such a way that they extend across the joint between respective two plates 2 of ceramic material located beside each other . the supporting strip 1 and the connecting elements 3 are produced from steel , from a hard plastic material , such as polyethylene , from glass - fiber - reinforced plastic , from carbon fibers , or similar materials . the material selection for the supporting strips and the connecting elements is known from the prior art . referring now to fig2 and 2a to 2 c , there is shown a first type of connecting element 3 . as can be seen from fig2 the grooves 21 provided in the plates 2 are designed to be undercut . as can further be seen from fig2 a to 2 c , each connecting element 3 is formed in its upper region with a broadening , by which means it is matched to the cross section of the grooves 21 in the plates 2 . in order to be able to push the connecting elements 3 into the grooves 21 and lock them in the latter , they are subdivided along a vertical plane into two wedge - like components 31 and 32 . on their underside , the connecting elements 3 are formed with laterally projecting ribs 33 . the connecting elements 3 are fixed in the grooves 21 in the plates 2 by being pushed into the latter from their end faces . since the upper region of the connecting elements 2 has a cross section equal and opposite to the grooves 21 , the connecting elements are fixed rigidly in the grooves 21 by a form fit . the connecting elements 3 are fixed in the grooves 11 of the supporting strips 1 by introducing a potting compound 4 consisting of plastic . because of the form - fitting connection of the plates 2 to the connecting elements 3 , this has the sought - after rigidity . since , furthermore , the connecting elements 3 extend over the joints located between two plates 2 , the plates 2 located beside each other are also rigidly fixed to each other , their joint edges being located at the same height . [ 0044 ] fig3 and 3a to 3 d illustrate a second embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention . this connecting element consists of a conically formed pin 5 which , over part of its height , is formed with a slit 51 and with two diametrical flats 52 . furthermore , at its tapered end , it has a convexly curved head 54 with actuating slots 55 . because of the flats 52 , this connecting element 5 can be inserted into the undercut grooves 21 in the plates 2 . as a result of its rotation through 90 °, its conical faces 53 come into contact with the side walls of the grooves 21 and , because of the elasticity achieved by means of the slit 51 , are locked to the latter by a form fit . as can be seen from fig3 d , these connecting elements 5 are also inserted in the region of the joint into two plates 2 located beside each other , by which means the latter are fixed rigidly to each other . the connecting element 5 a illustrated in fig4 a to 4 d differs from the pin 5 according to fig3 a to 3 d only in the fact that it is formed with an annularly circumferential collar 57 , which comes to rest on the underside of the plates 2 . the connecting element illustrated in fig5 a and 5 b is likewise formed by a conical pin 6 , which is formed with a central hole 61 and with a slit 62 , a screw 63 being assigned to the central hole 61 . by screwing in the screw 63 , the two wings of the pin 6 assigned to the grooves 21 are moved away from each other , as a result of which they are locked in the grooves 21 by a form fit . the connecting element illustrated in fig6 and 6a comprises an approximately v - shaped spring 7 , whose two legs 72 come to rest with a form fit on the two side walls of the grooves 21 . the connecting element 8 illustrated in fig7 and 7a comprises a keyhole - shaped clip 8 which is formed with two legs 81 and 82 , which are inserted into the grooves 11 in the supporting strip 1 and are fixed by means of the potting compound 4 . the legs 81 and 82 are joined by semi - annular clip parts 83 and 84 , which are separated from each other by a slot 85 . as a result of the slot 85 , the clip 8 has the required elasticity in order to be inserted into the annular grooves 21 in the plates 2 . since the grooves 21 have a corresponding , approximately annular cross section , form - fitting locking of the clips 8 to the plates 2 also takes place here . finally , the space remaining in the grooves 11 and 21 is filled with a plastic compound 4 a , by which means the clips 8 are fixed in position . these connecting elements also extend beyond the joint between two plates 2 , as a result of which the latter are held in their mutual position . in all the exemplary embodiments , the connecting elements are inserted into the grooves 21 in the plates 2 and rest directly on their side walls , being held in the latter by a form fit . the connecting elements in the grooves of the supporting strips are fixed by means of a casting compound . furthermore , all the connecting elements are in each case arranged in the region of the joints between two plates 2 of ceramic material , as a result of which , by means of the connecting elements , in each case two plates 2 located beside each other are also rigidly fixed to each other , by which means they are held in the same vertical position .

3Textiles; Paper

with reference to the attached drawings , the present invention is described by means of the embodiment ( s ) below where the attached drawings are simplified for illustration purposes only to illustrate the structures or methods of the present invention by describing the relationships between the components and assembly in the present invention . therefore , the components shown in the figures are not expressed with the actual numbers , actual shapes , actual dimensions , nor with the actual ratio . some of the dimensions or dimension ratios have been enlarged or simplified to provide a better illustration . the actual numbers , actual shapes , or actual dimension ratios can be selectively designed and disposed and the detail component layouts may be more complicated . according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention , the fabrication process of a multi - chip package is revealed in fig3 for a major block diagram of a processing flow , in fig4 a to 4i for component views in each processing step , and in fig5 for a top view of the substrate assembly formed by combining a plurality of the spliced incomplete substrates with a plurality of the substrate blocks before encapsulation where fig4 i is the cross - sectional view of the mcp device fabricated by the fabrication process flow of fig3 according to the present invention . emmc ( embedded multi media card ) is used to illustrated in the present embodiment which can directly be mounted to a printed circuit board of a smart phone , a tablet computer , or a subnotebook / netbook computer . each processing step is described in detail as follows . as shown in fig3 and fig4 a , in step 21 , an incomplete substrate 210 and a substrate block 220 are provided . one sidewall of the incomplete substrate 210 has a first spliced portion 211 and one sidewall of the substrate block 220 has a second spliced portion 221 where the dimension of the incomplete substrate 210 is larger than the one of the substrate block 220 . the incomplete substrate 210 means a substrate lacking of some portion with circuitry connecting to one of the chips in the mcp package . in this embodiment , the incomplete substrate 210 doesn &# 39 ; t have the circuitry connecting to a controller chip . in step 21 , the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 can be individually formed in different substrate strips or different substrate panels . normally , the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 are small printed circuit boards with multi - layer circuitry , and the dimension of the incomplete substrate 210 is larger than the one of the substrate block 220 . additionally , the first spliced portion 211 and the second spliced portion 221 are designed to be male - female connection which can be interconnected such as if the first spliced portion 211 is a slot or opening then the second spliced portion 221 is a corresponding extruded plug . preferably , the first spliced portion 211 can be a female slot with a plurality of first contacting fingers 212 disposed on two opposing sides in the female slot and the second spliced portion 221 is the corresponding male plug with a plurality of second contacting fingers 222 disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the male plug where the first contacting fingers 212 are electrically connected to the internal circuitry of the incomplete substrate 210 through a plurality of first traces 213 , and the second contacting fingers 222 are electrically connected to the internal circuitry of the substrate block 220 through a plurality of second traces 223 . during the connection of the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 , even if the first spliced portion 211 and the second spliced portion 221 are loosened or tilted , at least one side of the first contacting fingers 212 still can be electrically connected with the corresponding second contacting fingers 222 to make good signal transmission between the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 . as shown in fig3 and fig4 b , in step 22 , at least a memory chip 230 is disposed on the incomplete substrate 210 . in the present embodiment , the memory chip 230 is a flash memory such as nand flash memory which is formed by thinning and dicing a memory wafer where the number of memory chips 230 disposed on the incomplete substrate 210 is not limited which can be one or plural . a plurality of bonding pads 231 are disposed on the active surface of the memory chip 230 . furthermore , step 23 of electrically connecting the memory chip 230 with the incomplete substrate 210 may not be executed during the fabrication process flow of the mcp device , which depends on the die - attaching mechanism between the memory chip 230 and the incomplete substrate 210 . when the die - attaching mechanism is flip - chip bonding , in step 22 the memory chip 230 is electrically connected to the incomplete substrate 210 through the bumps disposed on the memory chip 230 ( not shown in figures ). in this embodiment , the back surface of the memory chip 230 is adhered to the top surface of the incomplete substrate 210 by a die - attaching layer 233 where the die attaching 233 may be pre - formed on the back surface of the memory chip 230 and then attached to the incomplete substrate 210 . since the die - attaching mechanism in the present embodiment is the conventional die attaching process , therefore , step 23 needs to be executed . moreover , a plurality of external contacting pads 215 are disposed on the bottom surface of the incomplete substrate 210 . as shown in fig3 and fig4 c , in step 23 , the memory chip 230 is electrically connected to the incomplete substrate 210 by a plurality of first bonding wires 232 formed by wire bonding processes with both ends of the first bonding wires 232 bonded to the bonding pads 231 of the memory chip 230 and to the bonding fingers ( not shown in the figure ) of the incomplete substrate 210 , respectively . as shown in fig3 , the heating operations during step 22 and step 23 do not affect the substrate block 220 . as shown in fig3 and fig4 d , in step 24 a controller chip 240 is disposed on the substrate block 220 . in this embodiment , the back surface of the controller chip 240 is attached to the top surface of the substrate block 220 by a die - attaching layer 243 . the controller chip 240 is configured to control read / write operation of the memory chip 230 which is formed by thinning and dicing of a controller wafer where a plurality of bonding pads 241 are disposed on the active surface of the controller chip 240 . furthermore , a plurality of external contacting pads 224 are disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate block 220 . if needed , as shown in fig3 and fig4 e , step 25 may be executed to electrically connecting the controller chip 240 with the substrate block 220 . the controller chip 240 is electrically connected to the substrate block 240 by a plurality of second bonding wires 242 formed by wire bonding processes with both ends of the second bonding wires 242 bonded to the bonding pads 241 of the controller chip 240 and to the bonding fingers of the substrate block 220 ( not shown in the figures ). as shown in fig3 , the heating operation during step 24 and step 25 do not affect the incomplete substrate 210 . in the present embodiment , step 26 is executed to separate the substrate block 220 from a substrate strip with the attached controller chip 240 on the substrate block 220 . the singulated substrate block 220 is a modular unit for fitting in the incomplete substrate 210 . a glob top ( not shown in the figures ) such as liquid epoxy may be applied over the controller chip 240 before step 26 of module singulation . as shown in fig3 , fig4 f and fig4 g , step 27 is executed to splice the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 after step 22 of the disposition of the memory chip 230 on the incomplete substrate 210 and after step 24 of the disposition of the controller chip 240 on the substrate block 220 . in step 27 , the substrate block 220 is fitted in the incomplete substrate 210 as a complete modularized substrate by connecting the second spliced portion 221 with the first spliced portion 211 . in a preferred embodiment , the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 is horizontally connected to each other , i . e ., horizontally spliced , similar to picture puzzle and the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 are of a same thickness so that the spliced assembly of the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 does not increased the package thickness . as shown in fig3 and fig4 h , in step 28 , an encapsulant 250 is formed on the incomplete substrate 210 where the encapsulant 250 is further continuously formed on the substrate block 220 to be the package body of the mcp device . the encapsulant 250 can be an epoxy molding compound formed by transfer molding to encapsulate the memory chip 230 and the controller chip 240 together and to make the incomplete substrate 210 , the substrate block 220 , the memory chip 230 , and the controller 240 as one assembly where the encapsulant 250 further encapsulates the first bonding wires 232 and the second bonding wires 242 . preferably , the opposing sidewall of the incomplete substrate 210 corresponding to the sidewall having the first spliced portion 211 and the opposing sidewall of the substrate block 220 corresponding to the sidewall having the second spliced portion 221 are encapsulated by the encapsulant 250 with the external contacting pads 215 and 224 exposed to prevent the substrate block 220 from peeling off . as shown in fig5 , since the encapsulant 250 is formed by transfer molding processes , the precursor of the encapsulant 250 , i . e ., uncured encapsulating material , is formed on a substrate strip including a plurality of the incomplete substrates 210 in which a plurality of the substrate blocks 220 are fitted through plunger channel 251 and runner 252 of the mold chest system to encapsulate the memory chips 230 and the controller chips 240 on the substrate strip . moreover , the afore substrate strip having a plurality of incomplete substrates 210 further has a plurality of accommodating openings 214 disposed between the adjacent incomplete substrates 210 where the substrate blocks 220 can be jointed to and accommodated inside the openings 214 . finally , as shown in fig3 , in step 29 of package singulation , the incomplete substrates 210 and the encapsulant 250 are cut along the scribe lines pre - defined on the substrate strip including the incomplete substrate 210 to obtain individual mcp devices as shown in fig4 i . in the present embodiment , the encapsulant 250 can has an appearance of an embedded multi - media card ( emmc ) after step 29 . therefore , the fabrication process of the mcp device according to the present invention implements different dimensions of the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 as chip carriers for chips with different functions such as memory chips 230 and controller chips 240 along with a specific spliced method to connect the first spliced portion 211 and the second spliced portion 221 to make a spliced substrate assembly and then encapsulate the spliced substrate assembly during packaging processes where the processes , materials , and processing parameters according to specific functions of each individual chip can easily be optimized and integrated respectively in the same package to reduce substrate warpage during packaging processes . moreover , by the connection between the first spliced portion 211 of the incomplete substrate 210 and the second spliced portion 221 of the substrate block 220 and by the formation of encapsulant 250 on both substrates , the package thickness does not increase due to the implementation of the spliced substrates and the separation between the incomplete substrate 210 and the substrate block 220 after assembly can be avoided . the number of chips disposed and the method of electrical connection are not limited in the present invention where there are various spliced methods . as shown in fig6 , a plurality of memory chips 230 are stacked and disposed on the incomplete substrate 210 where the adjacent memory chips 230 are adhered by a die - attaching layer 233 . a plurality of tsvs ( through silicon vias ) 331 are disposed in the memory chips 230 for vertically electrical connection where the tsvs 331 are electrically connected to each other by the bumps 332 disposed between the adjacent memory chips 230 . finally , the memory chips 230 are electrically connected to the incomplete substrate 210 where the memory chips 230 go through backside lapping processes in wafer forms to increase numbers of stacked chips in a limited package thickness . in a various embodiment , the first spliced portion 211 of the incomplete substrate 210 can be an opening where the first contacting pads 212 are located at the peripheries of the opening on the top surface of the incomplete substrate 210 and the second spliced portion 221 of the substrate block 220 is a blocking plug having an annular indentation where a plurality of second contacting pads 222 are disposed in the annular indentation so that the second spliced portion 221 can be vertically inserted into and splice with the opening - like first spliced portion 211 from top to bottom to make electrical connection between the first contacting pads 212 and the second contacting pads 222 . therefore , the incomplete substrate 210 carried with different numbers of memory chips 230 can easily splice with the substrate block 220 carried with different controller chips 240 , and vice versa , to diversify product family . moreover , the processes , materials , and processing parameters according to specific functions of each individual chip can easily be optimized and integrated in the same package . the above description of embodiments of this invention is intended to be illustrative but not limited . other embodiments of this invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art in view of the above disclosure which still will be covered by and within the scope of the present invention even with any modifications , equivalent variations , and adaptations .

7Electricity

several embodiments are described below . these embodiments refer to several existing protocols , standards , and particular component devices useful in practicing the invention . these references are merely exemplary , as those of ordinary skill will appreciate that various alternatives and equivalents are available . as an introduction , fig1 illustrates a prior art deployment of network access servers . access server 28 connects to pstn 22 via one or more pstn trunks 29 , where each trunk is , e . g ., a t1 , t3 , or e1 time - division - multiplexed ( tdm ) trunk , an isdn primary rate interface ( pri ), or some equivalent . the access server users themselves ( a computer user 21 and a telephone user 23 are shown ) connect to pstn 22 , which provides physical connectivity to access server 28 via trunks 29 . depending on trunk capacity and utilization , each trunk will allow some number of additional users to reach ip network 20 through access server 28 , for example , each added t1 connection allows up to 24 additional users ( voice or data ) to connect to server 28 . access server 28 also maintains at least one egress interface . the egress interface connects to one ( or a relatively small number of ) high - speed packet data links to other nodes in ip network 20 . fig1 shows a data link 31 connecting server 28 to core network router 34 . two additional access servers , 30 and 32 , are also shown . access server 30 connects a business pbx ( private branch exchange ) 26 to ip network 20 , e . g ., to provide pbx voip access to / from remotely - located employees and branch offices of the business . access server 32 connects to pstn 24 ( which will typically also be reachable by a circuit - switched connection from pstn 22 ), which in turn connects to additional users 25 and 27 . a web server 38 is also illustrated connected in ip network 20 . in the illustrated configuration , users can connect through the access servers to web server 38 , or to each other . router 34 is also illustrated as providing connectivity to a private network 35 through a home gateway 33 . of course , the actual network can contain many more access servers , core network routers , and servers than shown in fig1 . each access server exchanges control signaling with the pstn ( or a pbx ) for each trunk terminated at that access server . the access server typically also maintains a network access session for each active user . the details of how control signaling is exchanged , and how network access sessions are initiated , maintained , and terminated are well known , and will not be described further in any aspect not affected by the invention . fig2 shows a prior art access server 28 . access server 28 comprises two separate rack - mountable chassis , a “ dial shelf ” 50 and a “ router shelf ” 56 . dial shelf 50 performs pstn line interface tasks ( including modem emulation , voip packet translation , etc . ), and router shelf 56 performs packet routing tasks . dial shelf 50 and router shelf 56 exchange data in packets via a fast ethernet ( fe ) connector 57 . dial shelf 50 is a modular chassis unit having a backplane that accepts several different types of circuit boards . the dial shelf is managed by a dial shelf controller board 55 . trunk board 42 provides multiple ingress ports 48 that can be used to terminate trunks from a pstn 22 . dsp / modem boards 44 and 46 are identical , and provide pooled signal processing resources for use in modem emulation , voip packet translation , etc . dial shelf 50 may incorporate redundant dial shelf controller boards , and / or additional trunk and dsp / modem boards ( not shown ). dial shelf 50 &# 39 ; s backplane includes a tdm bus 52 and a fe bus . tdm bus 52 multiplexes time - slotted data to / from ingress ports 48 onto bus time slots , allowing this data to be passed between trunk board 42 and dsp / modem boards 44 and 46 . router shelf 56 assigns specific dsp resources to each active session , and instructs trunk board 42 and the assigned dsp / modem board which time slot ( s ) on tdm bus 52 are to be used for that session . dial shelf controller 55 also contains a fe hub 54 , which connects via the backplane fe bus to each of the trunk and dsp / modem boards . when a dsp / modem board builds out a voip or l2tp tunnel packet , it does so with a layer 2 ( l2 ) ethernet header addressed to router shelf 56 . when a dsp / modem board receives a ppp frame , it encapsulates the frame with a layer 2 ( l2 ) ethernet header addressed to router shelf 56 . in either case , the resulting frame is transmitted from the dsp / modem board to forwarding engine 58 via fe hub 54 and fe connector 57 . forwarding engine 58 performs traditional routing tasks for the received frame . forwarding engine 58 strips the l2 ethernet header , processes the packet &# 39 ; s headers , and looks up the next hop for the ip packet . a new l2 header is prepended to the packet , and the resulting frame is queued to network interface 60 ( e . g ., another fe interface ) for transmission onto ip network 20 . when a packet is received at network interface 60 from ip network 20 , a process complementary to the one described above is performed . in short , all packets received on egress port 62 are passed to forwarding engine 58 , which modifies each packet &# 39 ; s ip header , looks up the appropriate “ next hop ” dsp / modem board , and places the packet in a fe frame addressed to that dsp / modem board . the frame is then transmitted via fe connector 57 and fe hub 54 to the appropriate dsp / modem board on dial shelf 50 . because of the modular nature of the dial shelf , additional ingress ports can be readily accommodated . tdm bus 52 is designed to handle a traffic volume at least equal to the maximum number of ingress ports supported by the access server . as more trunk boards are added , more companion dsp / modem boards can also be added to handle the additional port traffic . as ingress port traffic scales upwards , several egress - related bottlenecks may become traffic - limiting factors in the access server of fig2 . one bottleneck is the fe bus used to connect the dial shelf s feature boards to the router shelf s forwarding engine — this bus is limited to fe capacity ( 100 mbps ). a second bottleneck is the forwarding engine itself — this single engine must perform forwarding lookup and header manipulation for every packet processed by the access server . thus if the number of active ingress ports doubles , the demand placed on the forwarding engine also roughly doubles . roughly half of these packets will be received at egress port 62 . fig3 contains a high - level block diagram for an access server 70 according to one embodiment of the invention . access server 70 utilizes a single modular chassis which accepts four types of circuit boards : a trunk board 72 and a dsp / modem board 76 , which in some embodiments may be respectively identical , hardware - wise ( but not software - wise ) to trunk board 42 and dsp / modem board 44 of fig2 ; a trunk / dsp / modem board 74 , which is a hybrid board containing both trunk interfaces and dsp / modem resources ; and a route switch controller board 84 . comparing fig2 with fig3 , several significant differences are plainly evident . first , the fe hub of fig2 does not exist in fig3 ; instead , a non - blocking switch fabric — with dedicated fe connections 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , and 68 — connects the ingress line cards 72 , 74 , 76 to the egress port network interface 92 and to a route switch controller cpu 88 . second , the single forwarding engine 58 of fig2 is no longer used ; instead , forwarding engine functionality is incorporated in line cards 74 and 76 , with a backup forwarding engine implemented on rsc cpu 88 . for packets arriving at egress port 94 , a distribution engine 90 determines which line card the packet belongs to , and distributes that packet to the forwarding engine on the appropriate line card for packet processing . the access server 70 of fig3 provides improved load - balancing and scalability . distribution engine 90 preferably provides only the minimal amount of processing necessary to push egress packets to the appropriate line card for packet processing . because the amount of processing performed in distribution engine 90 is minimized , the engine can be implemented with high - speed routing hardware — thus high egress packet throughput rates are possible . the forwarding engine located on each line card ( e . g ., 74 , 76 ) performs cpu - intensive tasks such as header manipulation and forwarding to the appropriate dsp resources on that board . because each such board has its own forwarding engine , forwarding resources remain adequate as the system scales to handle more calls . a preferred architecture for access server 70 , as illustrated in fig4 through 7 , will now be described . referring to fig4 , a top view for a chassis configuration ( not to scale ) is illustrated . chassis 100 is a rack - mountable chassis with 14 slots ( slot 0 through slot 13 ). the center two slots are reserved for two route switch controller ( rsc ) cards rsc 0 and rsc 1 . each line card is assigned to only one rsc at any one time . each rsc card carries a cpu core , a switch fabric , an egress port option card , an optional daughter card to support packet encryption , a removable flash device , a front panel fe port , and console / auxiliary ports . the other slots may be used for up to twelve line cards , lc 0 through lc 5 and lc 8 through lc 13 . each line card can be of one of the three types 72 , 74 , 76 shown in fig3 . the backplane of chassis 100 comprises three primary buses — a backplane fe interconnect 102 , a maintenance bus 104 , and a tdm bus 106 . backplane fe interconnect 102 comprises twenty - four point - to - point , full - duplex 100 mbps fe links . each link connects one of slots 0 - 6 and 8 - 13 to slots 6 and 7 . maintenance bus 104 is a controller area network bus , which uses a two - wire serial multi - master interface that provides a maximum transfer rate of 1 mbps . tdm bus 106 is actually an aggregation of four separate circuit - switched buses , each supporting 2048 bi - directional 64 kbps channels . each of the resulting 8192 channels is accessible at each of slots 0 - 5 and 8 - 13 . not shown is a reference clock line for the tdm bus — the source of the reference clock can be selected as either a front panel - connected reference on one of rsc 0 and rsc 1 , an internally - generated free - running clock on one or rsc 0 and rsc 1 , or a signal derived from any trunk port on one of the line cards . also not shown is a bus linking rsc 0 and rsc 1 to backplane nonvolatile random - access memory ( nvram ), which stores mac addresses for the chassis , etc . backplane fe interconnect 102 and tdm bus 106 provide data paths , respectively , for the bearer packet data and circuit - switched data streams that pass between the various cards in chassis 100 . specific usage of these data paths is detailed at a later point in this specification . maintenance bus ( mbus ) 104 provides a highly reliable , fault - tolerant bus for overall chassis control . for instance , at system startup , rsc 0 and rsc 1 use the mbus to arbitrate , e . g ., based on slot number , which line card slots are assigned to each rsc . each rsc also periodically broadcasts its status over the mbus — if one rsc does not receive a status message for a predetermined time , the other rsc restarts mastership arbitration . the rsc also uses the mbus to discover the line cards installed in chassis 100 , to power on / off selected line cards , and to reset the line cards . when a line card is powered on or rebooted , the rsc uses the mbus to download a boothelper image to that line card . while a line card is running , the mbus allows the rsc to monitor temperature and voltage on the line card , and to provide a virtual console connection ( e . g ., through a software patch to the rsc &# 39 ; s physical console connection ) to the line card . if a line card takes a fatal exception , the line card can dump exception information to the rsc via the mbus . focusing now on the individual cards that can be inserted in chassis 100 , fig5 shows a high - level block diagram for a route shelf controller card rsc 0 ( rsc 1 is typically identical ). fig5 is not meant to illustrate board layout , but instead illustrates the front panel connections , backplane connections , and interconnections between the major functional elements of the rsc . the heart of the rsc is the rsc cpu 114 , which in one embodiment is a 64 - bit mips rm7000 processor , available from quantum effect devices , inc ., santa clara , calif . ( at the time of filing of this application , pmc - sierra , inc . is in the process of acquiring quantum effect devices ). communication with cpu 114 is handled through system controller 116 . in this embodiment , system controller 116 is a gt - 64120 system controller , available from galileo technology , inc ., san jose , calif . ( at the time of filing of this application , marvell technology group , ltd . is in the process of acquiring galileo technology ). the gt - 64120 provides an sdram controller for sdram 118 , two 32 - bit pci buses 120 , 122 , and device controller connections that make up i / o bus 124 . i / o bus 124 connects to i / o interface logic 126 , which can be , e . g ., a field - programmable gate array and / or other programmable logic device ( s ). the particular design of i / o interface logic 126 will be application - dependent , depending on the functionality needed to interface i / o bus 124 with supported devices . in this embodiment , logic 126 makes the following available to cpu 114 from i / o bus 124 : boot rom 136 and onboard flash rom 137 ; tdm clock circuitry 140 ; mbus controller 142 ; an eight - bit - wide data connection to switch fabric 144 ; console port 172 and auxiliary port 174 through duart 173 ; and an egress card configuration interface ( not shown ). pci bus 120 connects system controller 116 to daughter card 128 . the intended use of daughter card 128 is as a hardware accelerator for packet encryption / decryption . thus pci bus 120 facilitates configuration of the daughter card from cpu 114 , firmware download of an encryption engine to the daughter card , and relaying encrypted / plaintext traffic between daughter card 128 and cpu 114 . daughter card 128 also connects to switch fabric 144 through both a low - speed and a high - speed interface . a fe media - independent interface ( mii ) connects daughter card 128 to switch fabric 144 through epif 156 , providing a low - speed packet interface directly from daughter board 128 to switch fabric 144 , allowing packets to be encrypted / decrypted with no intervention from cpu 114 . bus 129 provides a parallel high - speed packet interface to switch fabric 144 . this interface is , e . g ., a vix ™ bus compatible with switch fabrics from mmc networks , inc ., sunnyvale , calif . ( at the time of filing of this application , applied micro circuits corporation ( amcc ) is in the process of acquiring mmc networks ). pci bus 122 supports two cpu peripheral devices , a pcmcia controller 130 and a fe mac ( media access controller ) 134 . pcmcia controller 130 is , e . g ., a pd6729 pcmcia controller available from intel corporation . the pd6729 interfaces to one compactflash ™ slot , allowing the rsc cpu to interface with one compact removable flash memory card 132 . flash memory card 132 is available to hold system images , configuration files , core dumps , line card images , etc . the second peripheral supported by pci bus 122 is fe mac 134 . fe mac 134 provides a direct packet connection from rsc cpu 114 to switch fabric 144 via epif 156 . fe mac 134 and epif 156 communicate across an fe mii . two packet data connections are provided on front panel 110 . fe port 158 , e . g ., a 10 / 100baset port , connects to switch fabric 144 via epif 156 . an egress port 170 is provided on egress card 162 . egress card 162 is designed to allow substitution of different egress “ option ” cards , depending on the desired physical egress network media ( e . g ., fe , gigabit ethernet , atm ( asynchronous transfer mode ), pos ( packet over sonet )). egress card 162 provides an appropriate network interface 166 to egress port 170 ( e . g ., a gigabit ethernet mac ( gmac )), an xpif 164 to connect network interface 166 to switch fabric 144 , and forwarding memory 168 . xpif 164 is , e . g ., a xpif - 300 gigabit - rate switch fabric packet processor , available from mmc networks . further detail on switch fabric 144 and its connected devices are provided in fig6 . a switch fabric , in general , is an interconnection of buses and switching elements that provides multiple parallel paths from any input port to any output port . when a packet arrives at an input port , it receives a tag that indicates the proper output port . the switching elements use this tag to automatically route the packet across the switching fabric to the correct output port . switch fabric 144 comprises several components : two connected packet switch modules 180 and 182 ; shared link memory 184 ; and shared data memory 186 . packet switch modules 180 and 182 are , e . g ., np5400 packet switch modules from mmc networks . each of these processors have sufficient bandwidth to support switching for up to 16 fe ports or 2 gigabit ethernet ports — when connected together , two such processors provide sufficient bandwidth for the described embodiment . internally , switch modules 180 and 182 process data in 48 - byte payloads ( each accompanied by two bytes of header data ). data memory 186 provides a buffer space capable of storing up to 64k payloads that are being switched across the fabric . link memory 184 stores the corresponding header data for each stored payload . packet data links connect to switch fabric 144 through port interfaces ( pifs ) and vix ™ bus interconnects 190 . epifs 146 , 148 , 150 , and 156 are epif4 programmable bitstream processors ™, available from mmc networks . each epif4 provides four fe ports , and has the capability to perform l2 / l3 packet processing . xpif 164 is an xpif - 300 bitstream processor ™, also available from mmc networks , which can support gigabit ethernet - rate packet processing . both the epif and the xpif convert incoming packets into a series of 48 - byte cells before passing them to switch fabric 144 , and convert a series of cells received from the switch fabric back into a packet . the pifs also send a header to the switch fabric along with each cell sent , and process headers received from the switch fabric . referring now to fig7 , line card 74 will be described . cpu core 196 contains a host processor , memory for storing software , packet forwarding tables , etc ., and other controller hardware for interfacing the cpu core to the various buses shown in fig7 . cpu core 196 connects to packet data queues 197 and 200 ( both may be part of the same physical memory ). a control bus connects cpu core 196 to mbus 104 and tdm switch 206 . fe mac 198 provides packet data connectivity between the line card and the router &# 39 ; s switching fabric . fe mac 198 presents an mii port to backplane fe interconnect 102 . fe mac 198 and cpu core 196 transfer packets between themselves using packet data queue 197 . dsp bank 202 comprises one or more digital signal processors for performing computation - intensive packet processing , such as modem emulation and voice data compression / packetization . for a given data stream , dsp bank 202 is responsible for tdm / packet conversion . each dsp will typically support packet processing for one or more ingress sessions , as instructed via pci bus 204 . ingress line circuitry comprises tdm switch 206 and e1 / t1 receivers 208 and transmitters 210 . in one implementation , receivers 208 and transmitters 210 connect to eight e1 / t1 ports on front panel 192 . optionally , a mux / demux 212 ( shown ) can connect receivers 208 and transmitters 210 to a t3 physical port on front panel 192 . when mux / demux 212 is used , it allows up to 28 t1 connections to be multiplexed into the single t3 port . receivers 208 and transmitters 210 provide framing and a physical interface for connecting multiple ingress ports 80 to , e . g ., a pstn central office . tdm switch 206 multiplexes / demultiplexes data corresponding to the individual e1 / t1 timeslots onto assigned time slots on high - speed tdm data bus 106 . a detailed description for a trunk line card 72 and for a dsp / modem line card 76 has been omitted . trunk line card 72 contains essentially the same receiver / transmitter / tdm switch circuitry as line card 74 , but omits dsp circuitry . dsp / modem line card 76 contains essentially everything else shown in fig7 ( but with a larger dsp bank ). all line cards contain a host processor to communicate with an rsc card . with a general description of the network access server hardware completed , overall function of this hardware , as it relates to the invention , will be described for a typical server installation . considering first the rsc cpu 114 of fig5 , this cpu performs a great number of administrative and server management tasks . many of these tasks are also performed in a prior art nas dial shelf or router shelf , such as running standard routing protocols , running drivers for line cards , managing dsp / modem resources and tdm resources , implementing voice and data signaling , providing a command line interface for nas management , etc . as these tasks are only peripherally affected by the invention and are well understood by those of ordinary skill , they will not be detailed further . the rsc cpu performs other tasks that specifically support the embodiment described in fig5 through 8 . for instance , the rsc maintains a master forwarding information base ( fib ) and adjacency table for all sessions being handled by the nas . portions of these data structures are shared with xpif 164 and with each line card to enable packet distribution and forwarding , as will be described shortly . the rsc performs updates to the shared fib and adjacency tables on each packet distribution or forwarding device . the rsc also manages switch fabric 144 . for the disclosed mmc switch fabric , the rsc will initialize the switch and set up switch streams for all desired switch fabric input to output port paths . for instance , one set of streams links the rsc cpu pif port to each pif port , respectively . a second set of streams links egress pif ports to each epif - to - line card port , respectively . another stream provides a path that any pif can use to reach the cpu , and yet another stream provides a path that any epif can use to reach a particular egress port . some or all of these streams may be duplicated , with one set used for data traffic and the other used for control traffic . fig8 illustrates a queueing structure for one embodiment of the invention . the forwarding engines ( engines 230 , 240 , 260 are shown ) and distribution engine 220 each place packets to be switched in a corresponding switch fabric queue ( e . g ., fabric queue 228 for distribution engine 220 ). upon reaching the head of its fabric queue , each packet is placed on a switching stream that switches it through switch fabric 144 to the appropriate destination and queue . for the forwarding engines , each engine utilizes a “ data ” queue and a “ voice ” queue — this optional partitioning of the queues prevents voice packets ( or other time - critical packets ) from languishing behind several large data packets , and allows the forwarding engines to allocate their resources fairly between data and voice traffic . other queuing divisions may also be appropriate , such as internally - generated control packet queues and signaling packet queues , or designated queues on the rsc forwarding engine specifically for packets that failed distribution or forwarding in one of the distributed engines . the illustrated configuration allow the nas to route packet traffic efficiently along the most common nas data paths : ingress port to egress port ; ingress port to ingress port ; ingress port to rsc ; egress port to rsc ; egress port to ingress port ; and rsc to egress or ingress port . nas function for each of these possible paths is explored below . first , consider an ip data packet received at an ingress port 78 , through a modem ( not shown ) on the same line card as forwarding engine 240 . each such packet enters an ingress port queue ( either 252 or 254 ), where it waits its turn to be considered by forwarding code 244 . when the packet is considered by forwarding code 244 , there are several possible processing paths that could be taken . some types of data packets , such as isdn signaling , ppp or l2tp control packets , etc ., are to be interpreted by the rsc — if these signaling and control packets can be identified as such , forwarding becomes a matter of sending the packet on a data stream to an input queue on rsc forwarding engine 230 . for all other data packets , the forwarding code searches its local fib table for a route entry match corresponding to the packet &# 39 ; s destination ip address . if a matching fib entry is found , this entry points to a corresponding entry in the adjacency table — an entry that indicates the appropriate switching stream , output port , link layer encapsulation , etc . for the packet . finally , if no matching fib entry can be found , the packet must be “ punted ” ( i . e ., forwarded to the rsc as a packet that cannot be processed by the forwarding engine ). the rsc is tasked with deciding what to do with packets that the distributed forwarding engines can &# 39 ; t handle . when forwarding engine 240 successfully locates a fib entry , the packet is processed . forwarding code 244 decrements the packet &# 39 ; s time - to - live , computes a new checksum , and performs any other appropriate ip housekeeping tasks . the l2 packet header is stripped and then rewritten with the proper encapsulation for the packet &# 39 ; s nas output port . finally , unless the packet is going back out an ingress port served by the same line card ( e . g ., port 256 or 258 ), a backplane header is prepended to the packet . the backplane header indicates the stream id to be used to reach the switch port of exit and a packet type . the packet type will indicate to the receiving forwarding engine how it should process the packet . when forwarding engine 240 must punt the packet to rsc forwarding engine 230 , the packet &# 39 ; s existing headers are not modified . the packet is simply prepended with a backplane header that will direct the packet to the appropriate input queue ( 234 or 236 ) for forwarding engine 230 . when the attached epif receives a packet , it interprets the backplane header and queues the packet for transmission across the appropriate switching stream . the packet then traverses the switch fabric . if the packet is bound for an egress port , the pif serving that port receives the packet , removes the backplane header , and transmits the packet out the egress port . if the packet is bound for another line card , the appropriate pif receives it and transmits the packet across the backplane fe to the appropriate card ( e . g ., queue 266 ). if the packet is bound for the rsc , the pif transmits the packet across the mii to the fe mac on the rsc card . next , consider a packet received at the egress port . the packet may be a data packet destined for one of the ingress ports , a control packet destined for the rsc , an l2tp data packet destined for one of the ingress ports , or a voice packet destined for one of the ingress ports . packet classifier 222 of distribution engine 220 attempts to determine the packet type , e . g ., as ip / non - ip , control / data / voip , etc . packet classifier 222 then uses the packet type to perform a search , in the table corresponding to that packet type , for the appropriate stream id for that packet . when a stream id is successfully located , packet classifier 222 prepends the packet with a backplane header identifying the stream that flows to the desired line card and designates the packet as an input - type packet . fig9 contains a flowchart illustrating one method of operation for distribution engine 220 . when an egress packet is received , block 282 first examines the link layer header , checking the link layer destination address for a match . when the packet is not addressed to the nas , it is dropped ( block 286 ). otherwise , block 284 checks the packet type . in this embodiment , distribution engine 220 can only perform route lookups for ip version 4 ( ipv4 ) packets — all other packet types are punted to the rsc ( see block 306 ). if a packet is an ipv4 packet , block 288 takes the destination address out of the ip header and performs a lookup in the distribution engine &# 39 ; s ip route table . for instance , fib entries can be stored in a ternary content - addressable memory ( tcam ) in an order such that the tcam returns a longest - prefix match for the destination address . decision block 290 branches based on the success of the tcam lookup . if the lookup is unsuccessful , control branches to block 306 , and the packet is punted to the rsc . otherwise , processing continues at block 292 . block 292 examines the route entry returned by the tcam . if the entry indicates the rsc as the appropriate route for the packet , further processing is needed . otherwise , processing branches to block 308 . block 308 forwards the packet to the appropriate line card on the indicated stream id . there are several reasons why an indicated route may pass through the rsc . some packets are actually bound for the nas itself , and thus the rsc . but udp packets addressed to the nas itself may be so addressed because the nas is an l2tp tunnel endpoint and a voice packet endpoint . packet classifier 222 attempts to identify l2tp data packets and voice data packets , allowing them to be switched directly to the line card that terminates an l2tp or voice call . decision block 294 branches based on whether or not the packet is a udp packet . non - udp packets are punted to the rsc for processing . for udp packets , block 296 retrieves the udp port number from the packet header and attempts a lookup in a voip session table . decision block 298 then branches based on the lookup results . for instance , according to one convention , valid voip port numbers are even numbers between 16384 and 32766 — when the port number falls in this range , it will be forwarded to the appropriate line card for voice processing . for udp port numbers that are not valid voip port numbers , block 300 classifies the packet as l2tp data / non - l2tp data . udp packets that are not voice packets and are non - l2tp data are punted at this point to the rsc . otherwise , a packet &# 39 ; s l2tp tunnel id and session id are lookup up in an l2tp session table . upon a successful hit , the packet will be forwarded by block 304 to the appropriate line card for l2tp processing . finally , if the lookup fails , the packet is punted to the rsc . block 308 is reached after one or more successful fib lookups . the fib lookup causing the branch to block 308 will return a pointer to an adjacency table entry containing the switching stream to be used for the packet . block 308 dispatches the packet over this stream to the appropriate line card . likewise , when a lookup fails , the packet is punted to the rsc at block 306 using an appropriate switching stream . when distribution engine 220 sends an egress packet to one of the forwarding engines , that forwarding engine queues the packet for its backplane header handler ( e . g ., handler 242 of forwarding engine 240 in fig8 ). a field on the backplane header can be used to determine whether the packet has already passed through the forwarding code of the rsc or another line card . if this is the case , handler 242 uses another field to determine which outbound ingress interface that the packet is bound for ( e . g ., queue 276 or 278 ). if the packet has not passed through forwarding code already ( i . e ., the packet was received at an egress interface ), header handler 242 passes the packet to forwarding code 244 . the forwarding code can perform further layer 2 processing on the packet ( as if the forwarding code were located physically at the egress port ). the forwarding engine looks up the packet &# 39 ; s destination using its own fib table , maps the result to its own adjacency table , and determines the ingress port / time slot and modem / dsp resource responsible for the packet . the packet is updated and sent to the responsible modem / dsp resource . the preceding description assumes that the distribution engine and forwarding engines have access to current fib and adjacency tables for the nas , or at least those portions of the tables that each engine is likely to encounter . the route switch controller is responsible for maintaining master fib and adjacency tables , and informing distribution engines and forwarding engines when and with what to update those tables . the distribution engines and forwarding engines maintain local copies of the information supplied to them by the rsc . referring to fig1 , rsc master routing tables 310 , 312 , 314 , and 316 are illustrated . master routing table 310 is an ip routing table for packets received at the egress port ; each destination ip route entry in the table is cross - referenced to a line card number , dsp number , and an adjacency table pointer . as new calls are established , the rsc adds new entries to table 310 , and as calls are disconnected , the rsc deletes the corresponding entries in table 310 . tables 312 and 314 are similar to table 310 . but table 312 is indexed by voip udp port number , and can thus be used to map voip calls to line card resources . and table 310 is indexed by l2tp session id / l2tp tunnel id , and can thus be used to map l2tp calls to line card resources . table 316 is an adjacency table . ppp sessions , l2tp sessions , and voip sessions are represented in the adjacency table . the table contains switch fabric stream ids that are to be used for various types of communication with each card . other information , such as layer 2 encapsulation for an egress port , and backplane header encapsulation , can also be part of the adjacency table . the rsc determines what portion of each of tables 310 , 312 , 314 , and 316 should be shared with each particular line card or egress card . at all times , though , the rsc can use the master table to route any packet received by the nas . thus , misrouted , oddball , or confusing packets can always be punted to the rsc for a routing determination in accordance with the full routing table . considering first the portion of the master routing tables shared with the egress card , fig1 depicts distribution tables 320 , 322 , 324 , and 326 . the rsc shares distribution routes ( those that exit the server at an ingress port ) with the distribution engine on the egress card . in this particular embodiment , the shared information is limited to switch fabric stream id . the distribution engine stores the ip packet distribution routes it receives in tcam table 320 , sorted by prefix length , longest prefix first . when a packet ip destination address is compared against the list of addresses stored in tcam table 320 , the result is the tcam memory address of the longest matching ip prefix . this tcam memory address serves as a pointer offset into stream id table 322 . stream id table 322 stores the appropriate stream id for the line card number / traffic type of the packet ( the stream id table may contain other information as well ). voice port table 324 and tunnel session table 326 also map to stream id table 322 . tables 324 and 326 may be implemented with content - addressable memory , a hashing function , or by partitioning available voice port and / or tunnel port space among the line cards . line cards typically implement a subset of the forwarding code implemented in the rsc . fib table and adjacency table formats in each line card can be essentially identical to the fib table and adjacency table formats in the rsc . for adjacency entries that are local to the line card , the line card need not , however , store a backplane header . it is to be understood that although many of the nas functions described above can be designed into special - purpose hardware , a combination of software and programmable hardware is preferred . typically , each “ engine ” will be an executable process running on a processor that performs other tasks as well . each processor may have its executable processes stored in a dedicated non - volatile memory , e . g ., rom , flash , optical , or magnetic storage media . more typically , the rsc processor will boot first , e . g ., from its own non - volatile memory , and then distribute executable images to the pifs and line cards as each is brought on line . the disclosed embodiments presented herein are exemplary . various other modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure , and are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed .

7Electricity

reference is first made to fig4 that depicts an overall configuration of a representative embodiment of a cpb microlithography apparatus according to the invention . fig4 also depicts certain imaging and control relationships of the cpb optical system of the apparatus . fig4 is depicted and discussed in the context of an electron - beam system . however , it readily will be understood that the general principles discussed below can be applied with equal facility to an ion - beam system or the like . an electron gun 1 is situated at the extreme upstream end of the optical system of fig4 . the electron gun 1 emits an electron beam ( termed the “ illumination beam ”) in a downstream direction ( downward in the figure ) along an optical axis ax . a two - stage condenser - lens assembly ( comprising first and second condenser lenses 2 , 3 , respectively ) is situated downstream of the electron gun 1 . the illumination beam passes through the condenser lenses 2 , 3 and forms a crossover image c . o . at a blanking aperture 7 . a beam - shaping aperture 4 is situated downstream of the second condenser lens 3 . the beam - shaping aperture 4 has a transverse profile ( usually square or rectangular ) that trims and shapes the illumination beam to have a transverse profile and dimensions sufficient to illuminate only one “ subfield ” on a downstream reticle 10 . a “ subfield ” is a unit of the reticle pattern that is exposed at any instant of time during exposure of the pattern , and thus represents an “ exposure unit ” of the reticle 10 . by way of example , the beam - shaping aperture 4 trims the illumination beam to have a square transverse profile measuring just over 1 mm on each side as illuminated on the reticle . an image of the beam - shaping aperture 4 is formed on the reticle 10 by a third condenser lens 9 . the blanking aperture 7 is defined by a plate that , except for the illumination beam allowed to pass through the actual blanking aperture , blocks the illumination beam . a blanking deflector 5 is situated between the beam - shaping aperture 4 and the blanking aperture 7 . the blanking deflector 5 deflects the illumination beam to strike the plate of the blanking aperture 7 ( thereby blocking the illumination beam from propagating further downstream ) whenever the illumination beam is to be prevented from propagating to the reticle 10 . a subfield - selection deflector 8 is situated downstream of the blanking aperture 7 . the subfield - selection deflector 8 illuminates each subfield on the reticle 10 within the field of the illumination - optical system by sequentially or continuously scanning the illumination beam primarily in the left - right direction in fig4 ( i . e ., in the x - direction ). the third condenser lens 9 , situated downstream of the subfield - selection deflector 8 , collimates the illumination beam for impingement on the reticle . thus , the illumination beam forms an image of the beam - shaping aperture 4 on the reticle 10 whenever the illumination beam strikes the reticle 10 . even though only one subfield of the reticle 10 is shown ( the depicted subfield is centered on the optical axis ax in fig4 ), it will be understood that the reticle 10 actually comprises multiple subfields arrayed within the x - y plane extending perpendicularly to the optical axis ax . the reticle 10 normally defines the entire pattern of , for example , a layer of a semiconductor - device chip to be transferred to a substrate (“ wafer ”) 15 . because the reticle 10 is divided into subfields , it is a socalled “ divided ” or “ segmented ” reticle . further detail regarding the configuration of the reticle is presented later . the illumination beam is deflected as required by the subfield - selection deflector 8 , as discussed above , to illuminate the subfields sequentially or continuously within the field of the illumination - optical system . the optical components ( lenses and deflectors ) discussed above that are situated between the electron gun 1 and the reticle 10 are regarded as components of the “ illumination - optical system .” the reticle 10 is mounted on a reticle stage 11 to facilitate mechanical movement of the reticle as required in the x - and y - directions during exposure of the pattern . thus , subfields located outside the optical field of the illumination - optical system can be moved to within the optical field . the fig4 apparatus also comprises first and second projection lenses 12 , 14 , respectively , and a deflector 13 situated downstream of the reticle 10 . as the illumination beam strikes a particular subfield on the reticle 10 , the portion of the illumination beam passing through the illuminated subfield and propagating downstream of the reticle 10 is denoted the “ patterned beam .” this is because the beam downstream of the reticle is “ patterned ” by passing through regular pattern features or test - pattern features defined in the illuminated subfield and thus acquires the ability to form an image , downstream of the reticle 10 , of the illuminated features . the projection lenses 12 , 14 act in concert on the patterned beam to prepare the beam for forming the image on the upstream - facing surface of the wafer 15 . as the projection lenses 12 , 14 converge the patterned beam onto the wafer 15 , the image carried by the patterned beam is “ reduced ” ( demagnified ) for projection onto the wafer 15 . by “ reduced ” or “ demagnified ” is meant that the image as formed on the wafer 15 is smaller ( by an integer reciprocal factor termed the “ demagnification ratio ”) than the corresponding illuminated area on the reticle 10 . for each subfield on the reticle 10 , the corresponding image is formed at a specified respective location on the wafer 15 . for imprinting of the images on the wafer surface , the upstream - facing surface of the wafer 15 is coated with a suitable “ resist .” portions of the resist that receive a dose of charged particles in the patterned beam undergo a latent chemical change that is “ developed ” to reveal the image . a wafer or substrate coated with a non - developed resist is termed “ sensitive .” a second crossover c . o . is formed at an axial location at which the axial distance from the reticle 10 and the wafer 15 is divided according to the demagnification ratio . a contrast aperture 18 is located at this second crossover . the contrast aperture 18 blocks electrons of the patterned beam that have been scattered by passing through or by non - patterned areas of the reticle 10 . thus , such scattered electrons do not propagate to the wafer 15 . the optical components ( lenses and deflectors ) discussed above that are situated between the reticle 10 and the wafer 15 are regarded as components of the “ projection - optical system .” a backscattered - electron ( bse ) detector 19 is situated between the second projection lens 14 and the wafer 15 . the bse detector 19 detects electrons emitted when the patterned beam strikes the wafer 15 ( which causes some of the electrons of the patterned beam to be emitted in an upstream direction from the wafer 15 . the bse detector 19 produces an electrical signal , corresponding to the electrons , emitted from the wafer and actually received by the detector 19 . the signal is routed to a controller 21 via a converter circuit 19 a . the converter circuit 19 a includes an analog - to - digital ( a / d ) converter that converts the signals from the bse detector 19 to corresponding digital signals that can be processed by the controller 21 . the relative positions of beam - test marks on the wafer 15 can be determined by processing the signal from the bse detector , thereby allowing determinations of alignment between the wafer 15 and the electron - optical system or between the wafer 15 and the reticle 10 . these signals are also used for determining beam drift , as discussed further below . the wafer 15 is mounted , desirably using an electrostatic chuck 16 , to a wafer stage 17 that is movable in x - and y - directions . by appropriately moving the wafer stage 17 synchronously with movements of the reticle stage 11 , wide areas of the pattern as defined on the reticle 10 can be exposed sequentially onto the wafer 15 . due to the image - inversion imparted by the projection lenses 12 , 14 , the stage movements normally are in opposite directions relative to each other . the respective positions of the stages 11 , 17 in the x - and y - directions are determined very accurately using laser interferometers ( not shown , but as known in the art ). the various lenses 2 , 3 , 9 , 12 and deflectors 5 , 8 , 13 are controlled by the controller 21 via respective coil power supplies 2 a , 3 a , 9 a , 12 a , and 5 a , 8 a , and 13 a connected to the controller 21 . in addition , the reticle stage 11 and wafer stage 17 are controlled by the controller 21 via stage drivers 11 a and 17 a , respectively , connected to the controller 21 . finally , the electrostatic chuck 16 is controlled by the main controller 21 via a chuck driver 16 a connected to the controller 21 . thus , the respective positions of the stages and respective energizations of the lenses and deflectors are accurately controlled to allow demagnified images of the subfields on the reticle 10 to be stitched together accurately on the wafer 15 , thereby forming one or more entire chip patterns on respective regions of the wafer . the controller 21 includes a beam - drift correction unit 21 a that includes a memory in which a table of beam - drift data obtained as described below can be stored . based on data recalled from the table , the beam - drift correction unit 21 a generates an appropriate beam - position correction signal and routes the signal to the deflector power supply 13 a . details of an exemplary reticle 10 as used in the fig4 apparatus are shown in fig5 ( a )- 5 ( c ). in fig5 ( a ), the reticle 10 comprises multiple “ stripes ” 49 each containing multiple rows of subfields 41 . the rows each extend in the x - direction ( representing the width dimension of the corresponding stripes ), and the array of rows in each stripe 49 extends in the y - direction ( representing the length dimension of the corresponding stripe ). each row of subfields is termed a “ deflection field ” 44 because the length of the row ( in the x - direction ) corresponds to the maximum deflection range ( in the x - direction ) of the illumination beam as achieved by the subfield - deflection deflector 8 in the illumination - optical system . as shown in fig5 ( b ), each subfield 41 comprises a respective membrane region 41 m . the thickness ( z - dimension ) of each membrane region 41 m is 0 . 1 μm to several μm . as shown in fig5 ( c ), each subfield 41 comprises a respective patterned region 42 surrounded by a skirt 43 that lacks any pattern features . the patterned region 42 defines the features of the respective portion of the overall pattern defined by the reticle 10 . during illumination of a subfield 41 , the respective patterned region 42 is illuminated by the illumination beam , wherein the edges of the illumination beam fall within the respective skirt 43 . the patterned region 42 of each subfield 41 on the reticle 10 typically has an area ( extending in the x - and y - directions ) of approximately 0 . 5 mm to 5 mm square . at a demagnification ratio of ⅕ , the size of the corresponding image of the subfield as projected onto the wafer 15 is 0 . 1 mm to 1 mm square . the reticle includes a grid - like “ grillage ” 45 comprising intersecting struts that surround each subfield 41 . the reticle 10 includes grillage 45 because the membrane regions 41 m are too thin to provide the reticle 10 with any substantial rigidity . each strut is approximately 0 . 5 mm to 1 mm thick ( in the z - direction ) and approximately 0 . 1 mm wide in the respective x - or y - direction . referring further to fig5 ( a ), multiple stripes 49 are arrayed in the x - direction on the reticle 10 . between adjacent stripes 49 and around the perimeter of the reticle 10 are wide struts 47 that provide additional rigidity to the reticle 10 . a wide strut 47 situated between adjacent stripes 49 is typically several mm wide ( in the x - direction ) and has the same thickness ( in the z - direction ) as a regular strut located between adjacent subfields 41 . reticles also can be used in which no non - patterned regions ( regular struts and skirts 43 ) exist between adjacent subfields 41 in each deflection field 44 . i . e ., in such a reticle ( and referring to fig5 ( a ) and 5 ( c )), the patterned regions 42 of adjacent subfields 41 are contiguous within each deflection field 44 of each stripe 49 . using an apparatus as shown in fig4 and a reticle as shown in fig5 ( a ) for projection - exposure of the pattern defined on the reticle 10 , the subfields 41 in each deflection field 44 are exposed sequentially by appropriately deflecting the electron beam in the x - direction . as each deflection field 44 is exposed , the next deflection field 44 is moved into position for exposure by appropriately moving ( in a scanning manner ) the reticle stage 11 and the wafer stage 17 . ( the stages 11 , 17 are moved in opposite directions in the y - direction .) after completing exposure of a stripe 49 , the next stripe 49 is moved into position for exposure by appropriately moving ( in a start - and - stop manner ) the reticle stage 11 and the wafer stage 17 . ( the stages 11 , 17 are moved in opposite directions in the x - direction .) as each subfield 41 is projection - exposed onto the wafer 15 , the non - patterned portions ( skirts 43 and grillage 45 ) are “ canceled ” on the wafer so as to place the images of the patterned regions 42 contiguously with each other on the wafer 17 . such placement of the images of the patterned regions 42 on the wafer is termed “ stitching ” of the images . upon completing exposure of the entire reticle 11 , the corresponding image of a layer of a chip on the wafer comprises all the individual images of the patterned regions 42 stitched together . at a demagnification ratio of ¼ or ⅕ , a chip size of 27 mm × 44 mm on the wafer ( the size of a 4 - gigabit dram ) would require a reticle measuring ( including subfields and non - patterned areas ) 120 × 150 mm to 230 × 350 mm . fig2 schematically depicts the disposition of beam - drift test patterns on a reticle ( e . g ., test reticle ) according to the invention ( and usable with the fig4 apparatus ). fig3 schematically depicts the disposition of corresponding beam - test marks on a wafer ( e . g ., test wafer ) used with the reticle of fig2 . in fig2 three stripes 71 , 72 , 73 are shown arrayed side - by - side in the x - direction . a wide strut 74 is situated between each pair of adjacent stripes 71 , 72 , 73 . the stripe 71 is divided into deflection fields 81 ; the stripe 72 is divided into deflection fields 82 , and the stripe 73 is divided into deflection fields 83 . in each stripe 71 , 72 , 73 , the respective deflection fields 81 , 82 , 83 are arrayed serially in the y direction . in each deflection field , the constituent subfields are array serially in the x - direction . in fig2 non - patterned regions ( grillage 45 and skirts ) are not shown so as to eliminate detail not needed for the following discussion . in this example , the stripe 71 comprises deflection fields 81 - 1 through 81 - 5 , the stripe 72 comprises deflection fields 82 - 1 through 82 - 5 , and the stripe 73 comprises deflection fields 83 - 1 through 83 - 5 . each of these deflection fields includes beam - drift test patterns 87 , 88 . so - called “ x - direction beam - drift test patterns ” 87 include linear features extending in the y - direction and arrayed serially in the x - direction , and so - called “ y - direction beam - drift test patterns ” 88 include linear features extending in the z - direction and arrayed serially in the y - direction . deflection fields containing the beam - drift test patterns 87 , 88 are situated at the ends ( in the y - direction ) of each stripe 71 , 72 , 73 . in this example , although only five are shown , up to approximately ten sets of deflection fields that include these beam - drift test patterns can be disposed at the end of each stripe . each linear feature of a beam - drift test pattern 87 , 88 is a respective area on the reticle that is readily transmissive to the illumination beam . examples of such areas are voids or regions of the reticle membrane that exhibit low scattering . the corresponding beam - test marks 97 , 98 on the wafer ( fig3 ; the beam - test marks 97 , 98 have linear features corresponding to the linear features in the beam - drift test patterns 87 , 88 ) desirably are defined by a metallic layer or the like that is highly reflective to the charged particles in the beam . in fig2 by way of example , the deflection fields 82 in the middle stripe 72 only have x - direction beam - drift test patterns 87 , whereas the deflection fields 83 in the right - hand stripe 73 only have y - direction beam - drift test patterns 88 . providing both x - direction test patterns and y - direction test patterns allows beam - drift data to be obtained for both the x - direction and the y - direction . the deflection fields 81 in the left - hand stripe 71 include subfields alternately containing x - direction test patterns 87 and y - direction test patterns 88 . other combinations of the beam - drift test patterns 87 , 88 can be selected as appropriate . different combinations allow more flexibility in obtaining beam - drift data at various magnitudes of beam deflection in both the x - and y - directions . for example , if beam drift in the y - direction is relatively small , then the beam - drift test patterns in the stripe 82 are usually sufficient ( for testing the beam drift in the x - direction ). the beam - drift test patterns in the stripe 81 are sufficient if a plot of beam drift versus magnitude of beam deflection ( such as shown in fig1 ) is a smooth curve . corresponding to the beam - drift test patterns 87 , 88 in fig2 deflection fields with multiple beam - test marks 97 , 98 are formed on the wafer shown in fig3 . however , on the wafer , there are no components situated between the stripes 91 , 92 , 93 that correspond to the wide struts situated between the stripes 71 , 72 , 73 on the reticle . rather , on the wafer , the stripes 91 , 92 , 93 are joined together contiguously . also , non - patterned regions located on the reticle between adjacent subfields and deflection fields are not formed on the wafer . thus , on the wafer , the entire reticle pattern is formed with all the constituent pattern - portion - defining subfields , deflection fields , and stripes being stitched together . in this example , the width and length of the linear test - pattern features are pre - determined so that the beam current at a subfield defining only the linear test - pattern features is 1 μa . in cases where the beam current is larger , relatively large voids 96 , 99 can be defined in areas of the subfield aside from where the test patterns 94 exist , as shown in the enlarged view of a subfield 95 shown in fig2 . for example , beam drift can be measured at beam currents of 5 μa , 10 μa , 15 μa , 20 μa , and 25 μa , etc ., to ascertain the relationship between beam current and beam drift . now , in this case , the illumination - beam current incident to a single subfield on the reticle is 100 μa . fig1 is a graph showing an example of beam - drift measurement results and of determining and applying a corresponding amount of beam - drift correction . in this example , the beam current is 10 μa . the ordinate ( vertical axis ) is magnitude of beam drift in the x - direction , and the abscissa ( horizontal axis ) is beam - drift in the x - direction ( unit = nm ). the curve defined by the open circles is of measured beam drift obtained by scanning the beam over the first deflection field 82 - 1 ( fig2 corresponding to the deflection field 102 - 1 in fig3 ) in the y - direction and detecting the test - pattern positions . the curve defined by the black ( closed ) circles is of measured beam drift obtained by scanning the beam over the second deflection field 82 - 2 in the y - direction and detecting the test - pattern positions . the curve defined by the triangles is of measured beam drift obtained by scanning the beam over the third deflection field 82 - 3 in the y - direction and detecting the test - pattern positions . the curve defined by the x &# 39 ; s is of measured beam drift obtained by scanning the beam over the fourth deflection field 82 - 4 in the y - direction and detecting the test - pattern positions . the curve defined by the open squares is of measured beam drift obtained by scanning the beam over the fifth deflection field 82 - 5 in the y - direction and detecting the test - pattern positions . finally , the curve defined by the open double circles is of measured beam drift obtained by scanning the beam over a sixth deflection field in the y - direction and detecting the test - pattern positions . when obtaining these data , the scanning rate and timing for beam blanking , etc ., were the same as during actual device - pattern scanning . in this example , since the measurements proceeded from the minus direction toward the plus direction over the respective deflection fields , the magnitude of drift in each curve was greater for x - direction beam deflection in the minus direction than for x - direction beam deflection in the plus direction . in addition , the magnitude of drift was relatively high in the first deflection field 82 - 1 and was progressively less in the second deflection field 82 - 2 , third deflection field 82 - 3 , and so on . even though not shown in fig1 respective magnitudes of beam drift as measured in deflection fields after the sixth deflection field were essentially the same as in the sixth deflection field . the relatively high magnitude of drift in the first deflection field of a stripe is due principally to de - energization of a blanking deflector after a relatively long period of beam blanking ( as encountered while waiting for a change of stripes or the like ). in the example shown in fig1 reproducibility is relatively good and the data points smoothly define the respective curves . in instances in which beam drift exhibits poor reproducibility , scattered points appear on the respective curves , wherein the points do not clearly define the respective curve . the corresponding data will exhibit poor convergence , regardless of the deflection field . since drift correction is very difficult under such conditions , equipment maintenance is indicated , such as cleaning the interior of lenses in the illumination - optical system and / or projection - optical system of the pattern - transfer apparatus . a representative method for correcting beam drift ( based on the exemplary measurement results in fig1 ) is now explained . during normal projection - exposure of a device pattern , the beam - drift test patterns can be disposed in the first deflection field in the y - direction end of a stripe . that stripe is exposed while performing beam - drift correction based on the detection data obtained with the test patterns . if beam - drift correction were not to be performed , then correction for all the deflection fields in the particular stripe would be determined based on the measurement data obtained from the first deflection field . in this example , the respective magnitudes of beam drift of other deflection fields relative to the first deflection field are known in advance from prior testing . the magnitudes of beam drift for each strip are tabulated , corresponding to the amplitude of beam deflection in the x 30 direction , in as memory in the beam - drift correction unit 21 a . for example , if the amplitude of beam deflection for the second deflection field were − 2 . 25 mm , then the value ( 4 nm ) denoted by “ c1 ” in fig1 would correspond to the drift magnitude . if the amplitude of beam deflection for the third deflection field were − 0 . 5 mm , then the value ( 3 nm ) denoted by “ c2 ” in fig1 would correspond to the drift magnitude . these values are tabulated and stored in the beam - drift - correction unit 21 a ( fig4 ). afterward , when an actual device pattern is projection - exposed onto a wafer , the magnitude of beam drift corresponding to the respective deflection amplitude for each stripe is corrected according to test - pattern - position data obtained at the first deflection field of the stripe . thus , the subfield - transfer position in each deflection field is corrected . the table in the foregoing example was created using difference values . however , a table alternatively can be created using ratios of beam - drift magnitude in a second deflection field to beam - drift magnitude in a first deflection field . for example , if the deflection amplitude for the second defection field were − 2 . 25 mm , then the value of the beam - position drift ratio would be ( 10 nm )/( 14 nm )= 0 . 71 , wherein 10 nm is the magnitude of beam drift in the second deflection field and 14 nm is the magnitude of beam drift in the first deflection field ( see line “ c1 ” in fig1 ). according to this ratio , the beam position is corrected and actual exposure is made . a table can be created for each magnitude of beam current ; for example , six tables can be created . then , the magnitude of drift correction is calculated according to the average beam current at the level of the actual device pattern . the required correction to the median beam current can be determined by interpolation . in such a manner , the magnitude of beam - position correction is calculated taking into account the beam current and other variables , based on magnitudes of beam drift previously determined . beam position is corrected by the determined magnitude . correction in the y - direction is measured in a manner similar to that described above regarding the x - direction . also , the data are similarly tabulated and used to perform correction . correction in the y - direction desirably is performed together with correction in the x - direction . ( beam drift in the y - direction is normally less than beam drift in the x - direction .) measurements as shown in fig1 desirably are performed on a periodic basis . under such conditions , if the magnitudes of beam drift are not observed to converge around a constant value in five or six attempts , as described above ( or if variances of over 2 nm occur in the data even as they approach a constant magnitude of beam drift at the end of the deflection field ), then it can be concluded that a non - reproducible variable is causing the beam drift . cleaning of the apparatus is required . as is clear from the foregoing , this invention provides methods and apparatus for achieving high - accuracy and high - precision pattern transfer , even when a certain amount of beam drift is evident . fig6 is a flow chart of steps in a process for manufacturing a semiconductor device such as a semiconductor chip ( e . g ., an integrated circuit or lsi device ), a display panel ( e . g ., liquid - crystal panel ), or ccd , for example . in step 1 , the circuit for the device is designed . in step 2 , a reticle (“ mask ”) for the circuit is manufactured . in step 3 , a wafer is manufactured from a material such as silicon . steps 4 - 12 are directed to wafer - processing steps , specifically “ pre - process ” steps . in the pre - process steps , the circuit pattern defined on the reticle is transferred onto the wafer by microlithography . step 13 is an assembly step ( also termed a “ post - process ” step ) in which the wafer that has been passed through steps 4 - 12 is formed into semiconductor chips . this step can include , e . g ., assembling the devices ( dicing and bonding ) and packaging ( encapsulation of individual chips ). step 14 is an inspection step in which any of various operability and qualification tests of the device produced in step 13 are conducted . afterward , devices that successfully pass step 14 are finished , packaged , and shipped ( step 16 ). steps 4 - 12 also provide representative details of wafer processing . step 4 is an oxidation step for oxidizing the surface of a wafer . step 5 involves chemical vapor deposition ( cvd ) for forming an insulating film on the wafer surface . step 6 is an electrode - forming step for forming electrodes on the wafer ( typically by vapor deposition ). step 7 is an ionimplantation step for implanting ions ( e . g ., dopant ions ) into the wafer . step 8 involves application of a resist ( exposure - sensitive material ) to the wafer . step 9 involves microlithographically exposing the resist so as to imprint the resist with the reticle pattern , as described elsewhere herein . step 10 involves developing the exposed resist on the wafer . step 11 involves etching the wafer to remove material from areas where developed resist is absent . step 12 involves resist separation , in which remaining resist on the wafer is removed after the etching step . by repeating steps 4 - 12 as required , circuit patterns as defined by successive reticles are superposedly formed on the wafer . whereas the invention has been described in connection with example embodiments , it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those embodiments . on the contrary , the invention is intended to encompass all alternatives , modifications , and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention , as defined by the appended claims .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

embodiments of the invention will be described , referring to the accompanying drawings . as shown in fig1 on the surface of a p - type silicon substrate 11 , a field oxide film 12 is formed to a thickness of about 500 nm by local oxidation of silicon ( locos ). the silicon substrate 11 of p - type is illustratively shown , and n - type wells , p - type wells , p - type wells in n - type wells may be formed as desired in the surface layer of the silicon substrate 11 . the conductivity types opposite to those shown in the embodiment may be used . as shown in fig2 on the surface ( active region ar ) of the silicon substrate defined by the field oxide film 12 , a gate oxide film 13 of about 15 nm thick is formed by thermal oxidation . on this gate oxide film 13 , a gate electrode layer 14 is formed which is a lamination of a polysilicon layer 14a of about 120 nm thick and a tungsten silicide ( wsi ) layer 14b of about 150 nm thick . the gate electrode layer may be formed by sputtering , cvd or the like . on this gate electrode layer 14 , a silicon oxide film 15 is formed by cvd . a resist pattern is formed on the silicon oxide film to pattern the silicon oxide film 15 and gate electrode layer 14 into the same shape . the resist film is removed thereafter . as shown in fig3 by using the pattern of the gate electrode layer 14 and silicon oxide film 15 as a mask , n - type impurity ions are implanted into the surface layer of the silicon substrate 11 at a low impurity concentration to thereby form a low concentration n - type impurity doped region 21 . if a cmos circuit is to be formed on the silicon substrate , ions of opposite polarities are implanted separately into n - channel and p - channel transistor regions . for example , p and / or as ions are implanted for n - channel transistors , and bf 2 ions are implanted for p - channel transistors . an acceleration voltage is , for example , about 50 to 60 kev , and a dose is about 10 13 cm - 2 . as shown in fig4 a high temperature oxide ( hto ) film is deposited to a thickness of about 150 nm at a substrate temperature of 800 ° c . over the whole surface of the silicon substrate , covering the gate electrode structure . reactive ion etching ( anisotropic etching ) is thereafter performed to remove the hto film on a flat surface and leave side spacers 16 on the side walls of the gate electrode structure . the silicon oxide film 15 formed on the upper surface of the gate electrode is left . the silicon oxide film 15 and side spacers 16 are collectively called a first insulating layer 17 hereinafter . as shown in fig5 by using the first insulating film 17 as a mask , ions are implanted at a high concentration to form source / drain regions 22 of a high impurity concentration . for example , as ( arsenic ) ions are implanted at a dose of about 10 14 to 10 15 cm - 2 for n - channel transistors , and bf 2 ions are implanted at a dose of about 10 14 to 10 15 cm - 2 for p - channel transistors . as shown in fig6 an oxide film 18 such as borophosphosilicate glass ( bpsg ), oxynitride and silicon oxide is formed over the whole surface of the silicon substrate 11 . after this oxide film 18 is formed , the surface thereof is planarized to make the film 18 have a thickness of about 1 μm . the oxide film 18 may be a single layer or a lamination of a plurality of layers . for example , an oxynitride layer of about 200 nm thick is formed first , and a plasma - enhanced tetraetoxysilane ( teos ) oxide film is formed on the oxynitride layer . planarizing the oxide film 18 may be done by reflowing , chemical mechanical polishing ( cmp ), etch - back or the like . after the oxide film 18 is planarized , contact holes 19 exposing the source / drain regions of a mos transistor are formed . for example , the contact hole 19 is formed through reactive ion etching by using a resist mask having an opening of about 0 . 5 μm diameter . as shown in fig7 a wiring layer is formed over the whole surface of the substrate 19 provided with the contact holes 19 . for example , the wiring layer includes a glue metal layer 24 and a w layer 25 formed thereon . the glue metal layer 24 may be a lamination of a ti layer of about 20 nm thick and a tin layer of about 50 nm thick and may be formed by sputtering . the w layer is deposited to a thickness of about 800 nm by cvd using wf 6 and h 2 . the contact hole 19 is filled with this wiring layer which is connected to the source / drain region 22 . as shown in fig8 the w layer 25 and glue metal layer 24 over the oxide film 18 are removed by etch - back . this etch - back may be dry etching using cl containing gas . the w layer and glue metal layer over the oxide film 18 may be removed by cmp . with this etch - back or cmp , the surface of an oxide film 18a becomes generally flush with the surface of a metal plug made of a w layer 25a and a glue metal layer 24a . with the etch - back , the surface of the w layer 25a becomes lower than the nearby surface in some case . as shown in fig9 on the planarized surface of the substrate , a nitride film 26 is deposited to a thickness of about 50 nm to 100 nm by plasma - enhanced cvd at a substrate temperature of about 350 ° c . the nitride film is formed at a low temperature in order to prevent oxidation of the w layer 25a and short - circuiting of a junction between the silicon substrate and the impurity diffused region to be caused by silicidization of the ti layer . it is preferable that after the nitride film is formed , an oxide film is formed on the nitride film to a thickness of about 80 nm . this oxide film may be a plasma - enhanced teos oxide film . the junction breakage is prevented by controlling the substrate temperature . the nitride film covers the metal plug embedded in the contact hole , and prevents the metal plug from being oxidized by oxygen entering from the surface at a later process . if the oxide film is formed on the nitride film , a contact with a capacitor lower electrode to be formed on the oxide film can be made more tight . irrespective of whether the layer 26 is a single nitride film or a lamination of a nitride film and an oxide film , this layer 26 is called an oxygen shielding or blocking film hereinafter . as shown in fig1 , a lower electrode layer 27 , a pzt dielectric film 28 and an upper electrode layer 29 are formed on the oxygen shielding film 26 by sputtering . the lower electrode layer 27 may be a lamination of a ti layer of 20 to 30 nm thick and a pt layer of 150 nm thick , the pzt dielectric film 28 is 300 nm thick , and the upper electrode layer 29 is a pt layer of 150 nm thick . the pzt dielectric film 28 has an amorphous phase without the polarizing characteristics , unless any process is performed after the deposition . after the pzt dielectric film 28 is deposited and before or after the upper electrode layer 29 is deposited , an annealing process in an o 2 atmosphere is performed . for example , the annealing process is performed for about 5 seconds at 850 ° c . in an o 2 atmosphere at one atm . such an annealing process can be performed by using a rapid thermal anneal ( rta ) system . instead of rta , an annealing process may be performed by using a resistance heating furnace at 800 ° c . or higher for 10 minutes or longer , for example , at 800 ° c . for 30 minutes . this annealing process in an o 2 atmosphere polycrystallizes the pzt dielectric film 28 and gives a polarization factor of , for example , about 30 μc / cm 2 . in this case , the w layer 25a is not oxidized because it is covered with the oxygen shielding or blocking film 26 . if the w layer 25a is oxidized , volume expansion thereof may break the lamination structure . for example , volume expansion by 1 μm in the height direction may occur . as shown in fig1 , the upper electrode 29 , pzt dielectric film 28 and lower electrode 27 are patterned by using known photolithography techniques . this patterning forms a lower electrode 27a , a pzt dielectric film 28a and an upper electrode 29a . it is preferable to gradually reduce the areas of the three layers from the bottom layer to the top layer in order to make gentle steps . after the capacitor is patterned , a recovery anneal process is further performed at a temperature of 500 to 650 ° c . in an oxygen atmosphere . the pzt dielectric film 28a shows excellent polarizing characteristics if it has ( 1 1 1 ) orientation when formed on the lower electrode . in order to establish such a crystal orientation , it is preferable to control the thickness of the lower electrode 27a and set x to 1 to 1 . 4 or more preferable to about 1 . 1 , where x is a pb composition in the pzt dielectric film 28a made of pb x zr y ti 1 - y . as shown in fig1 , a plasma - enhanced teos oxide film is deposited at a temperature of about 390 to 400 ° c . over the whole substrate surface , covering the capacitor . after the pzt dielectric film is formed , a high temperature process with reducing gas such as hydrogen is preferably avoided . as shown in fig1 , an opening 31 is formed through the oxide film 30 and oxygen shielding film 26 down to the metal plug . an opening 32 is also formed through the oxide film 30 down to the upper electrode 29a . a tin layer is deposited over the whole substrate surface and patterned to form a local interconnect 33 connecting the capacitor upper electrode 29a to the metal plug . for example , the tin layer 33 is deposited to a thickness of about 100 nm by reactive sputtering . as shown in fig1 , an oxide film 34 is formed on the whole substrate surface , covering the local interconnect 33 . an opening 35 is formed through the oxide film 34 and underlying insulating film down to the other metal plug , and a wiring pattern 36 of al or the like is formed . if necessary , other insulating layers and higher level wiring layers are formed . in this manner , a semiconductor device is completed which has capacitors with dielectric films of a perovskite crystal structure . the manufacture processes have been described above by taking a memory cell area as an example . at the same time when the memory cell manufacture processes are performed , transistors and the like in the peripheral circuit area are formed . fig1 is a cross sectional view showing both a peripheral circuit area pc and a memory cell area mc . in the memory cell area mc , a mos transistor tr and its capacitor cap described with the above embodiment are formed in a p - type well p1 of the silicon substrate . in the peripheral circuit area pc , an n - channel mos transistor is formed in a p - type well p2 and a p - channel mos transistor is formed in an n - type well n1 . the oxide shielding film 26 is formed also in the peripheral circuit area , and is selectively removed only at the regions where metal plugs pl1 to pl4 are formed . the plugs pl1 and pl2 form contact with the n - type regions of the n - channel transistors , and the plugs pl3 and pl4 form contacts with the p - type regions of the p - channel transistor . contacts with the source / drain regions of cmos transistors have the same metal plug structure . fig1 shows the structure of a semiconductor device in which after the capacitor structure is formed by the process shown in fig1 , the exposed oxygen blocking film 26 is removed . in the peripheral circuit area pc , the oxygen blocking film 26 is completely removed and the oxide films 30 and 34 are stacked directly upon the oxide film 18 . in the memory cell area mc , the oxygen blocking insulating film 26 is left only under the capacitor lower electrode 27a , and removed in the other area of the memory cell area mc . removing the oxygen shielding or blocking film may be performed by control etching . fig1 shows the structure of a semiconductor device in which the oxide film 18 has a lamination structure of a lower oxynitride film and an upper oxide film . before the metal plug is formed , the oxide film in the contact window is lightly wet - etched by hf etchant . each contact window has therefore a two - step structure with a smaller diameter at the lower portion and a larger diameter at the upper portion . by broadening the upper portion , contact of the metal plug can be improved . fig1 shows another structure . the structures described above have the capacitor upper electrode connected to the nearest source / drain region by the local interconnect . in the structure shown in fig1 , the capacitor upper electrode is connected to another area via a wiring pattern 41 . the capacitor lower electrode 27a is exposed at its one end portion and connected via a local interconnect 46 to a metal plug pl6 and to the nearest source / drain region . it is apparent that other various structures may be made by those skilled in the art . it is preferable that after the capacitor dielectric film is formed , recovery annealing is performed at a desired timing to prevent deterioration of the polarizing characteristics of the dielectric oxide film . the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments . the invention is not limited only to the above embodiments . it will be apparent for those skilled in the art that various modifications , improvements , combinations , and the like can be made .

7Electricity

in the following detailed description , a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof , and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration . the embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical , mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments . the following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense . the various embodiments herein provide a synthetic polymer tooth replacement for replacing a missing tooth . the synthetic polymer tooth replacement is synthesized from a composition . the composition comprising a moldable resin and weighted particular additives . the polymer tooth replacement is synthesized by centrifuging the composition . further the composition is poured in a mold . the mold is customized to a recipients missing tooth . the synthetic polymer tooth replacement has an exterior that is configured to bow out over a period of time . the synthetic polymer tooth replacement when placed in the recipient &# 39 ; s dental cavity locks into the place and fully cures over a period of time . according to one embodiment herein , the synthetic polymer tooth implant composition comprises of biological materials . the biological materials include an epoxy resin and synthetic polymer bio - materials . the synthetic polymer bio - materials are a 4 - amino 7 - phenyl pyrazol [ 3 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine ( pp3 ) and a polypropylene ( pp ). the polypropylene is in a form of a mesh . the polypropylene provokes a scaring of a dental tissue . the polypropylene and the epoxy resin of the tooth implant get adhered to a tooth cavity by absorption . according to one embodiment herein , a method of synthesizing synthetic polymer tooth implant , the method comprising the following steps : mixing a 4 - amino 7 phenyl pyrazol [ 3 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine ( pp3 ) with an epoxy resin . the next step is centrifuging a 4 - amino 7 phenyl pyrazol [ 3 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine ( pp3 ) with the epoxy resin to obtain a uniform mixture . the mixture is poured into a polypropylene mesh to obtain the tooth implant . the tooth implant comprises a root system of a tooth and wherein the tooth implant is configured to accept a crown thereby creating a full tooth replacement . the tooth implant is a synthetic polymer replacement tooth . according to one embodiment herein , the synthetic polymer tooth replacement is used as a tooth implant to replace a missing tooth . the synthetic polymer tooth replacement comprises a moldable resin composition i . e . polymer epoxy resin and weighted particulate additives . the additives include an epoxy - activated particles . the synthetic polymer tooth replacement is configured to be accepted by or lock into the gums . the synthetic polymer tooth replacement comprises the root system of a tooth and is configured to accept a crown thereon , creating a full tooth replacement . according to one embodiment herein , the synthetic polymer tooth replacement of the present invention is made using a hypoallergenic polymer epoxy resin . the synthetic polymer is a build of polypropylene mesh biomaterial ( pp3 ), bound by thermoset epoxy polymer ( as a resin ), coated with polymer biomaterial ( pp ). the pp and pp3 are synthetic polymer biomaterials . according to one embodiment herein , the synthetic polymer tooth comprises a prosthetic dentin unit and abutement . the crown is affixed on the abutement . according to one embodiment herein , the biomaterial 4 - amino - 7 - phenylpyrazol [ 3 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine ( pp3 ) has a high level of absorption . the pp3 is added to a medical grade form of polypropylene mesh . the polypropylene mesh is coated with an additional exterior layer of polypropylene ( pp ). the pp has property of provoking the scaring of tissue . this property of pp is used , with which the jawbone lining of dental cavity will knit and the dentin cement naturally holds the dentin in place . the material becomes absorbent into the thermoset epoxy polymer while the cast mold is lined with it . the material will spread out for adhesion by way of absorption . according to one embodiment herein , the first generation biomaterial for the synthesis of false dentin and abutement comprises of polypropylene mesh ( pp ) layered with the thermoset epoxy resin . the second generation biomaterial for the synthesis of false dentin and abutement comprises of biomaterial 4 - amino - 7 - phenylpyrazol [ 3 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine ( pp3 ) layered with epoxy resin . the final stage of the abutement synthesis comprises spray of medical grade acetone . further the surface of false dentin and abutement is modified with a fine brushing dental tool . according to one embodiment herein , the method of applying the artificial tooth for replacement of teeth comprises the following steps : assessing the state of the gums , existing bone and dentin cavities , by three dimensional computer graphics of x - rays . further subjecting the jaw to ct scan by using software to render a cast mould using a 3d printer . the resins and the biological materials are mixed and centrifuged . further the mixture of resin and biological materials is poured into the mould to get an implant . according to one embodiment herein , the existing scar tissue , dentin and cement are surgically removed by a periodontist . further the implant is then set into place and temporary tension fibers are pulled by a spool . the spool is screwed into the abutement to pull the false dentin polymer epoxy resin inward . the prosthetic dentin and abutement is then fitted with a plastic filament cap , and a metal filament wire is attached . the wire is having a breakaway tension tolerance of 20 pounds . the wire is connected to abutement spool . all the metal components such as the wire , is made of surgical grade steel . the spool and the wire lead the false dentin to grip for healing and setting to the cavity . the epoxy resin along with biological polymers , spool and filaments are heated after the apparatus is implanted . the epoxy polymer begins to cure . after one or two weeks , the biological tissue knits with pp , the spool and the filaments are then removed . tissue damage occurring during heating process promotes scaring and promotes the knitting of the biological tissue with pp and epoxy resin bound pp3 . according to one embodiment herein , the synthetic polymer tooth replacement synthesized from polymer epoxy resin bows with exposure to a catalyst . the polymer epoxy resin is poured into a mold , resulting in a synthetic polymer tooth replacement that has a lower concentration of compounds that are reactive in the interior of the replacement than at the exterior . the mold is made in accordance with a computer - generated topography of the gum and jaw cavities . because of this reason the mold and the synthetic polymer tooth match a recipient &# 39 ; s missing natural teeth . the resin is easily moldable / flexible , hence the tooth replacement is easily inserted into a recipients gum cavity . the replacement is shaved to a nub . the nub is fitted with a custom crown , which is secured to the replacement without disturbing the dental cavities beneath the gum line and in the jaw bones . the replacement is easily removed when natural tooth replacement becomes available . according to one embodiment herein , the synthetic polymer tooth replacement has a size and shape of the original missing tooth beneath the gum line . this increases the likelihood of the replacement being accepted by the gum while also leaving the gums in a healthy and uninjured state . the use of synthetic polymer tooth replacement of the present disclosure does not worsen trauma to the jaw . further an external impact such as punch dislodges the implants just like the natural teeth . according to one embodiment herein , the synthetic polymer tooth replacement is required to be placed either shortly after the natural tooth has fallen out or been taken out . alternatively , if the dentin canals are treated and capped , the caps are later removed and the synthetic polymer tooth replacement is placed shortly thereafter . in some cases the synthetic polymer tooth replacement is not accepted by the gums unless the natural teeth are freshly extracted and the gums are not already healed and scarred over . according to one embodiment herein , the successes of the implant depends on endodontic and periodontic surgical preparations , applications and follow up as in case of a standard root canal procedure . after implanting the synthetic polymer tooth replacement the follow up is necessary to avoid the risk of rejection as the implant is affixed with filaments and wires which substitute roots , where the spools and wires pierce the nerves associated with the jaw . the nerves associated with jaw and cavity determines the acceptance of the artificial dentin coated with pp and pp3 . according to one embodiment herein , after implantation by fusing with a coating of biomaterial , the polymer is cured and epoxy sets slowly , in the same manner by which ameloblast cells form dentin . the polymers and epoxy resin being a chain matrix hardens when introduced to the dental cavity and the increase of temperature delivered by metal filaments attached to the abutement . the synthetic polymer is a build of polypropylene mesh biomaterial 4 - amino - 7 - phenylpyrazol [ 3 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine ( pp3 ), bound by thermoset epoxy polymer ( as a resin ), coated with polymer biomaterial polypropylene ( pp ). pp and pp3 are synthetic polymer biomaterials . these embodiments comprise a prosthetic dentin unit and abutement to which a crown is affixed . as an embodiment , the thermoset epoxy polymer is a prior art , bearing specifications and references as follows : resinlab ® ep1330lv heat cure epoxy polymer system categories : polymer ; adhesive ; thermoset ; epoxy ; epoxy adhesive . the resinlab ™ ep1330 and ep1330lv are one part heat cure epoxy polymer systems . these polymers are also used as a small mass potting or staking compounds , or a dental dam adhesive and “ dam and fill ” applications , or general polymer systems . when the application requires high thermal conductivity , low shrinkage , low cte and excellent adhesion to a wide variety of plastics , metals and circuit board materials these materials are used . ep1330 is a thixotropic adhesive ; ep1330lv is semi - free flowing material which self levels , but still maintain a conformal build on circuit board components . for the synthesis of the synthetic polymer tooth implant 4 - amino - 7 - phenylpyrazol [ 3 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine ( pp3 ) is added to a medical grade form of polypropylene mesh , coated with an additional exterior layer of polypropylene ( pp ). the pp3 has a high level of absorption . the synthetic polymer tooth implant initiates the scaring of tissue , with which the lining of the jawbone &# 39 ; s dental cavity will knit . the knitting of synthetic polymer tooth implant is in lieu with that of the dentin cement that naturally holds the original dentin in place . the pp3 and pp material becomes absorbent into the thermoset epoxy polymer while the cast mold is lined with it . further it is malleable and turns at high centrifugal force , to spread out for adhesion by way of absorption . fig1 illustrates a flowchart indicating a method for synthesizing the synthetic polymer tooth implant , according to an embodiment herein . the first step is assessing the state of the gums , existing bone and dental cavities by a 3d x rays ( 101 ). further subjecting the jaw to ct scan by using software to render a cast mould using a 3d printer ( 102 ). the next step is mixing the resin and the biological materials ( 103 ). the biological materials are epoxy resin , 4 - amino - 7 - phenylpyrazol [ 3 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine ( pp3 ) and polypropylene ( pp ). centrifuging the mixture of epoxy resin and the pp3 and pp ( 104 ). after centrifugation the mixture is poured into the mould to get an implant ( 105 ). fig2 illustrates a flowchart indicating a method of fixing / placing the synthetic polymer tooth implant in the gum cavity , according to an embodiment herein . the existing scar tissue , dentin and cement are surgically removed ( 201 ). the implant is set into the gum cavity and temporary tension fibers are pulled by a spool ( 202 ). the spool is screwed in to the abutements to pull the false dentin polymer epoxy resin inward ( 203 ). the prosthetic dental implant and the abutement is fitted with plastic filament caps and attaching a metal filament wire ( 204 ). the implant , spool and filaments are heated after implanting to initiate the curing ( 205 ). the spool and the filaments are removed after 1 - 2 weeks ( 206 ). the implant is shaved to a nub ( 207 ). the nub is fitted with a custom crown and secured with the replacement without disturbing the dental cavities beneath gum line and in jaw bone ( 208 ). the state of the gums and existing bone and dentin cavities are assessed , by a three dimensional renderings of x - rays cross - referenced with ct scans of the jaw by software . a mould is prepared using a 3d printer . the cast mold is then lined with a layer of polypropylene mesh ( pp ) and an inner layer of pp3 , which absorb the polymer epoxy resin . the prosthetic dentin and abutement is then fitted with the plastic filament caps . the metal filament wires are attached to plastic filament caps , having a break - away tension tolerance of approximately 20 pounds , and connected to the abutement spool . all metal components are surgical grade steel and temporary . fig3 illustrates a diagram showing the synthetic polymer tooth implant with affixed crown , according to an embodiment herein . assessing the state of the gums , existing bone and dentin cavities , by three - dimensional renderings of x - rays . further subjecting the jaw to ct scan by using software to render a cast mould using a 3d printer . the resins and the biological materials are mixed and centrifuged . the cast mold is then lined with a layer of polypropylene mesh ( pp ) and an inner layer of pp3 , which absorb the polymer epoxy resin . the synthetic polymer tooth replacement comprises the root system or dental implant ( 302 ) of a tooth and is configured to accept a crown ( 301 ) thereon , creating a full tooth replacement . fig4 illustrates a diagram showing the nub and the crown of the synthetic polymer tooth implant , according to an embodiment herein . the resin is easily moldable / flexible , this makes the synthetic polymer tooth implant easily insertable into a recipients gum cavity . the replacement is shaved to a nub 401 . the nub is fitted with a custom crown 301 , which is secured to the replacement without disturbing the dental cavities beneath the gum line and in the jaw bones . the replacement is easily removed when natural tooth replacement becomes available . the synthetic polymer tooth replacement has a size and shape of the original missing tooth beneath the gum line . this increases the likelihood of the tooth replacement for acceptance by the gum . also leaving the gums in a healthy and uninjured state . the use of synthetic polymer tooth replacement of the present disclosure does not worsen trauma to the jaw . further an external impact such as punch dislodges the implants just like the natural teeth . the foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can , by applying current knowledge , readily modify and / or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept , and , therefore , such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments . it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation . therefore , while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments , those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims . although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments , it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications . however , all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims . it is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments , which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between .

2Chemistry; Metallurgy

fig1 shows an optical apparatus 100 for producing an interference pattern on a photosensitive medium in the form of a core 105 of an optical fiber 110 . while the optical apparatus 100 is described herein in the context of bragg grating writing in an optical fiber 110 , the reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the apparatus could be used in other contexts without departing from the spirit of the invention . in specific examples of implementation , the apparatus could be used to produce an interference pattern illuminating other photosensitive media , including discrete optical fibers , optical fibers mounted in a module and integrated optics components . the optical apparatus 100 includes a laser 120 , a diffractive element 130 and a transmissive block 140 as described in further detail herein below . the laser 120 produces a coherent beam of light 125 . in the case of bragg grating writing in an optical fiber , the laser 120 may produce light at a wavelength between 193 nm and 300 nm and is either pulsed or continuous . in an even more specific case , the laser 120 produces light at a wavelength between 193 nm and 260 nm . however , it will be understood that a laser 120 producing a beam 125 having a wavelength outside of the mentioned interval can be used in the apparatus 100 . the beam 125 may be shaped and collimated by a lens assembly 127 . the shaped and collimated beam is then defected by a mirror 129 , that can be used to optimally align the beam 125 with the core 105 . the mirror 129 may be movable in order to permit precise alignment to be controlled by a user or a feedback control circuit . the reader skilled in the art will recognize that while the laser 120 , the lens assembly 127 and the mirror 129 are preferably used in the optical apparatus 100 , other sources of coherent light could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention , with or without the lens assembly 127 . also , the apparatus of the present invention may be used in cases where it is desirable to produce an interference pattern from non - coherent light . the beam 125 arrives at the diffractive element 130 , which produces a diffraction pattern including a plurality of sub - beam 135 k , k = 0 , ± 1 , ± 2 , . . . . each pair of sub - beams 135 ± k corresponds to a diffraction order k of a diffraction pattern produced by the diffractive element 130 . the sub - beams 135 k diverge from each other , each at a respective divergence angle measured with respect to the sub - beam 135 0 . in a specific example of implementation , the diffractive element 130 can be an apodized holographic phase mask producing sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 diverging from the sub - beam 135 0 at an angle between 7 ° and 23 °. the exact number of sub - beams 135 k produced and the value of their respective divergence angle depend on the specific diffractive element used and on the wavelength of the beam 125 produced by the laser 120 . in a variant , the diffractive element 130 can be replaced by a beam splitter in the optical apparatus 100 . however , a typical beam splitter does not produce an order 0 sub - beam 135 0 . as it will be detailed below , the order 0 sub - beam 135 0 is preferably present to produce a balanced grating in a single exposure . the transmissive block 140 is composed of a material having an index of refraction higher than its surroundings and which is transparent or nearly transparent at the wavelength of the beam 125 produced by the laser 120 . in a very specific example of implementation , the transmissive block 140 can be made of quartz . in a specific example of implementation , shown on fig1 , the transmissive block 140 is a cubic prism having homogenous optical properties and including two planar lateral faces 141 and 142 , one planar front face 143 and one planar back force 144 . in a very specific example of implementation , suitable dimensions of the cubic prism may be 3 cm × 3 cm × 15 cm located approximately 2 cm from the diffractive element 130 and approximately 2 cm from the core 105 . however , the reader skilled in the art will appreciate that these dimensions can vary considerably , depending on the interference pattern to be produced . in an embodiment of the present invention , the transmissive block 140 is adapted to propagate only the zeroth and first orders of diffraction produced by the diffractive element 130 , namely , the sub - beams 135 − 1 , 135 0 and 135 1 . sub - beams corresponding to other orders of diffraction can be avoided by suitably dimensioning and positioning the transmissive block 140 so that it is clear of the path taken by the sub - beams corresponding to these other orders of diffraction . in other embodiments of the invention , undesired orders of diffraction are filtered by the transmission block 140 . in one embodiment of the present invention , the two first order sub - beams 135 ± 1 are reflected inside the transmissive block 140 through total internal reflection and subsequently converge on the core 105 to produce an interference pattern . in other embodiments of the present invention , one of the first order sub - beams may pass straight through the transmissive block 140 , while the other of the first order sub - beams may be totally internally reflected and redirected towards the sub - beam that was not totally internally reflected . intersection of at least two sub - beams exiting a back surface of the transmissive block 140 occurs outside the transmissive block 140 at a distance away from its back surface . in this specific example of implementation , the sub - beams 135 − 1 , 135 0 and 135 1 enter the transmissive block 140 through the front face 143 . since the sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 are not perpendicular to the front face 143 , they will be refracted when entering the transmissive block 140 , in opposition to the sub - beam 135 0 which enters the transmissive block 140 perpendicularly to the front face 143 and is therefore not refracted . inside the transmissive block 140 , the sub - beam 135 0 is propagated in a straight line to the back face 144 . however , the dimensions of the transmissive block 140 are such that the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 arrive to the lateral faces 141 and 142 before arriving to the back face 144 . since the index of refraction inside the transmissive block 140 is larger than the index of refraction outside the transmissive block 140 , the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 are reflected through total internal reflection at the lateral surfaces 141 and 142 of the transmissive block 140 . also , the transmissive block 140 has dimensions such that the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 will arrive to the back face 144 before intersecting . when exiting the transmissive block 140 through the back face 144 , the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 are refracted and converge at a certain location in space . since the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 have been reflected inside a single rigid piece of material , there are only minimal losses in a power carried by the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 and the location at which they intersect is easily adjustable . meanwhile , the zeroth order sub - beam 135 0 emerges from the transmissive block 140 without having been deflected and the zeroth order sub - beam may be focused by a focusing lens 150 . the relative position of the focusing lens 150 with respect to the optical fiber 110 determines an intensity of the zeroth order beam 135 0 illuminating the optical fiber 110 , which allows to write a balanced grating on the optical fiber in a single exposure . the reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the focussing lens 150 alleviates the need for a specialized diffractive element that is capable of producing balanced order 1 and 0 sub - beams 135 − 1 , 135 0 and 135 1 . the reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many shapes of the transmissive block 140 can be designed so as to select only orders 0 and 1 of diffraction and make two sub - beams of first order converge at the certain location in space through total internal reflection . in addition , transmissive blocks selecting other orders of diffraction can be used in the optical apparatus 100 without departing from the spirit of the invention . in a variant , the front face 143 of the transmissive block 140 is partially coated with an opaque layer to block the sub - beam 135 0 . this may be desirable in processes wherein the sub - beam 135 0 is not required . it will be appreciated that since the transmissive block 140 is a self - contained unit for redirecting the sub - beams 135 k , it can be readily exchanged with another transmissive block with only minimal realignment requirements , which affords flexibility in the use of the apparatus 100 . it will also be appreciated that the distance between the focusing lens 150 and the core 105 determines the intensity of the sub - beam 135 0 at the location of the core 105 . alternatively , the focusing lens 150 could be interchanged with another lens having a different focal distance to vary intensity of the sub - beam 135 0 at the location of the core 105 . the reader skilled in the art will appreciate that the exact value of the distance between the focusing lens 150 and the core 105 and the exact value of the focal distance of the focusing lens 150 required to produce a balanced bragg grating depend on many characteristics of the apparatus 100 . accordingly , it is preferable to adjust these parameters for each particular grating written , either through theoretical calculations or through measurements of intensity using an optical power meter . such methods for adjusting these parameters are well known in the art and will not be discussed in further detail . it will further be appreciated that in those instances when the sub - beam 135 0 is undesired , the sub - beam 135 0 can be blocked by replacing the focussing lens 150 by a piece of all opaque material . it will also be appreciated that the distance between the transmissive block 140 and the core 105 regulates a length of grating written in the optical fiber 110 . as shown on fig2 , the interference pattern produced by the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 is present in a diamond - shaped region of space 210 in which the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 intersect . depending on the exact position of the core 105 in the diamond - shaped region of space 210 , the length of a portion of the core 105 exposed to the interference pattern will vary , which will therefore change the length of the grating produced . in a further variant , shown on fig3 , the transmissive block 140 includes a curved surface 197 a instead of the front face 143 shown in fig1 , which was planar . backward or forward shifting the curved surface 197 a can be used to change the angle at which the sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 enter the transmissive block 140 , which changes the angle at which the sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 leave the transmissive block 140 , which changes the period of the bragg grating produced at the location of intersection of the sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 . specifically , changing the distance between the curved surface 197 and the diffractive element 130 ( i . e ., moving from a to b in fig3 ) produces a variation in the location along the surface 197 at which the divergent sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 enter the transmissive block 140 . due to the surface 197 not being planar , the angle of incidence with which the sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 arrive at the curved surface 197 varies with the distance between the curved surface 197 and the diffractive element 130 . this variation in the angle of incidence at which the sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 enter the transmissive block 140 produces a variation in the angle at which the two sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 are propagated in the transmissive block 140 further to being refracted at the surface 197 . this may lead to an intersection occurring at a different region in space for case a than case b . however , the distance between the back face 144 and the region of intersection can be controlled by appropriately selecting the distance between the diffractive element 130 and the curved surface 197 . specifically , by appropriately shifting the position of the diffractive element , the sub - beams 135 − 1 and 135 1 exiting the transmissive block 140 can be made to intersect at the same region in space in both a and b . in this way , it is possible to change the period of the bragg grating by merely changing the transmissive block 140 without having to change any other component in the apparatus 100 . it should be appreciated that in some embodiments , the transmissive block 140 may be composed of a basic block in the shape of a prism , to which it is possible to optically couple any of a set of curved attachment blocks , each having a curved face and a particular length . the curved face may have the same curvature profile or it may be different for different attachment blocks of different lengths . also , it is within the scope of the present invention to provide attachment blocks of roughly the same length , with different curvature profiles in order to achieve different angles of intersection and hence different bragg periodicity . those skilled in the art will be capable of determining what shift , if any , is required in the position of the diffraction element 130 in order to maintain the distance between the transmissive block 140 and the region of intersection of the first order sub - beams . those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus 100 would work in sensibly the same way if the inside walls of the transmissive block 140 are not parallel or if the curved surface 197 is located on the side of the transmissive block 140 through which the light exits the transmissive block 140 . while specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims .

6Physics

a track assembly for an all - terrain vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in details with reference to the appended drawings . fig1 shows an all - terrain vehicle 10 comprising a body 12 and four track assemblies ( only two shown ) according to the present invention arranged in a plane adjacent to each side of the vehicle 10 . there are two identical track assemblies in the front of the all - terrain vehicle 10 , of which only one track assembly 14 is visible in fig1 , in place of conventional front wheels . similarly , there are two identical track assemblies , of which only one track assembly 16 is visible in fig1 , in place of the conventional rear wheels . only the track assemblies 14 and 16 visible in fig1 will be described hereinbelow . furthermore , as they are symmetrical about a vertical axis 22 when viewed from the outside of the vehicle 10 ( see fig1 ), only the track assemblies 14 will be described hereinbelow . it is also to be noted that the elements as seen from the outside of the vehicle 10 will bear the same numbers in the rear track assembly 16 than the corresponding ones in the front track assembly 14 , with a prime . however , since the attachment of rear and front track assemblies differs as seen from the inside of the vehicles 10 , they will be described separately . the front track assembly 14 is better seen in fig2 . it comprises a longitudinal endless track belt 23 and a mounting structure to mount the endless track belt 23 to the vehicle 10 . the mounting structure includes a track driving wheel 24 , a pair of inside idler wheels 26 , a pair of outside idler wheels 28 and supports to interconnect the wheels 24 , 26 and 28 as will be described hereinbelow . the endless track belt 23 is provided with inner lugs 30 on its inner surface 31 and with external lugs 32 on its outer surface 33 . it is wounded around the track driving wheel 24 and the idler wheels 28 and 26 . as can be better seen from fig4 , the track driving wheel 24 is mounted to a conventional hub 35 of the all - terrain vehicle 10 . the wheel 24 includes a first mounting plate 37 mounted to the hub 35 and a second mounting plate 34 mounted to the first plate 37 via four bolt and spacer assemblies 36 . a circular disk 38 is mounted to the bolt and spacer assemblies 36 and includes equidistant wide teeth 40 contacting the inner surface 31 of the track 23 . as will be apparent to one skilled in the art , the equidistant teeth 40 are so located as to cooperate with some of the inner lugs 30 of the endless track belt 23 . more precisely , as can be better seen from fig2 , the teeth 40 are spaced so that the distance between two consecutive teeth 40 spans the distance separating consecutive inner lugs 30 of the endless track belt 23 , in a meshing engagement , in such a way as to drive the endless track belt 23 . each of the inside idler wheels 26 includes a peripheral portion in contact with the internal surface 31 of the track 23 . the wheels 26 are interconnected by a spacing element ( not shown ). similarly , each outer idler wheel 28 includes a peripheral portion in contact with the internal surface 31 of the track 23 . the wheels 28 are interconnected by a spacing element 42 . the wheels 24 , 26 and 28 are interconnected , as seen from the outside of the track assembly 14 , by an angled connecting element 44 . the angled connecting element 44 has a center portion 46 provided with an aperture 48 in which bearings 50 are mounted . a fastener 52 connects the connecting element 44 to the second plate 34 while allowing the angled connecting element 44 to pivot about the fastener . the connecting element 44 has a short arm 54 having a free end to which the inside idler wheels 26 are rotatably mounted . the connecting element 44 also has a long arm 56 having a free end to which the inside idler wheels 28 are rotatably mounted as will be further discussed hereinbelow . referring to fig2 , it is seen that the endless track belt 23 is wounded around the wheels 24 , 26 , and 28 and defines a substantially scalene triangle since the connecting element 44 has a short and a long arms 54 , 56 . the connecting element 44 is better seen from the top plan view of fig6 . turning now briefly to fig3 of the appended drawings , as can be seen from the inside of the all - terrain vehicle 10 , the idler wheels 26 and 28 of the front track assembly 14 are also directly connected together by an elbowed connection element 58 . the inside idler wheels 26 are rotatably mounted to a first end of the elbowed connection element 58 while the outside idler wheels 28 are rotatably mounted to a second end of the elbowed connection element 58 . the rotatable connection of the outside idler wheels 28 to the angle connection element 44 and to the elbowed connection element 58 will now be described with reference to fig5 . as will easily be understood by one skilled in the art upon inspection of fig5 , the tension of the endless track belt 23 is adjusted by the connection of the outside idler wheels 28 to the elements 44 and 58 . for concision purpose , only the connection of the wheels 28 to the elbowed connection element 58 will be described . with reference to the enlarged side view of fig5 , a tension adjusting assembly according to another aspect of the present invention will be described . as can be seen from this figure , a distal end of the connection element 58 includes a slotted aperture 60 receiving a fastener 62 used to rotatably mount the wheels 28 to the assembly . by sliding the fastener 62 in the aperture 60 , it is possible to increase or decrease the tension on the track 23 . to adjust and maintain this track tension , a cam element 64 , having an outer periphery provided with notches 66 located at different distances from the attachment point of the element 64 , is mounted to the fastener 62 . by selecting which notch 66 is in contact with a fixed pin 68 of the element 58 , a predetermined tension may be maintained . it is to be noted that the cam element 64 is provided with a handle 70 to facilitate the manipulation by a user . returning to fig4 of the appended drawings the endless track 23 will be described in greater detail . as can be seen from fig4 , the overall profile of the track 23 , from one side to the other , i . e . transversely , is generally convex . however , the convex profile of the track 23 is created by a lug arrangement comprising two successive transverse rows of lugs arranged in a staggered relationship . a first transverse row of lugs contains three lugs 72 , 74 and 76 and a second row of lugs contains four lugs 78 , 80 , 82 and 84 . these lugs are symmetrical about a longitudinal axis ( not shown ). a first lateral lug 72 of the first row includes three ground - contacting surfaces separated by two indentations . the shape of lateral lug 72 is such that the ground contacting surfaces are generally transversally convex . a central lug 74 is centered about longitudinal axis and includes two ground - contacting surfaces separated by an indentation . the ground contacting surfaces are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and are generally transversally convex . a second lateral lug 76 is a mirror image of lug 72 about the longitudinal axis . the first and second lateral lugs 72 and 76 are laterally spaced apart from the central lug 74 . in the second transverse row of lugs , a first intermediate lug 80 includes two ground - contacting surfaces separated by an indentation . the ground engaging surfaces are slightly transversally convex . a first external lug 78 includes two ground - contacting surfaces that are separated by an indentation and are transversally convex . finally , the second intermediate lug 82 and the second external lug 84 are respectively mirror images of lugs 80 and 78 with respect to the longitudinal axis . for concision purposes , these lugs will not be further described herein . of course , the sequences described hereinabove of the lug arrangement defined by the rows of lugs are repeated onto the entire external surface of the endless track 23 . the endless track belt 23 further includes , for each row of lugs , a stiffening rod 71 , made of glass fibers for example . each stiffening rod 71 is embedded in the material forming the track belt 23 so as to be generally parallel to the inner surface 31 thereof . the rods 71 provide enhanced rigidity to the endless track belt 23 . the enhanced rigidity of the track belt 23 has many advantages . for example , it helps the track to provide adequate traction even when the center portion of the track is not in direct contact with the ground , as illustrated in fig4 . however , it has been found that this type of traction may be detrimental to the steering of the vehicle in some conditions . as it is apparent from fig4 the ground contacting surfaces of symmetrical lugs 78 and 84 are not aligned with the outer surfaces of the other lugs to form a continuous profile . indeed , the ground contacting surfaces of lugs 78 and 84 are more angled and exceed the convex profile defined by the other lugs . this configuration of the outer lugs is advantageous since it further prevents the vehicle from tipping over during sharp turns at high speed when the vehicle 10 is severely tilted . as mentioned hereinabove , the way the front track assembly 14 is attached to the body 12 of the vehicle 10 differs from the way the rear track assembly 16 is attached to the body 12 of the vehicle 10 . these two attachments will be described hereinbelow . the front track assembly 14 is attached to the body 12 of the vehicle 10 in a fashion shown in fig4 and 7 , while the rear track assembly 16 is attached to the body 12 of the vehicle 10 in a fashion shown in fig8 and 9 . as seen in fig4 and 7 , the front track assembly 14 is mounted to a tubular wheel table 100 of the vehicle 10 by means of a generally triangular plate 102 fastened thereto by a plurality of u - bolts 104 , 106 , 108 and 110 . a rod 112 is connected between the elbowed connection element 58 and a pivot 114 of the tubular wheel table 100 . a first end of the rod 112 is attached to the elbowed connection element 58 by means of rubber damping elements 116 , in such a way as to allow a vertical movement at this point of the rod 112 in relation to the elbowed connection element 58 . a second end of the rod 112 is attached to the pivot 114 of the tubular wheel table 100 by means of an r - clip 120 , in such a way as to allow at this point a horizontal movement of the plate 102 holding the tubular wheel table 100 relative to the elbowed connection element 58 . the front track assembly 14 is further attached to the body 12 of the vehicle 10 through a conventional rod 150 of the suspension system of the vehicle 10 and a conventional rod 157 used for direction ( see fig4 ). as seen in fig8 and 9 , the rear track assembly 16 is mounted to the body 12 of the vehicle 10 by a rod 212 . the rod 212 is connected on a first end to the elbowed connection element 58 ′ by means of a rubber damping attachment 216 . it is attached , on a second end , to a tubular chassis 130 of the body 12 of the vehicle 10 by means of a chipping joint 132 fastened thereto by an r - clip 134 . from the above description of the fashion in which the front and rear track assemblies 14 and 16 are mounted to the body 12 of the vehicle 10 , in relation to fig4 and 7 , and 8 and 9 respectively , the present invention provides for track assemblies that are easily removed or mounted to the vehicle 10 , through using r - clips ( 120 and 134 ), which enable disconnecting the track assemblies from the vehicle in a simple manner . as stated hereinabove , the interior surface 31 of the endless track belt 23 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced lugs 30 , which ensure a positive engagement with the teeth 40 provided on the outer circumference of the wheel 24 . in operation , the wheel 24 is coupled to a drive shaft , via the hub 30 , connected to an engine ( not shown ), in such a way that the engine drives the wheel 24 in rotation . the wheel 24 thus drives the endless track belt 23 by the meshing engagement of the teeth 40 with the internal lugs 30 of the endless track belt 23 . it is further to be understood that the external lugs 32 on the external circumference surface of the endless track belt 23 respectively exert a positive mechanical connection with the underlying ground surface that contributes to propel the vehicle 10 . fig1 and fig1 show sectional views similar to that of fig4 but illustrating variants of an endless track that may be mounted to the track assembly of the present invention . in fig1 , the overall profile of the endless track belt 23 a , from one side to the other , i . e . transversely , is generally convex . the convex profile of the endless track belt 23 a is created by the same lug arrangement as that described hereinabove in relation to fig4 . in this specific embodiment however , the endless track belt 23 a does not include stiffening rods under each row of lugs . consequently , the rigidity of the endless track belt 23 a is less than the rigidity of the endless track belt 23 ( fig4 ) and the profile of the endless track belt 23 a conforms itself to the profile of the ground . since the pressure is more localized in the center of the endless track belt 23 a , a more punctually localized contact zone between the endless track belt 23 a and the ground 29 is created . in many cases , this punctually localized contact zone makes the vehicle 10 more maneuverable . turning now to fig1 , a third version of an endless track belt 23 b will be described . the endless track belt 23 b is wounded around the track driving wheel 24 and the idler wheels 28 and 26 , is still provided with inner lugs 30 on its inner surface 31 . however , its outer surface is provided with rectangular lugs 86 . since there are no stiffening rods in the endless track belt 23 b , the endless track belt 23 b is free to conform itself to the ground 29 , as seen in fig1 . furthermore , since the pressure is exerted only in the middle of the endless track belt 23 b by the wide teeth 40 , a punctually localized contact zone between the endless track belt 23 b and the ground 29 is created . as will be apparent to one skilled in the art , the endless track belts 23 a has a particularly punctually localized contact surface with the ground 29 . indeed , since it is transversally convex , it generally contacts the ground 29 with a limited surface at any given time when the ground 29 is hard . furthermore , since there are no guiding rails for the endless track belts 23 , 23 a or 23 b , the external lugs only exert a pressure on the ground 29 , when it is hard , in the vicinity of the wide teeth 40 if the wheel 24 . referring to fig1 , 3 , and 8 , it will be seen that the lower peripheral portion of the track driving wheel 24 in contact with the endless track belt 23 is below the lower peripheral portion of the idler wheels 26 , 28 in contact with the endless track belt 23 . therefore , on flat ground surfaces , only a punctually localized surface of endless track belt 23 , under the track driving wheel ; 24 , is in contact with ground 29 . even on uneven ground surfaces , the contact surface is reduced since only a portion of the endless track belt 23 is in contact with ground 29 . these three combined features improve the maneuverability of the vehicle since it emulates the contact of a conventional tire onto hard ground , given that a shortened length of contact of the endless track with the ground surface reduces the resistance to a turning force . of course , one skilled in the art could designed another convex profile of the external lugs of the endless track belts 23 and / or another arrangement of the mounting assembly of the endless track belts 23 to the vehicle 10 to obtain this “ one point contact ” feature without departing from the spirit and nature of the present invention . for example , one could provide a guiding rail having a convex profile and transversally convex lugs to achieve similar results . as people in the art will understand , the all - terrain vehicle of the present invention , provided with four endless track assemblies , can be used for a wide range of operations and terrain , while being highly mobile and offering good running performance . the endless track structure maintains an adequate configuration over a variety of surfaces . it will be obvious to people skilled in the art that the present invention can be applied both in the case of a two - wheel drive vehicle wherein the power is typically applied only to the rear track belt assemblies and the front track assemblies merely facilitate steering , and in the case of a four - wheel vehicle , wherein power is independently provided to each one of the four track assemblies . as will be further understood by one skilled in the art , the all - terrain vehicle 10 , equipped with track assemblies according to the present invention , may be viewed as a snow vehicle since it may be used on snow as efficiently as conventional snow vehicles such as snowmobiles , for example . however , the one - point contact feature of the present invention allows the use of the all - terrain vehicle on harder surface without the usual drawbacks of tracked vehicles . interestingly , the present track assembly system can equip all four wheels of an all - terrain vehicle or only the front or rear wheels thereof , since it only weakly reduces the speed of the vehicle relative to the underground surface . a further possibility would be to use track assemblies according to the present invention in place of the rear wheels of a vehicle , while mounting skis in place of the front wheels thereof . although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof , it can be modified , without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims . while illustrated in the block diagrams as groups of discrete components communicating with each other via distinct data signal connections , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiments are provided by a combination of hardware and software components , with some components being implemented by a given function or operation of a hardware or software system , and many of the data paths illustrated being implemented by data communication within a computer application or operating system . the structure illustrated is thus provided for efficiency of teaching the present preferred embodiment . it should be noted that the present invention can be carried out as a method , can be embodied in a system , a computer readable medium or an electrical or electro - magnetical signal . the embodiment ( s ) of the invention described above is ( are ) intended to be exemplary only . the scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

fig1 - 3 show a preferred embodiment of a pet toy 10 . in its broadest context , the pet toy 10 comprises a housing 12 with a hollow interior and a transparent window 14 inset on front wall of the housing 12 . a hook 18 may be attached on back wall of the housing 12 so pet toy 10 can be hung . within the housing 12 is a motor 24 , which is energized by suitable means , such as an electric cord or battery operated , neither of which is shown , through a control box 22 . a motor bracket 26 is secured to the housing 12 by screws , however , gluing or other fasteners could also be used . a motor 24 is connected to the motor bracket 26 by screws , however , gluing or other fasteners could also be used . the motor 24 is connected to the first end of arm 28 by a crank arm 30 . the second end of arm 28 is connected about perpendicular to first end of arm 32 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 32 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of shaft 34 by gluing or any other type of fastener . in addition , the first end of shaft 34 is also connected to a bracket 26 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of shaft 34 is connected to bracket 26 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . a mirror 36 is fastened lengthwise to shaft 34 by gluing or any other type of fastener . a mirror 38 is positioned directly below mirror 36 such that mirror 38 is mounted at an angle to a bracket 40 so that the reflection seen in mirror 38 reflects into mirror 36 . a bracket 40 is mounted lengthwise to shaft 42 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the lower end of shaft 42 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of arm 44 by glue or any other type of fastener . in addition , the lower end of shaft 42 is also connected to the first end of bracket 46 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of bracket 46 is secured to the housing 12 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 44 is connected to the first end of arm 48 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 48 is connected to a motor 50 by a crank arm 52 . the motor 50 is secured to the housing 12 by a motor bracket 54 . the speed of the motors 24 and 50 may be adjusted by control knob 16 which is attached to housing 12 and is operated through speed control box 20 . a laser source 56 which is energized by suitable means , such as an electric cord or battery operated , neither of which is shown , through a control box 22 , is mounted on the first end of bracket 62 by screws , however , gluing or other fasteners could also be used . the second end of bracket 62 is secured to the housing 12 by screws , however , gluing or other fasteners could also be used . the laser source 56 is comprised of a laser emitting end 58 and a power receiving end 60 which emits a laser beam when activated . the laser emitting end 58 must be positioned so that the laser beam reflects into mirror 38 . thus , mirror 38 must be positioned at an angle so that the reflection seen in mirror 38 reflects into mirror 36 . the mirror 36 must be positioned at an angle so that the reflection in mirror 36 reflects through the transparent window 14 onto the floor . in use , the operator places the pet toy 10 on the edge of a shelf , plugs the toy into a standard electrical outlet , not shown , and adjusts a control knob 16 , as desired , to regulate the speed of the motors 24 and 50 . the motor 24 will turn the crank arm 30 which will interengage arms 28 , 32 , and shaft 34 to turn simultaneously and will move the mirror 36 at the desired speed . the motor 50 will turn the crank arm 52 which will cause arms 44 , 48 , and shaft 42 to turn simultaneously and will move the mirror 38 at the desired speed . thus , the light from the laser source 56 will reflect into mirror 38 which in turn will reflect into mirror 36 . the reflection from mirror 36 will forecast through the transparent window 14 projecting a moving laser beam onto the floor . since the beam is invisible until it intersects the floor , the pet will only see and only be chasing one red circle . the variable speed of the pet toy 10 is also extremely attractive to cats because each cat &# 39 ; s agility is different thereby providing a device that will satisfy a wide range of users . it is a preferred method for the pet toy 10 to have two variable speed motors thereby providing each mirror with two different speeds of motion . these two different speeds will , in turn , provide a greater pattern of randomness which will make the pet toy 10 even more attractive to cats . as the pet toy 10 increases the number of variable speed motors and mirrors used , so increases the randomness of the pattern . it is to be understood that having a pet toy comprised of a number of motors and mirrors that are less than what is discussed hereinabove does not diminish from the scope of the invention . since a cat &# 39 ; s agility decreases as its age increases , a pet toy which provides a minimum degree of randomness would be of interest to elderly or handicapped cats who , despite their diminished abilities , still need their exercise to maintain their health , but cannot sustain the high level of excitement and activity that the preferred embodiment provides . therefore , fig4 - 10 show alternative embodiments that provide varying degrees of randomness without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention . in a second embodiment , as shown in fig4 a mirror 102 is mounted at an angle to a bracket 104 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the bracket 104 is mounted lengthwise to a shaft 106 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the lower end of shaft 106 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of arm 108 by glue or any other type of fastener . in addition , the lower end of shaft 106 is also connected to a bracket 110 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 108 is connected to the first end of arm 112 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 112 is connected to the first end of arm 116 by a crank arm 114 . the second end of arm 116 is connected to a motor 118 by a crank arm 120 . the motor 118 is connected to a motor bracket 122 by screws , however , gluing or other fasteners could also be used . a crank arm 120 connects the motor 118 to the first end of arm 124 . the second end of arm 124 is connected about perpendicular to first end of arm 126 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 126 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of shaft 130 by gluing or any other type of fastener . in addition , the first end of shaft 130 is also connected to the bracket 122 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of shaft 130 is connected to the bracket 122 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . a mirror 128 is fastened lengthwise to the shaft 130 by gluing or any other type of fastener . a laser source 132 is mounted on a bracket 138 by screws , however , gluing or other fasteners could also be used . the laser source 132 is comprised of a laser emitting end 134 and a power receiving end 136 which emits a laser beam when activated . the laser emitting end 134 must be positioned so that the laser beam reflects into mirror 102 . thus , mirror 102 must be positioned so that the reflection seen in mirror 102 reflects into mirror 128 . as to the operation of the second embodiment and all other embodiments hereinbelowdescribed , the same should be apparent from the above description . accordingly , no further discussion relating to the manner of operation will be provided . in a third embodiment , as shown in fig5 a motor 202 is connected to a motor bracket 204 by screws , however , gluing or other fasteners could also be used . the motor 202 is connected to the first end of arm 206 by a crank arm 208 . the second end of arm 206 is connected about perpendicular to first end of arm 210 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 210 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of shaft 212 by gluing or any other type of fastener . in addition , the first end of shaft 212 is also connected to a bracket 204 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of shaft 212 is connected to the bracket 204 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . mirror 214 is fastened lengthwise to shaft 212 by gluing or any other type of fastener . a laser source 218 is mounted on the first end of bracket 216 by screws , however , gluing or other fasteners could also be used . the laser source 218 is comprised of a laser emitting end 220 and a power receiving end 222 which emits a laser beam when activated . the laser emitting end 220 must be positioned so that the laser beam reflects into mirror 214 . in a fourth embodiment , as shown in fig6 a motor 302 is connected to the first end of arm 306 by a crank arm 308 . the second end of arm 306 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of arm 310 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 310 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of a shaft 312 by gluing or any other type of fastener . in addition , the first end of shaft 312 is also connected to a bracket 304 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of shaft 312 is connected to a bracket 304 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . a mirror 314 is fastened lengthwise to the shaft 312 by gluing or any other type of fastener . a laser source 330 is mounted to a bracket 316 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the laser source 330 is comprised of a laser emitting end 332 and a power receiving end 334 which emits a laser beam when activated . the laser emitting end 332 must be positioned so that the laser beam reflects into mirror 314 . the bracket 316 is mounted lengthwise to a shaft 318 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the lower end of shaft 318 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of arm 320 by glue or any other type of fastener . in addition , the lower end of shaft 318 is also connected to a bracket 322 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 320 is connected to the first end of arm 324 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 324 is connected to a motor 326 by a crank arm 328 . the fifth embodiment , as shown in fig7 - 8 , is different from the hereinabovedescribed embodiments such that the device does not contain mirrors . the laser source 404 moves by the same plurality of means as the heretoforementioned embodiments except the beam reflects directly through the transparent window 402 onto the floor . the fifth embodiment would be extremely attractive to elderly cats who still need exercise , but cannot sustain the high level of excitement and activity of the preferred embodiment . as shown in fig7 - 8 , laser source 404 is mounted on the first end of bracket 410 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the bracket 410 is mounted lengthwise to a shaft 412 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the lower end of shaft 412 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of arm 414 by glue or any other type of fastener . in addition , the lower end of shaft 412 is also connected to the first end of bracket 416 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of bracket 416 is secured to the housing 400 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 414 is connected to the first end of arm 418 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 418 is connected to a motor 420 by a crank arm 422 . the motor 420 is secured to housing 400 by a motor bracket 424 . the laser source 404 is comprised of a laser emitting end 406 and a power receiving end 408 which emits a laser beam when activated . the laser emitting end 406 must be positioned so that the laser beam reflects through the transparent window 402 onto the floor . the sixth embodiment , as shown in fig9 is different from the heretoforementioned embodiments such that the laser source 504 is protruding from the housing . as shown in fig9 a laser source 504 is mounted on the first end of bracket 510 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the bracket 5 10 is mounted lengthwise to a shaft 512 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the bracket 510 is aligned with an opening 502 so that the laser emitting end 506 is protruding from the opening 502 and projecting a laser beam from the laser emitting end 506 onto the floor . the lower end of shaft 512 is connected about perpendicular to the first end of arm 514 by glue or any other type of fastener . in addition , the lower end of shaft 512 is also connected to the first end of bracket 516 by means of a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of bracket 516 is secured to the housing 500 by gluing or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 514 is connected to the first end of arm 518 by a pin or any other type of fastener . the second end of arm 518 is connected to a motor 520 by a crank arm 522 . the motor 520 is secured to the housing 500 by a motor bracket 524 . while the present invention has been described in accordance with a preferred and modified embodiments thereof , it is believed that those familiar with the art will recognize the advancement of the present invention over the prior art and will understand that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention .

0Human Necessities

preferred embodiments according to the present invention will now be detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings . it is intended , however , that unless particularly specified , dimensions , materials , relative positions and so forth of the constituent parts in the embodiments shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not as limitative of the scope of the present invention . referring to fig1 , a freeze - storing apparatus for cooling and freezing baked food includes a cooling chamber 1 for cooling baked food in high or medium humidity , a freezing chamber 2 for freezing baked food , and a conveyor 3 for conveying baked food . the cooling chamber 1 is configured to be sealed hermetically so that desired temperature and humidity can be maintained inside . the freezing chamber 2 also is sealed hermetically so that temperature inside can be maintained at freezing temperature and below , and desired humidity . the conveyor 3 transfers baked food through the cooling chamber 1 and the freezing chamber 2 . here , baked food or goods refer to fully baked or half baked bread and confectionary . in both instances , the crust part is fully baked to prevent water from being absorbed inside when spraying water on the crust . moreover , humidity means relative humidity ( rh ) and high humidity means that the relative humidity ( rh ) is 65 % and above , and medium or mid - humidity means that the relative humidity is 45 - 60 % rh . in freeze - storing baked goods , the most important thing is to keep the constant humidity of the core of baked food . therefore , it is necessary to cool the baked food to bring the core temperature 30 to 35 ° c . by maintaining the temperature and high humidity in the cooling atmosphere . the freshly baked food can be cooled in the cooling chamber at 90 % rh and above thus to bring the surface temperature of the baked food to near 30 ° c . freshly - baked bread is laid in the cooling chamber or traveled in the cooling chamber of high humidity , thereby lowering its temperature near room temperature with enough moisture maintained in the crust . thus , baked food can be processed , maintaining excellent crust condition and preventing crust flaking . when the humidity is between 45 % rh and 60 % rh , water can be sprayed on the surface of the baked bread before the cooling process . by spraying water , only the water from the surface of baked food evaporates , preventing the water evaporation from the inside of baked food , and keeping the appropriate moisture inside even when the surrounding is at mid - humidity , i . e ., 45 to 60 % rh . the conveyor 3 is formed of vertical conveyors 4 , 5 and horizontal conveyor 7 . the conveyor 3 is in the form of a vertical conveyor 4 , 5 inside the cooling and freezing chambers 1 , 2 and is configured to move in the vertical direction . its speed can be adjusted so that the baked food can travel on the conveyor in the chambers 1 , 2 for a desired period of time . a pre - mixed air chamber 6 can be located at the exit side of the cooling chamber 1 . the chamber 6 takes in air a and produce pre - mixed air m by spraying warm water h to the air a . the pre - mixed air m is sprayed in the atmosphere on the exit side of the cooling chamber 1 . in this case , the temperature of the sprayed water h is preferably higher than that of the pre - mixed air . introducing the pre - mixed air in the exit side of the cooling chamber 1 prevents temperature drop as the water contained in the pre - mixed air evaporates taking evaporative latent heat from the surrounding . in the cooling chamber 1 , temperature of the atmosphere on the exit side is maintained by introducing the pre - mixed air m of high humidity and high temperature from the pre - mixed air chamber 6 . when water contained in the pre - mixed air m evaporates taking evaporative latent heat from the surrounding , the pre - mixed air of high humidity and high temperature provides heat to maintain the atmospheric temperature on the exit side of the cooling chamber 1 . therefore , the cooling chamber 1 can be maintained approximately at room temperature and high humidity on both the entrance and exit sides . with this structure , baked food is placed on the conveyor 3 and enters the cooling chamber 1 from the entrance 1 a . the baked food is conveyed through the cooling chamber 1 on the vertical conveyor 4 at prescribed speed for a desired period and is cooled in the cooing chamber 1 . the baked food comes out from the exit 1 b of the cooling chamber 1 and enters the freezing chamber 2 from the entrance 2 a on the horizontal conveyor 7 . the baked bread is carried through the freezing chamber 2 on the vertical conveyor 5 to move in the vertical direction inside the freezing chamber 2 , thereby freeze - storing the baked bread to the temperature below the freezing point , i . e ., − 30 to − 40 ° c . the baked food is freeze - stored in the atmosphere of − 30 to − 40 ° c . to make the core temperature − 10 ° c . and below . the baked bread coming out from the exit 2 b of the freezing chamber 2 is retrieved at station 8 packed and shipped at station 9 to stores such as convenient stores . the constant temperature and high humidity inside the cooling chamber 1 is maintained by introducing the pre - mixed air m of high humidity and high temperature . the pre - mixed air provides heat and humidity to maintain the constant temperature and high humidity inside the chamber 1 as the water contained in the pre - mixed air m evaporates taking evaporative latent heat from the surrounding . therefore , the cooling chamber 1 is maintained approximately at room temperature and high humidity on both the entrance and exit sides , and the baked food can be cooled , lowering the core temperature to 30 to 50 ° c . and maintaining high humidity . the temperature of the freezing chamber 2 is kept below the freezing point of baked food , e . g ., − 30 to − 40 ° c . so that even large bread can be frozen to below the freezing point . the result of cooling and freezing tests is described below . half - baked zopf ( braided bread ) ( 500 g / unit ), i . e ., partially baked , was tested under various conditions . zopf is rich bread made from flour 100 , salt 2 , yeast 0 . 8 , water 62 , fat 5 , egg 5 and others in weight ratio . after mixing ingredients and fermenting the dough , bread was baked for the primary baking . the primary - baked bread was divided into one for spraying water and the other for no spraying on the crust , and cooled and frozen under the conditions shown in fig2 . the bread was baked in an oven at a store for the final baking ( 175 ° c . for 11 min . → 190 ° c . for 5 min ) and evaluated . the result of the tests is shown in fig3 - 7 . in the sensory test , test no . 1 showed the best result and test no . 4 showed the second best result ( showed water spots partially ). the bread of test no . 5 came out too soft and loose and its color was bad . the bread of test no . 6 had thick crust and the quality was poor . as this sensory test shows , good result was obtained from test nos . 1 and 4 in which during the cooling process the temperature and humidity was kept high at 26 to 27 ° c . and 49 % rh plus water spray in test no . 1 and 65 % rh in test no . 4 and cooling time was long , 62 minutes , and after the cooling process the core temperature was kept at 30 to 35 ° c . this test was carried out using half - baked bread . in the case of testing fully baked bread , the fully baked bread whose crust was sprayed with water did not show crust flaking maintaining good quality as the crust was hard and kept the water out , preventing deterioration . referring to fig8 - 10b , bread baked in the baking process 11 having a crust temperature 88 to 96 ° c . is stored in the cooling chamber in which a humidifying process 12 is performed . in the humidifying process 12 , the baked bread at high temperature is highly humidified inside the cooling chamber approximately at 34 ° c . and above 95 % rh , and in a cooling process 13 the baked bread is cooled inside the chamber of high temperature and high humidity for about 60 minutes to lower the crust temperature to about 30 to 33 ° c . in the humidifying process 12 and the cooling process 13 , freshly - baked bread at high temperature is cooled in the cooling chamber , thereby lowering its temperature near room temperature while holding enough moisture in the crust of the baked bread . after the cooling process , the baked bread is plainly wrapped and conveyed into the freezing chamber . here , “ plainly wrapped ” means wrapping baked food plainly enough to prevent water evaporation from the surface layer between the cooling chamber and freezing chamber . by plainly wrapping the baked bread coming out of the cooling chamber , the water evaporation from the crust is prevented while conveying the baked bread from the cooling chamber to the freezing chamber . the freezing chamber is controlled such that the temperature inside is − 17 to − 20 ° c . and the relative humidity is 50 to 70 % rh . inside the freezing chamber has a freeze box controlled to be at the temperature of − 17 to − 19 ° c . and high relative humidity , 80 to 85 % rh . the baked bread is stored in the freezing box during a high - humidity freeze - storing process 15 . by performing the high - humidity freeze - storing process 15 , the baked bread is freeze - stored while holding enough moisture in the crust , thereby retaining good quality . it is also possible to cool freshly baked bread slowly in the high - humidity atmosphere to bring the crust temperature to room temperature and then to freeze the cooled bread rapidly . here , cooling “ slowly ” means to cool the baked food at a slow speed so that the temperature difference from the entrance to the exit of the cooling chamber is small ( within ± 5 ° c .). the cooling period of the baked food traveling from the entrance to the exit of the cooling chamber can be 35 to 80 minutes . the humidifying process 12 and the cooling process 13 are performed on freshly baked bread so that its temperature is lowered near to the room temperature while maintaining enough moisture in the crust , and the plain wrapping process is performed for preventing water evaporation from the crust . then the high - humidity freeze - storing process 15 is performed by storing the plainly wrapped bread in the freezing box in which the temperature is kept below the freezing point (− 17 to − 20 ° c .) and the humidity is kept high at 80 to 85 % rh . thus , the baked bread maintains enough moisture in the crust from baking to freeze - storing , thereby maintaining good crust quality and preventing crust flaking , and further freeze - storing for long period while maintaining good sensory condition . according to another process , the baked bread can be sent to the high - humidity freeze - storing process 15 and then to the lower - humidity freeze - storing process 16 . in the high - humidity freeze - storing process 15 , the baked bread is freeze - stored for a short period of time , e . g ., two days in the freezing box of low temperature and high humidity inside the freezing chamber of low temperature and lower humidity . next in the lower - humidity freeze - storing process 16 , the baked bread is further freeze - stored for longer period of time than the high - humidity freeze - storing process 15 , in which the temperature is kept below the freezing point of bread with the relative humidity of 50 to 70 % rh . in many cases , baked bread is freeze - stored for a short period and shipped to stores . however , by performing the high - humidity freeze - storing 15 even for a short period , baked bread can be freeze - stored holding enough humidity in the crust and shipped to stores without quality deterioration . fig9 shows a comparison of evaluation test results of freeze - stored baked bread and non freeze - stored baked bread . fig9 also shows freezing conditions and the sensory evaluation . half - baked zopf ( braided bread ) ( 500 g / unit ), which is partially baked bread , was tested under various conditions . the bread used for the test was baguette made from flour 100 , salt 1 . 9 , yeast 1 . 0 , water 63 . 3 in weight ratio . after mixing ingredients well to make the dough , the dough is primary - fermented for 2 hours at 28 ° c ., punched down for pushing the air out , final - fermented for 1 hour at 30 - 35 ° c ., and baked in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes at 230 ° c . in fig9 , case nos . 1 - 3 are freeze - stored according to the present invention . case nos . 4 - 6 are freeze - stored according to comparative examples . case nos . 1 and 2 were processed in the humidification process 12 , the cooling process 13 inside the cooling chamber , and the high - humidity freezing process 15 inside the freezing box . case no . 3 was processed in the high - humidity freezing process 15 inside the freezing box followed by the lower - humidity freeze - storing process 16 . bread in case nos . 1 and 2 showed no defect such as crust flaking and retained great shape and excellent taste . on the other hand , baked bread of case nos . 4 - 6 showing the comparative examples , which was not processed in the humidifying process 12 or cooling process 13 showed defects in shape and taste after freeze - storing . fig1 a shows the relation between the storing period and the crust flaking percentage in weight and fig1 b shows the relation between the storing period and the crust flaking percentage in area . as apparent from fig1 a and 10b , crust flaking in case nos . 1 - 3 is suppressed to ⅓ of the comparative examples of case nos . 4 - 5 . an apparatus and a method for freeze - storing baked foods including baked bread allows the baked food to be freeze - stored for a long time , while maintaining its good crust condition without crust flaking , and good sensory condition . fresh baked food is cooled in a humidified atmosphere , and freeze - stored at temperature lower than the freezing point , namely at the atmosphere of − 30 to − 40 ° c . to make the core temperature − 10 ° c . and below . baked food is cooled to make the core temperature 30 to 35 ° c . in the atmosphere in which the cooling space is maintained highly humid at 20 to 28 ° c . and 65 % rh and above ( 45 % rh and above in the case of water - spraying the crust ) even when the pre - mixed air is introduced therein . as a result , baked food can be freeze - stored maintaining excellent texture , flavor , and softness without deterioration in quality . when the humidity is between 45 % rh and 60 % rh , water can be sprayed on the surface of the baked bread before the cooling step . by spraying water , only the water from the surface of baked food evaporates , preventing the water evaporation from the inside of baked food , and keeping the appropriate moisture inside even when the surrounding is at mid - humidity , i . e ., 45 to 60 % rh . further , freshly - baked food at high temperature can be cooled unattended in the atmosphere of high humidity such as inside the cooling chamber of high humidity , thereby lowering its temperature near room temperature , holding enough moisture in the crust of the baked food . by plainly wrapping the baked food after the cooling step , water evaporation from the crust can be prevented . further , by storing the baked food in the freezing chamber of the freezing point and below , the baked food can be cooled to the freezing point with enough moisture in the crust , thereby achieving a freeze - storing of baked food maintaining excellent quality . accordingly , freshly - baked food can be freeze - stored keeping enough moisture in the crust from post - baking to the freeze - storing step . thus , the baked food maintains enough moisture in the crust from baking to freeze - storing , thereby maintaining good crust quality and preventing crust flaking , and further freeze - storing for long period maintaining good sensory condition can be achieved . with the above configuration of the present invention , this problem of the prior art can be solved and freeze - storing of baked food becomes possible maintaining excellent texture , flavor , softness , and others . while the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention . all modifications and equivalents attainable by one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention . the scope of the present invention accordingly is to be defined as set forth in the appended claims .

0Human Necessities

referring now to the figures and more particularly to fig1 and 2 , a communications adapter device 10 includes a housing 12 comprising a top cover 16 and a lower base member 18 . a communications board 24 is provided between the top 16 and bottom 18 sections of the housing 12 , and a label 14 is positioned on the top cover 16 . a receptacle 22 for connection to an external device can be provided at one end of the communications adapter device 10 . here , the receptacle 22 is shown as a universal serial bus ( usb ) type a connector . various other types of connectors can also be used . the cover 16 can comprise a metal material , which is preferably stainless steel , while the bottom 11 comprises a material that allows transmissions from the antenna with limited interference , such as plastic . an aperture 40 can be provided in the cover 16 to limit interference with transmissions from the antenna . other constructions , such as a plastic housing 12 , can also be used . referring now to fig3 , a block diagram of one embodiment of a wireless communications board that can be used with the housing 12 is shown . here , the receptacle 22 is connected to the communications board 24 , and can be connected , for example , to a universal serial bus ( usb ) port on an external usb host device 38 . the communications board 24 includes a processor 27 , such as a microprocessor , microcontroller , or other device , that is programmed to process communications received between the external device 38 on the usb port , and one or more wired or wireless communication devices for communicating with peripheral devices . the usb interface of the controller 27 is configured in software to include at least one interrupt in endpoint through which a usb host , such as usb host device 38 , will poll the device 10 , and one or more bulk in / out endpoint pairs for higher speed data transfer , as defined in usb 2 . 0 specification section 8 . 4 . 5 . the wireless communication devices on communication board 24 can include , as shown here , a wlan communication device 30 , bluetooth device 32 or other wireless communications devices operating to provide other wireless protocols including zigbee , 3g , 4g , ieee 802 . 11 , etc . the processor 27 can also communicate through a communication device to a network through a local area network or wide area network connector , such as ethernet communications device 34 , which can be connected to an rj 45 connector 23 as shown here . in addition to the processor 27 , a memory component 25 comprising , for example , a flash 26 and a ram memory 28 , which can be , for example , a synchronous dynamic random - access memory ( sdram ). although specific type of memory is shown here , various types of memory components suitable for this application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art including read only memory ( rom ), electronically programmable read only memory ( eprom ), erasable electronically programmable read only memory ( eeprom ), etc . although a number of different processors could be used in this application , the microcontroller is preferably an arm microcontroller with integrated peripheral controllers , including , for example , a synchronous dynamic random access memory ( sdram ) controller , flash controller , and static random - access memory ( sram ) controller . the processor also can include serial interfaces , including universal serial bus ( usb ), secure digital input output ( sdio ), universal asynchronous receiver transmitter ( uart ), serial digital interface ( sdi ), and inter - integrated circuit ( i2c ). the usb interface can include hardware for producing negative acknowledgement codes . one example of a device providing this function is the nxp lpc3130 available from nxp semiconductors n . v ., eindhoven , the netherlands . referring still to fig3 , the usb connection to receptacle 22 provides power for operating the communications board 24 through the dc to dc convertor 36 , and the processor 27 transmits information bi - directionally between external devices communicating through the communications devices 30 , 32 , 34 to the connected peripheral device 38 . communications to the communications card 24 from peripheral devices 39 can be , as shown here , from a networked pc , a tablet pc , or a mobile phone , for example , although any device capable of communication with the communication board 24 can be used . although the wireless communication board 24 can be connected to various devices , in the embodiment shown here , the connected host device 38 is a printer . computers , cellular phones , personal digital assistants , and other electronic devices , however , can be connected . referring still to fig3 , the main memory 28 can store instructions used to execute the operating system , as well as executable software for the communication module application . the memory 28 can also store temporary processes and variables , raw print job data extracted from the bluetooth 32 , wlan 30 and lan 34 interfaces during operation through , for example , a dynamic ram bus interface with the processor 27 . referring still to fig3 , the flash memory provides permanent storage for storing the board support package , a boot loader , an operating system kernel , firmware drivers and application software for the communication module . the processor 27 can , for example , boot up from the flash memory 26 . the flash memory 26 can also include a backup boot image that can be retrieved to safely re - boot the system when there is a boot failure due to , for example , a boot loader corruption . the flash can be connected with the processor 27 on a static ram interface . referring yet again to fig3 , the lan controller 34 can be a non peripheral component interconnect ( pci ) lan controller that includes both integrated physical and media access control ( mac ) layers . it is connected with the mcu &# 39 ; s static ram interface . when configured in this way , the lan controller 34 can support 10 / 100 mbps transfer rate and support multiple power modes . referring still to fig3 , the wlan module 30 can be a highly integrated system in package ( sip ) unit , which comprises a wireless mac base band controller ( i . e . e . e . 802 . 11b / g / n platform for internet content selection ( pics ) compliant ), rf power amplifier , clock oscillators , dc - dc converters and rf transceivers . it can also support ieee 802 . 11d , e , h , i , k , r , s pics . it can also support the bluetooth co - existence . it can be connected with a sdio peripheral interface controller with the processor 27 . the bluetooth module 32 can also be a highly integrated standalone unit which consists of a bluetooth base band controller , transceiver and clock oscillators . the bluetooth module 32 can communicate with the processor 27 through a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter ( uart ) interface , and can support bluetooth version 2 . 1 + edr standard . as shown here , optionally the bluetooth module can be integrated with wlan module 30 as a single package . in that case , the uart interface from the main mcu is shared between these two different bluetooth modules . referring again to fig1 and 2 , the top cover 16 of the wireless communications device 10 can include an aperture 40 that can be positioned adjacent the antenna 20 , and can be oriented one to three length to width with respect to the antenna 20 . the antenna 20 is preferably a microstrip or multilayer chip antenna , although other types of antennas can also be used . in one embodiment of the invention a at8010 - e2r9haa antenna was shown to be advantageous . this device is available from advanced ceramic x corp ., tzuchieng road , shinchu industrial district , shinchu , hsien 303 , taiwan . the antenna can be a 2 . 4 ghz antenna which operates in the industrial scientific medical ( ism ) band and can be used with wlan , bluetooth , and other types of communication devices including these described above . referring still to fig3 , the host device 38 and communication device 10 are programmed to treat an nak packet as an indication that there is no data at this time . referring now to fig4 , which illustrate the process steps for switching between low power and normal operating modes in the normal operation mode 50 ( e . g . when the communication device 10 has data to process and send to the usb host device 38 ), the controller 27 is maintained in an idle mode , with all of the peripheral interfaces active . when the host device 38 polls the communication card 24 , the controller 27 sends a response packet to the host device 38 indicating it has data to send . the host device 38 then reads the data from the communication card 24 . the data is stored in memory 25 , and can be in ram 28 , flash memory 26 , or both . in a specific example , when the host device 38 is a printer , the communication card 24 can include expanded storage for spooling print jobs . here , the a print job could be saved to flash memory 26 , while the card continues to handle ( and save ) additional print jobs as it waits for the printer 38 to read the data . alternatively , a communications card 24 without expanded storage could buffer portions of a print job in ram 28 for sequential transfer to the printer as it is received from a source . referring still to fig3 and 4 , during operation , the controller 27 continually monitors inactive time , and when the communication adapter device 10 has been inactive for a selected amount of time controller 27 determines whether to put the communication adapter device 10 into a standby mode ( step 52 ). if the selected time has not been exceeded , the controller maintains the device in the normal mode ( step 50 ). in a printer application , the time period can be optimized based on the time period between successive print jobs , and the amount of time that is necessary to bring the communications device 10 back to a normal state . a time frame of 5 seconds of inactivity has been found to be effective , where a 1 second time frame was necessary to wake up the communications adapter device 10 . referring still to fig4 , when the selected time has been exceeded , the controller 27 puts the wired and wireless communication devices 30 , 32 , and 34 into low power or sleep mode ( step 54 ). the controller 27 maps the standard interface lines corresponding to the peripheral controllers to interrupt lines , and is also “ suspended to ram .” in the “ suspended to ram ” state , the current state of the kernel and the running applications of controller 27 are saved into ram 28 , and the ram is placed into “ self - refresh ” mode which further increases the power savings kernel . the controller 27 then turns off the peripheral controllers or interfaces , including the sdio , uart , and communications through usb connection to the host 38 through receptacle 22 ( step 56 ). the controller then deactivates internal clocks , and enters into a low power mode . ( step 58 ) the host device 38 continues to poll the wireless communication device 10 , but the communications device 10 now responds with negative acknowledgement codes ( nak packets ), which are a standard part of the usb specification ( usb 2 . 0 specification section 8 . 4 . 5 ), and which are used to communicate to a host device 38 that the communication device 10 has no data to send . the nak packets are generated in hardware dedicated to the usb interface within the controller 27 . when the software operating on controller 27 toggles a bit in a dedicated “ nak enable ” register , the hardware will generate the nak packet . the hardware enables the nak packets to be generated when the controller is suspended and the internal clocks are disabled , including the clock to the usb hardware . the usb host 38 does not see any change in behavior from the device . when an external device sends a wireless connection request to the wireless communication device 10 by , for example , attempting a bluetooth connection ( step 60 ) through the uart or sdio interface , the peripheral interfaces on the controller 27 in communication device 10 can trigger an interrupt on the controller 27 , which will bring the controller out of the suspend to ram state . when the controller wakes up the stored current state is retrieved from the ram 28 , and operation continues from where it left off , which shortens wakeup time . the controller 27 also wakes up the selected uart or sdio controller to receive the command and data . ( step 62 ). while the communication device 10 is returning from the idle state , the usb hardware continues to respond to the usb host 38 with nak packets . once the microcontroller 27 has returned from the idle state , it returns to the normal mode 50 and processes the communication . because the host device 38 has been programmed to interpret the nak packet as an indication that there is no data at this time , the host 38 behaves as if the communication device 10 remained active throughout . therefore , the logic necessary for entering the idle state is contained almost entirely on the communication device 10 , and minimal logic is implemented on the host device 38 . it should be understood that the methods and apparatuses described above are only exemplary and do not limit the scope of the invention , and that various modifications could be made by those skilled in the art that would fall under the scope of the invention . for example , although the peripheral controllers are described as part of the processor , these controllers could be provided as separate components . various other modifications will be apparent to those of skill in the art . to apprise the public of the scope of this invention , the following claims are made :

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

the present invention relates to apparatus and methods are provided for overwriting memory in vehicle event recorder systems . embodiments are described hereinafter that are constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention . in order to facilitate the understanding of the described embodiments , definitions are provided for terms that may not be readily available in popular dictionaries . vehicle event recorders : video image recording systems which are responsive to triggers indicative of some event of interest . time dilation : an expansion of a video sequence timeline by way of frame rate manipulation . trigger : electronic means for setting some instant in time associated with a particular event of interest and further for causing initiation of some associative processes . expanded timeline definition : a prescribed set of rules which sets forth and defines a timeline associated with a video frames sequence having more than one frame rate associated with any particular portion of the timeline . overwrite manager : a computer module determining , in accordance with an expanded timeline definition , which data recorded in memory and associated with a particular video frame is to be discarded and may be overwritten with data from a newly collected video frame . video event recorder systems are typically built around and deployed with memories of limited sizes , in order to contain cost . while mass storage and mass storage management may be included in such devices , for example , a computer - type hard drive , these types of components remains quite expensive , causing overall systems to double in cost if such memories were included . instead , a ‘ lightweight ’ memory solution is envisioned in the present invention , in which an abbreviated memory or memory buffer is used to temporarily store information collected during a predetermined time of service , for example a day , of a vehicle equipped with this type of video event recorder . upon return to base , a vehicle may transfer the information collected to a different memory for management and analysis . accordingly , the present invention makes it possible to equip vehicles with video event recorders having very inexpensive cameras and memory . memories of such video event recording systems are preferably handled in the following manner . a memory system is divided into two portions : a fast , managed loop memory buffer , and a temporary mass storage memory . video continuously received from a video camera may be put into the fast memory buffer . however , the amount of data generated by a video system is quite extensive and most of the time totally uninteresting , but certain portions of the video may become of great interest . for example , when a vehicle is involved in a traffic accident , the captured video may yield important clues as to fault , cause , identity , and response , among others . in this event , it is important to preserve video data associated with these select video capture periods . to this end , a trigger is arranged , whereby the occurrence of some incident of interest , such as an automobile accident , causes data stored in the memory buffer to be transferred to a more permanent memory facility . old data in the memory buffer is continuously overwritten by new data received from the video camera in real - time . in common and simplistic versions , this step is performed in a “ first - in , first - overwritten ” manner . because the memory buffer is limited in its capacity to store video frames , “ first in first overwritten ” schemes provide a timeline of limited extent . for example , at a frame rate of four frames per second , a given memory buffer may be suitable for storing 30 seconds of video frame data , or a 30 second video timeline . in ‘ first - in , first overwritten ’ schemes , this timeline may be arranged as 15 seconds of continuous video before a trigger event and 15 seconds of continuous video after a trigger event . however , a continuous frame rate throughout the entire event capture period need not be maintained . it is possible to have a modest frame rate at times associated with the capture period extremities , and a high frame rate during periods around an event trigger . therefore , the storage frame rate may be adjusted throughout a prescribed capture time period , allowing for an extended temporal range . instead of a 30 second timeline , is entirely possible to have a 48 second timeline for the same memory . such a timeline may be embodied as 12 seconds of video at a frame rate of one frame per second for the periods of time furthest apart from the event trigger , both before and after . in addition , the video sequence may include video for 24 continuous seconds , 12 seconds before and 12 seconds after an event trigger , at a video frame rate of four frames per second . this way , the temporal range is extended but the temporal resolution is compromised in the time periods furthest from the trigger event . to create such a managed loop memory buffer management system , an overwrite scheme is provided to select which frames are ‘ expired ’ and no longer part of the particular extended timeline scheme . it should be remembered that video is continuously captured at all times , and that video is captured at the maximum frame rate , because it is not known in advance when an event trigger will occur . accordingly , the system always captures video at the maximum frame rate as the capture frame rate cannot be adjusted in view of any event trigger which may come in the future . video captured at the maximum frame rate is put into the memory and as it is put in the memory it displaces previously recorded video frames . these frames are added to the memory locations determined to be available in accordance with a prescribed overwrite scheme such as the one mentioned above . however , this step is provided differently from a first in first overwritten scheme . in the presently described embodiment , most frames being overwritten are actually newer than at least one other frame stored elsewhere in the memory buffer . newly captured frames are written to memory positions in a pseudo -‘ interleaved ’ fashion while some of older frames are preserved . when a trigger event occurs , data in memory is transferred from the memory buffer to a memory of more permanent nature . when such data is transferred , an expanded timeline is reconstructed as a timeline having at least two frame rates . at the extremities of the capture period timeline , the frame rate is reduced . at and about the point of greatest interest ( trigger event ) the frame rate is maximized during the capture period . this ‘ throttling ’ of frame rate provides for a memory of preset size to accommodate a timeline of greater temporal extent , although in some places resolution maybe reduced . referring now to fig1 , a first timeline is shown that is associated with a memory system divided into a plurality of memory bins . for exemplary purposes , some arbitrary numbers for memory size , number of bins , video frame rates , etcetera , have been selected . it is to be understood that these are not necessarily preferred values , but values selected to promote an understanding of the example provided . the memory related to fig1 is a high - speed , high - performance memory of limited extent , and is arranged as a buffer . this memory communicates with incoming video data recorded by a video camera , and its output is directed to another means for data storage means , such as a memory system having a greater capacity but lower speed , for example a semiconductor dram type memory . alternatively , the memory of fig1 may be a non - volatile , high - performance memory based on ferromagnetic principles , which can respond in real - time to video collected by a video camera , but is of limited size and not suitable for saving the mass amounts of data generated by video image systems . in general , the memory of fig1 may be limited to a few megabytes and may temporarily hold a limited number of video frames , which may or may not be transferred to a more permanent memory in a transfer operation . in particular , the memory may be divided into 120 bins , with each bin be sufficient for storing the data associated with a single video frame . a timeline 1 is associated timeline 1 with this memory , and is comprised of a 30 second time interval . the timeline is marked in the figure from 0 to 30 . a one second interval 2 is illustrated at the beginning of the timeline . further , that one second interval is divided into quadrants , representing a quarter of a second interval 3 . for the video systems of immediate interest , this quarter of a second interval nicely accommodates a single video frame ( implicitly setting a frame rate of four frames per second ). while most modern video systems have far higher performance than recording four frames per second , four frames per second is a useful rate for vehicle recorder systems , which tend to have limited memories in the interest of maintaining a low cost . further , the kinds of events being recorded in vehicle recorder systems are appropriately captured with frame rates of a few frames per second . when video images are captured by a camera , frame - by - frame , each frame images can be recorded into a memory bin 4 . a first frame is recorded and put into a first memory bin . thereafter , a quarter of second later , a second frame is recorded and put into an another memory bin , for example , an adjacent bin . this frame - by - frame recording scheme may continue for up to 30 seconds before all memory bins becomes full and the supply of empty bins is exhausted . in fig1 , the first 116 memory bins are shaded to indicate that one frame each of video data has been written to those bins . this is equivalent to recording of a video signal 5 of four frames per second for 29 seconds . fig1 also illustrates four empty memory bins 6 , which would be filled in the next second of video recording . because the recording of video images in this manner is known in the art , figure a is labeled as prior art . fig2 illustrates a similar timeline 21 in conjunction with a graphical illustration of a memory having 120 memory bins . as in fig1 , a time interval equivalent to one second 22 as well as a time interval of one quarter second 23 is illustrated for reference . the graphical depiction of the memory includes lightly shaded areas 24 and 25 . the memory bins presented as 24 represent those bins having data written thereto from a video which was collected from a time t = 14 up to a time t = 30 . the demarcation indicated as dotted line 26 indicates time t = 14 . at time t = 30 , the memory is completely full . video data collected for 30 seconds at four frames per second fills 120 memory bins . the video data collected at time t = 31 cannot be saved to memory unless a portion of the memory already allocated and consumed in a previous data write step is overwritten . thus , in the graphic of fig2 , memory bins indicated by 25 on a second line represent that video frame data that is recorded in these memory bins at the expense of data captured 30 seconds prior . accordingly , for the time period indicated , i . e . video data collected from t = 0 to t = 14 , that video data is lost to an overwrite step . in fig2 , those bins shaded dark are indicated as 27 , representing the over - written bins . this illustrates the so - called ‘ round - robin ’ or ‘ first - in , first - overwritten ’ fifo memory management schemes . since these schemes are also known in the art , fig2 is also labeled as prior art . the fifo memory management scheme is very useful . when a new video frame is collected by the video camera , it is placed into memory at the same location as the oldest frame in the memory which is discarded in the overwrite step . therefore , the fifo memory management scheme implies that the oldest video information in the memory is the least valuable . the memory described is a buffer memory , that is , this memory temporarily holds the data of a video series for some specified time , but also continuously discards previously recorded information . when the buffer contains a data set associated with an important event , that data is transferred from the buffer memory to a more permanent memory before becoming subject to being lost by overwrite actions . a video series becomes ‘ important ’ when a detectable event occurs which implicitly indicates video is valuable ; for example , if a vehicle is involved in a traffic accident , accelerometers can detect the accident and trigger a transfer of data from the buffer memory to a permanent memory . in those vehicle event recorder systems , a trigger is sometimes arranged to indicate that such an event has occurred , that is , an event for which the video images associated therewith may be of extreme importance . in this case , the short term buffer memory of 120 video frames should be transferred to a more permanent long - term memory for example , a durable flash type memory . fig3 is directed at illustrating a timeline which includes an event moment . fig3 includes a timeline 31 , and the dashed line 32 to indicate the 29th second along with a marker ‘ x ’ 33 to indicate a trigger event has occurred at the 29th second . when a trigger event occurs , it is important to preserve the video data which occurred after the accident as well as the video data which occurred before the accident . video images collected during a time period starting 15 seconds before the accident are in the bins indicated by 34 ; i . e . those video image frames collected between t = 14 and t = 29 . memory bins at the end of the time line indicated by 35 include four video frames collected during the first second after the accident . video image frames collected between t = 30 and t = 44 are placed in the memory bins indicated by 36 . thus , the memory buffer contains video images for the 15 seconds prior to the accident and the 15 seconds after the accident . because the memory is of limited size , it can only hold video image data which represents 30 seconds of video recording . at this point in time , no new frames are recorded to memory ; overwrite is prevented , and the memory buffer is “ locked ”. rather , the system pauses to transfer data in the buffer memory to a permanent flash memory . after data is successfully transferred to the flash memory , the buffer is “ unlocked ” and may be used again in the fashion described . as video data which was placed into buffer memory bins between time t = 30 and time t = 44 , it caused older - data to be displaced , overwritten and forever destroyed . data which was recorded between t = 0 and t = 14 is completely lost and no access is possible any more to this information , which at one time resided in those memory bins , because that information was destroyed in the overwrite step . however , some of this information may be very valuable and , accordingly , it is quite undesirable to lose it entirely ; in fact , some of this data may be more important than data which saved in its place . since the moments leading to a vehicle accident can explain a great deal about the what actually happened , it is highly desirable to have at least some limited information that relates to the accident scene at t = 1 , for example . if one can just see one frame at t = 1 , that may be extremely valuable in explaining what happened in the accident . therefore , the fifo scheme may actually destroy critically useful data . this is also apparent from fig4 , which explicitly shows certain bins a - f associated with various points of the timeline 41 and with reference to trigger event 42 time at time t = 29 . the following discussion further illustrates the importance of bins a - f . in a fifo system , all memory bins , indicated by reference numerals 44 and 45 , are preserved in the memory buffer . amongst the oldest recorded video frames remaining are those which reside in memory bins a and b , and which represent two adjacent frames , or frames captured within a quarter of a second from each other . since these frames represent images very close in time , these frames are expected to be quite similar to each other . while it is sometimes desirable in video systems to have high temporal resolution , i . e . as many frames per second as possible , one will appreciate that at higher frame rates , a frame will contain very similar information as the frame closest thereto . accordingly , where memory is limited , these adjacent frames lose their importance as most of the information contained in each frame is similarly contained in the adjacent frame . thus , if we keep frame a and discard frame b , most of the information of frame b can be known by examining frame a . on the other hand , frames d , e and f , which are discarded in a fifo system , may actually contain extremely important information . frame d is separated in time from frame e by one second . in a video scene , there may be considerable differences between one frame captured an entire second later than another frame . further , frame d occurs a full 29 seconds before the trigger event . in a traffic accident , it can be quite useful to know about what was happening at time periods before and after a trigger moment . thus , it may be possible in a memory having a finite number of memory bins to trade some of the bins associated with less important time slots for bins associated with time slots having a greater importance . if we discard frame b , and preserve frame d , we may gain a greater overall understanding of the incident being recorded . in effect , we can trade some time resolution ( frame rate ) at t = 15 , for improved overall temporal range to realize an extended timeline . one skilled in the art will notice that if video data associated with a frame rate of one frame per second was preserved , in seconds 1 - 12 , then 36 memory bins into would remain available , which would accommodate newly captured video data . thus , rather than completely overriding the oldest video data in memory , one can perform an overwrite action on 3 of every 4 memory bins in the overwrite portion of the timeline , thereby maintaining ¼ th of the oldest video data in those memory bins . that is to say , for the oldest video data in memory , it may be useful to save one frame per second . to this end , when the overwrite operation is executed , new data is written to three memory bins , before one bin is skipped , and the process is repeated . timeline 51 includes a trigger event 52 at time t = 29 . in one overwrite scheme of interest , it is required that a timeline be comprised of 12 seconds of low temporal resolution , 24 seconds full temporal resolution and a further 12 seconds of low temporal resolution . this is further defined in detail as a 12 second period of one frame per second video , a 24 second period of four frames per second video , and finally a 12 second period of one frame per second ; for a total video sequence of 48 seconds . since it cannot be known at what time in the future an event trigger will occur , a data overwrite scheme must preserve data associated with various frames , of which a prescribed timeline is comprised . in the present example , continuous video data at a frame rate of four frames per second is preserved for a period of 12 seconds 54 before the trigger event ; that data is in memory bins indicated by 53 . while in the fifo system one can preserve data at four frames per second for up to 15 seconds before and after the trigger event , in the system of the present embodiment only 12 seconds of four frames per second data be kept . however , it will be shown that the present embodiment enables the expansion of the total timeline of the video sequence to 48 seconds in contrast to the 30 second timeline of the fifo system . in the 31st second , the first overwrite operation begins . whether or not a trigger has occurred , newly captured video data is written to every three out of four memory bins , leaving the fourth memory bin undisturbed . therefore , old data is preserved , albeit at one quarter of the frame rate from which it was originally recorded . video data after the trigger event is recorded in the memory bins 55 at a frame rate of four frames per second . just because some bins are skipped , the frame rate of video data collected after the trigger event is not necessarily reduced . this is readily understood in consideration of the time point indicated by 57 which indicates the time t = 41 seconds , while , without skipping bins , this point in memory would have been time t = 45 . careful observation will prove that the bins indicated by 55 will accommodate data at four frames per second for the entire 12 seconds , after the event trigger . after the time point indicated by 57 , several memory bins remain available for further overwrite operation before reaching the memory bins which contain data to be preserved in agreement with the timeline definition 12 / 24 / 12 . at least some of those memory bins up to the position indicated by 54 are available for overwrite . after the full 12 seconds of four frames per second video is recorded , it is desirable to continue recording video data at one frame per second for an additional 12 seconds . data captured in this period can be stored in memory bins , which are scattered in various locations about the memory buffer . fig6 illustrates on example of such locations . more particularly , fig6 illustrates memory bin locations which are available for overwrite as the memory approaches its full capacity for the particular schemes presented herein . once a trigger event occurs , i . e . is set in time , it is possible to compute which video frames must be saved in accordance with the particular timeline definition , and which frames may be discarded . for example , 48 frames at four frames per second may be preserved immediately before the trigger event . in addition , 12 frames at a video rate of one frame per second may be preserved for the time t = 5 up to t = 17 . these frames must be protected from any further overwrite operation , and are marked “ must be saved ” in fig6 . these frames are saved as they are included in the timeline definition . all frames which precede t = 5 are in condition for being discarded , that is , such frame lie outside the time range which is to be preserved . accordingly , frames indicated for example as 69 have aged sufficiently and are may be erased . these are the frames which originally were preserved in the overwrite operation as skipped frames . video frames captured after the trigger event are also saved in the memory . for 12 seconds after the trigger event , t = 29 to t = 41 , video is captured at a rate of four frames per second . such a video data 65 is put into memory in accordance with the need to save particular frames of the oldest video data . when all video frames from the period t = 29 to t = 41 are properly recorded , the system continues to record data at the frame rate of one frame per second . this is different from the earlier operation , in which the overwrite action resulted in the preservation of one frame per second . for the time period 12 seconds after the event trigger up to 24 seconds after the event trigger , data is put into memory at the reduced frame rate of one frame per second . other frames may be captured by the camera , but are discarded before entering the memory or instantly thereupon . thus , the frames represented by 67 are put into memory bins which are available in accordance with the “ ok to erase ” label in the drawing . a person skilled in the art will note that after three of these frames are placed in the memory , the fourth frame 68 cannot be placed into the memory in the same repeating geometric position . that is to say , those memory bins are not available for overwrite . therefore , video captured after that time must be carefully managed and fit into the available memory bins . fig7 illustrates the steps taken in the final filling of the remaining memory bins . in timeline 71 , event trigger 72 is situated at time t = 29 . in agreement with this exemplary timeline definition , video captured at a frame rate of four frames per second from t = 17 to t = 29 is stored in memory , as indicated by 73 . similarly , video captured for a 12 second period at a frame rate of four frames per second from t = 29 to t = 41 is stored in memory , as shown by reference numeral 74 . finally , video frames captured during a 12 second period from t = 42 to t = 54 at a frame rate of one frame per second include those particular frames represented as 75 , which must be inserted into the memory bins remaining available for overwrite . arrows 76 indicate that these frames may be placed in locations near the beginning of the memory , where data had once been stored but is now expired because the trigger event occurs at t = 29 . once a trigger event is established , the bins which may be overwritten can be determined according to the particular rules defining the timeline . the example of fig7 clearly illustrates that careful management of an overwrite scheme enables a memory buffer to dilate a timeline by manipulating which video frames are preserved and which are overwritten . consequently , temporal resolution is sacrificed to extend temporal range , that is , the frame rate of “ saved data ” is altered in order to make more space available for video frames captured further in time from the event trigger . accordingly , the greatest amount of information can be preserved in a memory buffer of the limited size . while the example of fig7 illustrates where the data may be written in memory , those skilled in the art will note that the physical positions of memory bins may be altered . therefore , after a timeline definition is set , an algorithm may be developed defining the bins containing data that has expired and thus implicitly defining a bin available for overwrite at any moment in time . while the example presented of fig5 - 7 illustrates one possible solution , it should be understood that other arrangements may provide for a time dilation in accordance with the spirit of the present invention , and that specific values may be used that are different from those presented in the above exemplary timeline definition . in another exemplary timeline definition , one might arrange a system whereby two periods of eight seconds are used to capture video of a high frame rate , and two periods of 28 seconds are used to capture data at a low frame rate , thus achieving a total expanded timeline of 72 seconds . the advantages offered by the above examples do not depend upon the particular values chosen in these examples . one should also recognize that because capturing / saving video at two different frame rates enables a user one to expand the timeline , capturing / saving video at three different frame rates also enables a user to expand the timeline with greater flexibility . accordingly , the memory may be manages to preserve frames for some time periods at a rate of four frames per second , and in other time periods at a rate of two frames per second , and in still other time periods at a rate of one frame per second . this arrangement provides for very high temporal resolutions for the periods immediately surrounding an accident ( trigger event ), for medium level resolutions for periods further away from the trigger event , and finally for low temporal resolutions at the extremities of the time range . in addition , asymmetric timeline definitions are possible , that is , the time periods on either side of the event trigger may not be equal in extent or in number . a timeline definition may be devised that has a long , high resolution period before the event trigger , and a short high resolution period after the event trigger . fig8 illustrates various timeline definitions of interest , and is related to several examples each working equally well within the common concept of timeline dilation . fig8 graphically illustrates a first memory buffer 81 , which was discussed in detail in a previous example , and in which there are two frame rates , namely , a high video frame rate of four frames per second and a low video frame rate of one frame per second . a trigger event 82 occurring at some instant in time implicitly sets the time periods for any particular example , and time period 83 starts immediately after the trigger event and extends for 12 seconds . a second time period 84 extends from the trigger event to 12 seconds prior to the trigger event . in both of these time periods , video is captured and put into the memory buffer at a rate of four frames per second . the number of shaded memory bins reflects a frame rate of 4 frames per second . time periods at the extremities of the timeline , periods 85 and 86 , are each also configured to be 12 seconds in length . however , since only one frame per second is collected in those time periods , the number of memory bins consumed is considerably smaller , i . e . ¼ of those consumed in the other time periods . this arrangement provides for a total timeline of 48 seconds , and in memory buffers that do not overwrite / store data at variable rates , the same memory size could only accommodate a timeline of 30 seconds . fifo memories of the same size are restricted to 30 seconds . a second example presented as 87 in fig8 suggests two high temporal resolution periods of 10 seconds each . in addition , there are two low temporal resolution periods of 20 seconds each . while there is a reduced overall period of high - resolution video data , the total timeline is extended to 60 seconds . a third example is presented through the memory buffer of graphic 88 , and illustrates that an asymmetric timeline definition may also be configured . the two periods with a high rate of video recording need not be the same in extent . in fact , video may be recorded at a high frame rate for a longer period after a trigger event than that in the period immediately preceding the trigger event . in the present example , video is recorded in the memory buffer for 16 seconds after the trigger event , but only for four seconds prior to the trigger event . accordingly , the total high - resolution time period is the same as in the previous example , 20 seconds , but greatly favors preserving information after the trigger event , at the expense of information preceding the trigger event . in a fourth example , there are six distinct time periods comprised in the timeline . two 9 second periods occur symmetrically about an event trigger . in these time periods video may be captured a rate of four frames per second . two additional periods each of 8 seconds may be used to record / overwrite data at a frame rate of two frames per second . two additional 8 second periods are provided to store data at a frame rate of one frame per second . one skilled in the art will appreciate that in the timeline of this example , two of the 8 second periods are of different sizes with respect to memory capacity , i . e . greater number of bins , than the other two 8 second periods . this is consistent with the higher frame rate used in two of the 8 second periods . one skilled in the art will also appreciate the great latitude available for managing a memory buffer of limited capacity to expand a timeline . one skilled in the art will further appreciates that where memory buffers deploy fifo or ‘ round - robin ’ strategies for overwrite operations , very important data may be lost . fifo and ‘ round - robin ’ strategies discriminate against the oldest data in a memory buffer , and in situations where the oldest data is not the least valuable , fifo and round - robin systems are inferior to the system of the present invention . referring now to fig9 , the fundamental elements of apparatus according to the present invention is described . video camera 91 is operable for collecting optical energy and for converting the image of a scene into electrical signals , suitable for processing by common electronic means such as digital semiconductor memories and processors . in addition , these systems include a trigger mechanism 92 . in one embodiment , a trigger mechanism is the device arranged to provide an electrical signal that indo indicates that a particular video series should be transferred to permanent memory for long - term storage . a trigger may be an accelerometer operable for detecting abrupt changes in speed , for example , speed changes related to a traffic accident . triggers may be activated by other events such as heavy braking or swerving maneuvers , and may be activated by means other than accelerometers . for example , a user panic button can be used to activate a trigger event . when the user believes that a video series should be saved , he can hit a panic button to activate one type of trigger . it is not relevant what precisely causes a trigger to be activated , but rather how memory performs once a trigger event has occurred . overwrite manager 93 is a control module that interfaces with the trigger and a video camera , and also with a buffer memory 94 . an overwrite manager includes means where a timeline definition may be set and further means for executing overwrite operations in agreement with the stored timeline definitions . further , an overwrite manager may additionally integrate with flush module 95 . when a trigger event occurs , overwrite manager 93 continues to overwrite data to buffer memory 94 in accordance with the timeline definition , by way of an overwrite pointer which is associated with a cell subject to an impending overwrite action . overwrite manager 93 sends a signal 96 to flush module 95 that cause flush module 95 to copy buffer memory 94 and to transfer the video data set with the prescribed expanded timeline to high - capacity long - term storage 97 . overwrite manager 93 controls the algorithms and the necessary processing components for writing to buffer memory 94 and save selected data while purging redundant data in accordance with a particular expanded timeline definition . fig1 and 11 which illustrate the primary steps of methods in accordance with the present invention . in particular , fig1 describe such methods in the most general sense to include step 101 , whereby frame data is received from a video camera , and step 102 , whereby the newly received data is written over old data stored in the memory buffer according to an expanded timeline definition . fig1 illustrates these methods in greater detail . frame data 111 is received from a video camera in a first step . buffer memory data write step 113 includes sub - step 114 , in which the frame is written to a bin marked open . it is important that data be written in the buffer memory in an organized fashion , without disturbing particular data frames , necessary to fill the prescribed expanded timeline definition . therefore , a bin is marked ‘ open ’ when it no longer contains frame data necessary for the expanded timeline definition . in second sub - step 115 , a determination is made as to which memory bin contains frame data that is no longer needed in agreement with the timeline definition . this determination made during each cycle . for every new frame entering the buffer memory , another frame becomes no longer necessary at the same instant . finally , in third sub - step 116 , the bin which contained data that is no longer required is marked ‘ open ’. in following cycle 112 , the next incoming frame is written to the appropriate bin . it is helpful to set a buffer memory pointer to direct the incoming frame to a bin marked ‘ open ’. one skilled in the art will appreciate that advanced memory management schemes may be deployed to expand a recorded timeline in memory buffers having limited capacity . while embodiments of the invention have been described above , it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made . the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention .

7Electricity

the following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments . as used herein , the word “ exemplary ” or “ illustrative ” means “ serving as an example , instance , or illustration ,” any implementation described herein as “ exemplary ” or “ illustrative ” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations . all of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure , which is defined by the claims . for purposes of description herein , the terms “ upper ”, “ lower ”, “ left ”, “ rear ”, “ right ”, “ front ”, “ vertical ”, “ horizontal ”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in fig1 . furthermore , there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field , background , brief summary or the following detailed description . it is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings , and described in the following specification , are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims . hence , specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting , unless the claims expressly state otherwise the laparoscopic visualization system or device 10 fig1 comprises an outer shell 200 fig2 made of a soft foam , rubber , or other shock absorbing material . not only is the material of the shell shock absorbing , but it serves as a thermal insulator as well , helpful not only in maintaining the temperature of the structures therewithin but also keeping heat from escaping from within the shell . the shell 200 is designed to protect a distal lens of a laparoscope or other scope ( not shown ) from damage prior to , during , and after a surgical procedure . interior major components of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 are illustrated in their assembled manner in fig1 . the primary assembly is called the inner assembly . it encompasses all the major elements of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . an indicator 105 is always used for differentiating when the device is on or off . in the preferred embodiment the laparoscopic visualization system 10 uses a blue emitting led 105 , as the indicator . blue is the preferred color because it is easily seen in the operating room . white is not the preferred led color choice because it is not always readily visible . among the many advantages of using an led 105 as the main indicator , are its low cost , low and efficient power consumption , its resistance to vibration and shock damage , its low heat generation , its insensitivity to lower temperatures such as in an operating room , its ability to be unaffected by on / off cycling and its long life cycle . the led 105 may also serve to warn when the batteries are becoming weak by flashing intermittently . in a further embodiment it is possible to have several leds 105 or one multifunctional led 105 , as the indicator 105 . in a different embodiment ( not shown ) a small light bulb or temperature change color sticker can be used . a printed circuit board ( pcb ) 125 is used for containing all operating circuitry for the assembly 10 and a resistor 110 is incorporated into the pcb 125 and has a resistance of between 10 and 1000 ohms . one of the purposes of the resistor 110 is to control the current passing through the led 105 , which in turn controls the brightness of the led 105 . another factor affecting the brightness of the led 105 is the length of heating coil 145 . by extending the length of the heating coil 145 , the resistance increases thus increasing the current going to the led . the resistors 110 value must also be changed in order to maintain the same brightness to the led 105 . as the length of heating coil 145 is extended , power production drops . this is demonstrated by applying ohms law e = i x r , where the voltage e remains constant in a parallel circuit . by increasing the length of the heating coil 145 , the resistance increases , causing the branch current to decrease . this affects the brightness of the led 105 in the adjacent parallel circuit . as the coil 145 resistance increases the current in the adjacent parallel circuit also increases causing the led 105 to become brighter . a resistor in series with the led helps to control the brightness . by applying the power formula p = v . sup . 2 / r , it is clearly demonstrated why less power is produced in this branch . in another embodiment , no resistor or led is used . one of the major advances in the present laparoscopic visualization system 10 is the arrangement and location of a thermoswitch 115 . through empirical testing and analysis , it has been determined that the most efficient and stable temperature control of the anti - fog solution is achieved when the thermoswitch 115 is positioned as shown in fig3 directly over the heating coil 145 , and just below the level of the liquid ( most preferably water containing a surfactant for convenience referred to as surfactant 190 ). the laparoscopic visualization system 10 is maintained between 50 - 70 . degree . c . ( 122 - 158 . degree . f .). functionality determines the temperature range selected ; le , defogging , cleaning , etc . outstanding results were ultimately obtained by providing a wrapping material 116 in the form of a pellicle that serves as a compression cuff for pressing the thermoswitch 115 into close physical and thermal transfer relationship with both the can assembly 150 and the heating element 145 . the wrapping material 116 has four primary functions : it stabilizes the thermoswitch 115 ; element 145 and can assembly 150 against shock and vibration ; it holds the thermoswitch 115 in heat transfer relationship with both the element 145 and the fluid in the can assembly 150 ; it acts as a thermal insulator by reducing heat loss ; and finally it secures the thermal transfer switch 115 , coil 145 and can assembly 150 together as a unit . in a preferred form , the wrapping material 116 is a pellicle of heat shrink plastic such as any suitable grade of thermoplastic heat shrink resin in the form of a circular band about 11 / 4 inches in diameter which after being slipped over the can assembly 150 and thermoswitch 115 is warmed with a heat gun until it shrinks sufficiently to tightly compress the thermoswitch 115 securely and in thermal transfer relationship with the coil and can assembly 150 . we prefer to use a heat shrink pellicle that has a thickness of at least about 0 . 005 inch since it was found to also be effective as a thermal insulator in enhancing the temperature stability of the thermoswitch 115 while at the same time maintaining efficient heat transfer from the fluid and coil 145 to the thermoswitch thereby improving overall thermal efficiency of the complete system as described more fully in connection with fig1 thereby substantially prolonging battery life . the ideal temperature range for the laparoscopic visualization system 10 will depend on several factors , among them are the length of heating coil 145 , the location of the heating coil 145 , and the amount of heat wrapping material 116 covering the thermoswitch 115 . when wrapping material 116 is used in accordance with the present invention , outstanding temperature stability is achieved , as demonstrated in the chart of fig1 . the two saw tooth lines show temperature variations where no insulation surrounds the thermoswitch 115 . in contrast the narrow edged lines indicate a stable better controlled temperature variation . single or double insulation can be used for covering the thermoswitch 115 . in the preferred embodiment , there is minimal insulation between the thermoswitch 115 , and heating can assembly 150 , resulting in better heat transference to the antifog solution inside the heating can assembly 150 from the heating coil 145 coiled there around . in the preferred embodiment , thermoswitch 115 is a mechanical type switch . the configuration of the main framework 140 may require the thermoswitch 115 to be off center . the main framework 140 is specially designed , sized and configured to provide a means of securely attaching and holding all the components in the correct orientation . the thermoswitch 115 may be in the form of a temperature sensor made of bi - metallic material or a thermocouple temperature sensing device in an ic or microcontroller . it may also be any heating resistive mechanism . in the preferred embodiment , a bimetallic strip type thermoswitch 115 is used . the bimetallic strip type thermoswitch 115 is used to convert a temperature change into a mechanical displacement . the bimetallic strip type thermoswitch 115 comprises two pieces of different metals which expand at different rates as they are heated . the bimetallic strip type thermoswitch 115 can be made of steel and copper , or in some cases steel and brass , joined together throughout their lengths by riveting , brazing or welding . the different expansion rates force the flat strip to bend in one direction when heated , and in the opposite direction when cooled below the initial temperature . the metal with the higher coefficient of thermal expansion is usually placed on the outer side of a curve so that when the thermoswitch 115 is heated , it displaces further . moving the heating coil 145 , up or down the along a length of the heating can assembly 150 affects the ultimate temperature the antifog solution reaches . the thermoswitch 115 is designed to open and close at pre - determined temperatures . if the thermoswitch 115 is situated away from the heating coil 145 and the heating coil 145 is not positioned at or below the level of the antifog solution 190 , more power will have to be generated by power source 205 of fig2 , to cause the thermoswitch 115 to reach the desired cut off temperature . this explains why the orientation of the thermoswitch 115 is so critical and why having it in the proper location significantly extends the useful life of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . the most important features of the thermoswitch 115 are its quick temperature response time and self - resetting characteristics . fig1 also shows pin connectors 120 which connect the heating coil 145 to the pcb 125 , completing the circuit . the improved simple connection allows quick assembly and significantly reduces the amount of human error during assembly . the heating coil 145 is preferably a 35 gauge copper enamel coated wire ; copper being preferred . nichrome can also be used , but in general any wire capable of conducting current , or any resistive heating element can also be used . the length of the heating coil 145 can be between 5 - 14 feet . in the preferred embodiment , the length is between 7 - 11 feet . this length provides the best balance and most efficient means to quickly reach the desired warming temperature . in order to provide the most efficient transfer of heat , the heating coil 145 needs to be tightly coiled in a single layer along the outside of heated can assembly 150 . by not using a multilayered winding , hot spots and shorting of the heating coil 145 are avoided . each loop of coil 145 must be adjacent to and in contact with the next to generate an even , controlled amount of heat . the heating coil 145 is engaged through an on / off switch 130 which is actuated through a lever 142 connected to an elongated side arm 148 , actuated by a button 950 of fig9 b , on outer shell 200 . the user just needs to depress the button 950 and the on / off switch 130 will turn on the device 10 , will turn on the led indicator 105 , and begin warming the heating coil 145 . the main connection from power source 205 to the on / off switch 130 is made through a connector 191 , fig2 on printed circuit board 125 of fig1 . the lever 142 , if necessary , may also be actuated by pushing upwardly thereon from below , within the shell 200 to turn the laparoscopic visualization system 10 off an improved main framework 140 of fig3 is used to support the integrated parts comprising the inner assembly 100 . the inner assembly 100 integrates the printed circuit board 125 , the heating can assembly 150 , and beveled valve cap 160 and the lever 142 on the main framework 140 , as well as for allowing positioning of the wrapping material to heating coil 145 within its confines . fig2 provides an exploded view of the internal elements of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 within shell 200 . the plastic or ceramic beveled valve cap 160 is used to lock the insertion valve 170 in place and can be held in place by gluing , applying wrapping material or any other industry standard method . a cup 180 , made of a firm yet flexible material , such as a foam , for example , is seated within a base area of the heating can assembly 150 and is used to protect the distal lens of a laparoscope from damage and scratching when inserted . an extra feature of the cup 180 is that it can also be used for white balancing . the cup 180 may also be made of rubber , cloth , sponge or felt materials . the main framework 140 holds the key elements of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . when the on / off button 950 of fig9 a is depressed , lever 142 which mechanically engages and moves an elongated sidearm 148 in functional communication with the internal on / off switch 130 turning it on , thus activating the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . a battery holder 195 is used to hold three aa batteries 205 , forming power source 205 , in place . battery holder 195 provides power to the assembly 10 , through power connector 191 . an optional battery pull tab 210 of fig2 is used to provide a means of extracting the batteries . the laparoscopic visualization system shell 200 is covered along the bottom with a bottom cover assembly 900 . the laparoscopic visualization system bottom cover assembly 900 has the option of having an adhesive strip 905 to secure the laparoscopic visualization system shell 200 , to the patient or an anchoring site . the laparoscopic visualization system shell 200 engages an external laparoscopic reducer 980 fig2 . this reducer can also be custom sized to fit custom made laparoscopes . the framework 140 includes top and bottom slots 201 of fig1 , which engage around the lever 142 in a manner where it is slideable between an up ( off ) position and a down ( on ) position , relative to an actuator 202 of the on / off switch 130 which engages within a slot 203 formed in side arm 148 of the lever 142 . in the preferred embodiment the laparoscopic visualization system 10 of fig2 uses surfactant 190 in the form of a sterile fluid 190 , however sterile water , sterile saline , or any sterile anti - fog solution may also be used . in the preferred embodiment , 5 ml of liquid 190 is reserved in the canister 150 . evaporation of the liquid 190 in the canister 150 is not a concern because of the enclosed environment within canister 150 . another important consideration is that the surfactant 190 , with respect to the orientation of the heating coil 145 , must be such that heat can transfer effectively , including when the canister 150 is in a horizontal position . it will be understood that the duckbill valve 174 in inset , along a top level of the liquid 190 so that , when placed on its side , the main volume of the liquid remains within a small area beneath the duckbill valve 174 and in contact with the heating coil 145 to maintain the temperature thereof as constant as possible . fig3 illustrates a detailed internal view of key elements of inner assembly 100 . the beveled valve cap 160 holds the laparoscopic insertion valve 170 in place over the entrance to the heated can assembly 150 , with the printed circuit board 125 the heating coil 145 being mounted to the main framework 140 as well , forming the inner assembly 100 . the inner assembly 100 of fig3 includes beveled valve cap 160 which is held in place by at least two valve cap elongated prongs 155 . the prongs 155 are slightly offset , allowing the beveled valve cap 160 to securely lock into place over an entrance to heating can assembly 150 formed by a flexible insertion valve 170 , which is used to guide a laparoscope into heating can assembly 150 . at least one insertion valve expansion orifice 172 is provided along an inner periphery of the insertion valve 170 to compensate for the different diameters of laparoscopes used . the at least one insertion valve expansion orifice 172 also permits air to escape from the heated can assembly 150 upon insertion of a laparoscope . the heating can assembly 150 in its preferred embodiment is made of stainless steel . it is constructed of a biocompatible material and is inexpensive to produce . in other embodiments it can be made of plastic , aluminum , ceramic or a combination thereof or of other metals that have excellent heat conductivity . the thickness of the heated can assembly 150 is an important consideration because it determines the heating properties . the thickness of the heated can assembly 150 can be between 0 . 1 to 0 . 75 mm . in fig3 top 161 of the heating can assembly 150 is slightly flared allowing the beveled valve cap 160 to have a tighter and better fit when secured thereon . the insertion valve 170 includes several important qualities . among them are its construction , being made of a flexible rubber or plastic material that permits instruments whose diameters are between 2 - 12 mm to be inserted snugly , thus permitting only minimal leakage . the laparoscopic insertion valve 170 must be designed to allow easy passage of other medical devices , and it is self - sealing once the medical devices are removed . in the preferred embodiment the laparoscopic insertion valve 170 helps to control pressure in the heating can assembly 150 , which can be accomplished by any suitable means , such as by the provision of a compressible bladder 500 of fig6 b , or a one way venting or duckbill valve 174 . fig4 illustrates a top view of inner assembly 100 . the beveled valve cap 160 has at least one cut away recess 196 that is better seen in fig3 . recess 196 permits the led 105 to fit closely to the valve cap 160 . the cut away recess 196 also reduces the overall size of the inner assembly 100 . how the pcb 125 mechanically engages the main framework 140 is also illustrated . fig4 shows the symmetry and ergonometry of the beveled valve cap 160 with respect to the main framework 140 . insertion valve 170 further includes a normally closed duckbill or one way venting valve 174 comprising two mating flexible sections 175 , the mating edges 176 of which is closed when nothing is inserted into the heating can 150 , the duckbill valve 174 being spaced downwardly from the beveled cap 160 , at a position just above the level which liquid 190 reaches , the duckbill valve 174 being in a normally closed position . fig5 illustrates a perspective view of the beveled cap assembly 160 . a smooth beveled valve cap opening 165 is used to help guide the laparoscope into the heated can assembly 150 . a side wall 167 of the valve cap 160 is designed so that its height is sufficient to provide a secure fit over the insertion valve 170 of fig6 b . there are at least two valve cap elongated prongs 155 symmetrically located on the bottom 171 of the valve cap 160 which are used for securing the valve cap 160 to the main framework 140 over the entrance to heating can assembly 150 . fig6 a illustrates a top view of the laparoscopic insertion valve 170 . the insertion valve 170 and duckbill valve 174 provide a point of entry for the insertion device . a special insertion valve expansion bladder 500 of fig6 b is provided to compensate for the pressure displacements caused by the insertion of laparoscopic devices into the canister 150 and to compensate for the expansion that takes place when the liquid 190 is heated . the compressible valve expansion bladder 500 provides a mechanism for pressure control within canister 150 . fig6 b illustrates a side view of the laparoscopic insertion valve 170 , with expansion bladder 500 protruding . the expansion bladder 500 serves a further purpose , for the insertion of a leakage reducer 700 . the leakage reducer 700 is a major improvement to the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . it assists in preventing leakage of liquid that may have escaped from the insertion valve duck bill 174 of fig6 b that expands to allow a laparoscopic device to enter and provides a tight fit there around , inside the heated can assembly 150 . fig7 a , illustrates a top isometric view of the laparoscopic leakage reducer 700 . the leakage reducer 700 provides an opening for the insertion valve expansion bladder 500 of fig6 to securely engage within the canister 150 . the leakage reducer 700 locks into place with the laparoscopic insertion valve 170 of fig6 a , providing a secondary leakage preventing structure and a tool used for accommodating different sized medical devices . the leakage reducer 700 can be permanently attached as one piece or as two separate pieces . in the preferred embodiment the attached tethered reducer 980 of fig2 connects at recessed reducer attachment area 965 of fig9 c . it is snapped into place through the recessed opening 175 of fig9 a , providing a firm snug fit for laparoscopic devices . this further minimizes the leakage potential for the surfactant 190 . fig7 c illustrates a u - shaped projection on the inner surface of retainer 700 that at least partially surrounds aperture 705 to serve as a spacer 710 to keep a pressure release aperture in the leakage reducer 700 from being obstructed , e . t . by a part of valve 170 when the surgical scope is inserted into the chamber . the u - shaped spacer 710 provides a unique means for enabling air to escape with little or no loss of the surfactant liquid 190 . fig8 a shows the orientation of the pcb 125 and the inner assembly 100 of laparoscopic visualization system 10 . a small gap defines the outer chamber within the main framework 140 , and the heating can assembly 150 , allowing the heating coil 154 to be received within the main framework 140 . fig8 b and 8c show the compactly designed simple pcb 125 , incorporating the on / off switch 130 , the led 105 , the resistor 110 , illustrating the location and orientation of the thermoswitch 115 , and the heating coil connector pins 120 as well . this ergonomic design dramatically reduces the potential for human error during assembly . the integration of the above defined structures into the pcb 125 significantly improves quality control , manufacturing and assembly of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . a pcb battery connector 192 is provided for quickly connecting the battery pack 195 connector 191 . a pcb locking feature 147 of fig8 a is also employed to help secure the pcb 125 to the main framework 140 . fig9 a illustrates a side view of the shell 200 of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . recessed opening 175 shown allows and helps guide a laparoscope into the heating can assembly 150 . a bottom cover 910 of bottom cover assembly 900 can be used for securely attaching the laparoscopic visualization system 10 to a suitable structure within the surgical field during laparoscopic procedures . an endoscopic lens cleaning pad 960 attached via a rear flange 961 is used to clean the laparoscopic lens before or after insertion into the heated can assembly 150 . the circular opening 955 is formed as part of the housing assembly . the blue led 105 indicator projects light through a circular opening 955 in the shell 200 . fig9 b illustrates a perspective view of the shell 200 of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . the figure demonstrates how user friendly the laparoscopic visualization system 10 is to the surgical team with its simple design , letting the user know when it is activated , by illumination means and warming the liquid 190 used for cleaning the lens . fig9 c illustrates an isometric view of the bottom cover assembly 900 of laparoscopic visualization system 10 . an optional additional recessed reducer attachment area 965 may be incorporated to compensate for attaching different sizes of valve reducer 980 . a bottom housing assembly opening 970 is configured to easily allow the inner assembly 100 of the laparoscopic visualization system 10 to be inserted into the shell 200 through the bottom . battery holder insertion opening 975 is specially cut out to allow battery holder 195 to snugly and frictionally fit into the shell 200 , and glue or other adhesives can be applied to further secure the inner assembly 100 in the shell 200 . fig1 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom cover assembly 900 . a bottom cover adhesive 905 can be used to attach to bottom cover 910 to the body assembly 200 . its purpose is to provide means for securely attaching the laparoscopic visualization system 10 to a stationary object , preferably within the surgical field . a bottom cover locking insert 920 is also provided for attaching the bottom cover assembly 900 to the shell 200 . a special housing attachment tab 915 is designed to clip onto or grab onto a bottom surface of the heating can assembly 150 . a specially designed clamping tab 925 is also provided for attaching the laparoscopic visualization system 10 to a secure object during surgery . a bottom support member 930 is designed at an angle and is used for holding the inner assembly 100 in place . a bottom battery locking latch 940 is used to provide an attachment for the bottom cover assembly 900 . a bottom battery angled support 945 is used to secure battery holder 195 inside the shell 200 . in a further proposed embodiment , the laparoscopic visualization system 10 may incorporate brushes or other mechanical means for cleaning various laparoscopic instruments . the warmed liquid 190 in the heated can assembly 150 may also be used to warm and clean other types of laparoscopic instruments , thus acting as a multipurpose instrument cleaner . fig1 presents an electrical schematic of the preferred embodiment wherein all the essential elements are shown . a power supply 205 consisting of three ( 3 ) aa batteries 205 is the source that drives the circuitry . an on / off switch 130 in the normally open position is connected in series with the simple parallel circuit presented on the pcb 125 that provides heating and “ on ” indication to the laparoscopic visualization system 10 . further , normally closed thermal switch 115 connects in series with the heating coil assembly 145 . the heating coil 145 is connected to heating coil pin connectors 120 at points as illustrated . when the temperature of the heating can assembly 150 reaches a predetermined temperature , it causes the thermoswitch 115 to open , breaking the electrical current going into the heating coil assembly 145 . whenever the temperature within heating can assembly 150 drops below a predefined lower temperature threshold , the thermoswitch 15 closes and allows current to flow into the heating coil 145 to warm liquid 190 . although in the preferred embodiment the power source 205 is a dc source it does not preclude use of an ac power source . in a further embodiment thermal epoxy 117 of fig1 , may be used for better transference of heat from the heating coil 145 to the thermal switch 115 . one advantage of using thermal epoxy 117 is that it allows the bi - metallic thermoswitch 115 to freely expand and contract without any physical restriction or hindrance . as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art , numerous modifications and substitutions can be made to the above - described embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention . accordingly , the preceding portion of this specification is to be taken in an illustrative , as opposed to a limiting sense .

0Human Necessities

fig1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system in accordance with the present invention . system 100 includes a processor 110 , which can be any suitable and readily available computer , microprocessor or the like . system 100 also includes a camera 131 , or like input device to provide , for example , a stream of video or signal input to input sampler 130 . camera 131 can provide , for example , an ntsc analog video source ( or any other video source such as pal ). input sampler 130 can be a suitable interface for providing image frames 132 . alternatively , camera 131 can be a digital camera for providing a continuous stream of digital samples in which case input sampler 130 can be a frame grabber or the like , configured to select image frames to be processed . in alternative embodiments in accordance with the present invention , data input can alternately , or in addition , be provided , for example , from communications interface 140 which can provide on - line ( e . g . real time ), or off - line ( e . g . non - real time ), data representing images or signals to be processed . off - line data can be provided alternatively from memory 120 which can be configured to store data associated with images or signals received from any of the inputs and can store data associated with calculations of processor 110 such as averages and the like described herein . change detection and image compression in accordance with the present invention can be used to generate output data which can be sent , for example , to display 160 , or can be output to communications channels associated with , for example , communications interface 140 , or antenna 170 , for radio communications . in addition , outputs from processor 110 , can be stored in memory 120 for later retrieval . in an exemplary embodiment , processor 110 can be configured ( e . g ., programmed ) to train on a number , n , of images in a stream of image frames 132 . after initial training , a new image can be tested by operation of processor 110 to determine when there are differences from values accumulated , for example , in memory 120 during training . training can be updated by processor 110 by adding one or more additional images to the training set without recalculation of the entire set . a simple update procedure allows a training sequence to be computed based on the addition of the new image rather than reprocessing the entire set of n + 1 training images for each new image to be added . of course processor 110 can be configured as any suitable computer processor , or any number of dedicated processors , programmed using any suitable computer readable medium , to automatically perform any or all of the functions described herein . in a given set of images , individual pixel values , for example , in an 8 bit intensity representation such as a grey scale , or in any other representation , can be represented as integers from zero to 255 or in any other desired representation . in a color pallet representation , each value , for example , red , green , blue for an rgb display pallet , can be represented as an integer value from zero to 255 . for higher or lower bit value representations , more or less intensity or color values can be used . overall image intensity can vary from an image representing one scene look to a different image representing a scene look later in time . all data paths shown in fig1 can be parallel or serial or any combination thereof . fig2 is a flow chart illustrating a functional block diagram of an exemplary training process in accordance with the present invention . in fig2 , image 211 ( e . g ., an image represented by m × n pixels ) can be retrieved at step 210 from , for example , input sampler 130 , memory 120 , or the like . the intensity difference when viewed in individual image frames can have the effect of making the same object look bright in one image frame and dim in a different frame when no actual change in the object has occurred . consequently , image normalization 220 as illustrated in fig2 can be used for both image training as well as image testing . one such scene normalization approach includes computing a minimum pixel value , a maximum pixel value , and an average pixel value in image 211 . pixel values can then be mapped to new values where the original interval from minimum to average is mapped linearly to the interval from zero to 127 . 5 , or any desired interval . also , the interval from average to maximum can be mapped linearly to the interval from 127 . 5 to 255 , or any desired intervals . by re - mapping pixel values to fall within the predetermined intervals in the above example , pixel values can be normalized such that the average pixel value will be “ forced ” to 127 . 5 , the minimum value will be zero , and the maximum value will be 255 . re - mapping can also aid in threshold definition wherein a threshold can be considered to be a pixel value which a certain percentage of pixels will exceed . of course , any suitable normalization procedure can be used . after normalization in step 220 , each of one or more m × n training images can be wavelet transformed at step 230 using wavelet image compression as part of transformation and training . for each of the resulting sets of wavelet coefficients , the magnitudes can be computed . each set of wavelet coefficients can be sorted . for example , a fast sort can be used to sort with the largest predetermined percentage x of the wavelet coefficients being retained . the retained coefficients are referred to a “ selected ” coefficients . a typical value for x can be about 0 . 05 , as most of the useful information in an image is often retained by 5 percent of the coefficients . accordingly , the threshold can be set at 5 % in step 240 . alternately , any desired threshold can be used . each coefficient set corresponding to a compressed image can be processed by inverse wavelet transform to produce an approximation of the original image , if desired . thus , the original training set of n images , ( e . g ., corresponding to m × n individual pixel values , where each of the n images includes m rows of pixels and n columns of pixels ) become n thresholded sets of wavelet coefficients , with sub - threshold wavelet coefficients considered to be zero at step 250 . for high degrees of correlation between successive images in a training set , pixel values for a given row and column location in each image can be highly correlated . a wavelet transform converts an m × n image into an m × n matrix of wavelet coefficients , where the row i and column j of the wavelet coefficient ( the storage location of the wavelet coefficient within this matrix ) correspond to a particular wavelet scale , a particular row translation operation , and a particular column translation operation . consequently , a high degree of correlation between wavelet coefficients from successive images can be expected . wavelet coefficients which are discarded can be fairly correlated from one image to the next based on location within the coefficient matrix . in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention , for each of the nonzero coefficients corresponding to a location in the coefficient matrix , an average and a standard deviation can be computed for the particular wavelet coefficient across the training set of n training images as indicated in step 260 . nonzero coefficients can be used to compute averages and standard deviations . also , there should be “ enough ” ( m of n logic ) nonzero occurrences of a particular wavelet coefficient to use the coefficient as nonzero and to compute the average and standard deviation . once values are updated in step 260 , selected coefficients can be saved , for example , in memory 120 in step 270 . fig3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary change detection process in accordance with the present invention . once a training set is developed , as described with respect to fig2 , the change detection of fig3 can be performed . in general , a difference change can be determined when the magnitude of the difference between a nonzero training coefficient and a nonzero value of the corresponding coefficient from , for example , a test image exceeds a specified number of standard deviations in value from the training coefficient . other types of change can be referred to as addition change and deletion change , representing something being added to or removed from a scene , respectively . for each wavelet coefficient level , a minimum magnitude ( min value ) and a maximum magnitude ( max value ) of the nonzero coefficients can be computed . min values and max values can be used to define a threshold for each coefficient level used to detect a significant addition , where the training coefficient value is zero and the test coefficient magnitude exceeds the threshold . a significant deletion occurs when the training coefficient exceeds the threshold and the testing coefficient is zero . quantities that can be stored , based on training on n images , are : average and standard deviation for each of the factor of x “ selected ” wavelet coefficients . also , for each of the h levels , h maxima and h minima can also be stored , for example , in memory 120 . values can easily be updated when an additional image is added to the training set . in accordance with the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in fig3 , image 310 can be normalized in step 320 , and compressed by computing the wavelet transform in step 330 . in step 340 , wavelet coefficients can be sorted and thresholded according to a threshold value x ( for example , 0 . 05 resulting in 5 % of the coefficients being retained and 95 % of coefficients being discarded without a significant diminution in information content for a reconstructed image ). alternately , any desired threshold can be used to retain any desired percentage of coefficients . if t ( i , j ) represents a coefficient associated with image 310 under test and t r ( i , j ) represents a corresponding training coefficient , then change detection can be performed , for example , in step 350 by performing the following exemplary test : if | t ( i , j )− t r ( i , j )|& gt ; k ( σ ( t r ( i , j )); ( 4 ) where k is a constant , and where sigma is the standard deviation calculated during training , i . e . standard deviation of the training coefficients , and where “≢” represents a significant non - zero value ( e . g ., greater than 0 . 1 , or any other desired non - zero value ). if the absolute value of the difference between the test coefficient and training coefficient is greater than the product of the constant k and the standard deviation of the training coefficients , a difference change illustrated in block 351 can be inferred and indicated . step 360 includes detecting an addition change which can be determined by performing the following test : where c is a constant , “ min ” value and “ max ” value are calculated during training , and where “≡” represents a value close enough to zero for a desired level of accuracy so as to be considered zero . thus , if the absolute value of the test coefficient is greater than the sum of the min value and the product of the constant c and the difference between the max value and min value , an addition change as illustrated in block 361 can be inferred and indicated . step 370 includes detecting a deletion change which can be determined by performing the following test : where c is a constant and min value and max value are calculated during training . thus , if the absolute value of the training coefficient is greater than the sum of the min value and the product of the constant c and the difference between the max value and min value , a deletion change illustrated in bock 371 can be inferred and indicated . where none of the conditions of steps 350 , 360 and 370 are satisfied for a given ( i , j ), operational flow proceeds to decision block 380 . operational flow also proceeds to decision block 380 from each of blocks 351 , 361 and 371 . when all ( i , j ) values of the process loop have been evaluated , the process ends with block 390 . otherwise , the ( i , j ) values are modified ( e . g ., incremented via any prescribed order ) and operation returns to step 350 . with the training approach illustrated in fig2 , the calculated values associated with , for example , averaging the nonzero wavelet coefficients can , for example , cause the number of nonzero average values to either grow or shrink relative to x . accordingly , multiple approaches can be used . fig4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary change detection training process in accordance with the present invention which can also be performed by the fig1 processor 110 . the change detection training process of fig4 can , for example , address coefficient growth / shrinkage . images can be normalized in step 410 and averaged in step 420 , prior to wavelet compression by computation of wavelet coefficients in step 430 . in step 440 , a factor of x of wavelet coefficients produced in step 430 can be selected from the average of training images calculated in step 420 . selected coefficients can then be used and applied against new images until a change is detected . averages and standard deviations of the training coefficients can be updated as new training images are processed , but particular coefficient “ selections ” can continue to be stored , until a change is detected . in step 450 , a new , or next image is obtained , which is followed by the computation of the wavelet transform in step 460 . in step 470 , for the selected coefficients ( from step 440 ) the minimum and maximum values for each selected coefficient are updated . by way of example , if in a 512 -×- 512 pixel image array there are k wavelet coefficients , only the highest x % will be retained . the selected coefficients can be , by way of example , coefficients 1 , 10 , 13 , 26 , 89 , 129 . . . and so forth . for these selected coefficients , when new correspondingly numbered coefficients are generated , the new coefficients are compared to the existing selected ones . if a new max or min is found , that becomes the new max or min . statistical information ( e . g ., mean , mean - square , sigma ( σ ) or any other suitable statistical information ) can be generated on an image - by - image basis . this process , steps 450 – 470 , can be repeated for each new image that is obtained . fig5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary change detection testing process in accordance with the present invention which can also be performed by the fig1 processor 110 . the method of fig5 presupposes a training set of n images has been processed , wavelet coefficients selected , and statistical information generated . in fig5 change detection testing procedure 500 first obtains a test image ( e . g . image 510 ), which is normalized in step 520 as described above . wavelet compression can be performed by computing the wavelet transform , as described above , in step 530 , and sorting , thresholding and selecting of wavelet coefficients can be performed , as described above , in step 540 . step 550 includes detecting a difference change which can be determined by performing the following test : if t ( i , j ), t r ( i , j ) are selected ; if | t ( i , j )− t r ( i , j )|& gt ; k ( σ ( tr ( i , j )); ( 7 ) indicate a difference change where k is a constant and sigma is the standard deviation of the training coefficients . “ selected ” refers to the action of step 540 in which wavelet coefficients are selected ( if highest x %). thus , if the absolute value of the difference between the training coefficient and the test coefficient is greater than the product of the constant k and standard deviation of the training coefficients , then difference change 551 (“ yes ” path from step 550 ) can be inferred and indicated . if , however , the conditions checked for in step 550 are not true , then the method proceeds to step 560 (“ no ” path from step 550 ). step 560 includes detecting an addition change which can be determined by performing the following test : where c is a constant and min value and max value are calculated during training . thus , if the absolute value of the test coefficient is greater than the sum of the min value and the product of the constant c and the difference between the max value and min value , an addition change illustrated in block 561 (“ yes ” path from step 560 ) can be inferred and indicated . if , however , the conditions checked for in step 560 are not true , then the method proceeds to step 570 (“ no ” path from step 560 ). step 570 includes detecting a deletion change which can be determined by performing the following test : where c is a constant and min value and max value are calculated during training . thus , if the absolute value of the training coefficient is greater than the sum of the min value and the product of the constant c and the difference between the max value and min value , a deletion change illustrated as block 571 (“ yes ” path from 570 ) can be inferred and indicated . the question of step “ 570 ” is optional because if steps 550 and 560 are not true , then step 570 is true . steps 550 through 571 are repeated for additional ( e . g ., all ) wavelet coefficients generated for the latest test images . after the last wavelet coefficient is checked , a new image with a new set of wavelet coefficients can be processed by the method of fig5 . where none of the conditions of steps 550 , 560 and 570 are satisfied for a given ( i , j ), operational flow proceeds to decision block 580 . operational flow also proceeds to decision block 580 from each of blocks 551 , 561 and 571 . when all ( i , j ) values of the process loop have been evaluated , the process ends with block 590 . otherwise , the ( i , j ) values are modified ( e . g ., incremented via any prescribed order ) and operation returns to step 550 . fig6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary fast change detection testing process in accordance with present invention . the method of fig6 presupposes a training set of n images has been processed , wavelet coefficients determined and statistical information generated . as in previously described testing procedures , image 610 can be normalized in step 620 , and compressed by computing wavelet transform coefficients in step 630 . at step 640 , however , instead of performing a processor intensive sort routine , a threshold test can be performed . from the training images , a max value is determined , and a training threshold is determined , defined as y % of the max value . then , each new wavelet coefficient generated in step 630 is compared to the training threshold . if the wavelet coefficient meets or exceeds the training threshold it is selected . if it is less than the training threshold it is rejected . then , the steps of 650 , 660 or 670 are performed . step 650 , in which difference change 651 is determined , can be identical to step 550 of fig5 . likewise , step 660 can be identical to step 560 of fig5 , and step 670 can be identical to step 570 of fig5 , and result in addition change 661 and deletion change 671 , respectively . steps 650 through 671 are repeated for the wavelet coefficients generated from the latest test image . after the last wavelet coefficient is checked , then a new image , with a new set of wavelet coefficients can be processed by the method of fig6 . where none of the conditions of steps 650 , 660 and 670 are satisfied for a given ( i , j ), operational flow proceeds to decision block 680 . operational flow also proceeds to decision block 680 from each of blocks 651 , 661 and 671 . when all ( i , j ) values of the process loop have been evaluated , the process ends with block 690 . otherwise , the ( i , j ) values are modified ( e . g ., incremented via any prescribed order ) and operation returns to step 650 . in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention , two dimensional wavelet transforms can be used for compression by calculating wavelet transform coefficients . such two dimensional wavelets can yield various “ levels ”, e . g . 0 , 1 , . . . h , of wavelet coefficients for an original image which is of dimension m × n where , for an exemplary case of m = n , m is 2 h for some positive integer h . level 1 coefficients can contain information in the image associated with the largest wavelet surfaces , i . e . two dimensional wavelet function . as level numbers increase from one to h , corresponding wavelet surface areas can decrease until level h wavelet surfaces are the smallest possible . as an example , for a daubechies 2 wavelet the smallest wavelet surface can be 2 pixels by 2 pixels . for a daubechies 6 wavelet , the smallest wavelet surface can be 6 pixels by 6 pixels . particular wavelet coefficient levels ( e . g . corresponding to particular sizes of wavelet surfaces ), can be filtered out or set to zero prior to performing , for example , a fast sort or threshold comparison , for coefficient retention determinations in the context of developing training values , for example , in blocks 240 , 340 , 440 , 540 and 640 ( of fig2 – 6 , respectively ). in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention , it will be appreciated that computations can be reduced , as the wavelet transform can be faster than , for example , a fast fourier transform . additional computations such as , for example , simple threshold comparisons can also be computationally minimal , resulting in a robust computationally efficient method for compressing and detecting specified changes to an image representing a scene look . computational efficiency can be affected if computationally intensive sort operations are bypassed . 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 can be possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those described above . this can 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 .

6Physics

for the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure , 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 disclosure is thereby intended . any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein , and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein , which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure , are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed . in describing and claiming the present disclosure , the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below . as used herein , the terms “ comprising ,” “ including ,” “ containing ,” “ characterized by ,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open - ended terms that do not exclude additional , unrecited elements or method steps . referring to fig6 , a structural member 60 consistent with the features and benefits of the disclosure will be discussed . the structural member 60 may be designed from a cross section for distributing the mass making up the structural member 60 further from the centroid of cross section . the structural member 60 as illustrated in cross sectional form in the figure may comprise a framed portion 62 and flange portions 64 . the flange portion 64 may be configured with various attachment enabling structures that allow other structures to be attached thereto and thereby be supported by said box portion 62 . the actual structural member 60 is formed by extending material substantially normal to the disclosed and discussed cross section illustrated in the figure . the flange portion may be continuous along the length of the extended framed portion 62 , or may be formed of smaller segments that are affixed to a framed portion along its lengths . one of the benefits from the design of the embodiment of the structural member for use in a tower leg is to maximize the moment of inertia while minimizing the cross sectional area . the cross sectional area determines the amount of material that must be used to form the shape over a length in the 3 rd dimension . the total stress in a leg is the summation of the axial stress due to substantially normal forces and the bending stress due to a large moment force . since the bending moment is normally higher the design may be governed by the bending loads . the stress response from the bending moment is inversely proportional to inertia and is given by the equation : where i is the second moment of inertia ; m is the bending moment ; and y is the distance from the neutral axis or centroid . it may be inferred that a greater moment of inertia results in lower stresses being transmitted and propagated throughout the tower . it is a well known fact that the moment of inertia increases as the mass is distributed away from the centroid and decreases as the distribution of mass is closer to the centroid . the shape of an embodiment of a structural member 70 cross section illustrated in fig7 is broadly divided into two regions ; flanges or flange portions 74 and box shaped frame portions 72 . the box shaped frame 72 may further divided into flat surfaces 76 and concave & amp ; convex surfaces 78 and 79 respectively . the box shaped frame 72 may be the central structure for providing the primary support for the structural member 70 . a flange 74 which extends to form the flanges may look like “ wings ” attached to the structural member and allow for increased attachment options without the use of welds which can weaken the structural member . a continuous flange 74 may also provide supportive structure within the structural member at the greatest distance from the centroid or center of mass . in other words , the flange portions may provide attaching means and structural integrity . when designing a structural member the total number of flat surfaces 76 can be from 2 to n , and the total number of curved surfaces 78 and 79 can be from 1 to m , wherein n and m are variables representing a count of their respective objects . the curved surfaces 79 adjacent to the flanges are concave shaped surfaces or in other words the concave surfaces act as a connector between the framed shaped portion 72 and the flanges 74 . the remainder of the curved surfaces can be convex . the area of the cross section may be such that the structure does not undergo buckling or fail due to global axial loading , and the moment of inertia of the cross section has to be such that the structure does not fail due to a global bending moment . the parameters controlling the shape should be optimized so that the cross sectional area is a minimum while the the moment of inertia is at a maximum relative to the material available . there are no limitations on the number of surfaces n of the shape . as the number of surfaces n is increased more variations are possible . at the same time it will be appreciated that the complexity of the part is proportional to increases the cost of fabrication . typically a tower leg with the proposed shaped structural members may be manufactured by metal forming processes with the appropriate raw material . some of these processes include roll forming and brake press forming . it is within the scope of this disclosure to consider forming processes having a plurality of processes for manufacture and quality control . based on the design requirements of functionality and cost factor , a structural member for use in a leg member of a tower may be designed with five flat surfaces ( n = 5 ) for optimal performance and cost savings in an embodiment . in certain embodiments there may be a total of 6 control parameters which determine the shape of the cross section when n = 5 . the parameters are illustrated in the table 1 below . as explained above , there is no limitation to building and designing a cross sectional shape with other n values . the parameters which may control the shape are illustrated in the table 2 below . the structural composition of each shape is illustrated in table 3 below . table 3 bellow illustrates the relationship of shapes as n increases , thus allowing a cross sectional shape to be fine tuned for desirable characteristics . from table 2 it can be observed that as the number of flat surfaces ( n ) increases the number of parameters required to control the shape increase or in the least remain the same due to increased complexity . from table 3 it can be observed that the summation of flanges and flat surfaces matches with the parameter n . features of the present disclosure may optimize the cross sectional area . in an embodiment of a design approach one would determine what would be the required moment of inertia along the horizontal and vertical axis of the cross section . such a methodology may be used to determine dimensional aspects of the design depending on the global loads it must be designed to withstand . another process might be to determine the desired thickness ( t ) of the cross section and thereby provide a dependent variable for the process . thickness ( t ) may generally be governed by the bearing loads in the bolted connections and buckling likelihood under suspected loads . the radius of curvature in the curved portions 78 and 79 may have a lower limit with dealing with forces because it may depend on the thickness ( t ). the width ( w ) of the shape has a lower limit which depends on the minimum gap required to work within the boundary of the shape with tools used to tighten the bolted connections between structural members forming a leg . a sensitivity analysis has been carried to find out which parameter may bring out the maximum change in the moment of inertia while there is a minimum increase in the area overall area of the cross section . each of the parameters were varied while keeping the other remaining five parameters constant . in fig2 the moment of inertia along h - axis ( in 4 ) is plotted with the area ( in 2 ). in fig2 the ratio between moment of inertia along h - axis and area ( in 2 ) is plotted with area ( in 2 ). it is observed in both the plots that the contribution towards moment of inertia per unit area ( along h - axis ) may be the maximum when the length ( l ) of the cross section is increased . in a separate study it is observed that the moment of inertia per unit area is the maximum when the width ( w ) of the cross section is increased . from the above it will be appreciated that to have an optimized shape which has the minimum area , the moment of inertia along the horizontal and vertical axes may be controlled by the respective parameters and all other design parameters f , theta , rce / rcx , t may be kept at a minimum so that they do not contribute towards an increase in area and thus the mass of the structural member . a wind tower is subjected to bending , substantially normal and torsional loads . the bending loads are high and they govern the design of the leg . the structural shape of the present disclosure is designed so that the two side flanges from the structure act as support for cross bracing and also function as part of the full structural shape in transferring the axial and the bending loads . by designing the side flanges as part of the structural shape the need for separate welded / bolted gussets to the structural leg for attaching bracing is eliminated . this feature reduces the total amount of steel required in a wind tower structure design . in prior leg designs the gussets transfer loads from cross bracing only , and therefore predominantly only utilized for the torsional loads in the tower . it should also be noted that the weld process creates stress foci by changing the nature of the material , usually steel , into a harder but less resilient form . this change in nature can cause laminar force distribution that is typically evenly distributed throughout a structure to concentrate in focused areas as the force refracts due to changes in the nature of the material the force is being transmitted through . accordingly , a greater amount of homogeny in the the material results in more predictable force distribution , thereby prolonging the life of the structure . an embodiment may place an emphasis on the length of the side flanges . the side flanges of the present structural shape function as both a structural part of the leg shape and also as the attachment area for the bracing in the tower . the length of the side flanges ( dimension f in fig7 ) should be sufficient to allow enough interface area for the bracing members to bolt or connect . the angle that the bracing approaches the leg may influence the interface area needed on the side flanges but generally the combined cross sectional area of both side flanges should represent about 10 %— about 40 % or about 20 %— about 28 % of the total cross sectional area of the present leg structural shape . an embodiment of a method of design may concentrate on the constant thickness throughout the cross section . the present structural shape has a constant thickness to allow for multiple fabrication methods that may include cold forming through rolling or break pressing . an embodiment may employ a method of design focused on a recessed side flange attachments point . the present structural shape is designed so that a line running parallel to the side flange which is tangent to the further most point of the structural shape , maintains a distance equal to about 100 % to about 180 % or about 140 % to about 150 % of dimension a of fig7 . other cross section shapes are possible in addition to that illustrated in fig7 . these cross section shapes are illustrated in fig8 - 14 . fig8 illustrates circular cross section of the framed portion 88 having width w . flanges 84 may be disposed on either side of the framed portion 88 and may comprise radiused convex or concave portions 89 connecting said flanges 84 with said framed portion 88 . the flanges may have length configured to receive various attaching members . the structural member cross sections may be defined by thickness , wherein it may be constant or variable across the cross section . fig9 illustrates a structural member cross section 90 having a framed portion comprising alternating flat 92 and curved 98 portions . also illustrated in the cross sectional view are flanges 94 disposed on opposite ends of the framed portion . fig1 illustrates a structural member cross section 100 having convex portion 106 disposed between concave portions 108 . the illustrated embodiment may also comprise flanges 104 disposed on opposing ends of the cross section . fig1 illustrates a structural member cross section comprising assembly of more easily formed shapes , or shaped members that are common in the industry . the embodiment may comprise angular pieces 114 , flat pieces 116 , and a “ c ” channel piece forming a framed portion . the components may be assembled in to a structural member on site while erecting a wind tower . the components may also aid in the repair of a wind tower wherein the repair portion of the wind tower may need an unassembled structural member to fit a constrained space . fig1 illustrates a structural member cross section 120 wherein the radius of the framed portion is defined by “ a ”, and the flange portion is defined by “ b ”, and the thickness of the cross section is defined by “ t ” such that major components of the structural member 120 are defined having an adjustable ratio for fine tuning the structural member 120 for specific loads and applications . fig1 illustrates a structural member cross section comprising a circular framed portion 138 having flanged portions 134 connected thereto by brackets 136 thereby forming the structural shape 130 comprised of individual components . the embodiment may be defined by separate flange portions 134 such that the flange portions are not made of continuous material but of separate materials . an embodiment may call for different material selections for the components in order to provide flexibility in fine tuning the characteristics of the structural shape 130 . fig1 illustrates an embodiment of a structural member cross section 140 wherein a framed portion 148 and any flanged portions 144 are fabricated from a single kind of material . as discussed above , single kind of material may have homogeneous properties that transfers forces readily there through . fig1 illustrates a top down cross sectional view of an embodiment of a wind tower 150 showing how a tower comprising five leg members 152 designed a consistent with the structural shape members discussed above . as can be seen in the figure , the leg members are joined by cross members 153 one to another thereby forming a rigid structure with improved structural members having better distribution of forces therein . the angles formed by the components may dictate the number of leg members available for use in the structure . for example , in an embodiment it may be desirable to have a structural tower under a biased load thereby providing increased rigidity within a structural tower . fig1 . illustrates an embodiment of a profile of cross section of a structural member wherein an angle 162 formed by opposing flanges 164 is determined , such that the number of legs to be used in constructing a wind tower is constrained by the angle 126 formed by the flanges . the equation 180 ( n - 2 )/ n may be employed to design the structural members and their characteristics in responding to loads where n is the number of legs in a wind tower design . in the illustrated embodiment for example wherein the desired number of legs is six ( 6 ) the equation would be : angle = 180 ( 6 − 2 )/ 6 = 120 degree angle defined by the flange portions 164 . accordingly a tower made of six legs would comprise legs made up of structural members have 120 degree angles defined by the flanges of the structural member . fig1 illustrates an embodiment of cross section of a structural member 170 having a varying thickness 179 of material throughout the cross section . a variable thickness may provide the advantage of fine tuning structural members to respond to a specific loading within a tower structure . additionally , variable thickness may provide low manufacturing costs by allowing or accommodating deformation of the material during the forming process . for example : during roll forming , cold or thermal aided , uniformity of composition of the material being worked may be imperfect thereby resulting in some inconsistent thickness along the cross section 170 as illustrated in the figure . an embodiment of a structural member may have a cross sectional shape designed to compensate for the short comings of some forming processes . in other words , a structural member may be designed wherein inconsistencies are allowed to form is less tolerance critical portions so that more tolerance critical portions of the structural shape may be preserved with tighter tolerances . in an embodiment a second forming process may be employed to provide a more precise tolerance wherein after a first process has been performed such as roll forming , a second process employing a press brake may be performed on the structural member to further and more precisely shape the structural member . the embodiment may further allow non - uniformity at various cross sections along the length of the structural member in a predictable manner such that the refining process of the press break can be employed in a more uniform fashion from one structural member to the next structural member . in an embodiment multiple press brake processes may be employed in succession or assembly line fashion to form a structural member . for example , a first press brake process may form a first deformation or bend in a material , the deformed piece is then changed in orientation relative to the press brake , a second press brake process may then be performed causing a second deformation of the piece . an embodiment of a structural member having n number of flat portions separated by m number of curved portions may require n + m processes to fully form a structural member . alternatively , flat material stock may only require m number of processes as the flat portions plus flanges are derived from the original flatness of the raw material . fig1 illustrates an embodiment of cross section of a structural member 180 wherein opposing flanges 184 form an angle a in the range of 100 degrees to 130 degrees . also illustrated in the embodiment is dimension “ a ” that represents the allowable width of any connecting members thereby allowing cladding to be placed around the tower . it is a well known fact that inertia increases as the mass is distributed away from the centroid and decreases as the distribution of mass is closer to the centroid . an analysis of different cross sections reveals that the present disclosure cross section has the greatest distribution of mass away from the centroid and so this is the optimum design . the inertia of the different shapes is kept as a constant to compare the different areas of different cross sections . this feature enables quantification of the proportionate increase in area . for a fixed inertia i 1 along axis 1 and inertia 12 along axis 2 for area a for the present disclosure leg the areas for other cross sections are illustrated in table a below . for each shape the following optimization rule was applied and typical design limits were set as constraints such as minimize area while constraining the other variables to : the dimensions that are needed to define the different cross sections are illustrated in fig1 . a main difference between the present disclosure structure and other cross sections is that the present disclosure structure provides more control in distributing the material away from the centroid providing a larger number of parameters or options for defining the shape of the cross section . also the moment of inertia of each shape is arrived by dividing the cross section into regular shapes which have pre - defined moment of inertia values . table b below illustrates the number of regions and the number of dimensions for each shape . of the shapes explored , the present disclosure cross section has the maximum number of regions and dimensions to define . table b dimensions and number of regions in each cross section . shape dimensions no . regions structural member 5 3 current ( prior art ) leg 3 1 semi circular 3 3 v - shape 2 2 angle cross section 3 4 as can be seen in the table the disclosed structural member provides increased options for providing a structural member having a cross sectional shape and area that can be fine tuned for any given application by simply varying the appropriate variable or dimension that characterizes the structural member . fig1 illustrates the joining or splicing of two structural members in the formation of a wind tower leg in a space frame wind tower . splicing allows for the connection of a first structural member 191 to be placed upon a second structural member 192 thereby forming a leg or leg segment 190 . after aligning the first and second structural members , splicing or connecting plates 195 may be used to splice the structural members together . the connecting plates 195 may be paired so as to provide a pressure fit such that the spliced ends of the structural members are sandwiched between the connecting plates 195 . a fastener 197 having a secondary component 196 may be used to provide the fastening of the spliced components . the fasteners 197 may be of interference fit type . a standard bolt nut combination may also be used . in an embodiment of an assembly method a user may first use a common bolt and nut combination to first align the splicing components and then replace said bolt and nut combination with interference fit fasteners that are more wear resistant . fig2 illustrates the joining or splicing of two structural members in the formation of a leg in a space frame wind tower . splicing allows for the connection of a first structural member 201 to be placed upon a second structural member 202 thereby forming leg portion 200 . after aligning the first and second structural members splicing or connection plates 204 and 206 may be used to splice the structural members together . the connection plates 204 and 206 may be paired so as to provide a pressure fit such that the spliced ends of the structural members sandwiched between the connecting plates 204 and 206 . the present embodiment illustrates a connecting plate having a profile similar to the profile of the structural members . a fastener 208 having a secondary component 209 may be used to provide the fastening of the spliced components . the fastener 208 may be of interference fit type . a standard bolt and nut combination may also be used . in an embodiment of an assembly method a user may first use a common bolt and nut combination to first align the splicing components and then replace said bolt and nut combination with interference fit fasteners that are more wear resistant . fig2 illustrates the joining or splicing of two structural members in the formations of a leg in a space frame wind tower . splicing allows for the connection of first structural member 211 to be placed upon second structural member 212 thereby forming a leg portion 210 . after aligning the first and second structural members , splicing or connecting end plates 214 and 213 may be fitted and attached to the facing end portions of the first and second structural members and are then used to splice the structural members together . the connecting end plates 213 and 214 may be paired so as to provide pressure fit such that the spliced ends of the structural members abut one another . the present embodiment illustrates connecting end plates having a channel with profile similar to the profile of the structural members so as to receive the end of the structural members therein . a fastener 216 having a secondary component 217 may be used to provide the fastening of the splicing components . a fastener 219 and a secondary fastener component 218 may be used to a affix the connecting end plates to the respective structural members . the fasteners may be of interference fit type . a standard bolt and nut combination may also be used . a shim 215 may be employed between said first and second structural member ends thereby providing some adjustability in the leg construction in order to provide alignment of the wind tower during construction . the shim 215 may also be composed of a material with predetermined properties so as to reduce forces transmitted throughout the wind tower such as a dampening feature . in an embodiment of an assembly method a user may first use common bolt and nut combination to first align the splicing components and then replace said bolt and nut combination with interference fit fasteners that are more wear resistant . fig2 illustrates the joining or splicing of two structural members in the formation of a leg in a space frame wind tower . splicing allows for the connection of a first structural member 221 to be placed upon a second structural member 222 thereby forming a leg portion 220 . in the present embodiment the first and second structural members have ends 221 a and 222 a respectively formed thereon . after aligning the first and second structural members , ends 221 a and 222 a are affixed with fastener 225 . a fastener 225 having a secondary component 224 may be used to provide the fastening of the splicing components . the fasteners may be of interference fit type . a standard bolt nut combination may also be used . a shim 223 may be employed between the first and second structural member ends thereby providing some adjustability in the leg construction in order to provide alignment of the wind tower during construction . the shim 223 may also be composed of a material with predetermined properties so as to reduce forces transmitted throughout the wind tower common bolt and nut combination to first align the splicing component and then replace said bolt and nut combination with interference fit fasteners that are more wear resistant . illustrated in fig2 and 24 an embodiment of the present disclosure may be formulated to optimize the cross sectional area and torsional rigidity . in the design approach , one may determine what would be the required moment of inertia along the horizontal and vertical axis of the cross section . the next step may be to determine the thickness of the cross section of a structural member . this is governed by the bearing loads in the bolted connections and the potential for buckling . the radius of curvature has a lower limit which depends on the thickness . the width of the shape has a lower limit which depends on the minimum gap required to work within the boundary of the shape with tools to tighten the bolted connections between leg members . a sensitivity analysis was carried to find out which parameter brings out the maximum change in moment of inertia while there is minim increase in the area . each of the parameters was varied while keeping the other five parameters held constant . in fig2 the ratios between moment of inertia and the area are plotted along the vertical axis while the area of the cross section is plotted on the horizontal axis . it is observed in the plots that the contribution towards moment of inertia per unit area ( along h axis ) is the maximum when the length of the cross section is increased . in a separate study it is observed that the moment of inertia per unit area ( along v axis ) is the maximum when the width of the cross section is increased . from the above it will be appreciated to that to have an optimized shape which has the minimum area , the moment of inertia along the horizontal ( along h axis ) and vertical axes ( along the v axis ) may be controlled by the respective parameters and all other design parameters may be kept at a minimum so that they do not contribute towards an increase in area . beyond optimizing a structural shape for inertia and cross - sectional area , other design parameters may also be considered . length of the side flanges - the side flanges of the present structural shape function as both a structural part of the leg shape and also as the attachment area for the bracing in the tower . the angle that the bracing approaches the leg will influence the interface area needed on the side flanges but generally the combined cross sectional area of both side flanges should represent about 40 % of the total cross sectional area of the present leg structural shape . fig2 represents graphically an analysis of different cross sections revealing that the present disclosure cross section has the greatest distribution of mass away from the centroid and so this is the optimum design . the inertia of the different shapes is kept as a constant to compare the different areas of different cross sections . this feature enables quatinfication of the proportionate increase in area . fig2 illustrates a method 250 for splicing structural members together thereby forming a leg . at 215 a user aligns a first structural member with a second structural member at their respective ends . at 253 a user aligns a joiner such that it spans the aligned ends of the first and second structural members . at 255 a user fastens the joiners to the first and second structural members with a fastener as described above . joiners may be of splicing plates and connectors described above with regard to fig1 and 20 . joiners may be a joiner structure that is affixed or a continuation of the structural member as illustrated in fig2 and 22 . an embodiment of a related method may include the process of fastening the component first with common fasteners that allow for some tolerance for adjustments and then performing a second process of removing the common fasteners one at a time . once the common fastener is removed an engineered fastener , such as an interference fit fastener may be used to provide increased wear resistance . fig2 illustrates a method 260 for splicing structural members together thereby forming a leg . at 261 a user aligns a first structural member with a second structural member at their respective ends . at 253 a user aligns the leg structural members by shimming spliced structural members . at 265 a user aligns a joiner such that it spans the aligned ends of the first and second structural members and the shims . at 267 a user fastens the joiner to the first and second structural members with a fastener as described above . joiners may be of the splicing plates and connectors described above with regard to fig1 and 20 . joiners may be a joiner structure that is affixed or a continuation of the structural member as illustrated in fig2 and 22 . an embodiment of a related method may include the process of fastening the components first with common fasteners that allow for some tolerance for adjustment and then performing second process of removing the common fasteners one at a time . once the common fastener is removed an engineered fastener , such as an interference fit fastener may be used to provide increased wear resistance . with reference to fig2 - 33 a method of constructing a tower will be discussed in great detail , including structures that will be used in constructing a tower using structural members with the present disclosure . referring to fig2 the portions of a structural member will be discussed . fig2 is a cross sectional view of a structural member 270 having a pair of wings or flange faces 274 , a pair of side faces 276 , and a front face 278 . illustrated in fig2 is an example of a tool used to install and tighten the drive pins that may be hand held and may be pneumatic and may include a reaction arm . the tool used may have a minimum rated torque capacity of 2000 ft ., lbf . in addition , the tooling may be subject to the dimensional constraints defined structure member dimensions as shown in the diagram . pre - assembled tower sections can be installed with crawler cranes . the splice plates may generally be bolted to the section top . the section may be hooked to the crane with cables and is lifted and placed on the tower . the steps illustrated below apply for all the legs in the tower . with reference to fig2 a foundational structural member 310 will be discussed . foundation splice plates 312 and 313 may be attached to the tower leg member 310 before the leg member is set on the foundation anchors . in use a user would place an inside front splice plate 312 against the inside front face at the bottom end of the leg member 310 and align the fastening holes therein . the user may then insert drive pins 314 into holes in the splice plate 312 such that the head of the drive pin 314 is on the inside of the tower leg . user then may place one washer 316 over exposed thread of drive pin 314 and hand tighten a temporary heavy hex nut onto each drive pin 314 . using the provided pneumatic tool discussed above , a user may tighten the temporary nut until the drive pin has been pulled into engagement with the splice plate 312 and the leg member 310 . the user should then remove the temporary nuts 315 and the washers 316 . the user may then place the outside front splice plate 313 over the drive spins 314 that are protruding from the front face of the tower leg 310 . place one washer 316 and then read one nut 315 onto each drive pin 314 as shown in the figure . the user should then use the provided pneumatic tool to tighten the nuts . referring now to fig2 the splicing of structural members will be discussed . in a first structural member 320 place a splice plate on the outer side of the front face , side and wing faces inches from the structural member 320 and insert two long bolts 325 through each plate 322 . the long bolts 325 go through holes in the front face , and in the side face , and in the flange face . place another set of splice plates 322 inches away front the structural member on the inner side of all the faces so that long bolts 325 pass through the corresponding bolt holes in the respective faces . the head of the bolt 325 is in the outside face . insert a nut 327 on all the bolts 325 . a second structural member 326 aligned with the first structural member 320 and splice plates 324 and 322 . the user may then tighten the long bolts 327 with the recommended pneumatic tool until all the splice plate 322 and 324 on the inside and outside of the front face , side and wing faces mate with the structural member surfaces as can be seen in fig3 . it should be noted that the splice plates may be used to align the structural members such that the legs can be adjusted during construction as indicated by and in the figure . a user may then place drive pins 328 in any remaining holes and tighten to the specification prescribed as shown in fig3 . with reference to fig3 the attachment of a tower top ring 380 at the top of a structural tower will be discussed . a user may attach a tower top ring 380 to the upper most portion of a structural member 370 by use of a center bracket 376 , side bracket 377 and drive pin fasteners 375 . a user may first align the side bracket 377 to the bolt holes of the structural member 370 and the center bracket in the side face 276 . the user may then insert drive pins 375 through the holes in the side face 276 and brackets 377 and 376 thereby attaching the brackets to the structural member 370 . a user should then use a measuring device to check if there is a difference in elevation between the top surfaces of flanges from each of a plurality of the legs . the user may then use shim plates to raise the top of any leg flange which is lower in elevation . the difference in elevation is compared to legs whose flanges have the highest top surface . once the brackets have been leveled a user may place the tower top ring 380 on the flanges and make sure that the bolt holes in the ring align with the bolt holes in the top surface of the flanges and the shims . the user should then insert the fasteners or drive pins 375 and tighten to a specified torque thus completing the tower structure . with a reference to fig3 a cross - section of a structural member will be discussed . the structural member may comprise a frame portion 402 and flange portions 404 . it may be desirable to control or minimize the spring constant k of a structural member . in an embodiment the angle indicated by d in the illustration may be between 95 degrees to 140 degrees . by increasing angle d in the framed portions 402 the plane frame portion sides are put into direct conflict with the plane of deflection experienced by the structural member , thereby greatly increasing the structural rigidity and spring constant of a tower leg . by modifying the angle d a structural member may be tuned for specific applications . it should be noted also that by increasing the angle , more room is provided within the member thus allowing for greater tool use options . while the cross sectional shape of a structural member for use in a tower leg may be optimized with the principles of the disclosure thus far , additional stiffness or simply deformation resisting support may be desired . this deformation resisting support can be implemented in a variety of configurations several of which are disclosed herein . if additional stiffness is desired or needed at infrequent intervals throughout a structural member , a cross section brace may be employed for providing additional support as illustrated in fig3 . the cross section brace 348 may be incorporated into a structural member 340 . the structural member 340 will also comprise flange portions 344 that may be configured to offer additional strength and also provide attaching means for lattice structures . the cross section brace 348 may span a portion of the frame portion 342 of the structural member 340 and may comprise end extensions for bracing the flange portions 344 . fig3 illustrates an embodiment of a structural member 350 that has been equipped with additional supports throughout . the cross section brace 358 may be incorporated into a structural member 350 . the structural member 350 will also comprise flange portions 354 that may be configured to offer additional strength and also provide attaching means for lattice structures . the cross section brace 358 may span a portion of the frame portion 352 of the structural member 350 and may comprise end extensions for bracing the flange portions 354 . the embodiment shows additional flat bracing members 359 that may be added to the structural member 350 . fig3 illustrates an embodiment of a structural member 360 that has been equipped with additional supports throughout . the cross section brace 368 may be incorporated into a structural member 360 . the cross sectional brace 368 may be formed from a c shape that spans at least a portion of the frame portion 362 of the structural member 360 . the structural member 360 will also comprise flange portions 364 that may be configured to offer additional strength and also provide attaching means for lattice structures . the cross section brace 368 may span a portion of the frame portion 362 of the structural member 360 and may comprise end extensions for bracing the flange portions 364 . the embodiment shows additional flat bracing members 369 that may be added to the structural member 360 . fig3 illustrates an embodiment of a structural member 370 that has been equipped with additional supports throughout . the cross section brace 378 may be incorporated into a structural member 370 . the structural member 370 will also comprise flange portions 374 that may be configured to offer additional strength and also provide attaching means for lattice structures . the cross section brace 378 may span a portion of the frame portion 372 of the structural member 370 and may comprise attaching means for attaching the brace to the flange portions 374 . fig3 illustrates and embodiment of a structural member 380 that has been equipped with additional support . the cross section brace 388 may be incorporated into a structural member 380 . the structural member 380 will also comprise flange portions 384 that may be configured to offer additional strength and also provide attaching means for lattice structures . the cross section brace 388 may span a portion of the frame portion 382 of the structural member 380 and may comprise end extensions for bracing the flange portions 384 . a cross section brace may be positioned for possible local stress and deformation reduction . the cross section brace may be formed of bent steel plate that can either be the full length of the tower leg or can be localized to shorter lengths . there are multiple ways to attach the cross section brace and multiple shapes . attachment methods considered may be bolting the plate to both of the flanges or bolting the cross section brace to inner walls of the shape where interface with the flanges does not have to occur . an embodiment may use welding of the cross section brace to the structural member . an embodiment may utilize mechanical interface to connect one side of the cross section brace while bolting the opposite side to the opposite the other side . the cross section brace may be shaped to maximize the moment of inertia of the combined shape of the structural member and the cross section brace . the cross section brace which is localized may readily be applied at each of the structural member splicing points along the tower leg and can also readily be used at the tower leg to tower leg joints of a tower . at these leg - to - leg joints the cross section brace can either be utilized near the end of each leg or the cross section brace can also be used as a leg - to - leg splice plate thereby spanning from one leg to the next as it is joined to both . it is to be understood that the above - described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure . numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements . thus , while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail , it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications , including , but not limited to , variations in size , materials , shape , form , function and manner of operation , assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concept set forth herein . in the foregoing detailed description , various features of the present disclosure are grouped together into single embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure . this method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim . rather , as the following claims reflect , inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment . thus , the following claims are hereby incorporated into this detailed description by this reference , with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure . it is to be understood that the above - described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure . numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements . thus , while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail , it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications , including , but not limited to , variations in size , materials , shape , form , function and manner of operation , assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein .

5Mechanical Engineering; Lightning; Heating; Weapons; Blasting

embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . the inventive concept , however , may be embodied in various different forms , and should not be construed as being limited only to the illustrated embodiments . rather , these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete , and will fully convey the inventive concept to those skilled in the art . throughout the attached drawings , like reference numerals denote like elements . hereinafter , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . as shown in fig1 a , a computer system according to an embodiment of the inventive concept includes a storage device 1000 , a host device 2000 , and a connector 3000 . in detail , the storage device 1000 includes a processor 110 , a rom 120 , a ram 130 , a storage medium interface ( storage medium i / f ) 140 , a storage medium 150 , a host interface ( host i / f ) 160 , a nonvolatile memory device 170 , a power supply device 180 , and a bus 190 . the host device 2000 performs a process of issuing a command for operating the storage device 1000 , transmitting the issued command to the storage device 1000 connected via the connector 3000 , and transmitting or receiving data to or from the storage device 1000 according to the issued command . the connector 3000 is a means for electrically connecting an interface port of the host device 2000 and an interface port of the storage device 1000 , and includes a data connector and a power connector . for example , when a serial advanced technology attachment ( sata ) i / f is used , the connector 3000 may include a 7 - pin sata data connector and a 15 - pin sata power connector . first of all , the components of the storage device 1000 will be described . the power supply device 180 is a device for supplying a power source voltage required for the storage device 1000 , and serves to supply reserved power to the storage device 1000 when power is abnormally cut off . in fig1 , a power line is indicated by the dotted line . the operation of the power supply device 180 will be described with reference to fig1 . as shown in fig1 , the power supply device 180 includes a power supply unit 310 , a reserved power charging unit 320 , and a power distribution unit 330 . the power supply unit 310 is a means for supplying power required for the storage device 1000 in a normal power on state . the reserved power charging unit 320 is a means for supplying reserved power required for performing an operation of storing address map change information required for recovering address map information in the nonvolatile memory device 170 in the storage device 100 when power supplied from the power supply unit 310 is abnormally turned off . a detailed operation of the reserved power charging unit 320 will be described in detail with reference to fig1 and 13 . the power distribution unit 330 serves to select power generated from the power supply unit 310 or the reserved power charging unit 310 and distribute the selected power to a required circuit in the storage device 100 under the control of the processor 110 . in particular , in case of abnormal power off , the power distribution unit 330 supplies power charged in the reserved power charging unit 320 to the storage device 100 according to a second control signal ctl 2 applied from the processor 110 . for reference , when the storage device 1000 is initialized , the processor 110 generates a first control signal ctl 1 having a logical value for connecting a first input terminal in 1 and an output terminal out of the power distribution unit 330 . and , while power is being normally supplied , the processor 110 generates the first control signal ctl 1 having a logical value for connecting a first input terminal in 1 and an output terminal out of the power distribution unit 330 . when power supply is abnormally turned off , the processor 110 generates a first control signal ctil having a logical value for connecting a second input terminal in 2 and the output terminal out of the power distribution unit 330 . when a voltage of power applied to the storage device is dropped to below a threshold voltage in a state in which a power off control signal is not generated , the processor 110 determines that abnormal power off has occurred . namely , when the voltage of power output from the power supply device 180 is dropped to below the threshold voltage in a power on mode , the processor 110 determines that abnormal power off has occurred . in this manner , while power is normally supplied according to the first control signal ctl 1 generated by the processor 110 , power generated from the power supply unit 310 is supplied to the storage device 1000 , and when power supply is abnormally turned off , power generated by the reserved power charging unit 320 is supplied to the storage device 1000 . first , an operation of a reserved power charging unit 320 ′ according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig1 . as illustrated in fig1 , the reserved power charging unit 320 ′ according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first switching unit sw 1 and a capacitor c 1 . a power source voltage vd generated by the power supply unit 310 is applied to a first terminal t 1 of the first switching unit sw 1 , a first terminal of the capacitor c 1 is connected to a second terminal t 2 of the first switching unit sw 1 , and a second terminal of the capacitor c 1 is connected to a ground . a second control signal ctl 2 for controlling the switching operation of the first switching unit sw 1 is applied to a control terminal t 3 of the first switching unit sw 1 . the second control signal ctl 2 is generated by the processor 110 as follows . the processor 110 generates the second control signal ctl 2 having a logical value for connecting the first terminal t 1 and the second terminal t 2 of the first switching unit sw 1 in a power on state . when abnormal power off occurs , the processor 110 generates a second control signal ctl 2 having a logical value for cutting off the first terminal t 1 and the second terminal t 2 of the first switching unit sw 1 . in this manner , according to the generated second control signal ctl 2 , in a power on state , the power source voltage vd is charged to the capacitor c 1 , and in a state in which supplied power is abnormally cut off , the voltage charged in the capacitor c 1 is applied to the second input terminal in 2 of the power distribution unit 330 . namely , when the supplied power is abnormally cut off , the voltage charged in the capacitor c 1 is supplied as reserved power to the storage device . with reference back to fig1 , the processor 110 interprets commands and controls the components of the data storage device according to the interpretation results . the processor generates various control signals required for controlling the power supply device 180 . also , the processor 110 may include a code object management unit , and may load a code object stored in the storage medium 150 to the ram 130 by using the code object management unit . the processor 110 loads code objects to the ram 130 for executing the method for managing address map information and the access method in a disk drive according to the flow charts of fig1 to 24 , and the method for managing address map information through a network according to the flow chart of fig4 . then , the processor 110 may execute tasks with respect to the method for managing address map information and the access method in a disk drive according to the flow charts of fig1 to 24 , and the method for managing address map information through a network according to the flow chart of fig4 by using the code objects loaded to the ram 130 . the method for managing address map information , the access method in a disk drive , and the method for managing address map information through a network executed by the processor 110 will be handled in detail in a description of fig1 to 24 and fig4 . the rom 120 stores program codes and data required for operating the data storage device . the program codes and data stored in the rom 120 or the storage medium 150 are loaded to the ram 130 under the control of the processor 110 . in an embodiment of the present invention , when the storage device is initialized , the processor 110 loads address mp information stored in the storage medium 150 to the ram 130 . if it is designed to store address map information in the nonvolatile memory device 170 , when the storage device is initialized , the processor 110 loads the address map information stored in the nonvolatile memory device 170 to the ram 130 . address map change information generated whenever data is written is stored in the ram 130 . the address map change information may include information regarding a position of data written without being reflected in address map information stored in the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 . the address map change information may include a logical band number , a virtual band number , and a finally accessed virtual address . the address map change information may include a logical band number with respect to data written without being reflected in address map information stored in the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 , a virtual band number allocated to the logical band , and a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band allocated to the logical band . the ram , as a volatile memory device , may be implemented as a dram or an sram . also , the ram 130 may be designed to be driven according to an sdr ( single data rate ) method or a ddr ( double data rate ) method . the storage medium 150 is a main storage medium of the storage device , and may include a disk or a non - volatile semiconductor memory device . for example , the storage device may include a disk drive and a detailed configuration of a head disk assembly 100 , including a disk and a head in the disk drive , is shown in fig3 . referring to fig3 , the head disk assembly 100 includes at least one disk 12 rotated by a spindle motor 14 . the disk drive may also include a head 16 positioned adjacent to a surface of the disk 12 . the head 16 senses and magnetizes a magnetic field of each disk 12 , thereby reading information from or writing information to the rotating disk 12 . typically , the head 16 is coupled to a surface of each disk 12 . although a single head 16 is illustrated , the head 16 needs to be regarded as including a write head for magnetizing the disk 12 and a separate read head for sensing the magnetic field of the disk 12 . the read head may include a magneto - resistive ( mr ) element . the head 16 may be referred to as a magnetic head or a head . the head 16 may be incorporated into a slider 20 . the slider 20 is configured to generate an air bearing between the head 16 and the surface of the disk 12 . the slider 20 is coupled to a head gimbal assembly 22 that is attached to an actuator arm 24 having a voice coil 26 . the voice coil 26 is positioned adjacent to a magnetic assembly 28 so as to define a voice coil motor ( vcm ) 30 . a current provided to the voice coil 26 generates a torque which rotates the actuator arm 24 with respect to a bearing assembly 32 . the rotation of the actuator arm 24 moves the head 16 across the surface of the disk 12 . information is usually stored in ring - shaped tracks 34 of the disk 12 . each track 34 generally includes multiple sectors . a sector structure of a track is illustrated in fig5 . as shown in fig5 , one servo sector t includes a servo information field s and a data field . the data field may include a plurality of data sectors d . of course , one servo sector may include a single data sector d . the data sector is also called a sector . the data sector d may include an area for storing data and a spare area . in an embodiment of the present invention , a logical block address ( lba ) corresponding to data written to the data sector d is written in the spare area of the corresponding data sector d . also , signals as illustrated in fig6 are recorded to the servo information field s . as shown in fig6 , a preamble 601 , a servo synchronization indication signal 602 , a gray code 603 , and a burst signal 604 are written to the servo information field s . the preamble 601 provides clock synchronization when reading servo information , and provides a predetermined timing margin by setting a gap before the servo sector . also , the preamble 601 is used to determine a gain ( not shown ) of an automatic gain control ( agc ) circuit . the servo synchronization indication signal 602 consists of a servo address mark ( sam ) and a servo index mark ( sim ). the servo address mark is a signal that indicates a start of a sector , and the servo index mark is a signal that indicates a start of a first servo sector in a track . the gray code 603 provides track information , and the burst signal 604 is used to control the head 16 to follow the center of the track 34 . for example , the burst signal may include four patterns a , b , c , and d , and four burst patterns are combined to generate a position error signal used to control track following . the disk 12 is divided into a maintenance cylinder area , which is inaccessible to a user , and a user data area , which is accessible to the user . the maintenance cylinder area may be referred to as a system area . various information required to control the disk drive is stored in the maintenance cylinder area , as well as information required to perform the storage medium access method , data writing method , and storage device parameter adjustment method according to the present invention . particularly , the maintenance cylinder area stores a mapping table for converting a logical block address lba into a virtual address va based on a virtual zone or virtual band . here , the address map information may include information for converting a logical block address received from the host device into a physical address of the storage medium based on a virtual band corresponding to the physical area of the storage medium including a disk . in detail , the address map information may include mapping information between a logical band classified as an aggregate of logical block addresses and a virtual band corresponding to a physical area of the storage medium and mapping information between a logical block address in a virtual band allocated to a logical band and a virtual address . also , the address map information may include mapping table information indicating a correspondence relationship of a physical address of the storage medium to a logical block address . also , the address map information may include mapping table information indicating an allocation relationship between the logical band classified as an aggregate of logical block addresses and a virtual band corresponding to a physical area of the storage medium and an allocation relationship between the logical block address in the logical band and the virtual address . the head 16 moves across the surfaces of the disk 12 in order to read or write information in different tracks . a plurality of code objects used to realize various functions of the disk drive may be stored in the disk 12 . for example , a code object for executing an mp3 player function , a code object for executing a navigation function , a code object for executing various video games , and the like , may be stored in the disk 12 . referring again to fig1 , the storage medium interface 140 is an element that enables the processor 110 to access the storage medium 150 in order to write and read information . in detail , the storage medium interface 140 in the storage device that is implemented as a disk drive includes a servo circuit controlling the head disk assembly 100 and a read / write channel circuit performing signal processing for data reading / writing . the host interface 160 performs data transmission / reception to / from the host device 2000 such as a personal computer , a mobile device , etc ., and may be an interface having various sizes , such as a serial advanced technology attachment ( sata ) interface , a parallel advanced technology attachment ( pata ) interface , or a universal serial bus ( usb ) interface . the nonvolatile memory device 170 may be implemented as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device . for example , the nonvolatile memory device 170 may be implemented as a flash memory , a pram ( phase change ram ), an fram ( ferroelectric ram ), a mram ( magnetic ram ), or the like . address map change information is stored in the nonvolatile memory device 170 . in detail , when supplied power is abnormally cut off , the address map change information stored in the ram 130 is read and stored to the nonvolatile memory device 170 under the control of the processor 110 . the bus 170 transfers information between the elements of the storage device . next , a software operation system of a hard disk drive , which is an example of the storage device , will be described with reference to fig2 . as shown in fig2 , a plurality of code objects 1 through n are stored in a disk 150 a , which is a storage medium of the hard disk drive ( hdd ). the rom 120 stores a boot image and a packed real time operating system ( rtos ) image . the plurality of code objects 1 through n are stored in the disk 150 a . the code objects stored in the disk may include not only code objects required for operating the disk drive but also code objects related to various functions that may be extended to the disk drive . in particular , code objects for executing the method for managing address map information and the access method in a disk drive according to the flow charts of fig1 to 24 , and the method for managing address map information through a network according to the flow chart of fig4 are stored in the disk 150 a . obviously , the code objects for executing the methods according to the flowcharts of fig1 to 24 and fig4 may also be stored in the rom 120 instead of the disk 150 a . also , code objects performing various functions such as a mp3 player function , a navigation function , a video game function , or the like may also be stored in the disk 150 a . the ram 130 reads the boot image from the rom 120 while booting the disk drive , and an unpacked rtos image is loaded to the ram 130 . also , code objects required to operate a host interface stored in the disk 150 a are loaded to the ram 130 . in particular , the address map information is loaded to the ram 130 . also , the address map change information generated whenever a data write operation is performed is stored in the ram 130 . circuits that are required to perform signal processing for data reading / writing are included in a channel circuit 200 , and circuits required for controlling the head disk assembly 100 for performing data reading / writing operations are included in a servo circuit 210 . an rtos 110 a is a real time operating system program and is a multi - program operating system using a disk . in the rtos 110 a , real time multi - processing is performed as a foreground process having high priority , and batch processing is performed as a background process having low priority according to a task . also , the rtos 110 a loads code objects from the disk and unloads code objects onto the disk . the rtos 110 a manages a code object management unit ( comu ) 110 - 1 , a code object loader ( col ) 110 - 2 , a memory handler ( mh ) 110 - 3 , a channel control module ( ccm ) 110 - 4 , and a servo control module ( scm ) 110 - 5 to perform tasks according to requested commands . the rtos 110 a also manages application programs 220 . in detail , the rtos 110 a loads code objects required for controlling the disk drive to the ram 130 when booting the disk drive . accordingly , after the booting is executed , the disk drive may be operated by using code objects loaded to the ram 130 . the comu 110 - 1 stores location information regarding locations to which code objects are written , and arbitrates a bus . also , the comu 110 - 1 stores information regarding priorities of performed tasks . in addition , the comu 110 - 1 manages task control block ( tcb ) information required to execute tasks for code objects , and stack information . the col 110 - 2 loads the code objects stored in the disk 150 a to the ram 130 using the comu 110 - 1 and unloads the code objects stored in the ram 130 to the disk 150 a . accordingly , the col 110 - 2 may load the code objects stored in the disk 150 a used to execute the methods according to the flowcharts of fig1 to 24 and fig4 to the ram 130 . the rtos 110 a may execute the methods according to the flowcharts of fig1 to 24 and fig4 , which will be described below , by using the code objects loaded to the ram 130 . the mh 110 - 3 performs writing or reading data to / from the rom 120 and the ram 130 . the ccm 110 - 4 performs channel controlling required for performing signal processing for data reading / writing , and the scm 110 - 5 performs servo controlling including the head disk assembly for performing data reading / writing . next , an electrical circuit configuration of the disk drive 1000 as an example of a storage device according to an embodiment of a technical concept of the present invention illustrated in fig1 is illustrated in fig4 . as shown in fig4 , the disk drive 1000 according to an embodiment of a technical concept of the present invention includes a pre - amplifier 410 , a read / write ( r / w ) channel 420 , a processor 430 , a voice coil motor ( vcm ) driver 440 , a spindle motor ( spm ) driver 450 , an rom 460 , a ram 470 , a host interface 480 , a nonvolatile memory device 490 , and a power supply device 500 . the processor 430 may be a digital signal processor ( dsp ), a microprocessor , a microcontroller , or the like . the processor 430 controls the r / w channel 420 to read information from the disk 12 or write information to the disk 12 according to a command received from the host device 2000 through the host interface 480 . the processor 430 is coupled to the vcm driver 440 which provides a driving current for driving the vcm 30 . the processor 430 provides a control signal to the vcm driver 440 to control motion of the head 16 . the processor 430 is coupled to the spm driver 450 , which provides a driving current for driving a spindle motor ( spm ) 14 . the processor 430 , upon being supplied with power , provides a control signal to the spm driver 450 to rotate the spm 14 at a target speed . the processor 430 is coupled to the power supply device 500 and generates control signals for controlling the power supply device 500 . the processor 430 is also coupled to the rom 460 and the ram 470 . the rom 460 stores firmware and control data for controlling the disk drive . the rom 460 also stores program codes and information for executing the methods according to the flowcharts of fig1 to 24 and fig4 . obviously , the program codes and information for executing the methods according to the flowcharts of fig1 to 24 and fig4 may be stored in the maintenance cylinder area of the disk 12 , instead of the rom 460 . the ram 470 loads the program codes stored in the rom 460 or the disk 12 in an initialization mode under the control of the processor 430 , and temporarily stores data received through the host interface 480 or data read from the disk 12 . in particular , address map information is loaded to the ram 470 in an initialization mode . namely , address map information is stored in the ram 470 in an initialization mode . also , address map change information generated whenever a data write operation is executed is stored in the ram 470 . the ram 470 may be implemented by a dynamic random access memory ( dram ) or a synchronous random access memory ( sram ). the ram 570 may be designed to operate in a single data rate ( sdr ) or double data rate ( ddr ) scheme . the processor 430 may control the disk drive so as to execute the methods according to the flowcharts of fig1 to 24 and fig4 using program codes and information stored in the rom 460 or the maintenance cylinder area of the disk 12 . the ram 490 may be implemented as a flash memory , a pram ( phase change ram ), an fram ( ferroelectric ram ), a mram ( magnetic ram ), or the like . address map change information is stored in the nonvolatile memory device 490 . in detail , when supplied power is abnormally cut off , the address map change information stored in the ram 470 is read and stored to the nonvolatile memory device 490 under the control of the processor 430 . the power supply device 500 is a device for supplying a power source voltage required for the disk drive , and when power is abnormally cut off , the power supply device 500 supplies reserved power to the disk drive . in fig4 , a power source line is indicated by the dotted line . a detailed configuration example of the power supply device 500 is illustrated in fig1 . fig1 has been already described above , so repetitive descriptions will be omitted . the reserved power charging unit 320 illustrated in fig1 may be designed as shown in fig1 or may also be designed as shown in fig1 . a detailed configuration of the reserved power charging unit illustrated in fig1 has been already described above , so repetitive descriptions thereof will be omitted . another embodiment of the reserved power charging unit illustrated in fig1 will be described . as shown in fig1 , a reserved power charging unit 320 ″ according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first switching unit sw 1 , a second switching unit sw 2 , and a capacitor c 1 . a power source voltage vd generated by the power supply unit 310 is applied to a first terminal t 1 of the first switching unit sw 1 , a first terminal of the capacitor c 1 is connected to a second terminal t 2 of the first switching unit sw 1 , and a second terminal of the capacitor c 1 is connected to a ground . a second control signal ctl 2 for controlling the switching operation of the first switching unit sw 1 is applied to a control terminal t 3 of the first switching unit sw 1 . a terminal of a spindle motor spm generating counter electromotive force is connected to a first terminal t 4 of the second switching unit sw 2 , a first terminal of the capacitor c 1 is connected to a second terminal t 5 of the second switching unit sw 2 , and a third control signal ctl 3 for controlling a switching operation of the second switching unit sw 2 is applied to a control terminal t 6 of the second switching unit sw 2 . the second control signal ctl 2 and the third control signal ctl 3 are generated by the processor 430 as follows . the processor 430 generates the second control signal ctl 2 having a logical value for connecting the first terminal t 1 and the second terminal t 2 of the first switching unit sw 1 in a power on state . in a state in which supplied power is abnormally cut off , the processor 430 generates a second control signal ctl 2 having a logical value for cutting off the first terminal t 1 and the second terminal t 2 of the first switching unit sw 1 . in this manner , according to the generated second control signal ctl 2 , in a power on state , the power source voltage vd is charged to the capacitor c 1 , and in a state in which supplied power is abnormally cut off , the voltage charged in the capacitor c 1 is applied to the second input terminal in 2 of the power distribution unit 330 . namely , when the supplied power is abnormally cut off , the voltage charged in the capacitor c 1 is supplied as reserved power to the storage device . in the state in which supplied power is abnormally cut off , the processor 430 generates a third control signal ctl 3 having a logical value for connecting the first terminal t 4 and the second terminal t 5 of the second switching unit sw 2 , and applies the generated third control signal ctl 3 to the control terminal t 6 of the second switching unit sw 2 . accordingly , the capacitor c 1 is charged by counter electromotive force ( bem f ) generated from the spindle motor 14 rotated by inertia after supplied power is cut off . with reference to fig4 , a data read operation and a data write operation executed after a physical address of a disk corresponding to a logical block address designated by a read command or a write command will be described . in a data read mode , the disk drive amplifies an electrical signal sensed by the head 16 from the disk 12 in a pre - amplifier 410 . and then , a signal output from the pre - amplifier 410 by an automatic gain control circuit ( not shown ) which automatically varies a gain according to the amplitude of a signal in the read / write channel 420 , converted into a digital signal , and then , decoded to detect data . for example , the detected data is subjected to error correction processing using a reed - solomon code as an error correction code , converted into stream data , and then , transmitted to the host device 2000 through the host interface 480 . in a data write mode , the disk drive receives data and lbas from the host device through the host interface 480 , adds an error correction symbol by the reed - solomon code to the data by the processor 430 , encoded to fit a record channel by the read / write channel 420 , and then , recorded in the disk 12 through the head 16 by a record current amplified by the pre - amplifier 410 . in an embodiment of the present invention , corresponding lbas are written to data stored in a sector of a spare area allocated to each sector in a data write mode . an operation for executing the method according to the flow chart of fig1 to 24 and fig4 by the processor 430 by using the program codes and information loaded to the ram 470 will be described . first , a shingled write method , a novel write method proposed to enhance a record density in a disk drive as one of storage devices according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described . the shingle write method is a writing method in which data is written only in one direction as tracks on a disk are overwritten as if shingles are stacked . that is , as shown in fig7 , in the shingle write method , assuming that data is written only in the arrow direction , an ( n − 1 ) th track is partially overwritten when an nth track adjacent to the ( n − 1 ) th track is written , and the nth track is partially overwritten when the ( n + 1 ) th track adjacent to the nth track is written , thereby increasing the tpi ( track per inch ) characteristic , which is the radial recording density of a storage medium . the shingle write method has to satisfy the restriction that the ( n − 1 ) th track cannot be written after writing the nth track because a flux is always generated only in one direction . as shown in fig8 , if the ( n − 1 ) th track in the direction opposite to the shingle write direction is written after writing the nth track , the nth track is erased due to an adjacent track interference ( ati ) effect . accordingly , to solve this problem , there is a need for a technique of dynamically allocating a new disk address for a logical block address ( lba ) provided from a host so as to always perform writing only in either one of the inner and outer circumferential directions of the disk . the present invention provides a disk accessing method , which uses an existing lbas as it is by using a virtual address in the process of converting the existing lbas into a cylinder head sector ( chs ), i . e ., a physical address of a disk drive , and satisfies the condition that the shingle write direction in the disk drive is limited to only one direction . referring to fig9 , the configurations of a zone and virtual bands for realizing the accessing method suggested in the present invention will be described . a storage area of the disk 12 is divided into a plurality of physical zones . the tpi ( tracks per inch ), i . e ., recording density , and bpi ( bits per inch ) for each physical zone may be differently set . each physical zone includes a plurality of virtual bands , and each virtual band is defined as a set of consecutive m tracks to be overwritten . also , a guard track is arranged between the virtual bands to avoid overwriting between the virtual bands . referring to fig9 , ( k + 1 ) number of virtual bands vb_ 0 to vb_k are arranged in physical zone 1 . that is , a virtual band is defined as a segment of a unit size of a physical storage space of a storage medium . in the track included in the virtual bands , address map information is generated such that data is sequentially written in any one of an inner circumferential direction or outer circumferential direction of the disk . next , the structure of allocating logical bands and virtual bands for each zone will be described with reference to fig1 . fig1 is a view schematically showing the structure of allocating virtual bands vb to logical bands lb for each physical zone of a storage medium according to an embodiment of the inventive concept . as shown in fig1 , virtual bands are allocated to logical bands in order to perform an actual writing operation in a physical zone of a storage medium . physical zone 1 of the storage medium may consist of ( k + 1 ) number of logical bands . a logical band is defined as a set of consecutive logical block addresses in units of a first size . that is , a logical band refers to a set of consecutive writable logical block addresses . for example , assuming that the range of logical block addresses of physical zone 1 consists of 10 , 000 lbas of 0 through 999 , and each of the logical bands belonging to physical zone 1 is defined as a set of 1 , 000 lbas , the number of logical bands included in physical zone 1 is 10 . the number of virtual bands is set to q ( q & gt ; k ), which is more than the number of logical bands . the virtual bands are defined as the segments of the physical storage device of the storage in units of a second size . that is , if the storage medium is a disk , a virtual band is defined as a set of m tracks to be overwritten . virtual bands not allocated to logical bands may be referred to as reserved virtual bands . in other words , storage areas corresponding to the virtual bands not allocated to the logical bands may be referred to as reserved areas . reserved virtual band information is stored in a free queue to be explained in fig1 below . an operation of managing address map information in a storage device including a storage device for accessing by using a virtual band will be described . fig1 is a view showing a detailed configuration of the processor 110 and the ram 130 of the storage device illustrated in fig1 and the processor 430 and the ram 470 of the disk drive illustrated in fig4 according to an embodiment of the present invention . for the sake of explanation , fig1 will be described with reference to the disk drive of fig4 . as shown in fig1 , the processor 430 includes a power control processor 430 - 1 , an address map information management processor 430 - 2 , and an address conversion processor 430 - 3 . address map information 470 - 1 is loaded to the ram 470 under the control of an address map information management processor 430 - 2 . here , the address map information may include information for converting a logical block address into a physical address of a storage medium by using a virtual address . the address map information may be , for example , mapping table information showing an allocation relationship between a logical band and a virtual band , and an allocation relationship between a logical block address and a virtual address in a virtual band allocated to a logical band . also , the address map information may be included in meta information . the address map information 470 - 1 may be read from the nonvolatile memory device 490 or the disk 12 and stored to the ram 470 . the address map information 470 - 1 may be configured to search for a virtual address based on lba . the virtual address may be defined based on a physical address in a storage medium . when the storage medium is a disk , the virtual address may be defined based on a physical address of a sector . also , the virtual address of the disk may be defined based on chs ( cylinder header sector ). besides , the virtual address of the disk may be defined based on a physical zone , a virtual band , a track , and a sector . the address map information 470 - 1 may be generated such that data is sequentially written in any one of an inner circumferential direction and an outer circumferential direction in a track of the disk included in a virtual band according to the shingled write method . the address map information 470 - 1 may include information representing an allocation structure of logical bands and virtual bands for each physical zone . that is , the address map information 470 - 1 may include information representing the mapping structure of virtual bands allocated to logical bands for each physical zone as shown in fig1 . address map information showing an allocation state of the virtual bands allocated to the logical bands illustrated in fig1 may be generated as shown in fig2 . as shown in fig2 , the address map information may include a logical band number lba no , a virtual band number vb no , and a finally accessed virtual address number la va in a virtual band . with reference to fig2 , it can be seen that virtual band numbers 2 and 0 are allocated to a logical band number 0 , a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number 2 is 199 , and a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number 0 is a . for example , when the size of virtual bands is allocated into 200 sectors , and virtual addresses 0 to 199 are set for each virtual band , the final virtual address 199 is allocated to the virtual band number 2 , so there is no virtual address which can be newly allocated . in case in which ‘ a ’ has a value smaller than 199 , when a write command with respect to lbas included in a logical band 0 is received , the address map information is updated such that a virtual address ( a + 1 ) of the virtual band number 0 is mapped to lbas designated by the write command . in fig2 , a , b , c , and d are virtual addresses having an integer value between 1 and 199 . an example of a mapping structure of virtual addresses ( va ) with respect to lbas in the virtual band 0 ( vb_ 0 ) allocated to the logical band number 0 is illustrated in fig2 . with reference to fig2 , the virtual band 0 ( vb_ 0 ) includes virtual addresses 0 to 199 , and the virtual addresses are allocated by sector . thus , according to fig2 , 200 sectors are included in a unit virtual band . thus , in fig2 , 200 sectors are included in a unit virtual band . horizontal lines show sectors included in a single track . as shown in fig2 , one track includes 20 sectors . 20 sectors included in a track 1 are designated as virtual addresses 0 to 19 , respectively . the 20 sectors included in a track 10 are designated as vas 180 to 199 in the same manner . as shown in fig2 , lbas 0 to 9 are allocated to vas 0 to 9 , lba 20 and 21 are allocated to vas 15 and 16 , lbas 50 to 59 are allocated to vas 38 to 47 , and lbas 10 to 18 are allocated to vas 86 to 94 . vas 10 to 14 , 17 to 37 , and 48 to 85 represent invalidated virtual addresses , and vas 95 to 199 represent non - allocated valid virtual addresses . the invalidated virtual addresses refer to previous virtual addresses corresponding to updated lbas . address map information with respect to virtual band 0 ( vb_ 0 ) illustrated in fig2 may be generated as shown in fig2 a , for example . fig2 a is a view showing a mapping table simply showing mapping relationships of vas corresponding to individual lbas allocated in vb_ 0 . the mapping table having the structure as shown in fig2 a has a structure in which vas corresponding to respective lbas are simply arranged , so the amount of data is disadvantageously large . thus , in order to complement the shortcomings , a method of generating address map information by grouping a group in which lbas and vas are sequentially increased together is proposed . namely , in the newly proposed address map information , a group in which lbas and vas are sequentially increased together is represented by a start lba , a start va , and a number ( scn ) of sequentially increased sector . with reference to fig2 , in vas 0 to 9 , lbas 0 to 9 are sequentially increased , in vas 15 to 16 , lba 20 to 21 are sequentially increased , in vas 38 to 47 , lba 50 to 59 are sequentially increased , and in vas 86 to 94 , lbas 10 to 18 are sequentially increased . the mapping information regarding the four groups in which lbas and vas are sequentially increased together as described above may be shown in fig2 b . with respect to a group in which lbas 0 to 9 are sequentially increased in vas 0 to 9 , a start lba 0 , a start va 0 , and the number of sequentially increased sectors is 10 , so ( lba , scn , va ) may be represented as ( 0 , 10 , 0 ). in the same manner , with respect to a group in which lbas 20 to 21 are sequentially increased in vas 15 to 16 , since the start lba 20 , the start va 15 , and the number of sequentially increased sectors is 2 , ( lba , scn , va ) may be represented by ( 20 , 2 , 15 ). also , in a group in which lbas 50 to 59 are sequentially increased in vas 38 to 47 may be represented by ( 50 , 10 , 38 ), and in a group in which lbas 10 to 18 in va 86 - 94 , ( lba , scn , va ) may be represented by ( 10 , 9 , 86 ). to sum up , the address map information as shown in fig2 b as shown in fig2 b may be generated . it can be seen that the address map information is simple and the amount of data is reduced in comparison to the address map information illustrated in fig2 a . with respect to virtual bands allocated to logical bands , address map information for each virtual band may be generated in such a manner as shown in fig2 b . thus , the allocation relationship of the logical bands and the virtual bands as shown in fig2 , the mapping information representing a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band , and mapping information representing vas corresponding to lbas in the virtual band allocated to the logical band as shown in fig2 a or 27 b may be loaded to the ram 470 by zone . with reference to fig1 , the power control processor 430 - 1 generates control signals required for controlling the power supply device in fig1 to 13 . the power control processor 430 - 1 generates a first control signal ctl 1 having a logical value connecting a first input terminal in 1 and an output terminal out of the power distribution unit 30 . the power control processor 430 - 1 generates a first control signal ctl 1 having a logical value for connecting the first input terminal in 1 and the output terminal ou . when supplied power is abnormally cut off , the power control processor 430 - 1 generates the first control signal ctl 1 having a logical value for connecting the second input terminal in 2 and the output terminal out . when a power voltage applied to the storage device is dropped to below a threshold value in a state in which power off control signal is not generated , the power control processor 430 - 1 determines that supplied power is abnormally cut off . namely , when a voltage of power output in the power supply device 500 is dropped to below a threshold voltage , the power control processor 430 - 1 determines that abnormal power off has occurred . while supplied power is being normally supplied according to the first control signal ctl 1 generated in the power control processor 430 - 1 , power generated by the power supply unit 310 is supplied to the circuits constituting the disk drive , and when abnormal power off occurs , power generated by the reserved power charging unit 310 is supplied to the circuits constituting the disk drive . the power control processor 430 - 1 generates a second control signal ctl 2 having a logical value for connecting a first terminal t 1 and a second terminal t 2 of the first switching unit sw 1 illustrated in fig1 in a power on state . in a state in which abnormal power off occurs , the power control processor 430 - 1 generates the second control signal ctl 2 having a logical value for disconnecting the first terminal t 1 and the second terminal t 2 of the first switching unit sw 1 . according to the second control signal ctl 2 , in the power on state , the power voltage vd is charged to the capacitor c 1 , and in a power off state in which power supply is abnormal , the voltage charged in the capacitor c 1 is applied to the second input terminal in 2 of the power distribution unit 330 . namely , when abnormal power off occurs , the voltage charged in the capacitor c 1 is supplied as reserved power to the circuits constituting the disk drive . also , in a state in which abnormal power off occurs , the power control processor 430 - 1 generates a third control signal ctl 3 having a logical value for connecting the first terminal t 4 and the second terminal t 5 of the second switching unit sw 2 and applies it to the control terminal t 6 of the second switching unit sw 2 . accordingly , the capacitor c 1 is charged by counter electromotive force ( bemf ) generated from the spindle motor 14 rotating by inertia . the address map information management processor 430 - 2 performs a process of managing address map information . in detail , when power is supplied to the disk drive , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 loads address map information stored in the nonvolatile storage device 490 to the ram 470 . namely , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 reads the address map information from the disk 12 or the nonvolatile storage device 490 and stores it to the ram 470 . the address map information management processor 430 - 2 changes the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the ram 470 based on a write command . namely , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 adds virtual band newly allocated to a logical band or virtual address information added according to lbas in an allocated virtual band to the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the ram 470 . accordingly , the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the ram 470 is updated whenever a write command is executed . whenever a write command is executed , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 generates the address map change information 470 - 2 and stores it to the ram 470 . the address map change information 470 - 2 is information related to a position of data written in the disk 12 without being reflected on address map information stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 . the address map change information 470 - 2 may be configured to include a logical band number , a virtual band number , and information regarding a finally accessed virtual address . namely , the address map change information 470 - 2 may be configured by a logical band number lb no with respect to data written to the disk 12 without being reflected on the address map information stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory 490 , a virtual band number vb no allocated to a corresponding logical band , and a virtual address la va finally accessed in a virtual band allocated to the corresponding logical band . in an embodiment of the present invention , whenever the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the ram 470 is updated according to a write command , the updated address map information 470 - 1 is not stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 . the reason is because , if the process of storing the updated address map information in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 is performed whenever the address map information 470 - 1 is updated , while the address map information is being stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 , a write / read process cannot be performed , degrading the performance of the disk drive . thus , in an embodiment of the present invention , for example , the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the ram 470 is stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 under the following conditions . when a system termination command is received , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 stores the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the ram 470 in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 . and , when the address map change information 470 - 2 stored in the ram 470 is stored in a full state on an initially set address map change information list , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 stores the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the ram 470 to the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 . here , the full state refers to a state in which address map change information cannot be added to the address map change information list any further . the size of the address map change information list may be determined to be a size for storing the address map change information in the nonvolatile storage device 490 by reserved power when power is abnormally cut off . after storing the address map information 470 - 1 , stored in the ram 470 , to the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 deletes the address map change information 470 - 2 stored in the ram 470 . namely , after storing the address map information 470 - 1 , stored in the ram 470 , to the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 performs a process of deleting the address map change information 470 - 2 . when abnormal power off occurs , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 stores the address map change information 470 - 2 stored in the ram 470 to the nonvolatile memory device 490 by using reserved power . for reference , when voltage of power applied to the storage device is dropped to below a threshold voltage in a state in which power off control signal is not generated , the power control processor 430 - 1 determines that abnormal power off has occurred . accordingly , when the power control processor 430 - 1 determines that abnormal power off has occurred , the address map change information 470 - 2 . stores the address map change information 470 - 2 stored in the ram 470 to the nonvolatile memory device 490 . for example , it is assumed that after the address map information having an allocation state of virtual bands with respect to the logical bands as shown in fig2 a is stored from the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 to the ram 470 , the address map information stored in the ram 470 is changed to the address map information having the allocation state of the virtual bands with respect to the logical bands as shown in fig2 b according to performing of a write command . also , it is assumed that power is abnormally cut off before the address map information configured by the logical bands and the virtual bands as shown in fig2 b stored in the ram 470 is stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 . the address map information regarding the logical bands and the virtual bands as shown in fig2 a is as shown in fig2 . with reference to fig2 , a virtual band number 0 is allocated to a logical band number 0 , and the finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number 0 is 199 . virtual band numbers 1 and 3 are allocated to the logical band number 3 , a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number 3 is 101 . virtual band numbers 2 and 4 are allocated to a logical band number k , a finally accessed virtual address in a virtual band number 2 is 199 , and a finally accessed virtual address in a virtual band number 3 is 145 . in the above description , a unit virtual band includes virtual addresses 0 to 199 . namely , the unit virtual band includes 200 sectors . thus , the virtual bands in which the finally accessed virtual address is 199 are virtual bands in which a valid virtual address that may be allocated to the lbas does not exist . when the disk drive is initialized , the address map information as shown in fig2 stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory 490 is loaded to the ram 470 . also , when the disk drive is initialized , address map information indicating a mapping relationship of vas corresponding to lbas in each virtual band allocated to the logical bands stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 is also loaded to the ram 470 . for example , when an allocation structure of vas with respect to the lbas of the virtual band number 3 allocated to the logical band number 3 is as shown in fig3 , address map information indicating a mapping relationship of the vas corresponding to the lbas with respect to the virtual band number 3 may be expressed as shown in fig3 . accordingly , the address map information as shown in fig3 representing the mapping relationship of vas corresponding to lbas in the virtual band number 3 is loaded to the ram 470 . in this manner , the address map information indicating the mapping relationship of the vas corresponding to the lbas in the other remaining virtual bands allocated to the logical bands is located to the ram 470 . next , when the address map information stored in the ram 470 is changed to the address map information including the logical bands and the virtual bands as shown in fig2 b according to performing of a write command , address map change information as shown in fig3 is generated . with reference to fig2 b , since updating occurs in virtual band numbers 5 , 6 , and 3 , corresponding address map change information is generated . when a finally accessed virtual address number in a virtual band number 5 allocated to the logical band number 0 is 13 , address map change information ( 0 , 5 , 13 ) represented by ( lb no , vb no , la va ) is generated . when a finally accessed virtual address number in a virtual band number 6 allocated to the logical band number 2 is 8 , address map change information ( 2 , 6 , 8 ) represented by ( lb no , vb no , la va ) is generated . when a finally accessed virtual address number in a virtual band number 3 allocated to the logical band number 3 is 106 , address map change information ( 3 , 3 , 106 ) represented by ( lb no , vb no , la va ) is generated . thus , the address map change information 470 - 2 as shown in fig3 is generated , and the thusly generated address map change information 470 - 2 is stored in the ram 470 . in a state in which the address map change information 470 - 2 is stored in the ram 470 , when abnormal power off occurs , as mentioned above , the address map change information 470 - 2 stored in the ram 470 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 490 . the address map information management processor 430 - 2 checks whether or not the address map change information has been stored in the nonvolatile memory device 490 when power is supplied to the disk drive . when the address map change information has been stored in the nonvolatile memory device 490 , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 reads the address map change information 470 - 2 stored in the nonvolatile memory device 490 and stores it to the ram 470 . when power is supplied to the disk drive , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 also reads the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 and stores it to the ram 470 . accordingly , the address map information representing the mapping relationship of the virtual bands corresponding to the logical bands and the address map information representing the mapping relationship of the vas corresponding to the lbas for each virtual band allocated to the logical bands as shown in fig2 are stored in the ram 470 . also , the address map change information as shown in fig3 is stored in the ram 470 . the address map information management processor 430 - 2 newly allocates a virtual band number not present in the address map information among the virtual band numbers included in the address map change information to the address map information . namely , among the virtual band numbers 5 , 6 , 3 included in the address map change information illustrated in fig3 , the virtual band number 3 exists in the address map information illustrated in fig2 , but the virtual band numbers 5 and 6 do not exist . thus , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 newly allocates the virtual band numbers 5 and 6 . as shown in fig3 , it can be seen that the virtual band number 5 in the address map change information corresponds to the logical band number 0 , and the virtual band number 6 corresponds to the logical band number 2 . thus , as shown in fig3 , the virtual band number 5 is newly allocated to the logical band number 0 , and the virtual band number 6 is newly allocated to the logical band number 2 . in this manner , after reconfiguring the virtual bands , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 calculates an area of the disk 12 as a storage medium corresponding to a difference between a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual bands included in the address map change information and a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual bands included in the corresponding address map information . in detail , regarding a virtual band of the virtual band number newly allocated to the address map information among the virtual band numbers included in the address map change information , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 calculates an area of the disk corresponding to a section starting from a virtual start address with respect to the corresponding virtual band to a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number included in the address map change information . with reference to fig2 and 30 , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 calculates an area of virtual addresses 0 to 13 in the virtual band number 5 to which a virtual band is newly allocated , and calculates an area of virtual addresses 0 to 8 in the virtual band number 6 according to the address map change information . with respect to a virtual band included in the address map change information in which a virtual band number is not newly allocated to the address map information , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 calculates a disk area corresponding a section from an immediately next virtual address of a finally accessed virtual address read from the address map information to a finally accessed virtual address read from the address map change information . with reference to fig2 and 30 , in a virtual band 3 to which a virtual band is not newly allocated , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 calculates an area corresponding to a section starting from a next virtual address 102 of a finally accessed virtual address 101 of the virtual band number 3 read from the virtual map information to a finally accessed virtual address 106 with respect to the virtual band 3 read from the address map change information . namely , a disk area corresponding to virtual addresses 102 to 106 of the virtual band address number 3 . the address map information management processor 430 - 2 controls the disk drive to read the lbas written in the disk areas calculated as described above . in detail , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 converts the virtual addresses with respect to the virtual bands calculated as described above into physical addresses of the disk , and controls the disk drive to access the disk according to the converted physical addresses . namely , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 converts the virtual addresses into chs ( cylinder head sector ) information indicating a physical position of the disk and generates a voice coil motor driving control signal for accessing the disk based on the converted chs ( cylinder head sector ). with reference to fig4 , when the generated voice coil motor driving control signal is applied to the vcm driving unit 440 , the vcm driving unit 440 generates a voice coil motor driving current corresponding to the voice coil motor driving control signal and supplies the generated current to the voice coil motor 30 . accordingly , the magnetic head 16 is moved to a track position of the disk desired to be accessed . and then , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 generates a control signal for reading logical block addresses from an area of the disk written without being reflected on the address map information . namely , under the control of the address map information management processor 430 - 2 , lbas may be read from the sector positions of the disk corresponding to the virtual addresses 0 to 13 of the virtual band number 5 , the virtual addresses 0 to 8 of the virtual band number 6 , and the virtual addresses 102 to 106 of the virtual band number 3 . the address map information management processor 430 - 2 adds the virtual address mapping information corresponding to the read logical block addresses to the address map information stored in the ram 470 . for example , when the lbas as shown in fig3 is read from the sectors of the disk corresponding to the virtual addresses 0 to 13 of the virtual band number 5 , va mapping information corresponding to the lbas as shown in fig3 is generated and added to the address map information regarding the virtual band number 5 stored in the ram 470 . with reference to fig3 , lbas 75 to 86 are mapped to 12 continuous sectors including va 0 and lbas 101 and 102 are mapped to two continuous sectors including va 12 . and , when the lbas as shown in fig3 are read from the sectors of the disk corresponding to the virtual addresses 0 to 6 of the virtual band number 6 , the va mapping information corresponding to the lbas as shown in fig3 are generated and added to address map information regarding the virtual band number 6 stored in the ram 470 . with reference to fig3 , lbas 3050 to 3058 are mapped to nine continuous sectors including va 0 . and then , when address map information as mapping information of the vas corresponding to lbas with respect to the virtual band number 3 loaded to the ram 470 is as shown in fig3 , an allocation relationship of the lbas to the vas in the virtual band number 3 may be represented as shown in fig3 . when lbas read from sectors corresponding to virtual addresses 102 to 106 of the virtual band number 3 illustrated in fig3 according to address map change information are 3511 to 3515 , ( 3511 , 5 , 102 ) is added to the address map information including ( lba , scn , va ) with respect to the virtual band number 3 . accordingly , the address map information as shown in fig3 with respect to the virtual band number 3 loaded to the ram 470 is updated to the address map information as shown in fig3 . the address map information management processor 430 - 2 stores the updated address map information stored in the ram 470 to the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 480 . and then , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 executes process of deleting the address map change information stored in the ram 470 and the nonvolatile memory device 490 . in this manner , even when power is abnormally cut off , the address map information management processor 430 - 2 may restore the address map information by using the address map change information . with reference back to fig1 , the address conversion processor 430 - 3 performs a process of converting an lba designated by a received command into physical location information of the storage medium by using a virtual band and a virtual address . a detailed configuration of the address conversion processor 430 - 3 is illustrated in fig1 . as shown in fig1 , the address conversion processor 430 - 3 may include a first processor 430 - 3 a , a second processor 430 - 3 b , and a third processor 430 - 3 c . the second processor 430 - 3 b and the third processor 430 - 3 c may be designed to be integrated into a single processor 430 - 3 b ′. obviously , though not shown in the drawings , the first processor 430 - 3 a and the second processor 430 - 3 b also may be designed to be integrated into a single processor . the first processor 430 - 3 a performs the operation of extracting an lba designated by a received command . the second processor 430 - 3 b performs the operation of converting the lba extracted by the first processor 430 - 3 a into a virtual address . that is , the second processor 430 - 3 b performs the operation of searching the mapping table 470 - 1 and converting the lba into a virtual address . the second processor 430 - 3 b finds out virtual bands and virtual addresses corresponding to the lba designated by a read command by using address map information stored in the ram 470 . the second processor 430 - 3 b allocates the virtual bands and the virtual addresses corresponding to the lba designated by the write command as follows . as shown in fig1 , the second processor 430 - 3 a may include a free queue 131 , an allocation queue 132 , and a garbage queue 133 . the second processor 430 - 3 b converts an lba designated by a command into a virtual address by using the free queue 131 , the allocation queue 132 , and the garbage queue 133 . the second processor 430 - 3 b stores information about the virtual bands not assigned to a logical band in the free queue 131 in an order complying with a prescribed rule . the free queue 13 is means that stores information about virtual bands that can be allocated to a logical band in response to a command and is on standby for selection . the free queue 131 may store classified information about virtual bands that can be allocated to a logical band for each virtual zone or each physical zone . the second processor 430 - 3 b stores information about virtual bands allocated to a logical band in the allocation queue 132 . specifically , if the virtual bands allocated to a logical band including an lba designated by a command do not exist in the mapping table 470 - 1 or all virtual addresses are already allocated and consumed for the virtual bands allocated to the logical band including the lba designated by the command , the second processor 430 - 3 b selects a virtual band on standby in the free queue 131 , and allocates the virtual band to the logical band including the lba designated by the command and moves it to the allocation queue 132 . next , the second processor 430 - 3 b allocates a virtual address corresponding to the lba designated by the command based on the virtual band allocated to the logical band stored in the allocation queue 132 . concretely , if a new virtual address is allocated to the logical band including the lba designated by the command and stored in the allocation queue 132 , the second processor 430 - 3 b allocates the newly allocated virtual address corresponding to the first sector of the logical band to the lba designated by the command . if a virtual band already allocated to the logical band including the lba designated by the command exits in the allocation queue 132 , the second processor 430 - 3 b allocates a virtual address not allocated for the virtual band to the lba designated by the command . for example , a virtual address of the sector right next to the last accessed sector in the virtual band can be allocated to the lba designated by the command . the second processor 430 - 3 b selects a virtual band , whose number of virtual addresses invalidated because of data update exceeds a threshold value , from among the virtual bands allocated to the logical band , and moves it to the garbage queue 133 ( p 2 ). for example , if the number of virtual bands stored in the free queue 1601 is less than the initially set minimum value , the second processor 430 - 3 b performs a garbage collection process . that is , the second processor 430 - 3 b reads data stored in the sectors of valid virtual addresses from the virtual bands stored in the garbage queue 133 , and executes rewriting to a newly allocated virtual address designated by a virtual band . the second processor 430 - 3 b moves information about the virtual band that has executed rewriting , among the virtual bands stored in the garbage queue 133 , to the free queue 131 ( p 3 ). next , the third processor 430 - 3 c controls the storage device to convert the virtual address converted in the second processor 430 - 3 b into a physical address of the disk and access the storage medium in accordance with the converted physical address . that is , the third processor 430 - 3 c generates a voice coil motor driving control signal for converting the virtual address into cylinder head sector ( chs ) information representing the physical location of the disk and accessing the disk based on the converted chs information . referring to fig4 , when the voice coil motor driving control signal generated by the third processor 430 - 3 c is applied to the vcm driver 440 , the vcm driver 440 generates a voice coil motor driving current corresponding to the voice coil motor driving control signal and supplies it to the voice coil motor 30 . therefore , the magnetic head 16 is moved to a track position of the disk desired to be accessed , and performs a data write or read operation corresponding to a command . next , a storage medium accessing method according to an embodiment of the inventive concept executed under the control of the processor 110 shown in fig1 or the processor 430 shown in fig4 will be described with reference to the flow chart of fig1 . the processor 110 determines whether or not abnormal power off occurs in the storage device ( s 101 ). for example , when a power voltage is dropped to below a threshold value in a state in which a power off control signal is not generated , the processor 110 may determine that abnormal power off has occurred . a specific embodiment of determining abnormal power off is illustrated in fig1 . a process of determining whether or not abnormal power off occurs will be described with reference to fig1 . the processor 110 determines whether or not the storage device is in a power on mode ( s 201 ). the power on mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the storage device , and when once the storage device is changed to the power on mode , the power on mode is continuously maintained unless a command such as system termination , or the like , is generated . in the power on mode , a power off control signal is not generated unless a command such as system termination , or the like , is not generated . the processor 110 monitors the voltage vd of the power while the storage device is maintained in the power on mode ( s 202 ). the processor 110 compares the voltage vd of the monitored supply power and a threshold voltage vth ( s 203 ). here , the threshold voltage vth may be set as a value obtained by adding a marginal voltage to a minimum voltage with which the processor 110 is normally operated . obviously , the threshold voltage vth is set to be lower than a normal power voltage . when the processor 110 compares the voltage vd of the monitored supplied power with the threshold voltage vth ( s 203 ). here , the threshold voltage vth may be set to have a value obtained by adding a certain margin voltage to a minimum voltage with which the processor 110 can normally operate . obviously , the threshold voltage vth is set to be lower than the normal power voltage . when the monitored power voltage vd is lower than the threshold voltage vth , the processor 110 determines an abnormal power off state ( s 204 ). in this manner , a state in which power is abnormally turned off can be determined . with reference back to fig1 , when abnormal power off occurs according to the determination results in step s 101 , the processor 110 stores the address map change information generated in the storage device in the nonvolatile storage device 170 by using reserved power ( s 102 ). here , the address map change information is generated whenever a write command is executed and stored in the ram 130 as a volatile storage device . the address map change information is information related to a position of data written in the storage medium 150 without being reflected in the address map information stored in the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 . the address map change information 470 - 2 may be configured to include a logical band number , a virtual band number , and information regarding a finally accessed virtual address . namely , the address map change information may be configured by a logical band number with respect to data written to the storage medium 150 without being reflected on the address map information stored in the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 , a virtual band number vb no allocated to a corresponding logical band , and a virtual address la va finally accessed in a virtual band allocated to the corresponding logical band . for example , the address map change information may be generated in the manner as described above with reference to fig2 a , 29 b , and 31 . next , when power is supplied to the storage device again , the processor 110 performs of processing to update address map information stored in the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 based on the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device 170 ( s 103 ). an operation of performing processing of updating address map information based on the address map change information will be described in detail with reference to fig1 . it is determined whether or not the storage device is in a power on mode in which power is supplied ( s 301 ). namely , the processor 110 determines whether or not the storage device transitions to a power on state from a power off state . when the storage device transitions to a power on state according to the determination results in step s 301 , the processor 110 reads address map information from the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 and stores it in the ram 130 ( s 302 ). next , the processor 110 determines whether or not the address map change information has been stored in the nonvolatile memory device 170 ( s 303 ). when the storage device is abnormally turned off before transitioning to the power on state , the address map change information may be stored in the nonvolatile memory device 170 . if the storage device is normally turned off according to a power off control signal without experiencing an abnormal power off occurrence before transitioning to the power on state , the address map change information is not stored in the nonvolatile memory device 170 . when the address map change information is stored in the nonvolatile memory device 170 according to the determination results in step s 303 , the processor 110 reads the address map change information and the address map information ( s 304 ). namely , the processor 110 reads the address map change information from the nonvolatile memory device 170 and stores it in the ram 130 . next , the processor 110 performs a process of reconfiguring the address map information ( s 305 ). namely , the processor 110 performs a process of adding mapping information regarding a position of data written on the storage medium 150 without being reflected on the address map information stored in the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 to the address map information based on the address map change information . the process of reconfiguring the address map information in step s 305 will be described in detail with reference to fig2 . first , the processor 110 performs a process of reconfiguring a virtual band mapped to a logical band in the address map information based on the address map change information ( s 401 ). in detail , the processor 110 newly allocates a virtual band number not present in the address map information among virtual band numbers included in the address map change information to the address map information . for example , it is assumed that address map information indicating an allocation relationship between the logical bands and the virtual bands is as shown in fig2 and the address map change information is as shown in fig3 . then , among the virtual band numbers 5 , 6 , 3 included in the address map change information illustrated in fig3 , the virtual band number 3 exists in the address map information illustrated in fig2 but the virtual band numbers 5 and 6 do not exist . thus , the processor 110 newly allocates the virtual band numbers 5 and 6 . next , the processor 110 performs a process of reconfiguring va mapping information corresponding to the lbas in the address map information based on the address map change information ( s 402 ). namely , the processor 110 performs a process of adding the mapping information of the vas and lbas corresponding to the written sectors in the storage medium 150 without being reflected on the address map information to the address map information . a process of reconfiguring the va mapping information corresponding to the lbas in the address map information will be described in detail . the processor 110 calculates a storage area of data written in the storage medium 150 without being reflected on the address map information ( s 501 ). namely , the processor 110 calculates an area of the storage medium corresponding to a difference between a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band included in the address map change information and a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band included in the corresponding address map information . in detail , regarding a virtual band of the virtual band number newly allocated to the address map information among the virtual band numbers included in the address map change information , the processor 110 calculates an area of the disk corresponding to a section starting from a virtual start address with respect to the corresponding virtual band to a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number included in the address map change information . with respect to a virtual band included in the address map change information in which a virtual band number is not newly allocated to the address map information , the processor 110 calculates a disk area corresponding a section from an immediately next virtual address of a finally accessed virtual address read from the address map information to a finally accessed virtual address read from the address map change information . next , the processor 110 reads lbas from the data storage area calculated in step s 501 ( s 502 ). namely , the processor 110 reads lbas from the sectors of the area of the storage medium 150 written without being reflected on the address map information . as described above , data and corresponding lbas are written in each sector of the storage medium 150 when a write operation is performed . next , the va mapping information corresponding to the lbas read in step s 502 is added to the address map information ( s 503 ). for example , for example , when the lbas as shown in fig3 is read from the sectors of the storage medium 150 corresponding to the virtual addresses 0 to 13 of the virtual band number 5 in step s 502 , the processor 110 generates va mapping information corresponding to the lbas as shown in fig3 and adds it to the address map information regarding the virtual band number 5 stored in the ram 130 . with reference to fig3 , lbas 75 to 86 are mapped to 12 continuous sectors including va 0 and lbas 101 and 102 are mapped to two continuous sectors including va 12 . through the operation according to the flow charts of fig2 and 21 as described above , the step s 305 of reconfiguring the address map information illustrated in fig1 may be performed . with reference back to fig1 , after reconfiguring the address map information in step s 305 , the processor 110 stores the reconfigured address map information in the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 ( s 306 ). and then , the processor 110 deletes the address map change information stored in the ram 130 and the nonvolatile memory device 170 ( s 307 ). namely , the processor 110 performs an operation of deleting the address map change information stored in the ram 130 and the nonvolatile memory device 170 . through such an operation , the address map information can be updated based on the address map change information . next , an access method in a disk drive according to an embodiment of the present invention of the technical concept of the present invention executed under the control of the processor 430 will be descried with reference to fig2 . the processor 430 controls the disk drive to write data and lbas on the disk 12 based on a write command received through the host interface 480 ( s 601 ). namely , the processor 430 converts the lbas designated by the write command into physical addresses of the disk 12 by using the address map information stored in the ram 470 and write the data and the lbas in sectors corresponding to the converted physical addresses . an operation of performing a write process will be described in detail with reference to the flow chart illustrated in fig2 . the processor 430 determines a logical band ( lb ) corresponding to lbas designated by a received write command ( s 701 ). in detail , the processor 430 determines a logical band corresponding to the lbas designated by the write command received as logical band numbers including lbas designated by the received write command . for example , when a logical band number 0 is allocated to lbas 0 to 999 and lbas designated by a write command is 75 , a logical band corresponding to the lbas designated by the write command is determined to be a logical band number 0 . the processor 430 determines whether or not a virtual band allocated to the logical band determined in step s 701 exists ( s 702 ). in detail , the processor 430 searches the address map information 470 - 1 stored in the ram 470 and determines whether or not a virtual band allocated to the determined logical bands already exists in step s 701 . when there is a virtual band allocated to the logical band determined in step s 701 according to the determination results in step s 702 , the processor 430 determines whether or not allocation - available virtual addresses vas exist in the allocated virtual band ( s 703 ). namely , the processor 430 determines whether or not virtual addresses that can be allocated in the allocated virtual band have been all used up . when a finally accessed virtual address in the allocated virtual band is a virtual address corresponding to a final sector included in the virtual band , the processor 430 determines that all the virtual addresses have been used up . for example , in a state in which the size of the virtual band is set to have 200 sectors and start virtual addresses are set to be 0 to 199 , when a finally accessed virtual address is 199 , the processor 430 may determine that the virtual addresses in the corresponding virtual band have been all used up . when there is no virtual band allocated to the logical band determined in step s 701 according to the determination results in step s 702 or when there is no virtual address which can be allocated to the allocated virtual band , the processor 430 allocates a new virtual band to the logical band determined in step s 701 based on a physical zone ( s 704 ). namely , among virtual bands included in a physical zone corresponding to the logical zone including the lbas designated by the command , the processor 430 may allocate a virtual band not allocated to a different logical band to the logical band including the lbas designated by the command . next , the processor 430 allocates virtual addresses vas corresponding to the lbas designated by the command based on the allocated virtual band ( s 705 ). in detail , when a new virtual address is allocated in step s 704 , the processor 430 may allocate a start virtual address indicating a first virtual sector which has been newly allocated to the lba designated by the command . when there are virtual addresses that can be allocated to the lbas in the virtual band already allocated to the logical band , the processor 430 may allocate a next virtual address subsequent to the finally accessed virtual address to the lba designated by the command . next , the processor 430 converts the virtual addresses allocated in step s 705 into chs ( cylinder head sector ) information corresponding to physical access position information of the disk 12 ( s 706 ). next , the processor 430 executes a seek operation based on the chs information corresponding to the physical access position information converted in step s 706 ( s 707 ). in detail , the processor 430 generates a voice coil motor driving control signal for moving the magnetic head 16 to a target track position of the disk 12 according to the converted chs information . with reference to fig4 , when the generated voice coil motor driving control signal is applied to the vcm driving unit 440 , the vcm driving unit 440 generates a voice coil motor driving current corresponding to the voice coil motor driving control signal and supplies the same to the voice coil motor 30 . accordingly , the magnetic head 16 is moved to the track and sector position of the disk desired to be accessed . after finishing the seek operation in step s 707 , the processor 430 performs an operation of writing data and lbas in the sector position corresponding to the vas of the disk ( s 708 ). as described above , the processor 430 controls the disk drive to write data in the data storage region of the sector and write lbas in a spare area of the sector . according to this operation , the write process is performed in the disk drive . with reference back to fig2 , after the write process is performed in step s 601 , the processor 430 generates address map change information ( s 602 ). the address map change information is information related to a position of data written in the disk 12 without being reflected on the address map information stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 . the address map change information may be configured to include information regarding a logical band number , a virtual band number , and a finally accessed virtual address . namely , the address map change information may be configured to include a logical band number lb no , a virtual band number vb no allocated to the corresponding logical band , and a finally accessed virtual address la va in the virtual band allocated to the corresponding logical band , which are written in the disk 12 without being reflected on the address map information stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 . for example , after the address map information including the logical bands and the virtual bands as illustrated in fig2 a are stored to the ram 470 from the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 , when it is changed to the address map information including the logical bands and virtual bands as shown in fig2 b according to performing of a write command , the address map change information may be generated in the form as shown in fig3 . the processor 430 stores the address map change information generated in step s 602 in the ram 470 as a nonvolatile memory device ( s 603 ). after performing the step s 603 , the processor 430 determines whether or not abnormal power off occurs in the disk drive while waiting for receiving a next command ( s 604 ). when the voltage of power applied to the disk drive is dropped to below a threshold voltage in a state in which a power off control signal is not generated , the processor 430 determines that abnormal power off has occurred . namely , when the voltage of power output from the power supply device 500 is dropped to below the threshold voltage in a power on mode , the processor 430 determines that abnormal power off has occurred . when abnormal power off has occurred in the disk drive according to the determination results in step s 604 , the processor 430 reads the address map change information stored in the ram 470 and stores it in the nonvolatile memory device 490 by using reserved power ( s 605 ). after the abnormal power off occurs in the disk drive , when power is normally supplied to the disk drive again , the processor 430 updates the address map information stored in the disk 12 or the nonvolatile memory device 490 of the disk drive based on the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device 490 ( s 606 ). the method of updating address map information based on the address map change information has been described in detail with reference to fig2 and 21 , so a repetitive description thereof will be omitted . next , a method for managing address map information according to another embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention executed under the control of the processor 110 illustrated in fig1 or the processor 430 illustrated in fig4 will be described with reference to the flow chart of fig2 . the processor 110 determines whether or not the address map change information is stored in a full state in an address map change information list allocated to the ram 130 ( s 801 ). here , the full state refers to a state in which address map change information cannot be added to the address map change information list any further . for reference , three address map change information items including ( lbno , vb no , and la va ) are proposed in fig3 . in case in which the size of the address map change information list is designed to store ten address map change information items , when ten address map change information items are stored in the address map change information list , it becomes a full state . the size of the address map change information may be determined within a size in which the address map change information can be stored in the nonvolatile storage device 170 by reserved power when power is abnormally cut off . when the address map change information stored in the ram 130 reaches a full state according to the determination results in step s 801 , the processor 110 stores the address map information stored in the ram 130 to the storage medium 150 or the nonvolatile memory device 170 ( s 802 ). when the storage device is a disk drive , the storage medium 150 may be a disk . after performing step s 802 , the processor 430 deletes the address map change information stored in the ram 130 ( s 803 ). a method of managing address map information through a network according to an embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention will be described . first , a network system performing a method for managing address map information regarding a storage device through a network will be described with reference to fig4 . as shown in fig4 , the network system according to an embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention includes a program providing terminal 510 , a network 520 , a host pc 530 , and a storage device 540 . the network 520 may be implemented as a communication network such as the internet . obviously , the network 520 may be implemented as a wireless communication network as well as as a wire communication network . the program providing terminal 510 stores a program for managing address map information according to the technical concept of the present invention illustrated in fig1 to 24 . the program providing terminal 510 performs a process of transmitting a program for managing address map information according to a program transmission request from the host pc 530 connected through the network 520 . the host pc 530 includes hardware and software for performing accessing the program providing terminal 510 through the network 520 , requesting a transmission of a program for managing address map information , and downloading the requested program for managing address map information from the program providing terminal 510 . the host pc 530 may execute the method for managing address map information according to the technical concept of the present invention in the storage device 540 based on the flow charts illustrated in fig1 to 24 according to the program for managing address map information downloaded from the program providing terminal 510 . a method for managing address map information through a network according to an embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow chart of fig4 . first , the host pc 530 using the storage device 540 such as a disk drive , or the like , accesses the program providing terminal 510 through the network 520 ( s 901 ). after accessing the program providing terminal 510 , the host pc 530 transmits information requesting a transmission of the program for managing an address map information to the program providing terminal 510 ( s 902 ). then , the program providing terminal 510 transmits the requested program for managing address map information to the host pc 530 , so that the host pc 530 can download the program for managing address map information ( s 903 ). and then , the host pc 530 processes to execute the downloaded program for managing address map information in the storage device ( s 904 ). by executing the program for managing address map information in the storage device , when abnormal power off occurs in the storage device , the address map change information is stored in the nonvolatile memory device by using reserved power and address map information regarding the storage device may be updated by using the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device . one embodiment may be a method for managing address map information , the method comprising : when abnormal power off occurs in a storage device , storing address map change information generated in the storage device in a nonvolatile memory device ; and when power is applied to the storage device , updating address map information with respect to the storage device based on the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes information for converting a logical block address received from a host device into a physical address of a storage medium . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes information for converting a logical block address received from a host device into a physical address of a storage medium by using a virtual address . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes information for converting a logical block address received from a host device into a physical address of a storage medium such that it is sequentially written in one direction in a virtual band corresponding to a physical area of the storage medium . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes mapping information between a logical band classified as an aggregate of logical block addresses and a virtual band corresponding to a physical area of a storage medium and mapping information between a logical block address in a virtual band allocated to a logical band and a virtual address . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes information regarding a position of data written without being reflected in the address map information . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes a logical band number , a virtual band number , and a finally accessed virtual address . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes a logical band number with respect to data written without being reflected in the address map information , a virtual band number allocated to the logical band , and a virtual address finally accessed in the virtual band allocated to the logical band . an embodiment may also include wherein when a power source voltage is dropped to below a threshold voltage in a state in which power off control signal is not generated in the storage device , it is determined that abnormal power off has occurred . an embodiment may also include wherein the nonvolatile memory device includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device . the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device can include a nand flash memory device or a nor flash memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information generated in the storage device is stored in a volatile memory device while power is being normally supplied . an embodiment may also include wherein , in the updating of the address map information , the address map information is reconfigured based on a logical block address read from an area in which data and a corresponding logical block address are written without being reflected in the address map information by using the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the updating of the address map information comprises : reading the address map information and the address map change information when power is applied to the storage device ; reconfiguring the address map information based on the address map change information ; and storing the reconfigured address map information in the storage device . the address map information may be read from the nonvolatile memory device or the storage medium constituting the storage device , and the address map change information may be read from the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the reconfiguring of the address map information comprises : newly allocating a virtual band number not present in the address map information among virtual band numbers included in the address map change information to the address map information ; reading a logical block address from an area of the storage medium corresponding to a difference between a virtual address finally accessed in the virtual band included in the address map change information and a virtual address finally accessed in a virtual band included in the address map information corresponding thereto ; and adding mapping information of the virtual address corresponding to the read logical block address to the address map information . an embodiment may also include wherein , in the reading of the logical block address , the logical block address is read from an area of the storage medium corresponding to a section starting from a start virtual address with respect to the virtual band of the newly allocated virtual band number to a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number included in the address map change information . an embodiment may also include wherein , in the reading of the logical block address , regarding a virtual band included in the address map change information to which the virtual band number is not newly allocated , the logical block address is read from an area of the storage medium corresponding to a section starting from an immediately next virtual address of the finally accessed virtual address read from the address map information to the finally accessed virtual address read from the address map change information . an embodiment may also include wherein the logical block address is read from a logical block address storage area allocated to the storage medium . an embodiment may also include wherein the logical block address storage area is allocated in units of areas designated by a physical address . an embodiment may also include wherein the physical address is allocated in units of sectors . an embodiment may also include wherein a logical block address corresponding to data written in a sector area while a write operation is being performed is written in the logical block address storage area . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information is stored in the nonvolatile memory device or the storage medium of the storage device . an embodiment may also include wherein the storage device includes a disk drive , and the address map information is stored in a disk of the disk drive . an embodiment may also include deleting the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device after the address map information is updated . an embodiment may also include wherein when abnormal power off occurs in the storage device , the address map change information stored in the volatile memory device is read by using reserved power and stored in the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the reserved power includes power supplied by a voltage charged by a charging element . an embodiment may also include further comprising : when the address map change information is stored in a full state in an initially set address map change information list , reading the address map information stored in the volatile memory device and storing the read address map information in the nonvolatile memory device of the storage medium of the storage device ; and deleting the address map change information stored in the volatile memory device after the address map information is stored in the nonvolatile memory device of the storage medium of the storage device , wherein the address map information regarding the storage device is stored in the volatile memory device when the storage device is initialized , and the address map information stored in the volatile memory device is updated whenever the address map change information is generated . another embodiment may be an access method in a disk drive , the method comprising : converting a logical block address designated in a command into a physical address of a disk based on address map information ; accessing the converted physical address position of the disk and executing a data write operation ; generating address map change information based on the data write operation ; and when abnormal power off occurs in a disk drive , storing the generated address map change information in a nonvolatile memory device , wherein when power is applied to the disk drive , a process of updating the address map information is executed based on the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein when the disk drive is initialized , the address map information is read from the disk and stored in a volatile memory device , and the logical block address designated in the command is converted into a physical address of the disk based on the address map information stored in the volatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information is stored in the disk or the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes information for converting a logical block address received from a host device into a physical address of the disk by using a virtual address . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes information for converting a logical block address received from the host device into a physical address of the disk such that it is sequentially written in any one direction of an inner circumferential direction and an outer circumferential direction in a track included in a virtual band corresponding to a physical area of the disk . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes mapping information between a logical band classified as an aggregate of logical block addresses and a virtual band corresponding to a physical area of the disk and mapping information between a logical block address in a virtual band allocated to a logical band and a virtual address corresponding to a sector . an embodiment may also include wherein data and a logical block address corresponding thereto are written to the disk when the data write operation is executed . an embodiment may also include wherein the logical block address is written by data sector of the disk . an embodiment may also include wherein when a voltage of a power source applied from the disk drive is dropped to below a threshold voltage in a state in which power off control signal is not generated in the disk drive , it is determined that abnormal power off has occurred . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes information regarding a position of data written in the disk without being reflected in the address map information stored in the disk or the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes a logical band number , a virtual band number , and a finally accessed virtual address . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes a logical band number with respect to data written in the disk without being reflected in the address map information stored in the disk or the nonvolatile memory device , a virtual band number allocated to the logical band , and a virtual address finally accessed in the virtual band allocated to the logical band . an embodiment may also include wherein a process of updating the address map information comprises : reading the address map information and the address map change information when power is applied to the disk drive ; reconfiguring the address map information based on the address map change information ; and storing the reconfigured address map information in the disk drive . an embodiment may also include wherein , in the reconfiguring of the address map information , a virtual band number not present in the address map information among virtual band numbers included in the address map change information is newly allocated to the address map information based on the address map change information . an embodiment may also include wherein the updating of the address map information comprises : moving a magnetic head to a first area of the disk in which data and a logical block address corresponding thereto are written without being reflected in the address map information by using the address map change information ; reading the logical block address from the first area ; and adding virtual address mapping information corresponding to the logical block address read from the first area to the address map information . an embodiment may also include wherein the first area of the disk is determined based on a difference between a finally access virtual address in a virtual band included in the address map change information and a finally accessed virtual address in a virtual band included in the address map information corresponding thereto . an embodiment may also include wherein the first area includes an area of the disk corresponding to a section starting from a start virtual address with respect to the virtual band of the newly allocated virtual band number based on the address map change information to a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number included in the address map change information . an embodiment may also include wherein , regarding a virtual band included in the address map change information to which the virtual band number is not newly allocated , the first area includes an area of the disk corresponding to a section starting from an immediately next virtual address of the finally accessed virtual address read from the address map information to the finally accessed virtual address read from the address map change information . an embodiment may also include wherein the process of updating the address map information further comprises : deleting the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device after the step of executing the reconfigured address map information in the disk drive is executed . another embodiment may be a storage device comprising : a storage medium ; a storage media interface accessing the storage medium to write data or read data , a volatile memory device ; a nonvolatile memory device ; and a processor controlling the storage medium interface to write data to the storage medium or read data from the storage medium , wherein the processor stores address map change information generated based on a data writing operation in the volatile memory device , reads the address map change information from the volatile memory device and stores the read address map change information in the nonvolatile memory device by using reserved power in case in which abnormal power off occurs , and performs an operation of updating address map information based on the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein when a voltage of a power source applied to the storage device is dropped to below a threshold voltage in a state in which power off control signal is not generated , the processor determines that abnormal power off has occurred . an embodiment may also include further comprising : a power supply device supplying reserved power to the storage device when abnormal power off occurs . an embodiment may also include wherein the power supply device comprises : a reserved power charging unit charging supplied power to a charging element ; and a power distribution unit supplying power charged in the reserved power charging unit to the storage device when abnormal power off occurs . an embodiment may also include wherein when abnormal power off occurs , the power distribution unit supplies power charged in the reserved power charging unit to the processor , the volatile memory device , and the nonvolatile memory device constituting the storage device . an embodiment may also include wherein the reserved power charging unit further comprises : a circuit for charging a counter electromotive force generated from a motor rotating by inertia in a state in which abnormal power off occurs to the charging element . an embodiment may also include wherein when the storage device is initialized , the processor stores address map information stored in the storage medium to the volatile memory device , and update the address map information stored in the volatile memory device based on a write operation . an embodiment may also include wherein when the address map change information is stored in a full state in an initially set address map change information list , the processor reads the address map information stored in the volatile memory device and writes the read address map information to the storage medium . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information is written to the storage medium . an embodiment may also include wherein the processor reads the address map information stored in the volatile memory device , writes the read address map information to the storage medium , and then , deletes the address map change information stored in the volatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes information for converting a logical block address into a physical address of the storage medium by using a virtual address . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes information for converting a logical block address designated by a command into a physical address of the storage medium such that it is sequentially written in any one of an inner circumferential direction and an outer circumferential direction in a virtual band corresponding to a physical area of the storage medium . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map information includes mapping information between a logical band classified as an aggregate of logical block addresses and a virtual band corresponding to a physical area of the storage medium and mapping information between a logical block address in a virtual band allocated to a logical band and a virtual address corresponding to a sector . an embodiment may also include wherein the processor controls the storage medium interface to write data and a logical block address corresponding thereto to the storage medium when the data write operation is executed . an embodiment may also include wherein a data storage area and a logical block address storage area are allocated in units of sectors to the storage medium . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes information regarding a position of data written in the storage medium without being reflected in the address map information . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes a logical band number with respect to data written in the storage medium without being reflected in the address map information , a virtual band number allocated to the logical band , and a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band allocated to the logical band . an embodiment may also include wherein the processor performs an address map information updating process of accessing a first area of the storage medium written without being reflected in the address map information by using the address map change information read from the nonvolatile memory device when power is applied to the storage device , and adding virtual address mapping information corresponding to a logical block address read from the first area to the address map information . an embodiment may also include wherein the processor determines the first area based on a difference between a finally accessed virtual address in a virtual band included in the address map change information and a finally accessed virtual address in a virtual band included in the address map information . an embodiment may also include wherein the processor includes an area of the storage medium corresponding to a section starting from a start virtual address with respect to a virtual band of a newly allocated virtual band number based on the address map change information to a finally accessed virtual address in the virtual band number included in the address map change information , in the first area . an embodiment may also include wherein , regarding a virtual band included in the address map change information to which the virtual band number is not newly allocated , the processor includes an area of the storage medium corresponding to a section starting from an immediately next virtual address of the finally accessed virtual address read from the address map information to the finally accessed virtual address read from the address map change information , in the first area . an embodiment may also include wherein the processor executes an address map information updating process of newly allocating a virtual band number not present in the address map information among virtual band numbers included in the address map change information to the address map information based on the address map change information . an embodiment may also include wherein the processor performs processing of deleting the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory after performing the operation of updating the address map information . an embodiment may also include wherein the storage device includes a disk drive . an embodiment may also be a computer system comprising : a host device issuing a command for operating a connected storage device ; and a storage device for writing data transmitted from the host device in a storage medium or reading data from the storage medium and transmitting the data to the host device based on the command issued from the host device , wherein when supplied power is abnormally cut off , the storage device stores generated address map change information based on a data write operation in a nonvolatile memory device by using reserved power , and updates address map information with respect to the storage device based on the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device . an embodiment may also include wherein the storage device writes data and a logical block address corresponding thereto in a storage medium when a data write operation is executed . an embodiment may also include wherein the address map change information includes information regarding a position of data written in a storage medium of the storage device without being reflected on the address map information . an embodiment may also include wherein , when power is applied , the storage device executes an address map information updating process of accessing a first area of the storage medium written without being reflected on the address map information by using the address map change information read from the nonvolatile memory device and adding virtual address mapping information corresponding to a logical block address read from the first area to the address map information . another embodiment may be a method for managing address map information through a network , the method comprising : downloading a program for managing address map information with respect to a storage device from a terminal connected to the network ; and executing the downloaded program for managing address map information with respect to the storage device , wherein the program for managing address map information with respect to the storage device includes a program code for performing a process of storing address map change information generated in the storage device to a nonvolatile memory device when power is abnormally cut off , and a process of updating address map information with respect to the storage device based on the address map change information stored in the nonvolatile memory device when power is applied to the storage device . another embodiment may be a computer - readable storage medium storing a program code for executing a method described herein in a computer . the present invention can be applicable to storage devices using various write methods as well as to a disk drive using the shingled write method . the present invention can be realized as a method , an apparatus , a system and so on . when the present invention is realized as software , the members of the present invention are code segments which execute necessary operations . programs or code segments may be stored in a processor readable medium . the processor readable medium may be any medium which can store or transmit information , such as an electronic circuit , a semiconductor memory device , a rom , a flash memory , an erom ( erasable rom ), a floppy disc , an optical disc , a hard disc , or the like . although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments , it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . therefore , it is obvious that the present invention is not restricted to the specific structures or arrangements shown or described in this specification . s 102 : store address map change information in nonvolatile memory device s 103 : update address map information based on address map change information stored in nonvolatile memory device s 303 : address map change information is stored in nonvolatile memory device ? s 306 : store reconfigured address map information in storage medium or nonvolatile memory device s 401 : reconfigure virtual band ( vb ) mapped to logical band ( lv ) s 501 : calculate data storage area written without being reflected on address map information s 503 : add va mapping information corresponding to read lba to address map information s 601 : write data and lba in storage medium based on write command s 605 : store address map change information in nonvolatile memory device s 606 : update address map information based on address map change information stored in nonvolatile memory device s 701 : determine lb corresponding to lba designated by write command

6Physics

in the following discussion , numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure . however , those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced without such specific details . furthermore , lists and / or examples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples . similarly , in this disclosure , language such as “ could , should , may , might , must , have to , can , would , need to , is , is not ”, etc . and all such similar language shall be considered interchangeable whenever possible such that the scope of the invention is not unduly limited . for example , a comment such as : “ item x is used ” can be interpreted to read “ item x can be used ”. exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying figures . the following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawing figures in order to provide a thorough understanding of , and an enabling description for , these embodiments . one having ordinary skill in the art will understand that in some cases well - known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments . referring now to the drawings , fig1 illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 . the primary components illustrated in fig1 include a vacuum vessel device 400 , a vacuum vessel top portion 410 , a vacuum vessel bottom portion 420 , a sight port 430 , a vacuum relief valve 440 , a plurality of inflow drain line ports 450 , a washout connector 460 , at least one primary outflow drain line 50 , a front wheel 20 , a plurality of rear wheels 30 , and a frontal support and repositioning structure 300 . in the embodiment illustrated in fig1 , the vacuum vessel device 400 is shown comprising a vacuum vessel top portion 410 and a vacuum vessel bottom portion 420 . in another embodiment , the vacuum vessel device 400 could be constructed as a single component . in yet another embodiment , the vacuum vessel device 400 could be constructed from multiple sub - components . in any case , the vacuum vessel device 400 is adapted to receive inflowing vapors / liquids and store them until they are drained away via the outflow drain line 50 . the vacuum vessel device 400 can be constructed from any sufficiently strong material that can withstand the various pressures associated with having a vacuum applied thereto as well as the sometimes volatile , caustic , and otherwise reactive properties of the gases / liquids to be held therein . in one embodiment , stainless steel is used to form a curved tank having a low point to which any liquids held therein would naturally flow due to gravity . the vacuum vessel device 400 comprises a plurality of inflow drain line ports 450 that are attached to the vacuum vessel device 400 . in one embodiment , at least one of the plurality of inflow drain line ports 450 extends upwards from a top surface of the vacuum vessel device 400 . the plurality of inflow drain line ports 450 are adapted to releasably attach to incoming drain lines so as to receive therethrough the last remaining liquids / vapors from a system . an outflow drain line 50 can be attached at the low point 51 on the vacuum vessel device 400 . the outflow drain line 50 has a plurality of attachments 58 that allow it to be connected to a vacuum truck or similar gas / vapor pumping device . in one embodiment the outflow drain line 50 extends outwards and slightly downwards from the vacuum vessel device 400 so that no pooling locations are created therein . in another embodiment one or more additional outflow drain lines 50 are incorporated into the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system . a sight port 430 can be incorporated into the vacuum vessel device 400 . the sight port 430 provides a means for a person to visually inspect the interior of the vacuum vessel device 400 . there are many reasons why this can be desirable , including : determining if anything is entering the vacuum vessel device 400 , determining if materials are exiting , determining the amount of materials in the vacuum vessel device 400 , etc . the sight port 430 can be built with glass , plastic , or any other suitably strong and sufficiently transparent material ( s ). a vacuum relief valve 440 can also be attached to the vacuum vessel device 400 . the vacuum relief valve 440 can serve to automatically relieve a vacuum at a certain level ( or maintain it at that level ), say at three inches of mercury , for example . in other embodiments other levels of vacuum relief valves 440 are contemplated . in yet another embodiment , a user - selectable , variable - setting vacuum relief valve 440 can be employed . in the embodiment shown in fig1 , the vacuum relief valve 440 can be a valve that is opened and closed by a ball with a spring . when no vacuum is present , the spring keeps the ball tightly against the seal , effectively closing the valve . however , when a sufficiently strong vacuum is applied , the ball is pushed away from the seal , the spring is actuated and outside air flows through the valve and into the system 10 . in another embodiment , a ball check valve can be used . a ball check valve can be placed in an open position to allow forward flow and in a closed position to block reverse flow . a ball check valve is a check valve in which the closing member , the movable part to block the flow , can be a spherical ball . in some ball check valves , the ball is spring - loaded to help keep it shut . for those designs without a spring , reverse flow is used to move the ball toward the seat and create a seal . the interior surface of the main seats of ball check valves are more or less conically - tapered to guide the ball into the seat and form a positive seal when stopping reverse flow . in the embodiment shown in fig1 , a washout connector 460 is incorporated into the vacuum vessel device 400 . the washout connector 460 is adapted to provide for the attachment of a washout device to the vacuum vessel device 400 . the washout device can spray water , chemicals , cleaners , air , etc . into the vacuum vessel device 400 in order to washout or clean the interior thereof . the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 illustrated in fig1 includes a front wheel 20 and a plurality of rear wheels 30 . the front wheel is mounted within a frontal support and repositioning structure 300 in the embodiment shown in fig1 . in another embodiment , the front wheel 20 may be replaced by one or more support legs ( see fig3 a and 3b ). in yet another embodiment , the front wheel 20 may comprise two or more front wheels . one or more transport handles can be attached to the vacuum vessel device . the frontal support and repositioning structure 300 illustrated in fig1 comprises a set of components which allows a user to move and position the vacuum vapor liquid recover system 10 and which supports the vacuum vessel device 400 in a usable orientation . the pull handle 310 attaches to the distal end of the handle collar 320 . a handle stand 322 can extend from the handle collar 320 , the stand 322 can be adapted to hold the handle off of the ground when the pull handle 310 is set down by the user of the system . this allows the pull handle 310 to be easily and quickly grasped when needed rather than attempting to retrieve it from the dirt , mud , or other debris . in another embodiment , a simple transport handle is used in place of the handle collar , handle stand and pull handle . extending from the proximal end of the handle collar is a handle neck 326 . the handle neck 326 extends to the wheel fork 340 which surrounds the front wheel 20 and attaches the handle components to the wheel 20 . in an alternate embodiment , the wheel fork 340 utilizes a single arm on one side of the wheel 20 rather than the more common two - arm fork extending on either side of the wheel 20 . in another embodiment the handle neck , handle collar , handle stand , etc . can be replaced by a simple handle attached to the wheel fork 340 . the wheel fork 340 attaches to an axle of the front wheel 20 , allowing the wheel to roll freely as needed and yet provide the user with the leverage to rotate the orientation of the front wheel 20 via the mounting member 350 . the mounting member 350 can similarly comprise a one or two arm fork which rotatably mounts the front wheel 20 to the mounting support 360 . the mounting member 350 is free to rotate within the mounting support 360 such that the front wheel can be oriented in any direction as desired by the user . a lock cap 355 secures the mounting member 350 to the mounting support 360 . the mounting support 360 is attached to a front portion of the vacuum vessel device 400 . the mounting support 360 supports the front of the vacuum vessel device 400 and keeps it oriented correctly such that the low point 51 of the vacuum vessel device 400 remains the low point as the system 10 is repositioned . a handle rest support 370 can be attached to the mounting support 360 . the handle rest support 370 provides a structure against which the handle can be rested when not in use . the handle rest support 370 can also incorporate a handle retention device 380 which can comprise a simple flexible grasping clamp which receives within it the handle and securely holds it in place until swung out therefrom by the user . other types of handle retention means can be utilized in the handle retention device 380 , including magnets , springs , etc . the rear support and repositioning structure 700 illustrated in fig1 comprises a set of components which allows a user to move and position the vacuum vapor liquid recover system 10 and which supports the vacuum vessel device 400 in a usable orientation . in fig1 , the only component of a rear support and repositioning structure 700 that is visible is the rear wheel 30 . see fig2 for an embodiment with two rear wheels 30 and 35 . in other embodiments , the rear support and repositioning structure 700 can comprise one or more transport handles ( see fig3 a , transport handle 495 ) and one or more wheels 30 . in yet another embodiment , the rear support and repositioning structure 700 can comprise a plurality of transport handles 495 and a plurality of support legs 27 ( see fig3 a ). the pull handle 310 attaches to the distal end of the handle collar 320 . a handle stand 322 can extend from the handle collar 320 , the stand 322 can be adapted to hold the handle off of the ground when the pull handle 310 is set down by the user of the system . this allows the pull handle 310 to be easily and quickly grasped when needed rather than attempting to retrieve it from the dirt , mud , or other debris . in another embodiment , a simple handle is used in place of the handle collar , handle stand and pull handle . in order to employ the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 , a user manipulates the frontal support and repositioning structure 300 in order to reposition the system 10 in proximity to one or more drain pipes . the user then attaches one or more drain hoses to the plurality of inflow drain line ports 450 on the system 10 and opens the valves to let material flow down the drain hoses and into the system 10 . a vacuum truck or similar recovery equipment can be connected to the plurality of attachments 58 on the outflow drain line 50 in order to induce a vacuum within the system 10 and assist the flow of materials down the drain hoses and into the system 10 . once the drain pipes are emptied , the valves on the drain hoses / pipes can be closed , the drain hoses can be disconnected from the plurality of inflow drain line ports 450 and the vacuum vessel device 400 can be completely emptied into the vacuum truck . the user then again manipulates the frontal support and repositioning structure 300 in order to reposition the system 10 into storage or into position for its next use . fig2 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 . the vacuum vessel device 400 is illustrated as are the components of one embodiment of the frontal support and repositioning structure 300 and the rear wheels 30 and 35 . the sight port 430 is seen from above such that the viewing port 436 itself is visible . the viewing port 436 comprises the glass , plastic or similarly transparent material which allows the user to view the interior of the vacuum vessel device 400 and any contents therein . since the viewing port 436 can be transparent , the interior cavity inside the vacuum vessel device 400 is visible . in other embodiments , non - transparent viewing ports 436 are contemplated , including translucent and opaque . surrounding the viewing port 436 is a plurality of port attachment means 432 . in the embodiment illustrated in fig2 , the port attachment means 432 comprise a plurality of bolts that secure the sight port 430 to the vacuum vessel device 400 . a portion of the outflow drain line 50 is shown extending from the rear of the system 10 . the plurality of attachments 58 is illustrated as is the shut - off valve 56 . as discussed above , the plurality of attachments 58 is adapted to allow the system 10 to be connected to a vacuum truck or other gas / vapor pumping / recovery devices . the shut - off valve 56 can be extremely useful as way to maintain a vacuum or partial vacuum within the system 10 as well as to ensure no liquids / vapors escape the system when not attached to the vacuum truck . additionally , the shut - off valve 56 helps to ensure foreign bodies ( rodents , insects , etc .) can not enter the system 10 unexpectedly . fig3 a illustrates a left side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 utilizing transport handles 493 and 495 and support legs 26 . the transport handles 493 and 495 can replace ( as shown in fig3 a ) or supplement the frontal support and repositioning structure 300 ( see fig1 and 2 ). although only one support leg 26 is visible in fig3 a , one or more additional support legs can be added to help maintain the stability of the vacuum vessel device 400 . depending on the overall size of the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 , one , two , or more people may be required in order to lift and reposition the system 10 using the transport handles 493 and 495 . additionally , for particularly large and / or heavy embodiments of the system 10 , the transport handles 493 and 495 can be adapted such that a forklift , tractor , or other equipment can grasp the handles and lift / reposition the system 10 . fig3 b illustrates a left side elevation view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 utilizing transport handles 493 and 495 and support legs 26 and 27 . in the view illustrated in fig3 b , support legs 26 and 27 have replaced the front and rear wheels of the embodiments illustrated in fig1 and 2 . although only two support legs 26 and 27 are visible in fig3 b , additional support legs can be utilized in order to ensure the vacuum vessel device 400 is fully supported . fig4 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 placed in an environment in which it could be employed . here , a process tower 600 is shown with a process tower drain hose 12 connected thereto . the drain hose 12 is connected to one of the plurality of inflow drain line ports 450 on the system 10 . a second drain hose 14 is illustrated as being connected to the system 10 and also to a low point drain for process piping 800 near the pump 700 . the vacuum truck 500 is illustrated as being attached to the outflow drain line 50 of the system 10 via an outflow drain hose 16 . when the vacuum truck 500 is activated , it draws a vacuum in the outflow drain line 50 and when the shut - off valve 56 ( not visible in fig4 , see fig2 ) is opened on the drain line 50 , the vacuum extends into the vacuum vessel device 400 . each of the plurality of inflow drain line ports 450 can also incorporate its own shut - off valve , but assuming they do not , any vacuum extending into the vacuum vessel device 400 would then automatically extend into the drain hoses 12 and 14 . any materials / vapors / liquids existing in the process tower 600 and process piping 800 should drain through the drain hoses 12 and 14 , into the system 10 , and then into the vacuum truck 500 . if the vacuum truck exerts too large of a vacuum , then the vacuum relief valve 440 in the system 10 would activate to protect the drain hoses , process tower , process piping , pump , etc . from excess vacuum . in this way , the materials are drained from the tower , piping , etc . without evaporating or otherwise escaping into the environment as would otherwise happen when simple catch basins are employed under the drains as is done in the prior art . fig5 illustrates a left side elevation view of two exemplary tow bar devices which can be employed in the system to facilitate the powered relocation of the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system 10 . this view depicts a portion of the front wheel assembly 20 , and a plurality of hitch assemblies 564 and 565 . a proximal end of the tow bar 560 attaches to the front wheel 20 . the distal end of the tow bar 560 attaches to the plurality of hitch assemblies 564 and 565 , allowing the system 10 to be towed and maneuvered by a vehicle , such as an all terrain vehicle ( atv ), lawn tractor or other tractor , truck , etc . also depicted in fig5 is an electrical connector 563 that can be used to connect lights and / or any other electrical device to the power system of the tow vehicle or any other power source . lights , although not shown , could be attached to the rear wheel assembly , vacuum vessel device , etc . and configured in any way currently known in the art . the first hitch assembly 564 is configured with a ball hitch that attaches to a standard - type trailer ball attached to a tow vehicle . the first hitch assembly 564 can be sized to fit any of the ball sizes used in the industry . the second hitch assembly 565 is configured with a pin hitch that attaches to any trailer hitch requiring a clevis pin type connection . other trailer / tow - equipment connections are contemplated in other embodiments . while particular embodiments have been described and disclosed in the present application , it is clear that any number of permutations , modifications , or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of this disclosure . particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the embodiments should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics , features , or aspects with which that terminology is associated . in general , the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification , unless the above detailed description section explicitly defines such terms . accordingly , the actual scope of the claims encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments , but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the claimed subject matter . the above detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular fields of usage mentioned above . while specific embodiments and examples are described above for illustrative purposes , various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure , as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize . also , the teachings of the embodiments provided herein can be applied to other systems , not necessarily the system described above . the elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments . any patents , applications and other references that may be listed in accompanying or subsequent filing papers , are incorporated herein by reference . aspects of embodiments can be modified , if necessary , to employ the systems , functions , and concepts of the various references to provide yet further embodiments . in light of the above “ detailed description ,” the inventor may make changes to the disclosure . while the detailed description outlines possible embodiments and discloses the best mode contemplated , no matter how detailed the above appears in text , embodiments may be practiced in a myriad of ways . thus , implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the embodiments as disclosed by the inventor . as discussed herein , specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics , features , or aspects of the embodiments with which that terminology is associated . while certain aspects are presented below in certain claim forms , the inventor contemplates the various aspects in any number of claim forms . accordingly , the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects . the above specification , examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described systems , articles of manufacture and methods . it is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

a first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to fig1 , where a control loop 101 on an integrated circuit 100 is arranged to select a voltage for regulating the voltage supply for the integrated circuit 100 . as shown in fig1 the integrated circuit 100 includes the control loop 101 , where the control loop 101 is coupled between an output from a regulator 102 and a control input of a selectable voltage source 103 . the control loop 101 is arranged to select a voltage for the integrated circuit 100 using the selectable voltage source 103 . the selectable voltage source 103 comprises a series of resistors 104 couple between a reference voltage , for example ground , and a second reference voltage , for example from a supply power line . accordingly , the series of resistors act as voltage dividers between the two reference voltages . however , as would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art other techniques for providing a selectable voltage source can be provided . further , while the power supply will be external to the integrated circuit the second reference voltage may be derived on the integrated circuit from the power supply voltage , for example from the collector of a transistor ( not shown ). coupled between the series of resistors 104 are electrical taps 105 , where each electrical tap 105 includes a switch to allow selection of a voltage associated with the coupling position of the electrical tap 105 with respect to the series of resistors 104 . as such , a different voltage point along the voltage gradient formed by the series of resistors 104 is selectable by the respective electrical taps . accordingly , a required voltage is selected using the selectable voltage source 103 . in the embodiment shown in fig1 the voltage selected is the target output voltage of regulator 102 . the voltage selected using the selectable voltage source 103 will depend upon the reference voltages and the configuration of resistors formed in the series of resistors 104 and the number and configuration of electrical taps 105 . a voltage selected by an electric tap switch is provided to an output of the selectable voltage source ( i . e . the electric tap switch couples the selectable voltage source output to the appropriate voltage point on the series of resisters 104 ). although , fig1 shows four resistors 104 in series and three electrical taps 105 , as would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art the selectable voltage source 103 could be configured with any number of resistors and / or electrical taps . additionally , alternative mechanisms of providing a selectable voltage might also be used , such as the use of voltage not current reference , or the use of a variable element such as resistance of a transistor , or variable voltage gain with a fixed primary reference . the regulator 102 is for regulating the voltage supply to the integrated circuit 100 , as is well known to a person skilled in the art . although any suitable form of regulator 102 could be used , for the purposes of the present embodiment the regulator 102 includes a differential amplifier 106 and an npn transistor 107 . although the npn transistor 107 is shown to be part of the integrated circuit 100 , sometimes the npn transistor will be instantiated externally to the integrated circuit 100 . further , any suitable transistor could be used , for example a pnp transistor or fet . an output from the selectable voltage source 103 is coupled to a non - inverting input of the differential amplifier 106 , an output from the differential amplifier 106 is coupled to the base of the npn transistor 107 and an inverting input of the differential amplifier 106 is coupled to the emitter of the npn transistor 107 , where the emitter output of the npn transistor 107 acts as the regulated voltage source for the integrated circuit 100 . the collector of the npn transistor 107 is coupled to the supply power line . as is well known to a person skilled in the art the regulator 102 is arranged to maintain a constant voltage based on the input voltage applied at the non - inverting input of the differential amplifier 106 . the control loop 101 is arranged to measure the regulated voltage at the output of the regulator 102 , which for the purposes of the present embodiment is the output from the emitter of the npn transistor 107 , and , based upon a required predetermined voltage , is arranged to set an appropriate electric tap 105 switch to select an appropriate voltage for outputting from the selectable voltage source 103 to the non - inverting input of the differential amplifier 106 . the control loop 101 includes an analogue to digital converter 108 adc and a controller 109 . the adc 108 is arranged to sample the regulated voltage at the output of the regulator 102 and provide the sampled digital representation of the regulated voltage to the controller 109 . ideally the adc 108 will have a resolution and accuracy equal to or greater than that of the selectable voltage source 103 . based upon the measured voltage - information received by the controller 109 from the adc 108 and predetermined voltage information stored in memory ( not shown ) of the controller 109 , the controller 109 determines whether the regulated voltage at the output of the regulator 102 needs to be modified . if the regulated voltage at the output of the regulator 102 does not correspond with the predetermined voltage information stored in the controller 109 , the controller 109 makes a determination as to the voltage that should be provided to the non - inverting input of the differential amplifier 106 and sets the appropriate electric tap switch of the selectable voltage source 103 to allow the appropriate voltage to be provided from the selectable voltage source 103 to the non - inverting input of the differential amplifier 106 . the operation of the controller 109 may be programmable . examples of the type of actions that the controller 109 may be configured to perform include : 1 ) determining that the regulated voltage is too low for optimum operation of the integrated circuit and cause the selected voltage to increase , for example using predetermined information relating to voltage taps , alternatively performing iterative increases in voltage ; 2 ) determining , based on other information received by the integrated circuit , that the voltage should be reduced to reduce power consumption ; 3 ) determining , based on other information , that the integrated circuit is in a test mode and that a voltage monitoring threshold should be reduced ; 4 ) based on known characteristics of the regulator the controller 109 could be arranged to raise voltage supply to provide increased supply voltage margin for correct operation of the integrated circuit ; 5 ) determine , based on information in memory , that the integrated circuit is used in a safety critical application and that a voltage monitor threshold should be adjusted closer to the operational limits of the integrated circuit ; 6 ) determine , based on a previous measurement stored in non - volatile memory , that the regulator voltage should be adjusted . the controller 109 could be any suitable form of processing device , for example a microcontroller , logic element or a digital signal processor dsp . it will also be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the entire feedback path , which includes the adc 108 , the controller 109 and voltage adjustment , can be replaced by dedicated circuitry . the advantage of an adc 108 and a microprocessor core , which acts as the controller 109 , is that such features typically exist in combination on many existing integrated circuits . as the adc 108 samples the regulated voltage supply on the integrated circuit this allows an increase in accuracy of voltage measurement and consequently allows a more accurate selection of voltage to be provided to the regulator 102 from the selectable voltage source 103 . although , as described above , the voltage information is stored in controller memory , equally the voltage information could be stored in memory external to the controller 109 . typically the voltage information will be stored in memory in binary form . as such , when supply power voltage is provided to the integrated circuit 100 the controller 109 identifies the presence of regulated voltage at the output of the regulator 102 and based upon the predetermined voltage information stored in the controller 109 , the controller 109 will cause the regulated voltage provided by the regulator 102 to self adjust dynamically to the required regulated voltage by the controller 109 selecting an appropriate electric tap switch of the selectable voltage source 103 to allow the desired voltage to be provided to the non - inverting input of the differential amplifier 106 . consequently , the control loop 101 will allow the regulated voltage provided by the regulator 102 to self adjust as predetermined by the instructions or operation of the controller 109 . a second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to fig2 , where the same features as shown in fig1 have the same reference numerals . the second embodiment of the present invention is based on a control loop 101 that is configured to select a voltage for controlling the supply voltage range over which an integrate circuit 200 is arranged to operate . as shown in fig2 the integrated circuit 200 includes the control loop 101 , where the control loop 101 is coupled to a first input of a comparator 201 and a control input of the selectable voltage source 103 . the control loop 101 and first input of the comparator are also coupled to an output from a selectable voltage source 103 . a second input of the comparator 201 is coupled to the integrated circuits voltage supply , which will typically be regulated . an output of the comparator 201 is coupled to a reset line for the integrated circuit , which when set high will place the integrated circuit in a reset condition . the comparator 201 is arranged to compare the voltage output from the selectable voltage source 103 , which is received at the comparators first input , with the integrated circuits voltage supply , which is received at the comparators second input . upon the comparator 201 detecting that the integrated circuits voltage supply is below the output voltage from the selectable voltage source 103 the comparator 201 is arranged to set its output high and consequently place the integrated circuit 200 in a reset condition . as the control loop 101 is able to select an appropriate output voltage from the selectable voltage source 103 it is possible for the control loop to dynamically define the operating voltage range for the integrated circuit 200 . further , by allowing the control loop 101 to select different output voltages from the selectable voltage source 103 the control loop 101 can be configured , as described below , to select an appropriate operating range for the integrated circuit 200 during normal operation of the integrated circuit 200 to minimise risk of erroneous operation while also allowing the possibility of extending the operating voltage range of the integrated circuit 200 to allow testing of the integrated circuit 200 with an extended operating voltage range , while still providing protection to the integrated circuit should large fluctuations in the integrated circuit voltage supply occur . as with the previous embodiment the selectable voltage source 103 comprises a series of resistors 104 couple between a first reference voltage , for example ground , and a second reference voltage , for example a supply power line . accordingly , the series of resistors 104 act as voltage dividers between the two reference voltages . coupled between the series of resistors 104 are electrical taps 105 , where each electrical tap 105 includes a switch to allow selection of a voltage associated with the coupling position of the electrical tap 105 with respect to the series of resistors 104 . as such , a different voltage point along the voltage gradient formed by the series of resistors 104 is selected by the respective electrical taps . accordingly , a voltage is selected using the selectable voltage source 103 by closing an appropriate electrical tap switch at the voltage point along the voltage gradient formed by the series of resistors 104 corresponding to the voltage required . the voltages selectable using the selectable voltage source 103 will depend upon the difference in voltage between the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage and the configuration of resistors formed in the series of resistors 104 and the number and configuration of electrical taps 105 . although , fig2 only shows four resistors 104 in series and three electrical taps 105 , as would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art the selectable voltage source 103 could be configured with any number of resistors and / or electrical taps . the control loop 101 includes an adc 108 and a controller 109 . the adc 108 is arranged to sample the output voltage from the selectable voltage source 103 , which is provided to the first input of the comparator 201 . the adc 108 is arranged to provide the sampled digital representation of the voltage from the selectable voltage source 103 to the controller 109 , where as described above the controller 109 can control the output voltage of the selectable voltage source 103 as required . for the purpose of the present embodiment the controller 109 is programmed to allow one of two voltages to be output from the selectable voltage source . the first allowable output voltage from the selectable voltage source 103 corresponds to the minimum operating voltage of the integrated circuit 200 during normal operation . the second allowable output voltage from the selectable voltage source 103 corresponds to the minimum operating voltage of the integrated circuit during testing of the integrated circuit , where the second allowable output voltage is lower than the first allowable output voltage . if the controller 109 is configured to allow the integrated circuit 200 to operate under normal operating conditions the controller 109 sets the appropriate electric tap switch for allowing the first allowable output voltage to be output from the selectable voltage source 103 to the first input of the comparator 201 . as such , if the integrated circuits supply voltage goes below the first allowable voltage the comparator 201 will set is output high and place the integrated circuit 200 in a reset condition until the integrated circuits supply voltage increases above the first allowable voltage . to avoid the integrated circuit oscillating between an operational condition and a reset condition some form of hysterisis could be adopted . if testing of the integrated circuit 200 is required the controller 109 can be placed in a test mode that causes the controller 109 to set the appropriate electric tap switch for allowing the second allowable output voltage to be output from the selectable voltage source 103 to the first input of the comparator 201 . consequently , this allows the operating voltage range of the integrated circuit 200 to be lowered to the second allowable voltage , thereby allowing extended testing of the integrated circuit 200 . this permits testing at below normal operating voltage and ensures highly reliable operation of the integrated circuit over its normal operating voltage range . through use of the invention , the reset monitor is never fully disabled , which is advantageous to a safety critical system . as such , if the integrated circuits supply voltage goes below the second allowable voltage the comparator 201 will set is output high and place the integrated circuit 200 in a reset condition until the integrated circuits supply voltage increases above the second allowable voltage . to avoid the integrated circuit oscillating between an operational condition and a reset condition some form of hysteresis could be adopted . although the controller 109 has been described as allowing the generation of two output voltages from the selectable voltage source 103 , the controller 109 can be configured to select any number of voltages from the selectable voltage source 103 . for example , in addition to the controller 109 being programmed with two operating modes , the controller 109 could be programmed with a safety critical mode , which allows the controller 109 to be configured to control the selectable voltage source 103 to output a third allowable output voltage that is higher than the first allowable output voltage , thereby narrowing the operating voltage range of the integrated circuit 200 which may be appropriate for safety critical devices , where the comparator would cause the integrated circuit 200 to reset if the integrated circuits voltage supply went below the third allowable output voltage . in operation the third allowable output voltage might be approached iteratively , whereby the current reset voltage is stored in a non - volatile manner that persists over a reset condition . the reset threshold might be increased fractionally , and if no reset occurs the new threshold would again be stored as a known good operating voltage . in this way the actual operating voltage range of the integrated circuit and supply can be established , and the controller could then set a suitable threshold for continuous operation as suits a safety critical system . it would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that such an embodiment of the invention would use a multitude of voltage taps . in addition to the adjustable setting of the lower allowable operating voltage for the integrated circuit 200 , equally the same approach could be used to alternatively or additionally set the higher allowable operating voltage for the integrated circuit 200 . whereas operating voltages lower than required are always encountered when the power supply to the integrated circuit is switched off , operating voltages higher than allowable are often indicative of a fault condition . consequently , safety critical systems should monitor for such conditions . as such , the control loop for selecting a voltage for an integrated circuit can be used for selecting a voltage for an integrated circuit for a variety of different purposes . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter may be modified in numerous ways and may assume embodiments other than the preferred forms specifically set out as described above , for example the control loop 101 could be configured to provide the functionality described in the first and second embodiments within the same integrated circuit and / or the comparator 201 in the second embodiment could be configured to reset the integrated circuit 200 by setting its output low .

6Physics

the present invention , in one embodiment , is a potentially curative therapy for certain cardiac conditions that utilizes a systems approach . the systems approach incorporates the introduction of a biologic , the introduction of a drug , the introduction of a device - based back - up , the introduction of the capability to terminate the biologic function , and / or the introduction of a device based therapy . for example , fig1 illustrates a biologic / device system 8 . system 8 will be described with reference to the specific treatment of common exemplary cardiac arrhythmias originating in the av - node or sa node such as av - block , sick sinus syndrome , atrial tachycardias , etc . ; however , it will be appreciated that the system 8 can be utilized to treat a variety of cardiac conditions , including heart failure , as well as neurological conditions , cancer , and provide islet cell transplantation , or other cell / gene therapies . for example , the present biologic therapy delivery management system 8 is useful to , among other things , provide curative therapy for cardiac arrhythmias , generating biologic pacemakers , performing av - nodal conduction modulation ( e . g ., reducing conduction velocities in the av - node in atrial fibrillation ), and modifying focal tissue for tachycardias . fig1 schematically illustrates how an imd 10 is implanted and coupled with a heart 12 . specifically , imd 10 may be an ipg to provide a pacing function , an icd to provide shocks , a monitoring implant to record various cardiac performance characteristics , or a device including any combination of these functions . a lead 30 is coupled to the imd 10 and is placed appropriately within the heart 12 . the lead 30 terminates in an appropriate electrode or sensor to deliver the appropriate therapy and / or monitor the appropriate variables . also provided is a biologic reservoir 20 containing the desired biologic agent and possibly other agents to either supplement or terminate the biologic , as will be described in greater detail . referring to fig1 a and 2 b , a stylet or lumen 50 interconnects the reservoir 20 with the myocardium in the right atrium ( ra ), and more specifically in this example , the av or sa node . the lumen 50 is guided through the lead 30 and may either be removed after the procedure or left in place . the combination of the lead 30 and lumen 50 is capable of performing a variety of functions . the lumen 50 includes a distal tip 55 . distal tip 55 may be forced into contact with the myocardial tissue or forced into the myocardial tissue thereby permitting delivery of the biologic or other agent through the lumen 50 and into or onto the tissue . an anchoring mechanism 60 may be attached to the lead 30 to facilitate the attachment of the lead 40 to the myocardial tissue . anchoring mechanism 60 may , for example , take the form of a helical coil that that can be rotationally advanced through an appropriate depth of tissue . in this manner , the lead 30 is secured to a targeted area and the lumen 50 can be advanced , allowing for the delivery of the biologic . in addition , the anchoring mechanism 60 can function as an electrode to deliver various therapies , sense certain parameters , or provide for ablation of the surrounding tissue , as will be described more fully below . alternatively , an electrode separate from the anchoring mechanism may be provided . one lead structure suitable for use as lead 30 and lumen 50 is more fully described in co - pending and commonly assigned application ser . no . 10 / 262 , 046 , entitled “ active fluid delivery catheter ”, filed oct . 2 , 2002 , which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety . in use , a patient suffering from a particular condition is designated to receive the combined biologic and device therapy . the lead 30 is delivered into the heart , e . g ., the ra and the appropriate position is targeted . lead positioning would be done by using one or more of the various mapping techniques such as electrophysiologic , radiologic , ultrasound echographic or mri - quided . for example , the tip of the lead 30 may be advanced to contact the av node , sa node , or other desired location . after the lead 30 is properly positioned , it is rotated ; thereby securing the helical anchor 60 into the myocardial tissue . thus , the lead 30 is now positioned and secured within the heart , and particularly in the proper location within the ra . the lumen 50 is then inserted into the lead 30 ( or simply advanced if already present ) until the tip 55 is proximate the myocardial tissue . then , the tip 55 is either advanced to contact the myocardial tissue or to penetrate therethrough , depending upon the nature of the biologic that will be delivered . if not already coupled , a proximal end of the lumen 50 is coupled with a biologic reservoir 20 external to the patient . the biologic is delivered from the reservoir 20 into the myocardial tissue . typically , the biologic is delivered as a solution into the tissue . once delivery is complete , the proximal end of the lumen 50 is disconnected from the reservoir and the lumen 50 is either removed from the lead 30 or seated for storage within the lead 30 . the imd 10 is coupled with the lead 30 that is implanted in a patient . in this embodiment , the lead provides a dual function as a conduit for the delivering of a biologic or other drug agent and also as a means for sensing , detection , cardioverting , defibrillating and / or pacing . in one embodiment , imd 10 includes cardiac monitoring features that monitor various cardiac parameters . in this manner , imd 10 can determine the effectiveness of the delivered biologic . as previously explained , the biologic will take time to reach efficacy . thus , in the meantime , imd 10 , via lead 30 can also provide an appropriate therapy such as pacing , cardioversion and / or defibrillation . fig3 is a flowchart illustrating the system 8 parameters . as previously explained , the imd 10 is implanted and the biologic is delivered ( 100 ). the imd 10 monitors ( 110 ) cardiac function to determine the efficacy of the biologic over time . the imd 10 can serve at least two therapy roles . specifically , since the biologic requires time to act . cardiac functioning may be impaired as a result of the underlying cardiac dysfunction . thus , the imd 10 may deliver therapy during this time ; however , this does not indicate a failure of the biologic . alternatively , after a period of time the biologic will have either successfully altered the cell structure and positively affected the cardiac parameter ( e . g ., reformed a node or generated pacing cells ). in such a case , the monitored cardiac performance is good ( 120 ). once such a state is confirmed , imd 10 will not need to deliver subsequent therapy 150 . however , imd 10 will continue to monitor and be available to deliver therapy in the event the biologic function is subsequently impaired or diminished . even when the biologic is successful or partially successful , the imd 10 may provide pacing therapy in some cases . for example , if the patient has an episode of atrial fibrillation or flutter , the imd 10 may provide overdrive pacing to control or terminate the condition . as another possibility , the biologic may improve cardiac performance to some extent or otherwise provide a change in condition , but some continued dysfunction may remain ( 130 ). for example , a new sa node may be formed , but without a rate response . in such a case , the imd 10 will take the appropriate therapeutic action , depending upon the measured parameters . if the dysfunction is tolerable , no intervention need be taken ( 150 ). if pacing or a similar therapy is required , that therapy is delivered ( 160 ). alternatively , the situation may warrant the termination of the biologic 170 . this decision tree can be programmed into the imd 10 or the imd 10 can provide the monitored data to an external source and the appropriate course of action can be externally programmed into the imd 10 . the imd 10 may determine that the biologic has completely failed ( 140 ) either by achieving no improvement or by possibly generating aberrant tissue . in such a case , the biologic may be destroyed and / or other therapies may be employed , such as overdrive pacing . one mechanism to destroy the biologic is to use the lead 30 to ablate the surrounding tissue by delivering an appropriate electrical current , thereby destroying the biologic and the tissue that was generated . alternative methods of ablation could be used such as rf or chemical delivery , delivered via the lead 30 or by external means . in one embodiment , the lumen 50 ( either because it is still in place or reinserted through lead 30 ) is used to deliver a cytotoxic agent to the target area thereby destroying the tissue affected by the biologic . if the efficacy of the biologic is less than optimal or even completely dysfunctional , the same or alternative biologics could be reintroduced to reattempt the therapy . in one embodiment , the proximal end of the lead 30 is re - exposed and reconnected to reservoir 20 ( or the like ) to deliver new or additional biologics . the cytotoxic chemical could also be introduced in this fashion . once the lead 30 is re - exposed the lumen 50 can be accessed if present or inserted for use . fig4 illustrates another embodiment where biologic reservoir 20 is implanted subcutaneously along with the imd 10 . a second lead or lumen 32 is illustrated to allow fluid delivery from the reservoir 20 , which includes a pumping mechanism , to the targeted cardiac tissue . it should be appreciated that the lumen 32 may be a separate component , as illustrated , or could function as lumen 50 and proceed within lead 30 as previously described . with biologic reservoir 20 implanted , the biologic could be delivered over time , redelivered to reinitiate or restart therapy , or by providing a separate fluid chamber , automatically deliver a cytotoxic agent to terminate the biologic . by forming an appropriate connection 40 with imd 10 , biologic reservoir 20 can be triggered by the imd to take the appropriate course of action . fig5 illustrates the functions of the sa and av node , as well as how their pathologies differ . the basic electrophysiology of the cardiac muscle and the cardiac nodes is presented . a goal of the therapy with the present system 8 is to restore certain pathologic conditions back to forms as close as possible to the ones shown . the present invention is applicable to many cardiac and neurological conditions . in some embodiments , biologics are used to act on cardiac conduction pathways . fig6 illustrates the basic electrophysiology of the cardiac muscle and the cardiac nodes . the electrophysiology of a cardiomyocyte is governed by the flow of ions across the cell membrane and across the membranes of the intracellular organelles , such as the sr and the mitochondria . flow of these ions across the membranes are not constant , but vary in time and morphology , as illustrated . pathologies distorting these currents would affect the electrophysiology of the cells , as well as the entire organ . for example , a defective ion channel might cause a cell to depolarize prematurely and initiate conduction of the signals with wrong timing , where gene therapy could be used to correct the abnormal channel function . all the currents shown in fig6 are governed by channel proteins , which are coded by genes , which are diagrammed in fig7 . genetic therapies delivered by the system 8 can be enhancing , reducing the function of the genes responsible for the electrophysiology , or can deliver genes that mimic cardiac pacemaker potentials ( e . g ., slow diastolic depolarization ) derived from other organ systems ( e . g . the brain ). genetic therapies for the enhancement of the gene expression can be via : over expression of the gene , over expression of a promoter , under expression of a silencer , over expression of a regulatory , over - expression of auxiliary subunits responsible for the pacemaker potentials . genetic therapies for the reduction of the gene expression can be via : rna interference ( e . g . sirna ), rna silencing ( missense ), over - expression of suppressor elements , blockade of transcription by decoy technologies , dominant negative suppression using a mutant channel gene . genetic therapies can be delivered via : viral vectors such , retrovirus , adenovirus , adeno - associated virus , non - viral vectors including , plasmids , lipid based , via - electroporation ( from the delivery lead itself ), or genetically engineered cells ( with pacemaker activity and conductivity ). cellular therapies may consist of autologous cells ( cultured , altered , or ex - vivo transfected ) including : fibroblasts , bone marrow derived stem cells , skeletal muscle derived , or cardiac derived — sa nodal cells . cellular therapies may also include allogeneic cells , such as mesenchymal stem cells , or xenogeneic cells . cells that are placed into the myocardium would act as new conduction pathways , new sinus nodes , new insulators to break or slow down the signals , and / or new av nodes . overall , the new biological node would create new functions to replace the lost ones , create blockage of pathways and / or reduce local conduction velocities in tissues ( myocardial and conduction system ). in addition to the cellular modifications , the imd 10 would provide the monitoring and necessary intervention , such as pacing , burst pacing , bias voltages to modify local potentials , and high energy shocks . in addition , the imd 10 could provide an alarm function for notifying a physician and / or patient of aberrant tissue function . this function can use transtelephonic or telemetered data transmission protocols . in certain embodiments , the lead system provides a platform for the initial delivery of the biologics and / or drugs as well as the re - intervention for additional delivery or secondary therapy . the lead 30 also provides electrical conduction for monitoring functions such as monophasic action potentials , action potential durations , depolarization frequency ( heart rate , atrial rate , ventricular rate ), and qt , st , ors , and p wave morphologies . further , the lead 30 allows for intervention such as overdrive pacing or the delivery of shocks to terminate arrhythmias and provides a route for ablation . ablation techniques could include rf energy , alcohol , or other ablation technologies . while the foregoing has been described with respect to the introduction of a biologic into the heart , it should be appreciated that various fluids and substances having a wide variety of purposes can be introduced into the heart in this manner . many types of drugs ( e . g ., amiodarone ), proteins ( e . g ., mmp - 9 ( matrix metallo protease ) therapeutic use for heart failure ), anti - arrhythmic compounds , and other therapeutic solutions can be delivered in various does and directly to a target area . this increases the potency and the efficacy , as the delivery is local . furthermore , fluids and even substances can be withdrawn from the heart 12 , out through the lumen 50 . as previously described , it is possible to implant a reservoir 20 so that the biologic or other solutions are selectively deliverable . the reservoir 20 could be implanted with a single useable quantity or it could be externally refillable . fig8 illustrates another embodiment where a more traditional imd 200 ( e . g ., a pacemaker , icd or the like ) includes the lead 30 having a fluid delivering lumen 50 as previously described . the imd 200 includes a fluid access port 21 that is in fluid communication with lead 30 . in this way , the fluid access port 210 can be accessed subcutaneously after implantation by inserting a syringe through the skin and piercing the fluid access port 210 . the fluid access port includes a self sealing membrane that will automatically reseal after the needle 220 is withdrawn . in this manner , fluids can be delivered from the syringe to the target area of the heart through the lead 30 lumen 50 combination . that is , advancing the piston of the syringe 220 generates sufficient pressure to transfer the contents of the syringe 220 , through the lumen 50 and into the heart 12 . this would be useful for the introduction of a biologic as explained above as well as for introducing various drugs or compounds for any number of purposes . in addition , the syringe or a similar device can be used to withdraw fluid ( e . g ., from the interstatial space ) from the heart for therapeutic purposes or for testing and evaluation . for example , the withdrawn samples could be used to assess inflammation , transplant rejection , infection or for other diagnostic purposes . other mechanism can be employed to deliver fluids to the target area after implantation . for example , a transvascular catheter could be advanced within the coronary vasculature . epicardial access could be obtained through surgical ports ( e . g ., a thoracotomy ). alternatively , endocardial catheter could be guided by intracardial egm and / or other mapping modalities . the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments useful in cardiac applications . it should be appreciated that the present invention is not so limited and may be utilized in various portions of the body to affect various organs , tissue , systems , anatomical features , or physiological functions including , for example , the heart , brain , pancreas , liver , stomach , venous system , nervous system , or spine . furthermore , it should be appreciated that the present invention may be utilized to deliver therapies or treatments that affect disparate or remote organs or systems . for example , biologics may be introduced in one site that affect a nervous pathway or function that ultimately affects or controls a remote physiological function . while multiple embodiments are disclosed , still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description , which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention . as will be realized , the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects , all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention . accordingly , the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive .

0Human Necessities

fig1 and 2 illustrate a prestressed concrete vessel 1 cylindrically designed and arranged centrally inside a safety tank ( not shown ) made of steel reinforced concrete and having a cylindrical shape . within the prestressed concrete vessel 1 , there are arranged a high temperature reactor 2 and the other components of the primary or cooling gas circuit , consisting of a turbine , a high pressure and a low pressure compressor and heat exchangers . as will be further described below , the connection of the heat exchangers are designed with two loops or circuits , wherein a recuperator , a precooler and an intermediate cooler are contained in each circuit . the high temperature reactor 2 , installed in a cavity 3 , is a graphite - modified , helium - cooled reactor , the fuel elements of which may be ball or block shaped . a hot gas collection chamber 4 is located below the bottom of the reactor core for collecting the heated gas released by the reactor core . a cold gas collection chamber 5 is provided above the reactor for collecting the gas flowing back from the main circuit before it is led back to the reactor core . the reactor core is surrounded by a cylindrically designed thermal barrier 6 , and the cavity 3 has a sealing liner 7 which is not equipped on its side facing the reactor 2 with any thermal protection means , such as isolation or cooling system for insulating against the loss of heat . between the thermal barrier 6 and the liner 7 , there is arranged an annular chamber 8 . the high temperature reactor 2 is connected to the remaining components of the main circuit by two outlet connecting ducts 9 , attached to the high temperature reactor 2 at the bottom by the same inlet connecting ducts 10 attached on top . vertically beneath the high temperature reactor 2 , is arranged a horizontal duct 11 in the prestressed concrete vessel . a single shaft gas turbine 12 , a low pressure compressor 13 , and a high pressure compressor 14 are located within the vessel in separate housings . the compressors are situated with the gas turbine on a common shaft . a generator ( not shown ) which is arranged in the safety tank , is coupled to the gas turbine 12 . the gas turbine and the compressors have two oppositely , horizontally arranged connecting ducts for each gas line . two vertical gas ducts 15 extend adjacent the gas turbine 12 upwards to the level of the bottom of the reactor core . a hot gas line 16 is installed in each of these gas ducts . each hot gas line 16 is connected to one of the reactor outlet connecting ducts 9 and with one of the two turbine inlet connecting ducts . in the upper part of the prestressed concrete vessel 1 , there are two more vertical gas ducts 17 , in an arrangement similar to that of vertical gas ducts 15 . in each case , one cold gas line 18 is connected to one of the two reactor inlet connecting ducts 10 . six vertical pods 19 are arranged in a partial circle ( see fig1 ) around the reactor cavity 3 , each pod being closed by explosion - proof lid 20 . the pods 19 act to enclose the heat exchangers such that they are arranged , as shown in fig1 in symmetrical arrangement with respect to the horizontal duct 11 , two recuperators 21 , two precoolers 22 , and two intermediate coolers 23 . all of the heat exchangers are installed at the same level as the reactor cavity 3 . both recuperators 21 are designed in box construction , and are operated countercurrently . the high pressure gas fed in from above is led through the interior of tubes 31 ( see fig2 ). the precoolers 22 and the intermediate coolers 23 are also designed in box construction and are operated countercurrently . the water , flowing within the tubes , enters the coolers from below . all of the heat exchangers are surrounded by a pressure casing 33 , which separates the inlet and outlet streams . at the same level as the horizontal duct 11 , there are provided several horizontal gas lines in the prestressed concrete vessel for connecting the heat exchangers of one loop or circuit with each other , or with the gas turbine assembly , respectively . as depicted in fig1 a gas line 24 runs between the recuperator , and the precooler of each loop , while the connection between both recuperators 21 , and the turbine outlet connecting duct , is effected in each case by a gas line 25 . the gas flows in each case through a gas line 26 from the precoolers 22 to the two inlet connecting ducts of the low pressure compressor , and between the low pressure compressor outlet and the two intermediate coolers 23 , by virtue of a gas line 27 provided in each case . on a somewhat lower plane , there are located two gas lines 28 ( dashed lines in fig1 ) which connect the two intermediate coolers 23 with the inlets of the high pressure compressor . from the high pressure compressor 14 , to the two recuperators 21 , the gas is led through vertical gas ducts 15 and 17 , over a large part of its flow , whereby it flows along the outside of the hot gas lines 16 and the cold gas lines 18 , which are arranged as coaxial gas lines . on its way from the gas duct 15 to the gas duct 17 , the gas is led into the reactor cavity 3 , coaxially to the reactor outlet connecting ducts 9 , and enters the annular chamber 8 between the thermal barrier 6 , and the liner 7 . while it flows upwardly in this annular chamber , it cools the liner 7 which is equipped additionally with a means for insulating against the loss of heat in the prestressed concrete vessel 1 ( see fig3 ). at the upper end of the vertical gas duct 17 , there is provided , in each case , a horizontal connection line 29 of coaxial construction in communication with one of the two pods 19 in which the recuperators 21 are installed . above the two recuperators , there is , in each case , arranged a gas distributor 30 , serving also as a support through which the gas is distributed to the tubes 31 . the upward feedback of the gas is effected in a central tube ( not shown ). the inner conduit 32 of the horizontal connecting line 29 is in each case connected to one of the two cold gas lines 18 . all recesses in the prestressed concrete vessel 1 are coated with a sealing skin or liner made of steel . in the region of the coaxial gas lines in the gas ducts 15 and 17 and the horizontal connecting lines 29 , only small temperature loads occur at the sealing liners , since the hot or warm gas streams , respectively , are surrounded in each case by colder gas streams . besides the six vertical pods for the heat exchangers , there are provided in the prestressed concrete vessel 1 , three other vertical pods 34 which are arranged along a circle having a radius smaller than that of the six vertical pods ( dashed lines in fig1 ). these act as an afterheat removal system , and , as shown in fig3 are made up of the conventional cooler 35 and blower 36 . each cooler 35 and blower 36 is installed one upon the other in one of the pods 34 . the cooler - blower units are each in communication with the high temperature reactor 2 by means of a coaxially arranged gas line 37 . during stand - by operation , a by pass of cold , high pressure gas flows through the cooler - blower units as shown by dotted arrows in fig2 . the cold gas stream is led upwardly from the bottom of each pod 34 into an annular chamber between the sealing liner of the pod and the cooler casing . it then enters the blower and flows again through the cooler 35 in a downward direction . during the operation of the afterheat removed system , the flow direction is reversed , whereby the entry of the gas into the reactor core is effected through special borings in the top of the thermal barrier 6 ( not shown ). the main or turbine circuit will now be described with reference to either of the two identical heat exchanger loops connected in parallel . the pressure during operation ranges between about 72 . 9 and 22 . 9 bars , while the temperature ranges between an upper limit of about 850 ° c . and a lower limit of about 20 ° c . on the hot gas side , the gas flows at 850 ° c . and 70 bar directly from the hot gas collection chamber 4 through the coaxial hot gas lines 16 to the two inlet flanges of the gas turbine 12 . in the gas turbine 12 , the working gas is released at a pressure of about 24 . 14 bars , and enters the recuperator 21 at a temperature of about 502 . 5 ° c . through the gas lines 25 at the side of the recuperator 21 and from the bottom . the gas is then streamed through the recuperator 21 from the bottom to the top . as a result , it is cooled down to about 147 . 7 ° c . by the cold gas flowing countercurrently at the high pressure side of the recuperator 21 . below the distributor 30 , the gas stream is reversed 180 °, and is led back between the casing of the recuperator 21 and the sealing liner of the pod 19 to the bottom of the pod . the gas reaches the precooler 22 through the gas line 24 and flows from the bottom to top between the sealing liner of the pod and the casing of the precooler 22 . it enters the precooler after a reversal of the gas flow along the side of the casing from the top to the bottom . here , the gas is cooled down to the lowest process temperature of 20 ° c ., before it is led to the inlet of the low pressure compressor 13 through the gas line 26 , after leaving the low pressure . the gas having a pressure of about 41 . 2 bars is led to the intermediate cooler 23 through the gas line 27 , flowing through it in the same manner as the precooler 22 and flowing out of it at a temperature of about 20 ° c . the gas reaches the inlet of the high pressure compressor 14 through the gas line 28 in which its pressure is increased to the maximum process pressure of about 72 . 9 bars . at the outlet of the high pressure compressor 14 , the working gas behind the diffuser is deflected by 180 ° and flows around the entire gas turbine assembly . it then enters the vertical gas duct 15 through which it flows upwardly along the outside of hot gas line 16 . it is then led upwardly at a temperature of 100 °- 140 ° c . through the annular chamber 8 into the reactor cavity 3 , whereby it directly impinges the liner 7 at this temperature . from the annular chamber 8 , the cold , high pressure gas then flows through the vertical gas duct 17 , and the horizontal connecting line 29 whereby it passes along the outside of the cold gas line 18 into the recuperators 21 . in the recuperator 21 , it is distributed among the single tubes 31 by the distributor 30 . during the flowing through in the tubes 31 from the top to the bottom , the operation gas is heated by the turbine gas , flowing countercurrently along the side of the casing . in the central tube ( not shown ), it is then led upwardly and leaves the recuperator 21 through the inner conduit 32 of the coaxial horizontal connecting line 29 . through the cold gas line 18 , and the reactor inlet connecting duct 10 , the gas finally reaches the cold gas collection chamber 5 of the high temperature reactor 2 . fig3 shows a section of the prestressed concrete vessel 1 with the liner 7 , and its cooling system 38 . this comprises a number of cooling lines , which are arranged in a thermal insulation layer 39 along the side of the concrete . the liner 7 is mounted along this layer by means of anchorings 40 . in the prestressed concrete vessel 1 , there are arranged axially running bracing cables , as well as annular bracing cable 42 around the circumference of the vessel . furthermore , in fig3 there can be seen the thermal barrier 6 in the cavity 3 , and the annular chamber 8 . fig4 illustrates a precooler 43 in another embodiment of the nuclear power plant with a cooling system which is connected to the cooling system 38 of the liner 7 . this precooler is installed within a pod 19 , situated in the prestressed concrete vessel 1 . the feed of helium coming from the recuperator is effected from the top through the external conduit 44 of a coaxial gas line . the gas is led off again out of the precooler 43 through internal conduit 45 to a compressor , as indicated by the arrows . the cooling water enters the precooler 43 from the bottom , and flows in the manner indicated by the black arrows . after passing through the precooler 43 , it is led along an annular chamber 46 , which is bordered by the pressure casing 33 of the precooler and the sealing liners 47 of the pod 19 through the lines 48 . the annular chamber 46 is in communication with the cooling system 38 of the liner 7 through conduit 48 , thus permitting the flow of cooling water between the precooler and the liner cooling system . the cooling system of a recuperator can also be designed in a similar fashion except , that instead of passing cooling water through the annular chamber between the pressure casing 33 of the recuperator and the sealing liner 47 of the pod 19 , low temperature helium from the primary circuit ( not shown ) is flowed through the annular chamber . the specification and drawings set forth preferred embodiments of the invention . it should be noted , however , that the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments and methods specifically disclosed , but extends instead to all embodiments substitute and equivalent constructions falling within the scope of the invention , as defined by the claims .

6Physics

by way of background , we first describe an example photovoltaic power conditioning unit . thus fig1 shows photovoltaic power conditioning unit of the type we described in wo2007 / 080429 . the power converter 1 is made of three major elements : a power converter stage a , 3 , a reservoir ( dc link ) capacitor c dc 4 , and a power converter stage b , 5 . the apparatus has an input connected to a direct current ( dc ) power source 2 , such as a solar or photovoltaic panel array ( which may comprise one or more dc sources connected in series and / or in parallel ). the apparatus also has an output to the grid main electricity supply 6 so that the energy extracted from the dc source is transferred into the supply . the power converter stage a may be , for example , a step - down converter , a step - up converter , or it may both amplify and attenuate the input voltage . in addition , it generally provides electrical isolation by means of a transformer or a coupled inductor . in general the electrical conditioning of the input voltage should be such that the voltage across the dc link capacitor c dc is always higher than the grid voltage . in general this block contains one or more transistors , inductors , and capacitors . the transistor ( s ) may be driven by a pulse width modulation ( pwm ) generator . the pwm signal ( s ) have variable duty cycle , that is , the on time is variable with respect to the period of the signal . this variation of the duty cycle effectively controls the amount of power transferred across the power converter stage a . the power converter stage b injects current into the electricity supply and the topology of this stage generally utilises some means to control the current flowing from the capacitor c dc into the mains . the circuit topology may be either a voltage source inverter or a current source inverter . fig2 shows details of an example of a power conditioning unit of the type shown in fig1 ; like elements are indicated by like reference numerals . in fig2 a q 1 - q 4 , d 1 - d 4 and the transformer form a dc - to - dc conversion stage , here a voltage amplifier . in alternative arrangements only two transistors may be used ; and / or a centre - tapped transformer with two back - to - back diodes may be used as the bridge circuit . in the dc - to - ac converter stage , q 9 , d 5 , d 6 and lout perform current shaping . in alternative arrangements layout may be located in a connection between the bridge circuit and the dc link capacitor . transistors q 5 - q 8 constitutes an “ unfolding ” stage . thus these transistors q 5 - q 8 form a full - bridge that switches at line frequency using an analogue circuit synchronised with the grid voltage . transistors q 5 and q 8 are on during the positive half cycle of the grid voltage and q 6 and q 7 are on during the negative half cycle of the grid voltage . control ( block ) a of fig1 may be connected to the control connections ( e . g . gates or bases ) of transistors in power converter stage a to control the transfer of power from the dc energy source . the input of this stage is connected to the dc energy source and the output of this stage is connected to the dc link capacitor . this capacitor stores energy from the dc energy source for delivery to the mains supply . control ( block ) a may be configured to draw such that the unit draws substantially constant power from the dc energy source regardless of the dc link voltage v dc on c dc . control ( block ) b may be connected to the control connections of transistors in the power converter stage b to control the transfer of power to the mains supply . the input of this stage is connected to the dc link capacitor and the output of this stage is connected to the mains supply . control b may be configured to inject a substantially sinusoidal current into the mains supply regardless of the dc link voltage v dc on c dc . the capacitor c dc acts as an energy buffer from the input to the output . energy is supplied into the capacitor via the power stage a at the same time that energy is extracted from the capacitor via the power stage b . the system provides a control method that balances the average energy transfer and allows a voltage fluctuation , resulting from the injection of ac power into the mains , superimposed onto the average dc voltage of the capacitor c dc . the frequency of the oscillation can be either 100 hz or 120 hz depending on the line voltage frequency ( 50 hz or 60 hz respectively ). two control blocks control the system : control block a controls the power stage a , and control block b power stage b . an example implementation of control blocks a and b is shown in fig2 b . in this example these blocks operate independently but share a common microcontroller for simplicity . in broad terms , control block a senses the dc input voltage ( and / or current ) and provides a pwm waveform to control the transistors of power stage a to control the power transferred across this power stage . control block b senses the output current ( and voltage ) and controls the transistors of power stage b to control the power transferred to the mains . many different control strategies are possible . for example details of one preferred strategy reference may be made to our earlier filed wo2007 / 080429 ( which senses the ( ripple ) voltage on the dc link )— but the embodiments of the invention we describe later do not rely on use of any particular control strategy . in a photovoltaic power conditioning unit the microcontroller of fig2 b will generally implement an algorithm for some form of maximum power point tracking . in embodiments of the invention we describe later this or a similar microcontroller may be further configured to control whether one or both of the dc - to - dc power converter stages are operational , and to implement “ soft ” switching off of one of these stages when required . the microcontroller and / or associated hardware may also be configured to interleave the power transistor switching , preferable to reduce ripple as previously mentioned . now to fig3 a , this shows a further example of a power conditioning unit 600 . in the architecture of fig3 a photovoltaic module 602 provides a dc power source for dc - to - dc power conversion stage 604 , in this example each comprising an llc resonant converter . thus power conversion stage 604 comprises a dc - to - ac ( switching ) converter stage 606 to convert dc from module 602 to ac for a transformer 608 . the secondary side of transformer 608 is coupled to a rectifying circuit 610 , which in turn provides a dc output to a series - coupled output inductor 612 . output inductor 612 is coupled to a dc link 614 of the power conditioning unit , to which is also coupled a dc link capacitor 616 . a dc - to - ac converter 618 has a dc input from a dc link and provides an ac output 620 , for example to an ac grid mains supply . a microcontroller 622 provides switching control signals to dc - to - ac converter 606 , to rectifying circuit 610 ( for synchronous rectifiers ), and to dc - to - ac converter 618 in the output ‘ unfolding ’ stage . as illustrated microcontroller 622 also senses the output voltage / current to the grid , the input voltage / current from the pv module 602 , and , in embodiments , the dc link voltage . ( the skilled person will be aware of may ways in which such sensing may be performed ). in some embodiments the microcontroller 622 implements a control strategy as previously described . as illustrated , microcontroller is coupled to an rf transceiver 624 such as a zigbee ™ transceiver , which is provided with an antenna 626 for monitoring and control of the power conditioning unit 600 . referring now to fig3 b , this shows details of a portion of an example implementation of the arrangement of fig3 a . this example arrangement employs a modification of the circuit of fig2 a and like elements to those of fig2 a are indicated by like reference numerals ; likewise like elements to those of fig3 a are indicated by like reference numerals . in the arrangement of fig3 b an llc converter is employed ( by contrast with fig2 a ), using a pair of resonant capacitors c 1 , c 3 . the circuits of fig1 to 3 are particularly useful for microinverters , for example having a maximum rate of power of less than 1000 watts and or connected to a small number of pv modules , for example just one or two such modules . in such systems the panel voltages can be as low as 20 volts and hence the conversion currents can be in excess of 30 amps rms . we will now describe techniques which enable a solar microinverter to be encapsulated to provide a combination of thermal management , dielectric resistance , environmental robustness and good electromagnetic emissions performance . referring now to fig4 a and 4 b , these show an exploded 3 - d view of a solar photovoltaic inverter 400 according to an embodiment of the invention . the solar inverter comprises a power conditioning circuit , for example of the type shown in fig3 a and 3 b , mounted on a circuit board 402 , having , in the illustrated example , two dc power inputs 404 and an ac power output 406 , each comprising a cable connection to the circuit board 402 . the circuit board is provided with a conductive shield comprising first and second portions 408 a , b of a can which substantially encloses the circuit board 402 , fitting around the perimeter of the circuit board . the can may be formed , for example , from 0 . 8 mm - 1 mm aluminium , and provides emc ( electromagnetic compatibility ) shielding , as well as a thermal conductor for heat spreading / dissipation . each of can portions 408 a , b is provided with a set of holes 410 ( not visible in can portion 408 a ) and these enable the entire assembly to be overmoulded in an injection moulding process so that the encapsulation becomes the mechanical housing of the device . by providing holes 410 the encapsulating material is able to expel air from the assembly . this means that there is no condensation , no issues associated with thermal expansion of the air , and the injection moulding process ensures that there are no hot spots from residual air bubbles when the inverter is in use . the injection moulding process is performed in the usual way , by providing a suitable injection moulding tool within which the assembly to overmould is located , the overmoulding , for example of polyamide then being applied under pressure . the mould or tool may be shaped to enable the escape of air through air vents , for example in the parting line of the mould . the result is a plastic overmould 412 . in fig4 , for ease of representation , this is not shown as extending through can portion 408 a but nonetheless in practice the overmould coats the circuit board 402 . similarly for ease of representation the lower part of overmould 412 is not shown in fig4 a . in the illustrated example overmould 412 includes strain relief features 412 a for cables 404 , 406 . the overmould process is able to provide a high degree of environmental sealing / protection , for example up to ip67 or ip68 . a high degree of hermetic sealing is also useful where an inverter may need to have a long shelf life , to ensure that there is minimal moisture ingress . the circuit board 402 may include , for example , a transformer 402 a , and to prevent cracking of overmoulded core this is preferably pre - coated in silicone to allow for thermal expansion . fig4 b shows another example of a solar photovoltaic inverter 450 , very similar to that of fig4 a , according to an embodiment of the invention . like elements to those of fig4 a are indicated by like reference numerals . in the arrangement of fig4 a the shielding and overmould are asymmetric with respect to the printed circuit board assembly 402 . again not all of holes 410 are shown , and again the full extent of the plastic overmould is omitted , for clarity . in fig4 b the base portion of overmould 412 comprises a base plate with locking features to match an interface base 414 , for mounting the inverter on a photovoltaic panel . optionally the interface base 414 may be incorporated into the overmould 412 . the pcb assembly 402 of fig4 b also includes a modular connector system 416 , comprising a connector plate which is overmoulded to form a seal behind the plate . this facilitates a manufacturing process in which standard form inverters are overmoulded and then afterwards cable connectors added for the photovoltaic panels by mating a suitable cable connector to the standard interface 416 of the modular connector system . in embodiments one or both can portions 408 a , b may be employed as the antenna 626 of the rf transceiver 624 of the fig3 a . referring to fig5 , the antenna / shield may either be allowed to float or it may be grounded via an rf choke 502 making connection to a ground line 500 of the inverter . where one or both of can portions 408 a , b is used as an antenna it is preferable that hole portions 410 have maximum dimension which is no greater than the wavelength at the frequency of operation of rf transceiver 624 , preferably no greater than a quarter wavelength so that the holes are effectively ‘ invisible ’ to the rf signal . in embodiments the rf transceiver 624 is a zigbee ™ ( transceiver ) operating at approximately 2 . 4 ghz , in which case the quarter wavelength dimension is 31 . 25 mm ( although in practice this will be modified a little by the effect of the dielectric overmoulding of the can / antenna ). referring now to fig6 a , this shows a further embodiment of an overmoulded solar photovoltaic inverter 700 , showing a view from above and two side elevations . the inverter 700 has a plastic overmould 702 , which forms the body of the inverter , into which is moulded a mounting plate 704 . in alternative embodiments the mounting may be formed from the overmould itself . the inverter has a pair of cables 706 a , b for positive and negative dc connections to a photovoltaic panel , for example of standard mc4 type , and an ac mains output cable 706 bearing a suitable connector at the end . fig6 b illustrates components of the inverter 700 prior to overmoulding , showing top and side views of the inverter 700 , cross - sectional views of top and bottom electrically conductive shield ( faraday cage ) components 750 , 760 , and the mounting plate 704 . as can be , seen the faraday cage incorporates a plurality of holes to enable the overmoulding to be performed after coating the circuit board with silicone or the like . no doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person . it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

referring to fig1 , general features of a portable therapeutic gas concentrator are shown . typically gas is drawn into the inlet through an inlet filter 1 into a compressor 2 . compressed air is then delivered at a rate of about 3 lpm to 30 lpm ( through various filters and other devices ) to a gas separation section for selectively adsorbing a component of the gas . the preferred embodiments of the invention , although applicable to a variety of gas concentrator implementations , will be described in detail for the case where the inlet gas is air , and the gas separation section is based on psa , va , vpsa or some combination thereof , utilizing adsorbent beds 3 which selectively adsorb nitrogen , producing oxygen rich product . a variety of gas separation section cycle types and bed arrangements are known in the art , most of which can benefit from the embodiments of the invention . whatever the details of the gas separation section 3 , typically product gas is accumulated in a storage device 4 . storage devices may include a tank in the traditional sense , or may be some other device effective for holding a volume of gas , such as a tube , or some other volume filled with an adsorbent to increase its holding capacity . many modern concentrators used for therapeutic applications also include a programmable controller 5 to operate the concentrator and provide for user interface 8 and communications . also typical are gas exhaust 6 , and delivery to patient , which often is through a conserver device 7 . earlier portable oxygen concentrator designs were heavier and typically had an oxygen output of only around 0 . 1 l / lb of system weight . this low output to weight ratio was largely a result of thicker housing walls and redundant components to aid in sound reduction and vibration isolation . for a system that can be carried by the user by a shoulder strap or backpack system , a higher oxygen output to weight ratio is desired . embodiments of the current invention increase the oxygen to weight ratio by as much as 30 % over prior art concentrators while also achieving lower sound levels and increased durability . by comparison , popular existing systems have much lower oxygen to weight ratios . the inogen one delivered 0 . 75 l of oxygen and weighed 9 . 7 pounds for an output to weight ratio of 0 . 08 l / lb . the respironics everflo in measurements made by the inventors produced 1 . 05 l of oxygen at 10 . 2 pounds for an output to weight ratio of 0 . 10 l / lb . the inventors also tested the airsep freestyle and measured 0 . 45 l of oxygen and weighs 4 . 3 pounds for an output to weight ratio of 0 . 10 l / lb . while efforts have been made to achieve greater oxygen output to weight ratios in transportable units such as continuous flow portable concentrators like the sequal eclipse , these units have integrated cart handles and wheels so they are not designed for the same purpose as a carried or worn concentrator and are not as likely to experience the same level of abuse as the type of concentrator designed by the inventors . as a portable concentrator shrinks to a size where it can be carried , the likelihood of significant drop and impact is greatly increased . system housing wall thickness may be reduced from 0 . 050 ″ down to 0 . 030 ″ or less depending on the flame rating requirements of the selected material . further , as the volume of the concentrator shrinks from around 1200 cubic inches , the noise , vibration , and heat generating components become ever closer to the housing walls , and inlet vents , and exhaust vents . this volume reduction necessitates improved functionality from noise mitigation and vibration mitigation designs while not allowing for additional size or weight to achieve the noise and vibration reductions . for instance the inventors tested the invacare xpo2 and measured a high oxygen to weight ratio of 0 . 12 l / lb producing 0 . 84 l of oxygen at 7 . 3 pounds , but observed noise level increases to above 45 dba as a result . as miniaturization of a portable oxygen concentrator progresses the designers are faced with ever more difficult challenges , and this disclosure details several novel design approaches that offer solutions to weight , noise , and durability requirements . the figures depict exemplary implementations that resemble portions of an as - built novel concentrator . however it is to be understood that the details in the figures are by way of example only and in many cases serve to illustrate a particular version of a novel concept that need not follow the exact configuration of the figures to fall within the teachings and claims of the invention . referring to fig2 a general illustration of the novel concentrator is shown . concentrator housing 21 , battery 22 and user interface 8 are shown . the battery 22 , as depicted in the exemplary figure , forms a nearly seamless integration with the concentrator so that the battery actually forms the bottom of the concentrator and has integral overmolding that functions as an impact absorber and anti - slip footing for the concentrator . since many drops and impacts would be taken by the bottom of the concentrator , the location of the battery provides a level of protection where damage to the battery would not stop the concentrator from functioning on external power such as ac or dc power . in addition , the sliding rails of the battery and the interlocking components that form the mating rail on the concentrator form a particularly strong and rigid area of the concentrator that allow the battery and shell of the concentrator to dissipate energy without harmfully transmitting it to the working internals of the device . the housing 21 of the concentrator is also devoid of corners and flat surfaces to further stiffen the outer shell , which allows for reduced wall thickness without reduced durability . fig3 a and 3 b depict a particular embodiment of the concentrator 21 . base panel 33 connects to side panels 31 and 32 as well as front panel 34 and rear panel 35 as can be seen when front and rear panels 34 and 35 are attached they form an air plenum with an offset flow path , which for the exemplary panel design shown is completely non - overlapping . this offset ducting design is a significant improvement for noise isolation . a mesh screen 37 may be employed as a debris filter on the input air plenum . at least some and preferably all the side , front and rear panels are configured to overlap bottom panel 33 . when battery 22 is installed , it is configured to contact and retain the panels for added rigidity . similarly , top panel 35 also contacts all of the body panels as well . in the exemplary implementation , the air plenum space formed by the mating of panels 31 , 32 and 34 and the similar air plenum space formed by the mating of panels 31 , 32 and 35 create a double walled structure where there are a plurality of connecting points , preferably eight or more . these double walled structures are similar in function to the battery attachment on the bottom of the concentrator where multiple components are mated to increase rigidity and strength while also providing for noise reduction and easy serviceability . in one particular embodiment , the side panels wrap around the front and back of the device to mate together forming the inner wall of the double walled structure and are the two side panels and the top panel are joined with a single screw creating a three point anchor system . the side panels further have mirror imaged cut - outs to form the inner air vent opening at the front of the device and the inner exhaust vent opening at the rear of the device . to form the outer wall of the intake or the exhaust plenum , a convex and stylized panel is installed by engaging retention clips that protrude from the convex outer panel through slots on the side panels . these clips and slots are locked into place when the panel is slid upward and further reinforced because the battery blocks the panel from disengagement in the downward direction . the opening in the end panel is offset from the opening formed in the wall section of the side panels and the air flows through the space formed between the end panels and the wall section of the side panels . the path through both plenums is offset , preferably substantially non - overlapping or completely non - overlapping , to provide noise isolation by eliminating a direct path for noise to exit the device . as shown in fig4 a , b and c panels can be attached to each other via an interference fit such as snapped together with retention clips 42 and 43 . when assembled , retention clips may be further reinforced with fastener mounts 41 to ensure that housing holds its shape during impact to prevent undue deformation to internal components . the multitude of snapping features or other forms of interference fit type of fastening devices also allows for a reduction in the number of screws or fasteners required to assemble the concentrator since panels can be locked in place by two fasteners while maintaining strength around the entire perimeter of the panel through the snap features . this assembly method greatly reduces the assembly time and weight that would be required to have a high number of fasteners . for example , the sequal eclipse is a simple clamshell design that 10 screws to fasten the two halves together . the inventors design uses 13 screws to fasten six panels together for roughly 50 % less fasteners per housing panel . a particular implementation is shown in fig4 b and 4 c . as shown in fig4 b , when side panel 31 is mated with bottom panel 33 , a rail is formed along the length of the panels . when battery 22 is installed , the side panel can no longer be removed because the retention clips must be disengaged in the direction of movement that is blocked by the battery 22 . as shown in fig4 c , back panel 35 attached to side panels 31 and 32 by sliding upwards to engage the retention clips 43 . when battery 22 is installed , back panel 35 is prevented from sliding downward and thus cannot be disengaged by drop or impact . similar arrangements as shown in the figures also apply to the front and other side panels . thus when battery 22 is installed , all four panels are contacted and restrained such that the panels cannot be disassembled with battery in place and structural integrity is greatly increased . referring to fig5 , the plenums formed by the assembled panels are shown . input 52 is offset from opening 53 as output 55 is offset from opening 54 . preferably an air barrier 50 is present within the housing between the input and output plenums , and it carries an air mover 51 , which provides the only airflow path through the barrier . in a particular embodiment barrier 50 has a plurality of functions such as an electronic circuit board and air mover 51 is a cooling fan mounted to the board 50 . the circuit board 50 is preferably sealed to the housing with foam to prevent air leakage back across the air barrier . the air flow through the body is shown . in a particular as built embodiment , the absorber columns are in the input side of the barrier and the compressor is in the output side of the barrier . when assembled the panels and barrier constitute a very rigid shell with controlled noise airflow that is particularly suited to an oxygen concentrator where room air must be drawn into the system as a source of oxygen and the nitrogen rich exhaust gas must be expelled from the concentrator . it is advantageous to separate these gas streams so that there is no excess nitrogen drawn into the air inlet of the compressor . referring to fig6 a , b and c , details of the compressor side of the novel concentrator are shown . in the exemplary version depicted , a compressor bracket 64 is mounted to panel 33 . bracket 64 is preferably mounted to panel 33 with shock / vibration isolating elements which in the exemplary version shown are rubber feet 65 . feet 65 preferably have a durometer between 20 a and 60 a . compressor 62 is in turn mounted to bracket 64 with another set shock / vibration isolation elements , providing two levels of isolation . in the exemplary version , the second set of isolators is fabricated on the bracket as overmolded rubber 64 . panel 33 in an as - built configuration is the only housing panel with structural mounting for a vibrating component . panel 33 is an internal panel where the battery is mounted on the underside of the panel . this panel is particularly suited for compressor mounting since the highly mass dense battery absorbs much of the transmitted vibration and prevents the transmission of vibration to the side panels that may contact the user while the device is being carried . in the inventors &# 39 ; prior art concentrator the compressor was mounted to a separate internal chassis that was then surrounded by housing components which led to added weight and size . the separate internal chassis of the prior art concentrator was also more susceptible to damage during drop or impact because the structure was not supported across much of its surface area . panel 33 is fully supported by battery 22 leading to a much stronger and more resilient design . bracket 64 may be made of aluminum for example and in the exemplary version the compressor 62 is a two piston unit . the two piston inputs are connected by low profile compliant member 63 . element 63 in the embodiment shown is a rubber duct 630 and 631 with one snap fit and one threaded attachment to allow for vertical compliance since the compressor assemblies are pressed onto the motor shaft without a hard stop to prevent bearing loading . it may be made from two joined molded rubber pieces and the air channel preferably is between 0 . 02 and 0 . 08 sq in . the compliant member preferably has a durometer between 20 a and 70 a to prevent the flat surfaces from resonating noise . the inventors tried multiple materials and fabrication methods and achieved unacceptable results until the proper material durometer were selected . the flat geometry of the compliant member allows for adequate cross section to prevent flow loss from the compressor while also minimizing the protrusion height from the concentrator . with the small external dimensions of a carried portable oxygen concentrator all components must be optimized to reduce space in critical directions . prior art intake joining tubes were two hard plastic cylinders that slid internal to one another for compliance and protruded as much as twice as far from the compressor as the inventors compliant member 63 . air filter 61 is preferably arranged with its input and output at right angles and had tortuous air path 610 again for noise isolation . air filter 61 is plumbed to the air blower with compliant tubing in the durometer range of 20 a to 60 a . the compressor mounting arrangement preferably also includes bump stops 66 to limit compressor deflection in the event of the concentrator being dropped or impacted . stops 66 are placed adjacent to mounting feet 65 and compressor 62 . the stops 66 built into bracket 64 substantially prevent the compressor from colliding with delicate components like the printed circuit board or the external housing components . the bump stops 66 adjacent the mounting feet 65 also allow for softer mounting feet to be used without risk of tearing due to over deflection during drop impact . bracket 64 may also include mounting for beds with compliant airflow elements . when assembled , the compressor filter assembly us mounted to the housing through two layers of isolation and only connected to the rest of the system through compliant elements . thus the assembly is highly resistant to shock and displacement while providing vibration and noise isolation . fig7 a and 7 b illustrate another embodiment of the novel concentrator . pressure sensor 72 is designed to mount to a circuit card 50 with two fasteners . the in effect is a stiff fixed mounting that can create a torque or twist on the sensor between the mounting screws and the barbed tubing connections . due to the shock , vibration and general motion experienced in the portable concentrator environment , this fixed mounting point induced strain can couple vibration into the sensor and can affect the quality of the measured reading . the inventors developed clip 73 which snap mounts to the sensor 72 and is a cantilever designed to mount into fastener points intended for the sensor , while suspending the sensor itself so that it is mounted near the barbed tubing connections to relieve any strain or stress on the body of the sensor where the delicate pressure measuring components are housed . this strain relief in effect greatly diminishes the vibration coupled into the sensor and allows for more reliable and more sensitive breath detection capabilities . referring to fig8 , the absorber bed side of the concentrator of one embodiment is detailed . absorber columns 81 are supported , preferably at the top and bottom by isolation elements which fit into the housing panels such as panel 33 . these elements are in the exemplary version shown , foam blocks 82 and 83 with cutouts supporting the columns . the columns are located and held relative to each other by clips 84 . clips 84 and blocks 82 and 83 may also carry one or more other items in addition to absorber beds , including air dryers , an oxygen sensor , and product gas accumulator . thus the columns and other items are floating in the housing with no hard contact to the housing at all . this arrangement greatly improves the durability and survivability of the concentrator while providing yet more noise and vibration isolation . further in some embodiments , the columns are held in the concentrator without any screws whatsoever allowing for a very comply column replacement of the zeolite is ever contaminated . in addition , noise barrier 50 and blower 51 may also be mounted in the foam blocks . the resulting assembly shown in fig9 illustrates the overall concentrator assembly of one embodiment . rigid and strong shell 21 composed of interlocking panels and locked by battery 22 has no direct contact with any interior components . the columns 81 , dryer , accumulator , and all electronics 50 and fan 51 float in a float in a foam chassis 82 and 83 on one side of the air barrier . compressor 62 vibrates too much to use a foam chassis , so it and all directly attached components are supported by two levels of rubberized isolation , again with no direct hard attachment to the exterior housing panels . in one implementation , the only communication between the two sections is by way of compliant airflow elements such as soft plastic tubing and the like . airflow is carefully designed to reduce noise . the result is a very hard shell , with all interior components possessing a large amount of freedom of motion relative to the shell and each other , producing an extremely damage resistant and very quiet design . the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has shown , described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention . it will be understood that various omissions , substitutions , and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated as well as the uses thereof , may be made by those skilled in the art , without departing from the spirit of the invention . consequently , the scope of the invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussions , but should be defined by appended claims .

0Human Necessities

embodiments of the invention allow scalable repair block error correction for sequential multiple data blocks in a disk drive . for example , a repair block can be used to store error correction symbols for multiple data blocks . this could be one repair block for one data track , or it could be one repair block for a certain amount of data such as 1 megabyte ). the term “ scalable ” is used herein to mean that each repair block can be designed to correct 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , or more individual data blocks . in a preferred embodiment cauchy encoding is used because this mathematical method allows efficient / small amount of dedicated hardware to perform on - the - fly ( otf ) calculations ). prior art xor dedicated hardware only creates a parity block . the invention can be used advantageously in shingled magnetic recording ( smr ) disk drives . sequential data blocks are generally written in sequential tracks in smr drives , so one repair block for multiple sequential data blocks is practical . if used in conventional hard drives , the random writes of single lbas would require reading of the entire track then modification and rewrite of repair block . embodiments of the invention achieve verifiable otf - erasure recovery in smr - hdd using a combination ( concatenation ) of : the medc can be implemented in various ways known in the art . the ted is preferably designed as a “ cauchy - type .” both cauchy - type ecc , as well as reed solomon ecc , are “ maximum distance separable ” ( mds ) codes . a scalable “ cauchy - type sector erasure - correction code ” is a programmable set of sector - symbol multipliers that iteratively generates a cauchy matrix that multiplies the sectors in a track to produce cumulatively weighted parity - sectors , where the number of programmable multipliers equals the number of parity sectors . the unique property of a “ cauchy - type ” matrix guarantees that there is a similar set of programmable multipliers that will recover any combination of erased data sectors [ and parity sectors ], up to the mds - correction capability , by iteratively generating the appropriate inverse submatrix . this “ cauchy - type ” property permits otf - erased sector recovery of a programmable number of erased sectors , using relatively inexpensive encoder / decoder hardware and , most importantly , it permits the storage of parity - sectors in sram making this scheme implementable in hard drive controller ( hdc ) logic . in contrast shift - register storage of parity sectors would require millions of gates . the concatenated medc provides sector erasure pointers to the ted and also a means to verify its correctness , as the parity - sector calculation automatically satisfies the check equations of the metadata - ecc . this provides a means to verify the integrity of the parity sectors and furthermore the recovery of old key - id of the erased sectors as a “ data integrity handshake ”. this natural concatenation guarantees a simple implementation of the mandatory verification of the erased - sector recovery , using existing hdc - hardware . benefits of the invention include density gains on the order of 3 % of hard error rate specification . ecc information occupies ˜ 0 . 5 % at track od and 1 . 0 % at id . complexity increases with increased number of sector correction capability . sequential operation performance is maintained . fig1 a is a block illustration of selected components in the data flow path 10 in a write operation in a disk drive according to an embodiment of the invention . unless noted otherwise the components of the drive operate according to the prior art . the write data flows into the ecc module 18 which includes the track - erasure encoder / decoder ( ted ) 15 and media erasure detection encoder / decoder ( medc ) 14 . the medc receives the write data ( also called user data ) and generates the data sector which is the data plus the calculated ecc checks for the data . the ted 15 uses the data and the checks generated by the medc along with the cumulative sums in its buffer to generate the output of additional parity sectors p 1 . . . p r as the sum of weighted data sectors for the track . the drive formatter ( df ) 16 performs the standard function of formatting the data before it is delivered the channel 17 . the df 16 appends the parity sectors ecc to the medc output to supply the channel 17 with the concatenated sector data and p 1 . . . p r parity sectors to write the track information . fig1 b is a block illustration of components in the data flow path 10 in a read operation in a disk drive according to an embodiment of the invention . the data sector and p 1 . . . p r parity sectors information comes back from the channel 17 through the df 16 and into the medc 14 . the ted 15 uses the data output from the medc and generates the erased data sectors for input back to the medc . fig1 c illustrates the block structure of encoder / syndrome generator components of a ted 15 that generate r - parity sectors according to an embodiment of the invention . the ted 15 includes r - programmable multipliers 91 that each generate a parity sector . the encoder / syndrome generator takes track t =[ b 1 , b 2 , . . . b n ] composed of n - blocks , over gf ( 2 12 ) is encoded into parity sectors { p j } 1 r by cumulative weighted symbol sums over the block index i : p j =[ σ i = 1 n a i j s i , 1 , σ i = 1 n a i j s i , 2 , . . . , σ i = 1 n a i j s i , n ] the exponent i of the gf ( 2 12 )- multipliers { a i j }, i = 1 , . . . , n , is identical to the block index i in b i in the track t [ multiplier weights are generated otf by exponentiation of a j , j = 1 , . . . , r , the number of parity sectors ]. after a read , recalculate modified parity sectors { circumflex over ( p )} j , the weighted block sum calculation skips over the erased blocks b i sub ( k ) indices i k to produce syndromes s j = p j ⊕{ circumflex over ( p )} j . given the syndrome - sector s j , j = 1 , . . . , r and the list of block b i sub ( k ) erasure indices i k we need to calculation the multiplier matrix composed of the multiplier columns indexed by block b i sub ( k ) erasure indices i k , the row indices j are those of the error - free parity sectors . the syndrome sectors contain cumulative a i k j — weighted sums of the erased blocks b i sub ( k ) . the decoder needs to solve the matrix equation m − 1 s , which requires that the erased block multiplier matrix be invertible . track ecc data integrity is address as follows . parity sectors are weighted cumulative block sums and satisfy block medc check equations . parity sector medc decidability requires adding cumulative weighted sums of lba / key - id block data , excluding erased blocks . data integrity verification includes regeneration and “ hand - shake ” confirmation of old key - id . the track - erasure encoder / decoder ( ted ) 15 architecture permits abort - recovery at any block location within a track without the penalty of having to recalculate the parity sectors for the whole track . block - erasure pointers are used by ted to recover erased blocks to be written in allocated dram - buffer space . ted erasure recovery can be done either on - the - fly ( otf ) or in data recovery procedures ( drp ). the recovery process for the ted buffer 15 b in the event of abort during writing multi - sectors of data will be described with reference to fig2 . the assumption in this example is that the abort occurs during writing of the jth sector of at least j + 1 sectors . the write command is aborted immediately due to errors . the ted buffer 15 b is corrupted by bad data . as shown here , the bad data jth sector is loaded into ted buffer 15 b and medc buffer 14 b . correct data for the ted buffer can be recovered without drp . when write command is resumed , new data is fed from dram . as new data is filled in , ted buffer is recovered at the same time . the recovery method is to read the jth old sector data in medc buffer 14 b first as new data jth sector is written . the ted buffer is then loaded with the content defined as : fig3 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention for ecc correction on - the - fly . all the sectors on the track are read by the loop 31 - 34 . the medc ecc is used to determine the correctness of each sector and count failing ones 32 . correct sector data is fed to the syndrome generator 33 . if the number of failing sectors is more than a predetermined value “ n ” 35 , the method does a re - read or another error recovery to attempt to reduce the number of error sectors down to the correctable number 36 - 40 . the starting sector can be chosen from arbitrary sectors on the track . lba of failing sectors is available in unc error map . when the number of error sectors & lt ;= n , track erasure decoding according to the invention is available and the method jumps to block 41 . hardware / firmware ( hw / fw ) sets the erasure pointer from the error sector lba before starting decoding . hw / fw starts track erasure decoding , then waits for decoding completion . medc error checking is performed for recovered sectors after track erasure decoding 42 - 43 . medc validates recovered sectors as well as recovers the lost lba and key id and checks recovered data , then waits for checking completion . if medc error checking is ok , recovered sector can be transferred from ted sram to dram 44 . if the correction limit is exceeded then failure is reported 45 . fig4 a and 4b are illustrations of data that will be used to describe an error correction process according to an embodiment of the invention . in this example sector data is coming in from channel as in fig1 b . sot is start of track and eot is end of track . medc validates data sectors and non - adjacent sectors x 0 and x 1 are determined to be bad as shown in fig4 b . good sector data are uploaded into dram buffer and accumulated in ted buffer at the same time . should bad sector data be detected , the method discards bad sector data but allocates space in dram buffer for erasure sectors e 0 , e 1 as shown in fig4 a . in fig3 . and 4 b , erasure sectors e 0 , e 1 are recovered and uploaded to dram following the last sector data . a cauchy - matrix track ecc for an embodiment of the invention can be found as described in this section . choose two elements { a , b } ∈ gf ( 2 12 ) and define an r × n matrix whose rows are indexed by i and whose columns are indexed by j . for example , a is gf ( 2 12 )- generator and b = a 499 . thus , any submatrix of c up to r × r - size is guaranteed to have non - zero determinant . therefore , we can decode up to r erasures using up to r error free parity sectors in any order . a m = π k = 1 m − 1 ( a k + a m ) π k = m + 1 r ( a k + a m ), m & lt ; r a ( r )= π k = 1 r − 1 ( a k + a r ) b m = π k = 1 m − 1 ( b k + b m ) π k = m + 1 r ( b k + b m ), m & lt ; r b ( r )= π k = 1 r − 1 ( b k + b r ) e m = π k = 1 r ( a m + b k ), m = 1 , . . . , r f m = π k = 1 r ( a k + b m ), m = 1 , . . . , r the r - parity sector track - ecc decoder inverts the block - erasure cauchy - submatrix m by using the 4r precalculated constant lists { a , b , e , f }:

6Physics

fig1 illustrates a valve arrangement according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention , having an engine valve 2 and having a driving device ( actuator ) for said engine valve . the valve 2 comprises — in the usual way — a valve plate 3 which is adapted to a valve seat ring 7 in order to close off the engine bay . when the valve 2 is open , that is to say when the valve is lowered , the combustion chamber 4 of the engine is connected to the combustion gas duct 6 . it is said connection that is to be controlled or regulated by means of the valve drive . the engine valve 2 bears , on its valve shank 5 , an actuating piston 14 which is fixedly connected thereto and which has an upper active surface , which is formed on the upper side of the actuating piston 14 , and also a lower active surface , which is formed on the underside of the actuating piston 14 . together with the pressure chamber housing 15 in which the actuating piston 14 is arranged so as to be movable upward and downward , the actuating piston 14 forms an upper pressure chamber 10 and a lower pressure chamber 12 . the two pressure chambers 10 and 12 have in each case one first fluid valve 20 and 22 and one second fluid valve 24 and 26 for a pressure fluid , in the exemplary embodiment described here a hydraulic oil or the fuel for the engine , preferably a diesel fuel . in the present exemplary embodiment , said fluid valves are designed as solenoid valves , with in each case only one open and one closed position being provided for the first fluid valves 20 and 22 in each case via the fluid inflow line 16 to the pressure reservoir p 2 and via the fluid outflow line 18 to the pressure reservoir p 1 , while the second fluid valves 24 and 26 can be connected in each case via the fluid inflow and outflow line 19 to the base reservoir p 0 . the second fluid valves 24 and 26 can be controlled in analog or — alternatively — digital fashion into a multiplicity of positions . it is pointed out at this juncture that said analog or digital modulating design of the opening of the second fluid valves 24 and 26 is merely exemplary . other modulation methods such as intermittent opening , if necessary also with for example pulse width modulation assuming a suitable bandwidth of the opening , may likewise be used . the two first fluid valves 20 and 22 can be selectively connected to a first pressure reservoir p 2 for the pressurized fluid and to a second pressure reservoir p 1 . here , it is provided that , to accelerate the engine valve 2 in each case one direction , one of the first fluid valves 20 and 22 is opened and therefore the first pressure reservoir p 2 is connected to one of the two pressure chambers . here , for acceleration for the purpose of opening the engine valve 2 , the upper first fluid valve 20 is opened . so as not to generate a counter pressure , the lower second fluid valve 26 , which is connected to the base reservoir p 0 , is simultaneously opened . here , for acceleration for the purpose of closing the engine valve 2 , the lower first fluid valve 22 is opened . so as not to generate a counter pressure , the upper second fluid valve 24 , which is connected to the base reservoir p 0 , is now simultaneously opened . as already mentioned , the first fluid valves 20 and 22 can also be connected to a second pressure reservoir p 1 . here , it is provided that , to brake the engine valve 2 in each case one direction , one of the first fluid valves 20 and 22 is opened and therefore the second pressure reservoir p 1 is connected to one of the two pressure chambers . here , for braking during the opening of the engine valve 2 , the lower first fluid valve 22 , connected to the second pressure reservoir p 1 , is opened . to continue to fill the upper pressure chamber 10 with fluid , the upper second fluid valve 24 which is connected to the base reservoir p 0 is simultaneously opened . here , the fluid flows , unpressurized , into the upper pressure chamber 10 . here , for braking during the closing of the engine valve 2 , the upper first fluid valve 20 , connected to the second pressure reservoir p 1 , is opened . to continue to fill the lower pressure chamber 12 with fluid , the lower second fluid valve 26 which is connected to the base reservoir p 0 is simultaneously opened . here , the fluid flows , unpressurized , into the lower pressure chamber 12 . in the present exemplary embodiment , it is provided , and the control arrangement is also set up in such a way , that a non - accelerated movement can be carried out in each case between the acceleration and the braking processes . here , the two first fluid valves 20 and 22 are closed and the two second fluid valves 24 and 26 are opened , such that the engine valve 2 performs a virtually uniform movement and in each case one pressure chamber 10 or 12 is emptied and the other pressure chamber 10 or 12 is filled to the same extent . it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that , by means of the length of said non - accelerated phase , the movement of the engine valve can be regulated using measurement data regarding the present position of the engine valve 2 . this is provided in the exemplary embodiment . it is also provided in the present exemplary embodiment that , for a short time , both second fluid valves 24 and 26 are open while the first fluid valve 20 or 22 are still open . this has the effect that no shocks occur as a result of the incompressible fluid . the supply for the first fluid valves 20 and 22 is fed from said base reservoir p 0 — as described below . above , in each case individual fluid valves 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 have been described for the fluid valve means according to the invention . in particular , the first fluid valve means 20 and 22 with the selective connections , described in the exemplary embodiment , to p 1 and p 2 may however also be designed in each case as separate fluid valves for p 1 and p 2 — without restricting the generality of the invention . provision may also be made for the second fluid valve means 24 and 26 to be divided into in each case one merely switchable fluid valve and additionally one fluid valve which can be controlled in terms of its flow rate , if the specific design of the hydraulic or pneumatic relationships and / or the regulating bandwidth necessitate this . in the present exemplary embodiment , two - stage pressure generation is carried out from the base reservoir p 0 firstly to the second pressure reservoir p 1 and from there to the first pressure reservoir p 2 , in each case by means of a pressure stage 31 and 32 which comprises a regulable high - pressure pump 33 and 35 respectively and a non - return valve 38 and 39 respectively . in said exemplary embodiment , therefore , the energy recovered by means of the braking of the engine valves 2 is used in its entirety for maintaining the pressure in the first pressure reservoir p 2 in that — after a starting process — the first pump from p 0 to p 1 consumes very little energy and the high - pressure pump from p 1 to p 2 is correspondingly relieved of load . an optimal recuperation system is therefore proposed . a central electronic control / regulating unit 42 determines , for each engine valve , the optimum movement sequence for each engine valve on account of the ambient and operating conditions and transmits said specification to the electronic valve control device 40 , which outputs the commands for opening the fluid valves . each engine valve 2 has a separate electronic valve control device 40 . the position of the engine valve 2 is detected over the entire movement path and transmitted to the valve control device 40 by means of a measuring sensor 50 , and said valve control device 40 , in the event of deviations from the setpoint value , corrects the opening of the respective outlet solenoid valve 24 and 26 to p 0 . the lift of the engine valves 2 and the course of the movement over time may be determined freely . the central electronic control / regulating unit 42 determines the pressure in the high - pressure system , specifically in the pressure reservoirs p 2 and p 1 . in the fluid pressure system p 2 , the same pressure prevails for all the engine valves 2 which it supplies . the pressure may be adapted to different operating conditions by controlling the regulable high - pressure pump 33 . as parameters for the regulation by means of the central regulating device 42 , use is made , for example , of the following : throttle pedal position , brake actuation , gear selection , program selection of automatic transmission , temperatures of engine oil or water , position of the vehicle ( ascending or descending gradient ), outside air temperature . each engine valve 2 has a valve control device 40 which , by means of control commands to the fluid valves 20 and 22 and also 24 and 26 , controls the movement of the engine valve as precisely as possible according to the specifications of the central valve regulating device 42 . all the valve control devices 40 of an engine transmit the parameters of the valve movement back to the central regulating device 42 , which can adapt the pressure in the high - pressure system — in particular in the first pressure reservoir p 2 . with said system of the comparison of the actual position of the engine valve 2 with the setpoint position , deviations from the specification are corrected . such deviations may have different causes , for example for the fluid : temperature , viscosity and aging , and with regard to wear : play between the piston and cylinder chamber , production tolerances . the valve shank 5 of the engine valve 2 protrudes , at the upper delimitation of the upper pressure chamber 10 , through the cover of the cylinder . a spiral spring 62 acts , in a valve spring chamber 66 , on a spring plate which is connected to the valve shank 5 . in the event of faults in a limited number of engine valves , the relevant cylinder — or else plurality of cylinders — may be partially shut down and the pistons moved passively . an emergency running program with mechanical restoration of engine valves 2 into a rest state is therefore provided . in the rest state , the fluid in the high - pressure system can be discharged by means of a brief opening of all the fluid valves . the engine valves 2 are guided by means of said springs 62 into their upper position in order that servicing and repairs can be carried out in the unpressur ± zed state . the valves do not come into contact with the pistons of the engine when said pistons are in the vicinity of top dead center . the cylinder head , when removed from the engine block , may be put down in the installed position without the risk of damage . the mounting and dismounting of the valve drive are thereby considerably simplified . fluid which passes into the valve spring chamber 66 through the upper valve guide 60 at the transition from the upper pressure chamber 10 to said valve spring chamber 66 is conducted through an opening into the unpressurized base reservoir p 0 . in a second exemplary embodiment according to fig2 , the engine fuel is used as fluid , and the first pressure reservoir p 2 serves as an intermediate stage for the provision p 3 of the required fuel pressure for the fuel injection . a third pump is provided which provides the required fuel pressure . the operating conditions for the control and the movement of the engine valves 2 are otherwise unchanged . it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that , within the scope of the patent claims , further modifications are possible without it being necessary to depart from the basic concept of optimum recuperation . these include for example an embodiment ( not illustrated here in the figure ) in which the first pressure reservoir p 2 is fed directly from the base reservoir p 0 , while the second pressure reservoir p 1 is fed either by means of an auxiliary pump or a branch from the first pressure reservoir p 2 only during the starting of the engine when no fluid pressure is yet present there , but then obtains its pressure solely from the braking of the engine valves 2 . in this case , it may be provided that the excess of energy obtained in the second pressure reservoir p 1 as a result of the braking serves — as an intermediate stage — for the above - described provision of the required fuel pressure for the fuel injection . in the above description , it has been assumed that the pressures in the two pressure reservoirs p 1 and p 2 will be unequal , with the pressure in p 2 being assumed to be greater than that in p 1 if p 1 is provided as an intermediate stage for p 2 . this is however not necessary . the pressure in p 1 may basically be equal to the pressure in the first pressure reservoir . the two pressure reservoirs p 1 and p 2 may then be connected or formed together . in this case , the braking force for the engine valves 2 would then be approximately equal to their acceleration force . in one particularly simple , not specially claimed but highly advantageous design of the recuperation , only one pressure reservoir cylinder p 2 is provided , which is then preferably connected by means of in each case one fluid line 16 and 18 , which is simultaneously designed as a fluid inflow line and also as a fluid outflow line , to the upper first fluid valve 20 and to the lower first fluid valve 20 on the one hand and to the pressure reservoir p 2 . said design with self - recuperation is particularly advantageous if the valve control is controlled by means of the length of the overrunning phase . in this case , it would also be possible for the overrunning phase to be configured such that the two first fluid valves 20 and 22 are open , if necessary also when the second fluid valves 24 and 26 are closed . it would even be possible for the pressure relationships to be interchanged , such that the braking force of the engine valves 2 is greater than their acceleration force , which would then be imparted for longer than the braking force . this may be realized for example by interchanging p 2 and p 1 , with which indeed the two first fluid valves 20 and 22 are acted on .

5Mechanical Engineering; Lightning; Heating; Weapons; Blasting

turning first to fig1 to 3 , a description concerning the various components of the present invention will now be briefly discussed . as can be seen in this embodiment , fig1 shows a sacrificial anode assembly 2 which comprises a generally cylindrical sacrificial metal element 4 which has an elongate ductile connector 6 extending from a trailing first end thereof . the sacrificial metal element 4 includes a catalytic activating agent or a catalytic activator 8 ( only diagrammatically shown ) and both the sacrificial metal element 4 and the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 are at least partially received and accommodated within a central bore 10 of a generally cylindrical spacer 12 . following completion of assembly of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 , the sacrificial anode assembly 2 is sealed within a substantially evacuated container 14 ( only diagrammatically shown ), as generally shown in fig1 , which is substantially free of oxygen , water vapor and / or carbon dioxide so as to inhibit the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 from reacting with the sacrificial metal element 4 and thereby improve the storage or shelf life of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 . the housing spacer 12 comprises a generally elongate cylindrical body 16 which has both a leading end 18 and a trailing end 20 and the central bore 10 facilitates insertion of the sacrificial metal element 4 in the housing spacer 12 . when the sacrificial anode assembly 2 is inserted into a cavity 22 provided with an electrolytic backfill 24 , as discussed below in further detail and generally shown in fig4 , the backfill 24 provides communication between the sacrificial metal element 4 and the adjacent concrete 26 . the housing spacer 12 is designed to surround and at least partially encase and enclose the sacrificial metal element 4 and prevent both the leading end surface as well as the perimeter side surface of the sacrificial metal element 4 from directly contacting with the concrete 26 , i . e ., as generally shown in fig1 , the leading end surface of the sacrificial metal element 4 is spaced axially inwardly and away from the leading end 18 of the housing spacer 12 so as to avoid contact with the concrete 26 . the exterior surface of the housing spacer 12 has a plurality of radially outwardly extending retaining members 28 which facilitate spacing and generally centering of the housing spacer 12 , and thus centering of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 , radially with respect to the walls or inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 ( see fig4 ) as well as retention of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 within the cavity 22 . the interior surface 40 of the housing spacer 12 has one or more nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 located for engagement with the at least one annular groove or recess 34 formed in the sacrificial metal element 4 for coupling , connecting and captively retaining the sacrificial metal element 4 to the housing spacer 12 . as noted above , the sacrificial metal element 4 has at least one annular groove or recess 34 formed within the exterior surface of the sacrificial metal element 4 . the at least one annular groove or recess 34 is located so as to engage with the one or more nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 , supported by interior surface 40 of the housing spacer 12 , and maintain a secure engagement between the sacrificial metal element 4 and the housing spacer 12 . generally there is sufficient play between the at least one annular groove or recess 34 and the one or more nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 so as to permit some relative movement therebetween while still securely coupling the sacrificial metal element 4 to the housing spacer 12 . it is to be appreciated that a variety of other types of conventional coupling mechanisms or arrangements , for reliably coupling or connecting the sacrificial metal element 4 to the housing spacer 12 , may be utilized instead of the at least one annular groove or recess 34 and the one or more nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 , as discussed above , without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention . one challenge with off site or pre - application or integration of an activating agent or an activator with the sacrificial metal element 4 is that the activating agent or the activator typically begins reacting with the sacrificial metal element 4 as soon as the activating agent or the activator is applied to or mixed with the sacrificial metal element 4 in the presence of oxygen and water vapor . furthermore , it is to be appreciated that carbon dioxide may also react with the sacrificial metal element to form a metal carbonate passivating layer on the sacrificial metal element . in order to minimize such reaction ( s ), it is necessary to package the coated sacrificial metal element 4 , or the sacrificial metal element 4 with the integral activating agent or the activator , generally within an environment which is free of reactive gasses or within a container 14 shortly after combining the sacrificial metal element 4 with the catalytic activating agent or the activator , e . g ., typically within 14 days after assembling or combining those components with one another . a preferred method of gas free packaging of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 is a conventional vacuum packaging process in which the sacrificial anode assembly 4 is vacuum sealed within an evacuated plastic bag or container 14 , and this process is discussed below in further detail . other methods of inert packaging of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 are envisioned and contemplated , such as packaging the sacrificial anode assembly 2 in a quantity of a non - reactive gas ( es ), such as nitrogen , or argon , which is sealed within the sealed container 14 along with the sacrificial anode assembly 2 . examples of suitable containers 14 for packaging the sacrificial anode assembly 2 include sealed plastic bags , both hard or soft plastic containers , metal containers , shrink wrap packaging , etc . the housing spacer 12 is preferably a material that is designed for centering and maintaining the sacrificial metal element 4 in a spaced relationship within the cavity 22 . the housing spacer 12 must be sufficiently stiff such that it will not collapse under the weight of the sacrificial metal element 4 . as described above , the housing spacer 12 is preferably assembled with the sacrificial metal element 4 and the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 , prior to embedding or placing the sacrificial anode assembly 2 within the cavity 22 , but such assembly could be performed on site if desired or necessary . the housing spacer 12 preferably is cylindrically shaped and a diameter of the central bore 10 of the housing spacer 12 is larger than a diameter of an exterior surface 36 of the sacrificial metal element 4 . it is to be appreciated that the housing spacer 12 can also be conical or venturi shaped and / or have a varying distance between the interior surface 40 of the housing spacer 12 and the exterior surface 36 of the sacrificial metal element 4 . the housing spacer 12 ideally has a cylindrical body 16 , so as to substantially match the preferably cylindrical shape of the sacrificial metal element 4 , but the housing spacer 12 may also have a cross section that is triangular , rectangular , pentagonal , hexagonal , or some other desired shape . for sacrificial metal element 4 having a length of less than about 75 mm , typically only one housing spacer 12 is used , while for sacrificial metal elements 4 having a length greater than 75 mm , typically the sacrificial metal element 4 accommodates two or more sequentially arranged housing spacers 12 ( see fig5 and 6 ). when two or more sequentially arranged housing spacers 12 are utilized for the longer sacrificial metal elements 4 ′, it is to be appreciated that such longer sacrificial metal elements 4 ′ are provided with two or more sequentially arranged and spaced apart annular grooves or recesses 34 , each located for receiving and accommodating the one or more respective nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 of the respective housing spacer 12 . the body 16 of the housing spacer 12 is typically solid , but the body 16 may include one or more interruptions 38 such as holes , slots , windows , perforations or apertures ( only shown in dashed lines in fig2 ) in order to increase ion flow and conductivity through the body 16 of the housing spacer 12 . while such interruptions 38 in the body 16 of the housing spacer 12 will generally increase the conductivity , they also will simultaneously reduce the structural integrity of the housing spacer 12 , and increase the possibility the sacrificial metal element 4 may inadvertently directly contact the reinforcing steel 35 . in view of this drawback , the number , the size , the spacing and the location of the interruptions 38 in the body 16 should be designed so as to avoid the sacrificial metal element 4 from contacting the reinforcing steel 35 . fig1 and 4 shows the plurality of nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 , supported by the interior surface 40 of the body 16 of the housing spacer 12 , received within the annular groove or recess 34 of the sacrificial metal element 4 so as to facilitate a reliable but a relatively loose interconnection therebetween . since the radial inwardly length of the plurality of nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 is greater than the radial depth of the annular groove or recess 34 of the sacrificial metal element 4 , an annular gap 42 is formed between the exterior surface 36 of the sacrificial metal element 4 and the interior surface 40 of the body 16 of the housing spacer 12 . this gap 42 permits the electrolytic backfill 24 to directly contact and electrochemically couple and connect the sacrificial metal element 4 with the concrete 26 . the size of the gap 42 , located between the interior surface 40 of the housing spacer 12 and the exterior surface of the sacrificial metal element 4 , is preferably sufficient so that the gap 42 to be at least partially filled with a small quantity of the conductive electrolytic backfill 24 . by providing a gap 42 between the housing spacer 12 and the sacrificial metal element 4 and using a conductive electrolytic backfill 24 , which is sufficiently pliable to penetrate into the gap 42 between the housing spacer 12 and the sacrificial metal element 4 , the otherwise negative effect of the housing spacer 12 , on the current output of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 , becomes negligible . this effect is dependent on the conductivity and fineness of the backfill and the presence of the activating agent . the effect of the housing spacer 12 on current output is not significant when the gap 42 is about 1 mm and lime putty is used as a backfill 24 . the housing spacer 12 also has no significant effect on the current output when the gap is completely filled with activating agent . preferably , there are between two and eight nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 . the nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 may ideally have a wedge shaped profile , as generally shown in fig1 . this permits the sacrificial metal element 4 to easily be slid and snapped in place within the internal bore 10 of the spacer 12 , and be captively retained therein once the one or more nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 are received within and engage with the at least one annular groove or recess 34 . the nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 can be coplanar , axially spiral , or axially randomly distributed . it is to be appreciated that the size , the number and the location of nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 are selected so as not to compromise the open area through which ions can flow into and out of the housing spacer 12 . in an alternative embodiment , the nub ( s ), protrusion ( s ) or annular member ( s ) 32 could each be coupled to or formed as an annular ring which is sized to engage with the annular groove or recess 34 formed in the sacrificial metal element 4 . it is to be appreciated that in the place of , or in addition to , protrusions 32 located on the interior surface 40 of the housing spacer 12 , separate protrusions may be formed on exterior of the sacrificial metal element 4 that would engage a mating groove ( s ), hole ( s ), recess ( es ) or indentation ( s ) formed in the interior surface 40 of the housing spacer 12 . the plurality of retaining members 28 of the housing spacer 12 typically extend both axially and radially from at least adjacent one trailing end 20 of the housing spacer 12 , as generally shown in fig1 - 4 . the retaining members 28 each have a sufficient length so as to engage with an inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 and thereby assist with both retaining and maintaining the housing spacer 12 , and thus the sacrificial metal element 4 , centered in place , even in an overhead downwardly facing cavity 22 , as well as assists with retaining the backfill 24 within the cavity 22 . the size , the number and the spacing of the retaining members 28 are generally limited to maximize the open area through which ions can flow past the retaining members 28 . for example , the housing spacer may have between three and ten retaining members 28 integrally formed with the housing spacer 12 . each retaining member 28 preferably has a width of between 2 and 8 mm , and a length of between 7 and 25 mm . the angle at which the retaining members 28 project away from the exterior wall of the housing spacer 12 assists with applying a desired “ spring ” or retaining pressure , e . g ., a compression force , by which the retaining members 28 engage with the inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 and thereby retain the sacrificial anode assembly 2 and the backfill 24 in their installed position . the angle formed between the retaining members 28 and the housing spacer 12 is preferably between about 30 degrees and 70 degrees . as each retaining member 28 generally tapers radially away from the housing spacer 12 , from the leading end of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 toward the trailing end of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 . such taper facilitates ease of insertion of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 within the cavity 22 , as the retaining members 28 are each easily deflected radially inward somewhat as the outer ends or edges of the retaining members 28 engage with and slide along the inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 . once the sacrificial anode assembly 2 is completely received within the cavity 22 , so that the leading end 18 abuts against a base of the cavity 22 as generally shown in fig4 , the outer ends or edges of the retaining members 28 have a tendency , due to the angle that they project from the exterior surface of the housing spacer 12 , to be compressed by and thus frictionally engage against the inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 and thereby facilitate a secure retention of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 within the cavity 22 . during a typical installation , the sacrificial anode assembly 2 is inserted into a cavity 22 , which is typically a cored or a drilled hole or a cut chase , mechanically formed in the concrete 26 containing the steel to be protected and located adjacent to exposed steel 35 that is connected to the steel to be protected . the cavity 22 is typically cylindrical in shape and has a diameter of between 15 and 100 mm , e . g ., typically approximately between 25 and 50 mm , and a depth of between 35 and 500 mm , typically approximately between 35 and 300 mm , which is sized to receive one or more desired sacrificial anode assemblies 2 . it is to be appreciated that the diameter cavity 22 must be larger than exterior surface of the housing spacer 12 , but is preferably smaller than the outer diameter d ( see fig3 ) of the retaining members 28 so that the retaining members 28 can engage with and be deflected somewhat by the inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 , as the desired sacrificial anode assembly 2 is received therein , and frictionally retain the sacrificial anode assembly 2 within the cavity 22 , even in an overhead cavity 22 . typically , the cavity 22 will have a length which is somewhat longer than a total axial length of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 . the preferred process for packaging the anode assembly 2 is vacuum packing , a process used in the food processing industry . in this case , the vacuum bags will preferably have at least one face that is dimpled to facilitate the flow of air out of the bag and , once the required vacuum is achieved , the opening of the bag is sealed by conventionally heating and melting of the overlapped plastic layers together . the plastic forming the plastic bag should be sufficiently thick and durable so as not be easily punctured during the vacuum packing process . more than one layer of plastic may be used to avoid the bag from being inadvertently punctured during the packaging , shipping , distribution or sales processes . the vacuum packaging greatly increases the shelf life of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 . as noted above , a suitable backfill 24 , to be used with the anode assembly is disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 8 , 002 , 964 , and such disclosure is fully incorporated herein , as see gb 2430 938 . the backfill 24 is ideally a pliable , putty - like , ionically conductive material . the backfill 24 is typically preferably first placed within the cavity 22 and then the complete sacrificial anode assembly 2 is preferably pressed directly into the backfill 24 , accommodated within the cavity 22 , which may cause some of the backfill 24 to be displaced from inside the cavity 22 . it is to be appreciated that this process may , for some applications , be reversed . the backfill 24 is selected such that the backfill 24 retains its plasticity during the installation . in order to install the sacrificial anode assembly 2 , as noted above , the cavity 22 is first cored or drilled into the concrete 26 . then a sufficient quantity of the pliable , electrolytic backfill 24 is placed within the cavity 22 . next , the sealed , evacuated container 14 , containing the preassembled sacrificial anode assembly 2 , is opened and the sacrificial anode assembly 2 is then inserted into the backfill 24 located within the cavity 22 , the leading end 18 of the housing spacer 12 first , so that the connector 6 remains located outside of the cavity 22 . if a preassembled sacrificial anode assembly 2 is not available , then the sacrificial anode assembly 2 should preferably be assembled on site for insertion as a sacrificial anode assembly into the cavity 22 . lastly , the connector 6 is then connected to a desired piece of the steel 35 , and located within the concrete 26 , in a conventional manner . turning now to fig5 , this figure shows two sequentially arranged housing spacers 12 which both accommodate a portion of the longer elongate sacrificial metal element 4 . the two housing spacers 12 both assist with maintaining the longer elongate sacrificial metal element 4 spaced radially from the inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 during use , as shown in fig6 . due to the sequential arrangement of the housing spacers 12 as well as the manner in which the housing spacers 12 each accommodate a portion of the longer elongate sacrificial metal element 4 ′, the backfill 24 is still readily able to flow in and around the longer elongate sacrificial metal element 4 ′, during operation of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 . turning now to fig7 , this figure shows an elongate housing spacer 12 ′ which accommodates a substantial portion of the longer elongate sacrificial metal element 4 ′. according to this embodiment , the elongate housing spacer 12 ′ is provided with two sets of spaced apart retaining members 28 which both assist with maintaining the elongate housing spacer 12 ′ generally centered within the cavity 22 and thereby space the longer elongate sacrificial metal element 4 ′ from the inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 during use , as generally shown in fig7 . in order to facilitate passage of the backfill 24 around the sacrificial metal element 4 , during operation of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 , as well as the flow of ions , one or more openings interruptions 38 may be provided within the body 16 of the elongate housing spacer 12 ′. turning now to fig8 , an alternative arrangement of the retaining members 28 of the housing spacer 12 is shown . according to this embodiment , the retaining members 28 each generally have an oval shape which extends from adjacent the leading end 18 toward the trailing end 20 of the housing spacer 12 , e . g ., forms a taper profile . such tapered profile facilitates ease of insertion of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 within the cavity 22 since the intermediate sections 28 of the retaining members 28 are easily deflected radially inward somewhat as those sections of the retaining members 28 engage with and slide along the inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 . once the sacrificial anode assembly 2 is completely received within the cavity 22 , so that the leading end 18 abuts against a base of the cavity 22 , the intermediate sections 28 ′ of the retaining members 28 are compressed by and thus frictionally engage against the inwardly facing surface 30 of the cavity 22 and thereby facilitate a secure retention of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 within the cavity 22 . it is to be appreciated that a variety of other types of other retaining members 28 , e . g ., wedges , etc ., may be utilized for generally centering and retaining the housing spacer 12 and / or the sacrificial metal element 4 and the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 , within the cavity 22 , without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention . the important feature of the retaining members 28 is that they must generally frictionally engage with the inwardly facing surface 40 of the cavity 22 so as to generally center and retain at least the sacrificial metal element 4 within the cavity 22 . with reference now to fig9 , this figure shows the sacrificial metal element 4 and the housing spacer 12 embedded in a backfill 24 located within an anode cavity 22 that may be , for example , a 25 mm diameter by 40 mm deep hole which is mechanically drilled or otherwise bored or formed within a concrete 26 . the sacrificial metal element 4 may be coated with a catalytic activating agent or catalytic activator . the anode cavity 22 opens into an adjacent cavity 44 that was formed because of corrosive damage . in this adjacent cavity 44 , a steel bar 35 was exposed and cleaned , in a conventional manner . the elongate ductile connector 6 interconnects the sacrificial metal element 4 with the steel bar 35 in order to deliver a galvanic protection current from the sacrificial metal element 4 to reinforcing steel ( not shown ) located within the concrete 26 that is connected to the steel bar 35 , during use . as described above , a first end of the elongate ductile connector 6 is formed or embedded within or otherwise connected with the sacrificial metal element 4 while the second opposite end of the elongate conductor 6 is sufficiently long so as to facilitate a secure electrical clamping or connection with the steel bar 35 , for example , via a conventional cable tie 46 which makes and maintains the electrical connection therebetween in a secure and substantially permanent manner . steel or stainless steel tie wire may also be used to secure the connection . once the sacrificial anode assembly 2 is installed , as generally described above and shown in fig9 , then the adjacent cavity 44 is filled with an appropriate concrete repair material 48 so that both the sacrificial anode assembly 2 and the steel bar 35 are embedded within and substantially covered by the concrete repair material 48 . during such repair , a cavity 22 is drilled typically at 500 mm intervals in the concrete 26 around the periphery of the cavity 44 and a respective sacrificial anode assembly 2 is located within each one of those cavities 22 and connected , as described above , so as to provide the desired galvanic current protection . the sacrificial metal element 4 is a metal less noble that steel , and preferably comprises either zinc or a zinc alloy . the sacrificial metal element 4 is preferably cast as a cylindrical shaped body , but it is to be appreciated that the sacrificial metal element 4 may be shaped into a variety of other shapes or configurations , such as regular polygon prisms . the sacrificial metal element 4 generally has a constant cross section along its length , but the cross - sectional shape of the sacrificial metal element 4 may vary depending upon the particular application . the sacrificial metal element 4 , which is designed to fit within a 28 mm diameter by 50 mm long cavity 22 , will typically have a diameter or width of 18 mm and a length of 40 mm . the elongate ductile connector 6 facilitates convenient connection of the sacrificial metal element 4 to the steel without the need to splice any additional conductor directly to the sacrificial metal element 4 during the installation process . the connector 6 may be a steel or a titanium wire . the connector 6 typically has a length of between 250 and 400 mm and a diameter of between 0 . 7 and 2 mm . the connector 6 is preferably at least partially embedded within the trailing end of the sacrificial metal element 4 and may extend the entire length of the sacrificial metal element 4 . more preferably , the sacrificial metal element 4 is cast around at least a portion of connector 6 with the connector 6 extending out from the trailing end of the sacrificial metal element 4 for a sufficient distance to facilitate ease of connection of the remote free end of the connector 6 with the steel 35 reinforcement in the concrete 26 to be protected . as noted above , the sacrificial metal element 4 is assembled with the catalytic activating agent or catalytic activator 8 . that is , either the exterior surface 36 of the sacrificial metal element 4 is coated with the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 , e . g ., a compound ( s ) containing halide ions and sulphate ions , or alternatively , as diagrammatically shown in fig1 a , the catalytic activating agent or catalytic activator 8 is intimately mixed with and dispersed within and throughout the sacrificial metal element 4 . the quantity of the catalytic activating agent or catalytic activator 8 , to be included with the sacrificial metal element 4 should preferably be sufficient to provide the desired ion flow between the sacrificial metal element 4 and the concrete 26 but insufficient to create a significant corrosion risk by the catalytic activating agent or catalytic activator 8 to the steel 35 once the sacrificial metal element 4 has been consumed . preferably the quantity of catalytic activating agent or catalytic activator 8 is such that if it were to be uniformly distributed within the cavity 22 , the catalytic activating agent or catalytic activator 8 would be diluted to a concentration that is insufficient to present a corrosion risk to steel embedded within the concrete 26 . for a chloride activator , this equates to a quantity of less than 1 . 6 kg of chloride ions per cubic meter of anode cavity . as indicated above , the catalytic activating agent or catalytic activator 8 can be coated on the exterior surface 36 of the sacrificial metal element 4 or integrated into and throughout the sacrificial metal element 4 , or both , and that the same the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 or two different the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 may be applied to the sacrificial metal element 4 . ideally the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 is applied to or integrated into the sacrificial metal element 4 , prior to packaging the sacrificial anode assembly 2 for shipment and subsequent sale or installation . this allows the installation process of the sacrificial anode assembly 2 within a cavity 22 , at the installation site , to proceed at a faster rate than if the catalytic activating agent or the catalytic activator 8 was manually applied to each sacrificial metal element 4 , on site , prior to installation or was injected into a porous anode body after installation . since certain changes may be made in the above described sacrificial anode assembly , without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved , it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed as limiting the invention .

2Chemistry; Metallurgy

[ 0027 ] fig1 shows a system 100 for producing a medium with a multichannel program in accordance with this invention . in this system 100 , a program consisting of a musical work has been previously recorded and processed , if necessary , and then stored in program storage 10 . the storage 10 may be a hard drive , a digital or analog recording media , etc . if the program is stored as analog signals , a suitable conversion is performed on the signals by an analog - to - digital converter ( not shown ). in order to record this multichannel program on a dvd , the program is first sent to a mixer 12 which combines the six channels using various encoding and error correction schemes into a single data stream . the data stream is combined by mixer 24 with scripting data and then recorded by the recording equipment 14 . scripting data is generated which provides additional information about the musical work , including a table of contents , the name of the composer ( s ), the orchestra and / or devices used to produce the musical work and so on . the data stream and the scripting data are combined and the recorded on a dvd 17 . ( in most instances , a large number of dvds are produced in this manner , however a single dvd is shown for the sake of clarity ). in accordance with this invention , the system 100 further includes an audio converter 16 used to convert the six channel program from program storage 10 into a corresponding dual channel program . the converter includes a set of controls 15 that generate parameters required for the conversion . these controls may be set and modified during the conversion by an operator , such as the producer , composer or sound engineer . the converter 16 may initially use a set of preselected set of coefficients . as the multichannel program is converted into a dual channel program and played on speakers 18 , 20 , the operator can continue to adjust the coefficients using controls 15 until a set of satisfactory coefficients are obtained . the coefficients selected by the operator are detected by coefficient detector 22 which monitors the controls 15 . the coefficients are then mixed with the data from mixer 12 using a multiplexer 24 so that the recording equipment 14 stores the six channel data stream , the scripting data and the coefficients on the dvd 17 . [ 0030 ] fig2 shows somewhat diagrammatically a playback device 110 . this device can play the six channel program on dvd 17 either as a six channel or can convert it to a dual - channel program . a dual mode device is shown here merely to illustrate how a multichannel program can be processed . of course dvd players can be constructed to play either only six - or only dual channel programs , as discussed below . the data from the dvd 17 is first fed to a demutiplexer 30 which normally separates the program data and the scripting data . the scripting data is sent to a screen . the program data is sent to a six channel player 32 . the six - channel player then plays the program on six speakers 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 44 . optionally , the demultiplexer 30 may also strip from the data stream on dvd 17 the conversion coefficients . these coefficients may be stored in a coefficient memory 48 . moreover , in this latter case the program data is sent to an audio converter 50 . the audio converter 50 converts the six - channel program into a dual channel program using the coefficients from memory 48 . the dual channel program is sent to a dual channel player 52 which then plays the program on speakers 54 and 56 . the playback device 110 is shown in a configuration which allows the device to play a six - channel program as either six - or a dual - channel program . of course similar devices may be constructed to play a six - channel program only on a six channel player , or to always convert the six - channel program into a dual channel program . [ 0034 ] fig3 a shows a block diagram of the audio converter and the scripting operation in a somewhat diagrammatic form . on this figure , the audio converter 16 receives six channel signals , each channel signal having been separated by a demultiplexer ( not shown ) from the six - channel program and fed to one of the corresponding six inputs 60 a - f . the six channel signals are the standard analog signals and are designated as lf , rf , lr , rr , c and sub . if the program storage 10 stores digital programs then each program has to be converted into six analog signals . the six channel signals are fed to a control panel 62 holding 18 controls , a set of three controls being dedicated to each channel signal . the three controls are the pan ( 64 a ), level ( 64 b ) and phase ( 64 c ) controls . the pan and level controls 64 a and 64 b , can be used to attenuate a respective input continuously . the third control 64 c is a two - position switch and is used to control the phase . the position of each of these controls defines a corresponding conversion coefficient . in accordance with this invention , the position of each of the controllers are sensed by a plurality of position sensors 66 . the sensed coefficients from sensors 66 are stored in a temporary buffer 68 and transmitted to a pc when required . the pc stores the coefficients on a floppy disk 70 . each of the six channel signals are modified by the controls 64 a , 64 b , 64 c resulting in a set of twelve signals . these twelve signals are partitioned into a right and a left group and fed to respective summing networks 70 , 72 . the summing networks sum add the signals of each group and feed them to respective speakers 18 and 20 as shown . the producer of dvd 17 or a sound engineer or composer listens to all , or at least part of the program as it is rendered into a 2 - channel version by the circuitry of fig3 a and adjusts the coefficients accordingly by manipulating one of the controls 64 a , 64 b and 64 c . thus , during the recording a six - channel program , three sets of digital data are obtained : a set of six digital sound objects 80 , one set of coefficients for each of the six channels 74 ; and one set of graphical elements 78 . an authoring tool well known in the art is used to generate an authoring script 76 from the set of coefficients . the three sets of data are then combined and recorded by recording equipment 14 on dvd 17 . as shown in fig3 b the control board 62 as consisting of six stages 82 a - f which generate the eighteen coefficients . fig3 c shows details of stage 82 a , the remaining stages being similar . as can be seen in fig3 c , stage 82 a includes three variable resistors r 1 , r 2 , r 3 , a pair of ganged switches s 1 , s 2 and four amplifiers a 1 - a 4 . resistors r 2 and r 3 are ganged as well . the stage 82 a operates as follows . the input channel signal , in this case lf , is attenuated by resistor r 1 and then fed in parallel to amplifiers a 1 and a 2 . the two amplifiers a 1 and a 2 are arranged so that they deliver similar outputs but with reversed phase . switch s 1 is used to select the output of either amplifier a 1 or amplifier a 2 . the signal selected by switch s 1 is attenuated and fed in parallel to resistors r 2 and r 3 . the output of resistors r 2 and r 3 are fed to respective amplifiers a 3 and a 4 which generate two identical outputs with opposite phases . going back to fig3 a , the outputs of amplifiers a 3 and a 4 from all six stages are fed respectively to two summing networks 70 and 72 . the outputs of these networks are amplified by two amplifiers 73 a and 73 b and then fed to respective speakers 18 and 20 . the three coefficients generated by each stage shown in fig3 b and 3c are the level data lev 0 , related to the position of resistor r 1 , the phase data ph 0 related to the position of switch s 1 , and the pan data pan 0 related to the positions of resistors r 2 and r 3 . as shown in fig3 c , each stage includes two sensors 66 a , 66 b and switch s 2 . sensor 66 a is used to detect the position of resistor r 1 . sensor 66 b is used to sense the position of resistors r 2 / r 3 ( it should be remembered that since these two switches are ganged , one encoder for both resistors is sufficient . switch s 2 is ganged with switch s 1 and is arranged so that its output is either low or high . the outputs of sensors 66 a , 66 b and switch s 2 are fed to a common data bus 69 , which then provides the respective coefficients to buffer 68 . sensors 66 can be implemented in a number of ways . for example , if the resistors r 1 , r 2 and r 3 have shafts , then the sensors can be implemented using shaft encoders . more specifically , referring to fig4 a , resistor r 1 is shown as a variable resistor with a shaft x 1 . mounted on shaft x 1 is a shaft encoder se 1 which senses the position of the shaft x 1 and generates digital data corresponding to this position . the level coefficient from sensor 66 a , lev 0 is related to the data obtained from the encoder se 1 . this level may between the values 0 and m where m is a predetermined value expressed in bits . typically the value m for the coefficient lev 0 corresponds to a voltage gain of about 2 or a db gain of about 6 db . the coefficient pan from sensor 66 b may vary from 0 to n . the transfer function for the pan data for the stage of fig3 a is given by : where c is a constant to convert the shaft position into corresponding angular measurements in degrees or radians and d is the coefficient pan 0 from the sensor 66 b . [ 0049 ] fig5 shows a graph of leftin and rightin as a function of the respective pan coefficients . another way of implementing sensors 66 is shown in fig4 b . in this figure , the resistor r 1 is displaced by a voltage controlled amplifier vca a variable resistor rx and a digital - analog converter dac . in this configuration the gain of amplifier vca is controlled by the resistor rx between a value of zero or ground and the dc voltage by generating a control voltage vc . the control voltage vc is fed to both the amplifier vca and the adc . the adc then converts the voltage vc to corresponding digital data d . a third implementation is shown in fig4 c . in this implementation , a variable resistor rx is ganged to resistor r 1 and connected between dc voltage and ground . the voltage from resistor rx is then fed to a digital converter adc to generate data d . obviously numerous modifications may be made to this invention without departing from its scope as amended herein .

6Physics

the present invention will be described in detail by using a dvd recorder and a dvd - ram according to an embodiment of the present invention . first of all , the logical structure on the dvd - ram will be described with reference to fig4 a and 41b . fig4 a shows a data structure on a disc seen through a file system , and fig4 b shows a physical sector address on a disc . the head portion of the physical sector address has a lead - in region which stores a reference signal necessary for stabilizing a servo , an identification signal with other media and the like . a data region is provided following the lead - in region . in this portion , logically effective data are recorded . finally , a lead - out region is provided and stores the same reference signal as in the lead - in region and the like . a management information for the file system which is referred to as a volume information is recorded on the head of the data region . since the file system is not directly related to the contents of the present invention , the description of it will be omitted . through the file system , the data in the disc can be dealt with as a directory or a file as shown in fig4 a . all the data to be dealt with by the dvd recorder are put on a video_rt directory under a root directory as shown in fig4 a . a file to be dealt with by the dvd recorder is roughly classified into two kinds , that is , one management information file and at least one av file ( ordinarily , a plurality of files ). next , the contents of the management information file will be described with reference to fig4 a . the management information file is roughly divided into a vob table and a pgc table . vob ( video object ) means a program stream of mpeg . pgc defines the playback order of cell which uses any partial section ( or all sections ) in the vob as one logical playback unit . in other words , the vob is a unit which is significant as the mpeg , and the pgc is a unit at which a player plays back . the vob table stores the number of vobs ( number_of_vobs ) and each vob information therein . the vob information comprises a corresponding av file name ( av_file_name ), a vob identifier in the disc ( vob_id ), a start address in the av file ( vob_start_address ), an end address in the av file ( vob_end_address ), a playback time length of the vob ( vob_playback_time ) and an attribute information of the stream ( vob_attribute ). a stream attribute information field comprises a video attribute ( video_attribute ), a first audio stream attribute ( audio 0 _attribute ) and a second audio stream attribute ( audio 1 _attribute ). the audio stream attribute information comprises an audio coding mode ( coding_mode ), an application flag ( application_flag ), a quantization coefficient ( quantization ), a sampling frequency ( sampling_frequency ) and the number of audio channels ( number_of_channels ). the pgc table includes the number of pgcs ( number_of_pgcs ) and each pgc information therein . the pgc information comprises the number of cells ( number_of_cells ) in the pgc and each cell information . the cell information comprises corresponding vob_id , a playback start time in the vob ( cell_start_time ), a playback time in the vob ( cell_playback_time ), a playback start address in the vob ( cell_start_address ), a playback end address in the vob ( cell_end_address ), an audio flag ( audio_flag ) for specifying that audio signal played back in the cell is an original audio or a after - recording audio . the cell information further comprises cell_start_address and cell_end_address for the after - recording audio . next , an av file will be described with reference to fig4 b . the av file includes at least one vob ( ordinarily , a plurality of vobs ). the vob is continuously recorded in the av file . the vob in the av file is managed by the vob information of the above - mentioned management information file . a player can access the vob by first accessing the management information file to read out the start and end addresses of the vob . moreover , the cell is defined as a logical playback unit in the vob . the cell is the partial playback section ( or the whole sections ) of the vob and can be freely set by a user . by the cell , it is possible to edit av data simply without actual operation of the av data . in the same manner as the vob , an access information about the cell is managed in the cell information in the management information file . the player can access the cell by first accessing the management information file to read out the start and end addresses of the cell . the address information of the cell is based on the vob and the address information of the vob is based on the av file . therefore , the player actually accesses the av file by adding the address information of the vob to the address information of the cell to calculate an address information in the av file . fig4 is a diagram showing the structure of the vob according to the present embodiment . two audio streams are set to an audio stream # 1 and an audio stream # 2 , respectively . as shown in fig4 , the same audio stream is stored in the audio stream # 1 and the audio stream # 2 . it is to be noted that the audio streams are not simply identical as streams but are identical in pack and packet units . the value of scrs ( system clock references ) of a pack header , the value of stream numbers of a packet header and the value of original_or_copy are different . however , other fields , for example , pst and the like have the same values . of course , the contents of a payload are identical . the fields of original_or_copy are different in order to explicitly indicate , in the streams , that the stream # 1 is an original stream and the stream # 2 is a dummy stream for the after - recording operation . the flags may have the same values . by putting such two audio streams in the vob , one of the original audio data can remain even if one of the audio streams is recorded by the afterrecording operation as shown in fig4 . for the following purpose , the two audio streams are put in . a recording region for the after - recording operation , that is , a recording band is kept . in addition , if the attribute of the audio stream to be after - recorded , that is , a coding mode and a bit rate are set identical to that of the audio stream recorded in a dummy , a pack and a packet header become completely identical and the after - recording operation can be carried out only by exchanging the contents of the payload . this means that even though the system encoder of the mpeg should carry out the multiplexing operation of the audio pack so that an audio buffer neither underflows nor overflows , the multiplexing operation can be omitted on the after - recording operation . when the after - recording operation is to be carried out in various coding modes and bit rates , the audio pack should be replaced not only to ensure a band but also to prevent the overflow and underflow of the audio buffer . therefore , it is impossible to simply ensure the replacement of the audio pack between sets having different algorithms . in the present embodiment , the scr and the pts are not changed in the same coding mode and the same bit rate but data are rewritten in a pack unit such that only the contents of the audio payload are replaced . of course , while the contents of the pack header and the packet header including the scr and the pts may be rewritten , it is apparent that the completed stream should satisfy the conditions of the mpeg stream . next , the reason why the same audio data are to be recorded in the stream # 1 and the stream # 2 will be described with reference to fig4 . for example , in the case where a part of the vob is to be after - recorded , when the data recorded as the stream # 2 are silent or have insignificant contents , for example , insignificant data and significant data are switched with each other on the boundary between a after - recorded portion and a non - after - recorded portion . since the dvd recorder has only one audio decoder , the stream # 1 and the stream # 2 cannot be played back at the same time . accordingly , when the partial after - recording operation is to be carried out , it is necessary to designate the audio stream to be played back to a decoder so as to switch the audio stream from original data to after - recorded data or from after - recorded data to original data on the boundary portion . the audio stream to be played back is generally designated by control from the host side , that is , a microprocessor . therefore , it is hard to designate the switching in a frame unit . by recording the same audio data as the original on the dummy audio stream itself as shown in fig4 , it is also possible to continuously play back on the boundary portion where the partial after - recording operation is executed . the above - mentioned problem of the partial after - recording operation can be solved when the audio streams are not completely identical but have the same contents , that is , are data having the same contents as analog data during the playback . description will be given to the reason why two completely identical streams are required to be recorded . when the user wants to turn back the after - recorded audio data ( that is , to erase the audio data ) after the partial after - recording operation , it is necessary to record some data again because the overwritten data cannot be turned back . when the silent audio stream is to be recorded , the above - mentioned problem of the partial after - recording operation is caused when the user tries the after - recording operation again in the partial section of the silent audio stream section . in the case where the two identical audio streams are used in the pack and packet units except the scr and the stream number as shown in fig4 , an original state can be restored by copying data in the packet unit from the stream # 1 to the stream # 2 . at this time , it is apparent that the stream number in the packet header should be modified . fig4 is a diagram showing the state of the stream # 2 recorded for the after - recording operation described above . the state of the stream # 2 is divided into “ same audio stream ”, “ stream having the same audio contents ”, “ after - recorded stream ” and “ individual stream ”. as described above , it is possible to carry out the after - recording operation from the same audio stream and the stream having the same audio contents . on the contrary , it is possible to return only to the same audio stream . that is , it is possible to return from the after - recorded audio stream to the same stream . moreover , the after - recorded stream can be regarded as an independent stream . in the independent stream ( for example , the audio stream # 2 in which silent data are recorded ), the after - recording operation can be carried out for the whole vob . however , the partial after - recording operation of the vob causes the above - mentioned problem . the above - mentioned state is managed in an application flag on the dvd - ram disc . next , the structure of the dvd recorder will be described with reference to fig4 . in the drawing , the dvd recorder comprises a user interface 7801 , a system controller 7802 , an input section 7803 , an encoder 7804 , an output section 7805 , a decoder 7806 , a track buffer 7807 and a drive 7808 . the user interface 7801 transfers data displayed to the user or accepts a request from the user . the system controller 7802 serves to wholly perform management and control . the input section 7803 including an ad converter inputs video and audio data . the output section 7805 outputs a video and audio data . the decoder 7806 decodes an mpeg stream . the user interface 7801 first accepts a request from the user . the user interface 7801 transmits the request from the user to the system controller 7802 . the system controller 7802 interprets the request from the user and gives a process request to each module . when the user give s a request for picture recording , the system controller 7802 gives a request for encoding to the en coder 7804 . the encoder 7804 carries out video encoding , audio encoding and system encoding for video and audio information sent from the input section 7803 , and transfers the encoded data to the track buffer 7807 . next , the system controller 7802 gives , to the driver 7808 , a request for writing data stored in the track buffer , and the drive 7808 fetches data from the track buffer and records the fetched data in the dvd - ram . the user &# 39 ; s request for stop is transmitted to the system controller 7802 through the user interface 7801 . the system controller 7802 gives a request for encoding stop to the encoder 7804 , and the encoder 7804 stops an encoding process when the data are completely encoded and informs the system controller 7802 of encoding termination . then , the system controller 7802 gives a request for a writing termination to the drive 7808 , and the drive 7808 stops reading and writing data to the dvd - ram when the track buffer 7807 becomes empty . finally , the system controller 7802 modifies an av file information , a clip sequence information and a file system information for the recorded vob , and records them in the dvd - ram through the drive 7808 . in particular , a value of application flag is recorded as the same audio stream . for the recording operation , it is important that two audio streams are inserted into the outputting vob in the encoder 7804 , while one audio data is input . a process of inserting the two audio streams will be described with reference to fig4 . fig4 is a diagram showing the structure of the encoder . as shown , the encoder comprises a video encoder 7804 a , an audio encoder 7804 b and a system multiplexer 7804 c . the video encoder 7804 a encodes an input video signal into an mpeg video stream . the audio encoder 7804 b encodes an input audio signal into an audio stream . at this time , there is one audio stream . next , the multiplexer 7804 c performs packing , packetizing and multiplexing the video stream and audio stream . in the multiplexing process , copy is carried out in an audio pack unit and the multiplexing is executed for the two audio streams . the audio stream may be copied in a form of a packet , or in a form of a payload immediately before the packetizing process . as described above , the two audio streams are inserted into the vob . next , description will be given to the after - recording operation in the dvd recorder . first of all , description will be given to the input and output of av data on the after - recording operation by the dvd recorder . in the input and output of the av data , data are read or written in a unit called an av block . the av block indicates the continuous recording region shown in fig3 . when the continuous recording region is much greater than a continuous recording length necessary for seeking the continuous recording region , it may be divided into small regions as av blocks . subsequently , the track buffer 7807 is divided into track buffer 1 and track buffer 3 to be used for playback and track buffer 2 and track buffer 4 to be used for recording . this state is illustrated in fig5 . the input and output of the track buffer will be described in a time series with reference to fig5 . description will be given by taking , as an example , the case where the vob is constituted by four av blocks a , b , c and d as shown in fig5 b . fig5 a is a diagram representing the buffer storage amounts of the track buffers 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 on a time base . at the track buffer 1 ( tb 1 ) and the track buffer 3 ( tb 3 ), the data storage amount is increased because data are input from the drive , that is , data are read out for playback from the dvd - ram , and the data storage amount is decreased because data are supplied to the decoder . on the contrary , at the track buffer 2 ( tb 2 ) and the track buffer 4 ( tb 4 ), the data storage amount is increased because data are input from the encoder after the after - recording operation , that is , data are recorded ( overwritten ) on the dvd - ram , and the data storage amount is decreased because data are supplied to the drive for recording in the dvd - ram . during period t 1 in the drawing , first , the av block a is read out on the track buffer 1 and the after - recording operation starts immediately after the data are read out . during period ta , the after - recording operation is carried out for the av block a . the after - recorded data of the av block a are recorded on tb 2 . therefore , the storage amount of the tb 2 is increased during the period ta . the drive reads the next av block b immediately after the period t 1 . the av block a and the av block b are not present on the same continuous recording region , and therefore the av block b is read out after the seeking of a head ( period t 2 ). after the after - recording operation of the av block a is ended , the after - recording operation of the av block b then starts ( period tb ). the data of the av block b stored in the track buffer 3 are supplied to the decoder . the data after - recorded through the encoder are stored in the track buffer 4 during the period tb . immediately after the after - recording operation of the av block a is ended , the drive overwrites the after - recorded data of the av block a stored in the track buffer 2 onto the av block a ( period t 3 ). when the overwriting process on the av block a is completed , the drive then reads out the av block c . the read data on the av block c are stored in the track buffer 1 ( period t 4 ). by repeating the above - mentioned operation , the after - recording process can be carried out . next , description will be given to a process flow in the dvd recorder . the user &# 39 ; s request for the after - recording operation is transmitted to the system controller 7802 through the user interface 7801 . first of all , the system controller 7802 gives , to the drive 7808 , a request for reading out the vob to be after - recorded . the drive 7808 reads out the vob to be after - recorded from the dvd - ram in an av block unit and records the read vob in the track buffer 1 . at the same time , the system controller 7802 gives a request for the after - recording process to the encoder 7804 . the encoder 7804 performs the audio - encoding of audio data input from the input section 7803 , reads out an audio pack including the audio stream # 2 in the stream sent from the decoder , replaces a payload with the encoded after - recording audio stream , and records the after - recording audio stream in the track buffer 2 . this state is shown in fig5 . when the after - recording process of the av data stored in the track buffer 1 is completed , the encoder 7804 consecutively starts the after - recording process of the av data recorded in the track buffer 3 and notifies the system controller 7802 that the after - recording process of the track buffer 1 is ended . next , the system controller 7802 gives , to the drive 7808 , a request for writing the data of the track buffer 2 . the drive 7808 overwrites and records the data of the track buffer 2 on the dvd - ram after the completion of writing into the track buffer 3 . by sequentially carrying out the above - mentioned processes for the track buffer 1 , the track buffer 2 , the track buffer 3 and the track buffer 4 as described above , the after - recording operation can be executed . moreover , when the vob is completely read out from the dvd - ram , the drive 7808 informs the system controller 7802 of termination of the vob reading process . the system controller 7802 gives a request for termination of after - recording to the encoder 7804 . the encoder 7804 carries out the after - recording process until the after - recording processes of all the audio data remaining in the track buffer 1 and the track buffer 3 are terminated . the encoder 7804 informs the system controller 7802 of the after - recording termination when the after recording processes of all the data are completed . next , the system controller 7802 gives a request for a writing end process to the drive 7808 . the drive 7808 overwrites and records all the vob data remaining in the track buffer 2 and the track buffer 4 on the dvd - ram disc and informs the system controller 7802 that the after - recording process is completed after the completion of the recording operation . the system controller 7802 changes the application flag to the “ after - recorded ” and carries out the recording operation on the dvd - ram through the drive 7808 again . the user &# 39 ; s request for a playback process is transmitted to the system controller 7802 through the user interface 7801 . the system controller 7802 gives a request for reading the vob to the drive 7808 , and the drive 7808 reads out the vob data from the dvd - ram and transfers the vob data to the track buffer 7807 . then , the system controller 7802 gives a request for playing back the vob to the decoder 7806 , and the decoder 7806 reads out data from the track buffer 7807 , decodes the read data and outputs the decoded data through the output section 7805 . when the vob is completely read out , the drive 7808 informs the system controller 7802 of termination of the reading process , and the system controller 7802 gives a request for ending the playback to the decoder 7806 . the decoder 7806 carries out the reading and decoding operations of the data until the data of the track buffer 7807 becomes empty , and informs the system controller 7802 of the end of the playback operation after the completion of decoding process for all data . at this time , the following is important . in the case where the user gives a request for switching the audio stream , that is , a request for playing back the audio stream # 2 , the system controller 7802 informs the user through the user interface 7801 that the switching is impossible , without playing back the audio stream # 2 when the value of the application flag indicates the same audio streams or the same audio contents . when the same audio streams or the same audio contents are recorded in the audio stream # 2 , an error message is displayed for the user . this prevents the user from thinking that the switching has failed or that the dvd recorder is out of order , because the user performing the switching operation of the audio stream expects the playback of an audio stream different from the audio stream # 1 , however just the same audio is played back in this case even if audio stream to be played back is switched to the audio stream # 2 . while the audio stream 2 has been a dummy audio stream for the after - recording operation in the present embodiment , the audio stream 1 may be the dummy audio stream for the after - recording operation . the payloads in the packets between the two audio streams have been coincident with each other in the present embodiment . the sizes of the audio data to be packetized may be different from each other , and may be identical to the audio streams recorded in the completed vob or have the same contents as the audio streams recorded in the completed vob . in the present embodiment , furthermore , restrictions may be put on that the audio pack of the audio stream # 1 always comes earlier between the corresponding audio packets between the two audio streams or the audio pack of the audio stream # 2 may be arranged immediately after the audio pack of the audio stream # 1 . by putting such restrictions , it is easy to find the audio pack of the audio stream # 2 during the after - recording operation . moreover , restrictions can be put on that the audio stream # 2 precedes the audio stream # 1 . moreover , there have been four kinds of values of the application flag , that is , “ the same audio stream ”, “ the stream having same audio contents ”, “ the after - recorded stream ” and “ the individual stream ”. the “ same audio stream ” and the “ same audio contents ” may be dealt with as one state , the “ after - recorded stream ” and the “ individual stream ” may be dealt with as one state . also the “ same audio stream ”, “ stream having same audio contents ” and “ after - recorded stream ” may be dealt with as one state . furthermore , although four track buffers have been provided in the description of the after - recording operation , the av data may be overwritten on the track buffers by sharing the track buffer 1 and track buffer 2 , and by sharing the track buffer 3 and track buffer 4 , respectively . it has been possible to implement the after - recording operation which is hard to perform in the dvd and the dvd recorder in the first embodiment . however , the dvd and the dvd recorder further have the following problem . different from the conventional tape media , the dvd can carry out recording in various audio stream formats . this causes the after - recording operation in the dvd recorder to be hard to perform . concretely , the audio stream which can be recorded in the dvd has three kinds of formats of ac - 3 , mpeg audio and linear pcm . moreover , there are various modes such as recording channel numbers , a recording bit rate and the like in individual formats . on the other hand , a general audio encoder rarely can operate with all encode modes , channel numbers and bit rates , and can operate with only a mode suitable for each merchandise target . in other words , when the after - recording operation is applied to the disc on which data have been recorded by the other dvd recorder , the after - recording operation should be actually started or the recorded audio stream should be analyzed in order to decide whether the after - recording operation is operable or not . the dvd and dvd recorder in this embodiment have basically the same structure as in the first embodiment , and are characterized by a method of having a management information on the disc and the operation of a recorder for performing the after - recording process . in the present embodiment , the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described . first of all , the logical structure of the dvd - ram will be described with reference to fig1 . fig1 shows a physical sector address on a disk and a data structure on the disk which can be seen through a file system . all the data to be dealt with by the dvd recorder are put on a dvd_rtr directory immediately under a root directory as shown in fig1 . the file to be dealt with by the dvd recorder is roughly divided into 2 kinds of files , that is , one management information file and at least one av file ( ordinary a plurality of av files ). the av file stores an rtr_mov . vro file for storing a motion picture and an rtr_sto . vro file for storing a still picture and audio data which are recorded at the same time with the motion picture or the still picture . fig2 is a diagram showing the structure of the rtr_mov . vro file having motion picture . as shown in fig2 m_vob ( movie video object ) which is the program stream of mpeg is provided in the rtr_mov . vro file in order of picture recording . the m_vob comprises a vobu ( video object unit ) in which one unit is 0 . 4 to 1 . 0 second based on a video reproducing time . the vobu comprises v_pck ( video pack ), a_pck ( audio pack ) and sp_pck ( sub - picture pack ). each pack is constituted in a 2 kb unit . video data in the vobu also comprises at least one gop ( group of pictures ). the gop is the decode unit of the mpeg video and includes a plurality of p pictures and b pictures with the i pictures in a head . fig3 is a diagram showing the structure of the rtr_sto . vro file in which a still picture and audio data are recorded . as shown in fig3 s_vob ( still picture video object ) which is an mpeg program stream for the still picture is recorded in the rtr_sto . vro file in order of picture recording . a great difference between the m_vob and the s_vob is that motion picture data and audio data are not mutually multiplexed but audio data ( audio part ) are successively recorded after the still picture data ( video part ), in addition to the recording of the still picture data in place of the motion picture data . moreover , the s_vob is constituted by one vobu . the vobu comprises the v_pck , the a_pck and the sp_pck . next , description will be given to the relationship between the m_vob and s_vob described above with reference to fig4 and management information . as described above , av data have two kinds of data , that is , the m_vob for a motion picture and s_vob for a still picture . each m_vob has management information m_vobi . attribute information of the corresponding m_vob is recorded in m_vobi . in case of the s_vob , when management is carried out for each s_vob , the amount of the management information gets increased . therefore , management information s_vogi is provided for each group s_vog having a lump of s_vobs . s_vogi stores the attribute information of a corresponding s_vob group . it is important that the data of the mpeg stream have no linearity between a time and a data amount . as described above , a compressing method using a time correlation characteristic and compression using a variable length coding method which is referred to as vbr are executed in order to implement highly efficient compression in the mpeg stream . therefore , the time and the data amount , that is , address information do not uniquely correspond to each other . the m_vobi has a filter ( tmap ) for converting a time and an address . the s_vogi has a filter ( s_vob entries ) for converting still picture number and an address in the group . next , description will be given to the management information of a playback sequence . the playback sequence is defined as a sequence ( pgc ) of a cell indicative of a partial or whole interval of the m_vob and the s_vog . the playback sequence has two kinds of parts , that is , an original pgc and a user - defined pgc . the original pgc refers to all the av data in the disc . the user - defined pgc defines a playback order of av data which the user selects in the disc ( plural definitions can be obtained ). the original pgc is also called a program set ( program set ), and includes a layer which is called a program ( program ) having a plurality of cells logically bundled there between . the user - defined pgc is also called a play list ( play list ) and includes no program there between differently from the original pgc . next , the contents of the management information file “ rtr . ifo ” will be described with reference to fig5 to 33 . management information referred to as rtr_vmg ( real time recording video management ) is recorded in the rtr . ifo file . the rtr_vmg comprises seven tables of rtr_vmgi , m_avfit , s_avfit , org_pgci , ud_pgcit , txtdt_mg and mnfit . rtr_vmgi ( real time recording video management information ) comprises vmgi_mat and pl_srpt . vmgi_mt ( video management information management table ) stores the following information as information related to the whole disc . a player and a recorder can first read the vmgi_mat to roughly obtain structural information of the disc . vmg_id stores an identifier “ dvd_rtr_vmgo ” indicating that video recording data are recorded in this disc . the version number of a recording format of the video recording data is recorded in accordance with a format shown in fig7 . recorded therein is a time zone to be used by all date and time information recorded in this disc . as shown in fig7 tm_zone comprises tz_ty ( time zone type ) and tz_offset ( time zone offset ). tz_ty indicates which one of the greenwich mean time as a universal time and a standard time for each region is used for the reference of date information . tz_offset records a time difference between the date and the greenwich mean time . a static time length obtained when displaying a soundless still picture is recorded . a character set code for a primary text which will be described below is recorded therein . start address of m_avfit is recorded therein . when m_avfit is accessed , a seek is carried out up to this start address . start address of s_avfit is recorded therein . when s_avfit is accessed , a seek is carried out up to this start address . start address of org_pgci is recorded therein . when org_pgci is accessed , a seek is carried out up to this start address . start address of ud_pgcit is recorded therein . when ud_pgcit is accessed , a seek is carried out up to this start address . start address of txtdt_mg is recorded therein . when txtdt_mg is accessed , a seek is carried out up to this start address . start address of mnfit is recorded therein . when mnfit is accessed , a seek is carried out up to this start address . pl_srpt ( play list search pointer table ) is a table comprising pl_srpti and n pl_srps . pl_srpti ( play list search pointer table information ) stores the following information for accessing to pl_srp . moreover , the following information for giving access to the user — defined pgc which is actual data of the play list is recorded in pl_srp ( play list search pointer ). any of the following values is recorded as a value for identifying the type of a play list in accordance with a description format shown in fig9 . pgc number corresponding to the play list is recorded therein . the pgc number indicates the recording order of pgc information in ud_pgcit which will be described below . information about the date and time at which the play list was created is recorded therein in accordance with the description format shown in fig9 . text information indicative of the contents of the play list is recorded therein . for example , in the case where a television program is picture recorded , the name of the program is recorded . moreover , the primary text information is constituted by a field for the ascii code and a field of a character code set specified by the above - mentioned chrs . when information indicative of the contents of the play list are optionally recorded as it_txt in addition to the above - mentioned primary text , the it_txt_srp number is recorded as link information to the it_txt to be recorded in the txtdt_mg . the it_txt_srp number indicates the recording order in txtdt_mg which will be described below . thumb nail information which is representative of the play list is described . in thm_ptri is recorded the following information indicative of the position of a thumb nail . cell number of a cell including a thumb nail is recorded therein . the cell number indicates the recording order of cell information in the ud_pgci to which the play list corresponds . when a cell indicated by the above - mentioned cn is a motion picture cell , the display time of a video frame to be used as a thumb nail is recorded in accordance with a ptm description format shown in fig1 . the ptm is given in accordance with the reference time of a time stamp described in the mpeg program stream . moreover , when the cell indicated by the above - mentioned cn is a still picture cell , the still picture vob entry number of a still picture to be used as the thumb nail is recorded in accordance with an s_vob_entn description format shown in fig1 . the still picture vob entry number indicates the recording order of the still picture vob entry in a still picture vob group indicated by this cell . m_avfit ( motion picture av file information table ) stores management information corresponding to motion picture av file “ rtr_mov . vro ” and comprises m_avfiti , m_vob_sti and m_avfi . m_avfiti ( motion picture av file information table information ) stores the following information necessary for giving access to m_vob_sti and m_avfi . number of fields of succeeding avfi information is indicated therein . when the value is “ 0 ”, there exists no avfi , while when the value is “ 1 ”, there exists avfi . moreover , the presence of the avfi also corresponds to that of rtr_mov . vro which is the av file for motion pictures . m_vob_sti ( movie vob stream information ) stores the following information as the stream information of movie vob . the following video attribute information is recorded in accordance with a format shown in fig1 . any one of the following values for identifying a video compression mode is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying a television system is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying a resolution ratio is recorded therein . recorded therein is any one of the following values for identifying that closed caption data for a field 1 are recorded or not in a video stream . recorded therein is any one of the following values for identifying that closed caption data for a field 2 are recorded or not in the video stream . any one of the following values for identifying a video resolution is recorded therein . the following audio attribute information corresponding to an audio stream 0 ( corresponding to the audio stream # 1 described above ) is recorded in accordance with a format shown in fig1 . any one of the following values for identifying an audio compressing method is recorded . any one of the following values for identifying application information is recorded therein . when using the mpeg audio , any one of the following values for identifying the presence of drc ( dynamic range control ) information is recorded therein . when using the lpcm audio , the following value for identifying the quantization is recorded therein . the following value for identifying a sampling frequency is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying the number of audio channels is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying a bit rate is recorded therein . it is important that only the bit rate of a basic stream excluding an extended stream is recorded when the corresponding audio stream is the mpeg audio stream having the extended stream . the reason is that the extended stream cannot be expressed by the above - mentioned fixed bit rate because it carries out the compression using the variable length coding method . the following audio attribute information corresponding to an audio stream 1 ( corresponding to the above described audio stream # 2 provided for after - recording ) is recorded in accordance with a format shown in fig1 . individual fields are the same as the above - mentioned a_atro . the following sub - picture attribute information is recorded in accordance with a format as shown in fig1 . any one of the following values for identifying application information is recorded therein . color palette information for a sub - picture is recorded in accordance with the format shown in fig1 . m_avfi ( motion picture av file information ) comprises information necessary for giving access to movie vob ( m_vob ), m_avfi_gi , m_vobi_srp and m_vobi . m_vobi_srp_ns is recorded in m_avfi_gi ( motion picture av file information general information ). m_vobi_srp ( movie vob information search pointer ) stores address information for accessing each m_vobi . the start address of m_vobi is recorded therein . the indicated address herein can be used in seeking operation for accessing the vob information . m_vobi ( movie vob information ) comprises management information of movie vob , m_vob_gi , smli , agapi , tmapi and cp_mngi . m_vob_gi ( movie vob general information ) stores the following information as the general information of the movie vob . the attribute information of vob is recorded therein in accordance with a format shown in fig1 . any one of the following values for identifying the status of the vob is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying the status of an audio stream 0 is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying the status of an audio stream 1 is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying analog copy preventing signal control information is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying whether or not the vob is seamlessly reproduced together with the vob present just before . recorded therein is any one of the following values indicative of the presence of an audio reproducing gap in the audio stream 0 and vobu having an audio reproducing gap interval multiplexed . recorded therein is any one of the following values indicative of the presence of an audio reproducing gap in the audio stream 1 and vobu having an audio reproducing gap interval multiplexed . the date and time on which the vob was recorded is recorded therein in the same format as in the pl_create_tm shown in fig9 . it is important that the recording date and time indicates the recording date and time of the display video frame of the vob head and the vob_rec_tm should also be corrected when the vob head video frame is changed by edit or partial erasure . when the recording date and time is to be displayed synchronously with the reproduction of the vob as often seen in a camcorder , the recording date and time is possible to obtain by adding an elapsed time in the vob to the vob_rec_tm . vob_rec_tm_sub is a field for absorbing the error of the vob_rec_tm to be modified when the vob head video frame is channel to the edit and the partial erasure on the vob . the vob_rec_tm has only information about year , month , day , hour , minute and second as shown in fig9 . therefore , in the case where the edit or erasure is carried out in each frame or field , the vob_rec_tm cannot provide a sufficient recording precision . by using this field , therefore , a fraction is recorded . m_vob_sti number corresponding to the vob is recorded therin . m_vob_sti number shown herein is the recording order in the above - mentioned m_vob_sti table . the display start time of the vob is recorded therein with the same reference time as a time stamp in a stream . the display end time of the vob is recorded therein with the same reference time as a time stamp in a stream . it should be noted that the time stamp in the stream indicates the display start time of the frame , while vob_v_e_ptm stores the display end time , that is , a time obtained by adding the display period of the frame to the display start time . smli ( seamless information ) stores the following information necessary for seamless reproduction with the last vob . moreover , this field is provided only when “ 1b ” is recorded in the above - mentioned sml_flg . agapi ( audio gap information ) stores the following information necessary for processing an audio reproducing gap in a decoder . moreover , this field is provided in the case where a value other than “ 00b ” is recorded in either the above - mentioned a 0 _gap_loc or a 1 _gap_loc . the time of the audio reproducing gap , that is , the time that the decoder temporarily stops audio reproduction is recorded therein with the same reference time as a time stamp in a stream . the time length of an audio reproducing gap is recorded with a precision of 90 khz . cp_mngi ( copy management information ) comprises copy management information for the vob , cpg_status and cpgi . as the copy protecting status of the vob , values for identifying “ copy free ” or “ one generation copying ” are recorded therein . tmap_gi ( tmap general information ) comprises tm_ent_ns , vobu_ent_ns , tm_ofs and adr_ofs . each field is as follows . number of fields of tm_ent which will be described below is recorded therein . number of fields of vobu_ent which will be described below is recorded therein . the offset value of a time map is recorded therein with a video field precision . an offset value in the av file of the head of the vob is recorded therein . tm_ent ( time entry ) comprises the following fields as access point information for each constant interval tmu . tmu for ntsc is 600 video fields ( ntsc ), while tmu for pal is 500 video fields . the entry number of vobu including a time indicated by the tm_ent ( tmu ×( n − 1 )+ tm_ofs for nth tm_ent ) is recorded therein . a difference between a time indicated by the tm_ent and the display start time of vobu indicated by the above - mentioned vobu_entn is recorded therein . a head address in the vob of the vobu indicated by the above - mentioned vobu_entn is recorded therein . vobu_ent ( vobu entry ) stores the following structure information of the corresponding vobu in a format shown in fig1 . by adding succeeding fields in order , it is possible to obtain a time and address information necessary for accessing desirable vobu . number of packs from a vobu head pack to a pack including last data of the head i picture in the vobu is recorded therein . the reproducing time length of the vobu is recorded therein . vobu_sz : s_avfit ( still picture av file information table ) has management information corresponding to the still picture av file “ rtr_sto . vro ” recorded therein , and comprises s_avfiti , s_vob_sti and s_avfi . s_avfiti ( still picture av file information table information ) stores the following information necessary for accessing s_vob_sti and s_avfi . “ 0 ” or “ 1 ” is recorded therein as the s_avfi number . this value also corresponds to the still picture av file number , that is , the presence of the rtr_sto . vro file . number of s_vob_sti which will be described below is recorded therein . in s_vob_sti ( still picture vob stream information ) is recorded the following information as the stream information of the still picture vob . video compression mode , tv system , aspect ratio , and video resolution are recorded therein as video attribute information . individual fields are the same as v_atr in the above - mentioned m_vob_sti . audio coding mode , application flag , quantization / drc , fs , and number of audio channels are recorded as audio stream attribute information . individual fields are the same as a_atro in the above - mentioned m_vob_sti . application flag is recorded therein as sub - picture attribute information . the field is the same as sp_atr in the above - mentioned m_vob_sti . color palette information for a sub - picture is recorded therein . a recording format is the same as sp_plt in the above - mentioned m_vob_sti . s_avfi ( still picture av file information ) comprises information necessary for accessing a still picture vog , s_avfi_gi , s_vogi_srp and s_vogi . number of fields of s_vogi_srp which will be described below is recorded therein . the start address of s_vogi is recorded in the s_vogi_sa ( still picture vob group information start address ). the s_vogi ( still picture vob group information ) comprises the management information of the still picture vob , s_vogi_gi , s_vob_ent and cp_mngi . the following information is recorded as the general information of a still picture vob group in s_vog_gi ( still picture vob group general information ). number of still picture vobs in the still picture vob group is recorded therein . recorded therein is s_vob_sti number of s_vob_sti which stores the stream information of the still picture vob . the s_vob_sti number is the recording order in the above - mentioned s_vob_sti table . the recording date and time information of the first ( head ) still picture vob in the still picture vob group is recorded therein . the recording date and time information of the last still picture vob in the still picture vob group is recorded therein . the start address of the still picture vob group in the rtr_sto . vro file is recorded therein . cp_mngi ( copy management information ) stores copy management information related to the still picture vob group . individual fields are the same as the cp_mngi of the above - mentioned m_vobi . s_vob_ent ( still picture vob entry ) corresponds to individual still picture vobs in the still picture vob group , and is divided into the following types a and b depending on the presence of audio data . the type a comprises s_vob_ent_ty and v_part_sz . individual fields are as follows . the type information of the still picture vob is recorded therein in a format shown in fig2 . any one of the following values for identifying the type a or the type b is recorded therein . any one of the following values for identifying the status of the still picture vob is recorded therein . number of sub - picture streams in the still picture vob is recorded therein . the data amount of the still picture vob is recorded therein . the type b has a_part_sz and a_pb_tm in addition to s_vob_ent_ty and v_part_sz . individual fields are as follows . the type information of the still picture vob is recorded therein . individual fields are the same as the above - mentioned type a . the data amount of a video part in the still picture vob is recorded therein . the data amount of an audio part in the still picture vob is recorded therein . the reproducing time length of the audio part of the still picture vob is recorded . ud_pgciti ( user - defined pgc information table information ) stores the following information constituting the user - defined pgc information table . the start address of ud_pgci is recorded in ud_pgci_sa . a seek is carried out up to a recorded address when the pgci is accessed . the details of the ud_pgci ( user - defined pgc information ) will be described in the following pgci . the details of o_pgci ( original pgc information ) will be described in the following pgci . txtdt_mg ( text data management ) comprises txtdti , it_txt_srp and it_txt . individual fields are as follows . a character set code to be used for the it_txt is recorded therein . it_txt_srp_ns ( number of it_txt search pointers ): it_txt_srp ( it_txt search pointer ) stores the following as access information to corresponding it_txt . the start address of the it_txt is recorded therein . when the it_txt is accessed , a seek is carried out up to this address . the data size of the it_txt is recorded therein . when the it_txt is to be read , data with only this size is read . the it_txt comprises a plurality of sets or one set , each set having idcd ( identification code ), txt ( text ) corresponding to the idcd and tmcd ( termination code ). when there is no txt corresponding to the idcd , the idcd and the tmcd may make a set without txt . the idcd is defined as follows . pgci ( pgc information ) has a data structure which is common to o_pgci and ud_pgci , and comprises pgc_gi , pgi , ci_srp and ci . pgc_gi ( pgc general information ) comprises pg_ns and ci_srp_ns as the pgc general information . individual fields are as follows . number of programs in the pgc is recorded therein . for the user - defined pgc , “ 0 ” is recorded in this field because the user - defined pgc has no program . pgi ( program information ) comprises pg_ty , c_ns , prm_txti , it_txt_srpn and thm_ptri . individual fields are as follows . the following information indicative of the status of this program is recorded therein by using a format shown in fig2 . text information indicative of the contents of this program is recorded therein . the details are the same as in the above - mentioned pl_srpt . in the case where information indicative of the contents of this program is optionally recorded as the it_txt in addition to the above - mentioned primary text , the number of it_txt_srp recorded in the txtdt_mg is recorded in this field . thumb nail information which is representative of this program is described therein . the details of thm_ptri are the same as in the thm_ptri of the above - mentioned pl_srpt . ci_srp ( cell information search pointer ) stores address information for accessing the cell information . the start address of the cell information is recorded therein . in the case where the cell is accessed , a seek is carried out up to this address . “ ci ” ( fig3 ): ci ( cell information ) is classified into mi_ci for a motion picture and s_ci for a still picture . m_c_gi ( motion picture cell general information ) has the following basic information constituting a cell . the following information for identifying a motion picture cell and a still picture cell are recorded in a format shown in fig3 . the search pointer number of movie vob information to which this cell corresponds is recorded therein . in the case where access is to be given to stream data to which this cell corresponds , access is first given to a movie vob information search pointer number indicated by this field . number of entry point present in this cell is recorded therein . the reproducing start time of this cell is recorded in a format shown in fig1 . the reproducing end time of this cell is recorded in the format shown in fig1 . the effective interval of this cell in the vob to which this cell corresponds is specified by using the c_v_s_ptm and c_v_e_ptm . m_c_epi ( motion picture cell entry point information ) is classified into a type a and a type b depending on the presence of a primary text . m_c_epi ( type a ) comprises the following information indicative of an entry point . the following information for identifying the type of this entry point is recorded in accordance with a format shown in fig3 . a time that the entry point is put is recorded in accordance with the format shown in fig1 . m_c_epi ( type b ) has the following prm_txti in addition to the ep_ty and ep_ptm included in the type a . recorded therein is text information indicative of the contents of locations indicated by this entry point . the details are the same as in the above - mentioned pl_srpt . s_c_gi ( still picture cell general information ) has the following basic information constituting a cell . information for identifying a motion picture cell and a still picture cell are recorded . the details are the same as in the above - mentioned motion picture cell . recorded therein is the search pointer number of still picture vob group information to which this cell corresponds . in the case where access is to be given to stream data to which this cell corresponds , access is first given to a still picture vob group information search pointer number indicated by this field . the reproducing start still picture vob number of this cell is recorded in the format shown in fig1 . the still picture vob number is the order in the s_vog indicated by the above - mentioned s_vogi_srpn . the reproducing end still picture vob number of this cell is recorded in the format shown in fig1 . the still picture vob number is the order in the s_vog indicated by the above - mentioned s_vogi_srpn . the effective interval of this cell in the s_vog to which the cell corresponds is specified by using the s_s_vob_entn and e_s_vob_entn . s_c_epi ( still picture cell entry point information ) is classified into a type a and a type b depending on the presence of a primary text . s_c_epi ( type a ) comprises the following information indicative of an entry point . the following information for identifying the type of this entry point is recorded in accordance with a format shown in fig3 . a number of still picture on which an entry point is put is recorded therein in accordance with the format shown in fig1 . s_c_epi ( type b ) has the following prm_txti in addition to the ep_ty and s_vob_entn included in s_c_epi of type a . recorded therein is text information indicative of the contents of locations indicated by this entry point . the details are the same as in the above - mentioned pl_srpt . next , the structure of the dvd recorder in this embodiment will be described . the dvd - recorder of this embodiment has almost the same structure as the one of the first embodiment but differs in the following point . that is , in the dvd - recorder , the system controller 7802 includes an after - recording check section 78021 and an after - recording operation section 78022 for performing after - recording as shown in fig5 . though the operation of the recorder of this embodiment is almost same as in the first embodiment , a significant difference is that the after - recording check section 78021 in the recorder of this embodiment checks in advance whether the recorder has an ability to perform after - recording for an audio stream which is intended to be after - recorded . as described above , the optical disc of this embodiment has bit rate information (“ bitrate ”) as attribute information of a dummy audio stream provided for after - recording in addition to audio coding mode information , and information of number of audio channels . with reference to the audio attribute information , the dvd recorder checks in advance whether or not the recorder can perform an after - recording operation by using the dummy audio stream . concretely , it is determined whether the after - recording operation is possible or not by comparing audio coding mode , audio channel number and bit rate with an encode ability of the dvd recorder . when the after - recording operation is determined to be possible , the after - recording operation is performed as in the first embodiment . when the after - recording operation is determined to be impossible , the user is notified that the after - recording operation is impossible via the user interface 7801 in a predetermined manner ( for example , to display message ). this operation is described below with reference to flow charts in fig5 , 55 and 56 . referring to fig5 , upon receiving a user request for after - recording to a desired program ( pg ) via the user interface 7801 ( s 1 ), the system controller 7802 reads in movie vob information ( m_vobi ) and movie vob stream information ( m_vob_sti ) related to the designated program ( pg ) ( s 2 ). then , the possibility of an after - recording operation in the recorder is checked ( s 3 ). that is , it is determined whether or not the after - recording operation is possible with reference to m_vobi and m_vob_sti ( s 3 ). with the result , when the after - recording operation is determined to be possible ( s 4 ), the controller starts the after - recording operation ( s 5 ). when the after - recording operation is determined to be impossible ( s 4 ), the controller notifies the user that the after - recording operation is impossible ( for example , displays message ) ( s 6 ). the check routine of the possibility of the after - recording operation ( step s 3 ) is performed as follows in accordance with the flowchart of fig5 . the controller checks number of audio streams based on ast_ns of m_vob_sti ( in fig1 ) ( s 31 ). when there are two audio streams ( s 32 ), attribute of each audio stream is checked or determined whether or not each audio stream is in a state where it is possible to perform the after - recording operation to the stream ( referred to as “ after - recordable state ”) ( s 33 ). details of this process will be described later . with the result of the check , when the audio stream is in after - recordable state ( s 34 ), coding mode (“ audio coding mode ”) ( see fig1 ) in a_atr 1 of m_vob_sti is checked ( s 35 ). when an encoder of the dvd recorder is operable in the checked coding mode ( s 36 ), bit rate (“ bitrate ”) in a_atr 1 of m_vob_sti is checked ( s 37 ). when the encoder is operable in the checked bit rate ( s 38 ), it is decided that the after - recording operation is “ possible ” ( s 39 ). otherwise , it is decided that an after - recording operation is “ impossible ” ( s 40 ). the check routine of attribute of audio stream ( step s 33 ) is performed as follows in accordance with the flowchart in fig5 . firstly , it is determined whether the al_status of audio stream for after - recording ( audio stream 2 ) ( see fig1 ) is in “ dummy state for after - recording ” ( s 321 ). when the al_status is in “ dummy state for after - recording ”, the audio stream is decided to be in “ after - recordable state ” ( s 322 ). it is noted that “ dummy state for after - recording ” indicates that the audio stream is prepared for after - recording but that after - recording data have not been recorded yet in the audio stream . when the a 1 _status is not in “ dummy state for after - recording ”, notice is served to user that the audio stream has already been after - recorded , and user &# 39 ; s response is waited ( s 323 ). when afterrecording is ordered by user in the response ( s 324 ), the audio stream is decided to be in after - recordable state ( s 322 ). when after - recording is not ordered by user in the response ( s 324 ), the audio stream is decided not to be in after - recordable state ( s 325 ). the dvd recorder according to this embodiment creates the management information for each motion picture recording . the dvd recorder especially creates audio coding mode , number of audio channels and bit rate information as an audio stream attribute information , and records them onto the optical disc . while in this embodiment the recorder is provided for the dvd - ram disc , this invention is not limited to dvd - ram but applicable to re - writable disc . while in this embodiment details of data : structure on the disc is described , the data structure is not limited to the structure described above . that is , this invention can be implemented by the recorder that compares audio attribute information including bit rate with encoding ability in advance when the recorder performs after - recording . while in this embodiment the description is made for two audio streams , same advantage could be obtained when only one audio stream is recorded as in the case where two audio streams are recorded . although the present invention has been described in connection with specified embodiments thereof , many other modifications , corrections and applications are apparent to those skilled in the art . therefore , the present invention is not limited by the disclosure provided herein but limited only to the scope of the appended claims .

6Physics

in fig1 reference number 2 refers to the drill bit lowered into well 1 by means of the drill string . conventional drill collars 3 are screwed on above the bit . a first measuring means is made up of a sub 4 , generally placed above bit 2 where measurements near to the bit are more interesting , notably in order to follow the dynamic of the bit . however , it can also be placed within or at the top of the drill collars , or even at the level of the drill pipes . the drill string is completed by conventional pipes 7 up to the suspension and connection sub 8 . above this sub , the drill string is lengthened by adding cabled pipes 9 . cabled pipes 9 are not described in this document since they are well - known from the prior art , notably through patents fr - 2 , 530 , 876 , u . s . pat . no . 4 , 806 , 115 or patent application fr - 2 , 656 , 747 . a second measuring means placed in a sub 10 is screwed below kelly 11 , the cabled pipes being then added below this sub 10 . a rotary electric connection 12 placed above kelly 11 is electrically connected to the surface installation 13 by a cable 14 . when the drill rig is provided with a power swivel , there is no kelly and measuring sub 10 is screwed on directly below rotary connection 12 , which is located below the power swivel . measuring sub 4 includes a male connector 6 whose contacts are linked to the measuring sensors and to the associated electronics included in sub 4 . a cable 5 equivalent to a wireline logging cable comprises , at its lower end , a female connector 15 suited for co - operating with connector 6 . the upper end of cable 5 is suspended from sub 8 . sub 8 is suited for suspending the cable length 5 and for connecting electrically the conductor or conductors of cable 5 to the electric link or links of the cabled pipe placed immediately above . the electric link provided by the cabled pipes bears reference number 16 . this electric link passes through 17 in the second measuring sub 10 . when a kelly 11 is used , it is also cabled and includes two electric cables 18 and 19 . one cable , 18 , connects the second sub 10 to the rotary contacts of rotary connection 12 , and the other , 19 , connects line 17 to other rotary contacts of connection 12 . sub 4 is generally connected by a single conductor to the surface installation 13 . the measurements and the power supply pass through the same line . the measuring means of sub 4 preferably comprises sensors for measuring , alone or in combination : the accelerations along three orthogonal axes , one of them merging in the longitudinal axis of the drill string , the first three measurements can be obtained through strain gages stuck onto a test cylinder . they are protected from the pressure by an appropriate housing . the design and the build - up of this housing are suited for substantially preventing measuring errors due to efficiencies . accelerations are measured by two accelerometers per axis in order to check errors induced by the rotation dynamics . the last set of measurements is obtained by specific sensors mounted in a separate part of the sub . the orders of magnitude of the mechanical characteristics of the first sub 4 are for example as follows : the second measuring means of measuring sub 10 preferably includes , alone or in combination , sensors for measuring : the design of this surface sub 10 is not basically different from that of the first sub , apart from the obligation to leave a free mud passage substantially coaxial to the inner space of the string so as to allow , if need be , transfer of a bit inside the string . the orders of magnitude of the mechanical characteristics of the second sub 10 are for example as follows : in a variant of the acquisition system according to the embodiment of fig1 a high measurement transmission frequency is obtained by means of electric links made up of cable 5 , line 16 and 17 , and surface cable 14 . fig2 shows a torque signal recorded by surface sub 10 . the recording time is two minutes , from 0 . 5 to 2 . 5 mn , laid off as abscissa . the amplitude of the oscillations , laid off as ordinate , is expressed in n . m . the signal portion represented comprises , from the abscissa zone 1 . 5 , a zone of strong oscillations corresponding to a dysfunctioning of the stick - slip type . the previous zone corresponds to a trouble - free running . the object of the invention is to calculate the damping factor associated with the fast natural mode relative to the stick - slip . to that effect , a transfer function is identified between the bottomhole signals and the surface signals , such as the bottomhole torque measured with bottomhole sub 4 and the surface torque measured with surface sub 10 . autoregressive moving average models ( arma ), that are well - known and that can be characterized by the equations as follows , are used : ## equ1 ## where x ( t ) is the output signal , u ( t ) the input signal and e ( t ) a white noise . &# 34 ; system identification toolbox user &# 39 ; s guide &# 34 ;, july 1991 , the math works inc ., cochituate place , 24 prime park way , natick , mass . 01760 . &# 34 ; system identification -- theory for the user &# 34 ; by lennart ljung , prentice - hall , englewood cliffs , n . j ., 1987 . &# 34 ; digital spectral analysis with applications &# 34 ; by s . lawrence marple jr ., prentice - hall , englewood cliffs , n . j ., 1987 . &# 34 ; digital signal processing &# 34 ; by r . a . roberts and c . t . mullis , addison - wosley publishing company , 1987 . for the identification of an autoregressive model , the most delicate stage consists in determining its orders ( p , q ), i . e . the number of coefficients of the model . in fact , if the order selected is too small , the model cannot express all the modes of vibration . conversely , if the order selected for the model is too great , the transfer function obtained has more natural modes than the system , and errors can thus result therefrom . a modeling error can be significant . the delay nt reveals the transfer time of a signal through the drill string . the transmission rate of the shear waves is about 3000 m / s . consequently , knowing the length of the drill string during the recording , the delay nt can be automatically determined . for example , during the acquisition of the signal shown in fig2 the length of the string was about 1030 m , which gives a delay nt of 0 . 34 s , i . e . about n = 15 values for a sampling of the data at 45 hz . determination of p : tests have been carried out in order to determine the parameter p that characterizes the number of poles of the transfer function . in order to get an idea of the value of p , a spectral study of the signals has been carried out to determine the number of frequency peaks with phase change , that is associated with the number of natural modes . this allows to get an idea of the order of magnitude of p , knowing that two conjugate complex poles correspond to each natural mode and therefore that p is equal to double the number of natural modes . at the end of this first approximation , the value of p ranges between 24 and 36 . after a series of tests on different torque signals , the optimum determination of p is 26 . in order to determine the parameter q , it is increased from the value 1 until an optimum representative model is obtained . the real surface signals have thus been compared with those obtained with the transfer function from the bottomhole signals recorded by bottomhole sub 4 . it turned out that q = 1 is sufficient . in the case of autoregressive models , the polynomial ## equ2 ## constitutes the denominator of the transfer function obtained . consequently , if the zeros of this polynomial are determined , one obtains the poles of the transfer function that is associated with the natural modes of the system . fig3 shows the evolution of the natural modes of the signal of fig2 as a function of time laid off as abscissa , the frequencies in hertz being laid off as ordinate . the natural modes are calculated here according to the principle expounded above . the stability of the natural modes represented by a cross demonstrates the existence of an invariant linear transfer function between the bottomhole and the surface as regards the twisting moment . as for the calculation of the dampings μ related to the natural modes , the following formula has been used : where p is the module of the pole and m the phase of the pole corresponding to the natural mode . fig4 shows the evolution as a function of time of the damping of the first natural mode , i . e . 0 . 3 hz , which is related to the stick - slip type dysfunctioning that causes the strong oscillations of the torque from the time 1 . 5 in fig2 . it may be observed that , at the time 1 . 5 , the damping has undergone a strong decrease that correlatively generates the stick - slip motion . it is therefore possible to predict the start of the stick - slip by carrying out a real time calculation of the damping value of the natural mode associated with the stick - slip . in our example , it is the first natural mode , but it is obvious that in other examples relative to another system it could be another mode than the first mode , for example the second or even the third . however , it is experimentally recognized that only the first natural modes can be associated with the stick - slip type dysfunctioning . a system allowing to calculate the damping in real time from the surface torque signals and possibly from the bottomhole torque signals thus allows to predict the start of the stick - slip motion through the real time analysis of the evolution of the damping value . the means for calculating and for determining a transfer function are preferably placed in the surface installation 13 ( fig1 ). when the damping reaches a low value within the space of several ten seconds , the operator can be alerted by an alarm and correct drilling parameters so as to prevent stick - slip . the drilling parameters can be the weight on bit , the rotating speed , the friction torque on the walls of the well when a remote - controlled device is integrated in the drill string .

4Fixed Constructions

reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention , examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings . fig1 through 4 show a first driving system of the present invention . this first driving system corresponds to a case in which all cathode lines and all anode lines are reset by dropping their voltage to a ground potential ( 0 v ) once in a shifting scan to the next cathode line . in fig1 through 4 , the system comprises anode lines a 1 through a 256 , cathode lines b 1 through b 64 , luminous elements e 1 , 1 through e 256 , 64 , a cathode line scanning circuit l , an anode line driving circuit 2 , an anode line resetting circuit 3 , and an emission control circuit 4 . the cathode line scanning circuit 1 comprises scanning switches 5 1 through 5 64 for sequentially scanning each of the cathode lines b 1 through b 64 . one terminal of each of the scanning switches 5 1 through 5 64 is connected to a reverse bias voltage source whose voltage is equal to the source voltage v cc ( e . g ., 10 v ) and the other terminal is connected to the ground voltage ( 0 v ). the anode line driving circuit 2 comprises current sources 2 1 through 2 256 , i . e ., driving sources , and driving switches 6 1 through 6 256 for selecting each of the anode lines a 1 through a 256 . the anode line driving circuit 2 connects the current sources 2 1 through 2 256 to drive the luminous elements at a pertinent anode line by turning on an arbitrary driving switch . the anode line resetting circuit 3 comprises shunt switches 7 1 through 7 256 for resetting the anode lines a 1 through a 256 to the ground potential ( 0 v ). it is noted that on / off control of scanning switches 5 1 through 5 64 , driving switches 6 1 through 6 256 and shunt switches 7 1 through 7 256 , is controlled by the emission control circuit 4 . the operations for emitting light by means of the first driving system will be explained with reference to fig1 through 4 . the operations described below will be explained by referring to an example when luminous elements e 1 , 1 and e 1 , 2 are caused to emit light by scanning the cathode line b 1 and , then , the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 , are caused to emit light by shifting the scan to the cathode line b 2 . further , in order to facilitate this description , the luminous elements emitting light are indicated by the diode symbol and the other luminous elements that are not emitting light are indicated by the capacitor symbol . the reverse bias voltage v cc applied to the cathode lines b 1 through b 64 is set at 10 v , which is equal to the source voltage of the system . in fig1 at first the scanning switch 5 1 is switched to 0 v and the cathode line b 1 is scanned . the reverse bias voltage of 10 v is applied to the other cathode lines b 2 through b 64 via the scanning switches 5 2 through 5 64 . further , the current sources 2 1 and 2 2 are connected to the anode lines a 1 and a 2 via the driving switches 6 1 and 6 2 . still further , 0 v is applied to the other anode lines a 3 through a 256 via the shunt switches 7 3 through 7 256 . accordingly , fig1 illustrates that only the luminous elements e 1 , 1 and e 2 , 1 emit light because only these elements are biased in the forward direction such that driving currents flow into these elements from the current sources 2 1 and 2 2 , as indicated by arrows in the figure . in the state of fig1 the luminous elements indicated by a hatched capacitor are being charged , respectively , in the direction of the polarity shown in the figure . then , the following reset control is carried out in shifting the scan so that a state of emission in which the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 emit light , as shown in fig4 is brought about from the state of emission in fig1 . that is , before shifting the scan from the cathode line b 1 in fig1 to the cathode line b 2 in fig4 all of the driving switches 6 1 through 6 64 are turned off , and all of the scanning switches 5 1 through 5 64 and the shunt switches 7 1 through 7 256 are switched to 0 v , to shunt all of the anode lines a 1 through a 256 and the cathode lines b 1 through b 64 to 0 v , as shown in fig2 . when all are reset to 0 v , all of the anode lines and cathode lines have the same potential of 0 v , so that any electric charge stored or charged in each luminous element is discharged via the routes indicated by arrows in the figure . in this way , the electric charge stored or charged in all of the luminous elements becomes zero instantly . after discharging the electric charge stored in all of the luminous elements to zero as described above , only the scanning switch 5 2 , which corresponds to the cathode line b 2 , is switched to the side of 0 v to scan the cathode line b 2 as shown in fig3 . at the same time , only the driving switches 6 2 and 6 3 are switched to the side of the current sources 2 2 and 2 3 and the shunt switches 7 1 and 7 4 through 7 256 are turned on to apply 0 v to the anode lines a 1 and a 4 through a 256 . when these switches are switched and the cathode line b 2 is scanned , charging currents rush into the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 , which are to emit light next , via a plurality of routes as indicated by arrows in fig3 . the electric charges stored in all of the luminous elements are zero , as described above , and thus the parasitic capacitors c of the respective luminous elements are instantly charged . that is , the charging currents flow into the luminous element e 2 , 2 via a route of current source 2 2 → driving switch 6 2 → anode line a 2 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , as well as via a route of scanning switch 5 1 → cathode line b 1 → luminous element e 2 , 1 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , via a route of scanning switch 5 3 → cathode line b 3 → luminous element e 2 , 3 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , . . . and via a route of scanning switch 5 64 → cathode line b 64 → luminous element e 2 , 64 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , at the same time . in this way , the luminous element e 2 , 2 is charged instantly by these plurality of charging currents , and emits light . then , the state instantly shifts to the stationary state shown in fig4 . further , the charging currents flow into the luminous element e 3 , 2 via a route of current source 2 3 → driving switch 6 3 → anode line a 3 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , as well as via a route of scanning switch 5 1 → cathode line b 1 → luminous element e 3 , 1 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , via a route of scanning switch 5 3 → cathode line b 3 → luminous element e 3 , 3 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , . . . and via a route of scanning switch 5 64 → cathode line b 64 → luminous element e 3 , 64 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , at the same time . in this manner , the luminous element e 3 , 2 is charged instantly by these plurality of charging currents , and emits light . then , the state shifts to the stationary state shown in fig4 instantly . as described above , according to the first driving system , all of the cathode lines and anode lines are connected once to 0 v , i . e ., the ground potential , to perform a reset before shifting to the next scan . thus , when the scan is switched to the next scan line , luminous elements on the switched scan line can emit light instantly . although the luminous elements other than the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 are charged via the routes indicated by arrows in fig3 such charging direction is the reverse bias direction , so that there is no possibility that the luminous elements other than the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 will emit light erroneously . furthermore , although current sources 2 1 through 2 256 have been used as the driving sources in the example shown in fig1 through 4 , the same effect may be realized also by using voltage sources instead . fig5 through 8 show a second driving system of the present invention . the second driving system corresponds to a case when all of the cathode lines and anode lines are reset once to the source voltage v cc = 10 v before the next cathode line is scanned . in order to accomplish this resetting method , three - point change - over switches are used as the driving switches 6 1 through 6 256 . in each of these three - point switches , a first contact is opened , a second contact is connected to the current sources 2 1 through 2 256 , and a third contact is connected to the source voltage v cc = 10 v , respectively , in the circuit shown in fig5 through 8 . because the portions of the circuit structure other than the driving switches 6 1 through 6 256 are the same as that of the first driving system described above , the explanation of such other portions will not be repeated here . operations for emitting light by means of the second driving system will be explained with reference to fig5 through 8 . the operations described below are with reference to cases when the luminous elements e 1 , 1 and e 2 , 1 emit light by scanning the cathode line b 1 and , then , the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 emit light by shifting the scan to the cathode line b 2 in a manner similar to the first driving system described above . in fig5 the scanning switch 5 1 first is switched to 0 v and the cathode line b 1 is scanned . the reverse bias voltage of 10 v is applied to the other cathode lines b 2 through b 64 via the scanning switches 5 2 through 5 64 . the current sources 2 1 and 2 2 are connected to the anode lines a 1 and a 2 via the driving switches 6 1 and 6 2 , 0 v is applied to the other anode lines a 3 through a 256 via the shunt switches 7 3 through 7 256 . as shown in fig5 only the luminous elements e 1 , 1 and e 2 , 1 emit light because only these elements are biased in the forward direction such that driving currents flow into these elements from the current sources 2 1 and 2 2 as indicated by arrows in the figure . in fig5 the luminous elements indicated by a hatched capacitor are being charged , in the direction of the polarity shown in the figure . then , a reset control is carried out by shifting the scan so that a state of emission in which the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 emit light as shown in fig8 is brought about from the state of emission in fig5 . thus , before shifting the scan from the cathode line b 1 in fig5 to the cathode line b 2 in fig8 all of the shunt switches 7 1 through 7 256 are turned off , and all of the scanning switches 5 1 through 5 64 and the driving switches 6 1 through 6 256 are switched to 10 v , to shunt all of the anode lines a 1 through a 256 and the cathode lines b 1 through b 64 to 10 v once to reset all by 10 v , as shown in fig6 . when all are reset to 10 v , all of the anode lines and cathode lines have the same potential of 10 v , so that electric charge stored or charged in each luminous element is discharged via the routes indicated by arrows in the figure . in this way , the electric charge stored or charged in all of the luminous elements becomes zero instantly . after discharging the electric charge stored in all of the luminous elements to zero , as described above , only the scanning switch 5 2 which corresponds to the cathode line b 2 is switched to 0 v to scan the cathode line b 2 , as shown in fig7 . at the same time , the driving switches 6 2 and 6 3 are switched to the side of the current sources 2 2 and 2 3 and the other driving switches 6 1 and 6 4 through 6 256 are switched to the open end side . further , the shunt switches 7 1 and 7 4 through 7 256 are turned on to apply 0 v to the anode lines a 1 and a 4 through a 256 . when these switches are switched and the cathode line b 2 is scanned , charging currents rush into the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 , which are to emit light next , via a plurality of routes as indicated by arrows in fig7 . the electric charges stored in all of the luminous elements are zero , as described above , and thus the parasitic capacitors c of the respective luminous elements are charged instantly . that is , the charging currents flow into the luminous element e 2 , 2 via a route of current source 2 2 → driving switch 6 2 → anode line a 2 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , as well as via a route of scanning switch 5 1 → cathode line b 1 → luminous element e 2 , 1 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , via a route of scanning switch 5 3 → cathode line b 3 → luminous element e 2 , 3 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , . . . and via a route of scanning switch 5 64 → cathode line b 64 → luminous element e 2 , 64 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , at the same time . in this way , the luminous element e 2 , 2 is charged instantly by these plurality of charging currents , and emits light . then , the state instantly shifts to the stationary state shown in fig8 . further , the charging currents flow into the luminous element e 3 , 2 via a route of current source 2 3 → driving switch 6 3 → anode line a 3 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , as well as via a route of scanning switch 5 1 → cathode line b 1 → luminous element e 3 , 1 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , via a route of scanning switch 5 3 → cathode line b 3 → luminous element e 3 , 3 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 . . . and via a route of scanning switch 5 64 → cathode line b 64 → luminous element e 3 , 64 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , at the same time . in this manner , the luminous element e 3 , 2 is charged instantly by these plurality of charging currents , and emits light . then , the state instantly shifts to the stationary state shown in fig8 . as described above , according to the second driving system , all of the cathode lines and anode lines are connected once to 10 v , i . e ., the source voltage , to perform a reset before shifting to the next scan , so that when the scan is switched to the next scan line , luminous elements on the switched scan line can emit light instantly . although the luminous elements other than the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 to emit light are charged , respectively , via routes as indicated by arrows in fig7 such charging direction is the reverse bias direction , so that there is no possibility that the other luminous elements will emit erroneously . although the current sources 2 1 through 2 256 have been used as the driving sources in the example shown in fig5 through 8 , the same effect may be realized also by using voltage sources instead . fig9 through 12 show a third driving system of the present invention . the third driving system corresponds to a case when all of the cathode lines b 1 through b 64 are reset to 10 v , and the anode lines a 1 through a 256 are preset , in order to be ready for the next emission before the next cathode line is scanned . because the circuit structure itself is the same as that of the second driving system described above , explanation of such structure will not be repeated here . operations for emitting light by means of the third driving system will be explained with reference to fig9 through 12 . the operations described below are with reference to cases when the luminous elements e 1 , 1 and e 2 , 1 emit light by scanning the cathode line b 1 and then the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 emit light by shifting the scan to the cathode line b 2 in a manner similar to the first and second driving systems described above . in fig9 the scanning switch 5 1 is first switched to 0 v and the cathode line b 1 is scanned . the reverse bias voltage of 10 v is applied to the other cathode lines b 2 through b 64 via the scanning switches 5 2 through 5 64 . the current sources 2 1 and 2 2 are connected to the anode lines a 1 and a 2 via the driving switches 6 1 and 2 , and 0 v is applied to the other anode lines a 3 through a 256 via the shunt switches 7 3 through 7 256 . as shown in fig9 only the luminous elements e 1 , 1 and e 2 , 1 emit light because only these elements are biased in the forward direction such that driving currents flow into these elements from the current sources 2 1 and 2 2 as indicated by the arrows in the figure . fig9 the luminous elements indicated by a hatched capacitor are being charged in the direction of the polarity shown in the figure . then , a reset control is carried out by shifting the scan so that a state of emission in which the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 emit light as shown in fig1 is brought about from the state of emission in fig9 . thus , before shifting the scan from the cathode line b 1 in fig9 to the cathode line b 2 in fig1 , all of the scanning switches 5 1 through 5 64 are switched to 10 v to reset all as shown in fig1 . further , for the anode lines , only the driving switches 6 2 and 6 3 , which correspond to the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 2 , 3 that emit light , are connected to 10 v for preset , and the other driving switches 6 1 and 6 4 through 6 256 are connected to the open end side . further , the shunt switches 7 1 and 7 4 through 7 256 are turned on to achieve connection to 0 v . when all of the cathode lines b 1 through b 64 are reset to 10 v and the anode lines a 2 and a 3 are preset to the source voltage of 10 v , electric charge stored or charged in each luminous element is charged / discharged via the routes indicated by arrows in the figure . in this way , the electric charge stored in each of the luminous elements e 2 , 1 through e 2 , 64 and e 3 , 1 through e 3 , 64 , connected to the anode lines a 2 and a 3 , which are to be caused to emit light , becomes zero instantly . after discharging the electric charge stored in each of the luminous elements e 2 , 1 through e 2 , 64 and e 3 , 1 through e 3 , 64 to zero as described above , the scanning switch 5 2 is switched to of 0 v to scan the cathode line b 2 as shown in fig1 . at the same time , the driving switches 6 2 and 6 3 are switched to the side of the current sources 2 2 and 2 3 . when these switches are switched and the cathode line b 2 is scanned , charging currents rush into the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 , which are to emit light , via a plurality of routes as indicated by arrows in fig1 , thus charging the parasitic capacitor c of the respective luminous elements instantly . that is , the charging currents flow into the luminous element e 2 , 2 via a route of current source 2 2 → driving switch 6 2 → anode line a 2 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , as well as via a route of scanning switch 5 1 → cathode line b 1 → luminous element e 2 , 1 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , via a route of scanning switch 5 3 → cathode line b 3 → luminous element e 2 , 3 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , . . . and via a route of scanning switch 5 64 → cathode line b 64 → luminous element e 2 , 64 → luminous element e 2 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , at the same time . in this way , the luminous element e 2 , 2 is charged instantly by these plurality of charging currents , and emits light . then , the state shifts to the stationary state shown in fig1 instantly . further , the charging currents flow into the luminous element e 3 , 2 via a route of current source 2 3 → driving switch 6 3 → anode line a 3 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , as well as via a route of scanning switch 5 1 → cathode line b 1 → luminous element e 3 , 1 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , via a route of scanning switch 5 3 → cathode line b 3 → luminous element e 3 , 3 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , . . . and via a route of scanning switch 5 64 → cathode line b 64 → luminous element e 3 , 64 → luminous element e 3 , 2 → scanning switch 5 2 , at the same time . in this manner , the luminous element e 3 , 2 is charged instantly by these plurality of charging currents , and emits light . then , the state shifts to the stationary state shown in fig1 instantly . as described above , according to the third driving system , all of the cathode lines are reset to 10 v and the anode lines are preset to be ready for the next emission before shifting to the next scan , so that when the scan is switched to the next scan line , luminous elements on the switched scan line can emit light instantly . although the luminous elements other than the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 are charged via routes as indicated by arrows in fig1 , such charging direction is the reverse bias direction , so that there is no possibility that luminous elements other than the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 will emit light erroneously . although all of the cathode lines have been reset to 10 v in the third driving system described above , all of the cathode lines may instead be reset to 0 v . further , although current sources 2 1 through 2 256 have been used as the driving sources in the example shown in fig9 through 12 , the same effect may be realized by using voltage sources instead . as is apparent with reference to each figure of fig3 and 10 described above , the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 are charged not only from the current sources 2 2 and 2 3 , but also from the other luminous elements connected to the anode lines a 2 and a 3 at the same time via the cathode lines b 1 and b 3 through b 64 to which the reverse bias voltage is applied . therefore , when a large number of luminous elements are connected to the anode lines , the luminous elements e 2 , 2 and e 3 , 2 may emit light just by the charging current obtained via those other luminous elements , if for a short time . accordingly , the current sources 2 1 through 2 256 of the anode line driving circuit 2 may be obviated by scanning the cathode lines with a period shorter than a duration of the emission caused by the charging current obtained via the other luminous elements . further , although the embodiments described above have been explained in connection with examples exemplifying the system of scanning cathode lines and driving anode lines , the same invention may be realized by scanning anode lines and driving cathode lines . as described above , according to the present invention , the parasitic capacitors of luminous elements to emit light are charged by the driving sources via the drive lines and also by the reverse bias voltage of the scan lines at the same time via the parasitic capacitors of the other luminous elements not emitting . this is accomplished by switching the scanning position to the next scan line after resetting all of the scan lines , so that an end - to - end voltage of the luminous elements to emit light may be built up instantly to a voltage which allows the emission , thus allowing the luminous elements to emit light instantly . further , because the charge obtained via the other luminous elements is utilized , the capacity of each driving source may be reduced and the driving unit can be miniaturized . moreover , the driving unit is adapted to be able to emit light quickly while eliminating all of the driving sources on the drive line side , so that the driving unit may be further simplified and miniaturized . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the driving system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention . thus , it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents .

6Physics

fig3 a and 3b show the diagram of the transistor of the storage cell according to the invention . a memory point of the metal - ferroelectric - semiconductor type , like that of the invention , comprises a semiconductor substrate 1 , a thin ferro - electric layer 2 and a conductive layer 3 , placed on either side of the ferroelectric layer 2 . the semiconductor substrate can be of the p type or the n type . in the device described , consideration is given to a p type semiconductor substrate 1 . the conductive layer 3 is made from a degenerated semiconductor material or metal . the memory point according to the invention also has a gate electrode 4 , a source zone 5 and a drain zone 6 . with the ferroelectric 2 , the gate electrode 4 produces a gate pattern of the transistor . the conductive layer 3 is placed on either side of said gate pattern . it is therefore in direct contact with the ferroelectric 2 on the edge or flank thereof , which means that there is no intermediate material between the conductive layer 3 and the ferroelectric 2 . according to a preferred embodiment of the invention , the conductive layer 3 covers the source zone 5 and the drain zone 6 of the semiconductor 1 , forming a single electrode therewith . according to another embodiment of the invention , the conductive layer 3 can be insulated from the source zone 5 and the drain zone 6 and can form an independent electrode . as in most conventional memories , the gate electrode 4 is connected to an addressing line , also known as a word line ( wl ). in the same way , the transistor source 5 is connected to a bit line ( bl ) and the transistor drain 6 is connected to earth or ground ( v ss ). the bit line bl is both the bit writing line and the bit reading line . fig3 c shows an embodiment of the invention , in which the conductive layer 3 is insulated from the source and drain zones 5 , 6 . this conductive layer 3 is then connected to a specific addressing line , referred to as the write bit line ( wbl ). the transistor source 5 is connected to a reading line , referred to as the read bit line ( rbl ). in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in fig3 a and 3b , i . e . in the embodiment where the conductive layer is electrically connected to the source 5 and drain 6 of the transistor , the pole connected to the source will be connected to a single line serving both as the addressing line and as the reading line , said line being the bit line bl and in this case the drain is connected to earth v ss . more specifically , fig3 a shows a memory point at state 0 . fig3 b shows a memory point according to the invention in state 1 , i . e . the programmed memory point . the writing of the information in said memory point is carried out in a similar manner to that of a conventional metal - ferroelectric - semiconductor transistor , i . e . writing takes place by applying programming voltages to the gate and the conductive layer 3 respectively via the word line wl and the bit line bl . the programming voltages are such that the value of the electric field in the ferroelectric exceeds the coercive field and consequently in such a way that there is a reversal of the residual polarization in the vicinity of the drain 6 . in the embodiment described , the source and drain zones are positively charged . by applying a negative voltage to bl and a positive voltage to wl , said polarization , whose direction is opposite to that of state 0 ( fig3 a ) makes it possible to repel the negative charges from the channel 8 . this polarization reversal has the effect of making the transistor non - conductive by the field effect produced , which obviously makes it necessary to appropriately choose the transistor parameters , namely the type and the doping value , the gate capacity and the gate voltage on reading . it is also necessary to choose the parameters of the ferroelectric material , namely the coercive field and the residual polarization following the polarization stage . it is this residual polarization which makes it possible to store the information in a non - volatile manner . the programming diagram of such a memory point is given in the table of fig4 in which the programming voltage vp exceeds , in absolute terms , the coercive field and the reading voltage vc is below said field . according to a preferred embodiment of the invention , a dielectric layer 7 is interposed between the ferroelectric 2 and the semiconductor 1 and serves as a barrier . it is appropriately chosen in such a way that the structure is chemically stable . thus , said dielectric layer 7 is chosen so that the two interfaces between the dielectric and the semi - conductor and between the dielectric and the ferro - electric trap a minimum of charges , so as not to shield the electric field induced by the ferroelectric 2 . according to an embodiment of the transistor of the memory cell according to the invention , consideration is given to a p type semiconductor 1 with doping of approximately 10 15 / cm 3 . the thin ferroelectric layer 2 is of lzt , i . e . lead zirconate titanate of formula pb ( zr , ti ) o 3 having an appropriate thickness . according to the preferred embodiment of the invention , the dielectric layer 7 is of sio 2 and is interposed between the ferroelectric 2 and the semiconductor 1 . this dielectric layer has a thickness between a few nanometres and a few dozen nanometres . above the dielectric layer 7 and the ferroelectric 2 , a conductive material is deposited in order to form the gate electrode 4 . all these layers are etched in order to obtain a transistor gate pattern . the source and drain zones 5 , 6 respectively are produced in self - aligned manner , by ion implantation of donor dopants and adequate annealing . the source and drain electrodes 5 , 6 are produced on either side of the gate pattern , using a pattern base residue method . thus , a conductive layer 3 is deposited over the entire surface and is then etched by a known etching procedure . when etching has taken place , i . e . when the planar surfaces are freed , material residues constituting the original conductive layer remain at the base of the steps , i . e . these residues form a type of hillock between the ferroelectric layer 2 and the source and drain electrodes 5 , 6 . therefore these metal residues are in direct contact with the ferroelectric 2 , on its vertical flank , and with the semiconductor 1 on its base , i . e . on the source and drain zones 5 , 6 respectively . the metal constituting the residues is chosen in such a way that the contact with the ferroelectric 2 has an appropriate electrical behaviour . the metal thickness on the flank of the ferroelectric 2 is such that it can permit a polarization having the desired sign , which is sufficiently extensive to partly cover the channel zone . this thickness is approximately 100 nanometres for a ferroelectric layer of approximately 200 nanometres . the process for producing such a memory point consists of producing the metal - ferroelectric - semiconductor transistor in optimized manner , so that the residual polarization and the coercive field permit an operation of the memory . the parameters to be considered for obtaining this optimization of the transistor ferroelectric composition are firstly the threshold voltage difference vo - v1 between the two states 0 and 1 . this threshold voltage difference is approximately given by the expression : e f being the thickness of the ferroelectric 2 , vo and v1 the voltages applied to the gate corresponding to the absence of a charge ( flat band voltage ) in the semiconductor . this voltage difference vo - v1 must be adequate , i . e . equal to or greater than a few volts , so that for a reading gate voltage v l between vo and v1 , the transconductances are significantly different and consequently permit the reading of the state of the memory point . in practice , this voltage difference vo - v1 is approximately 5 volts . according to the preferred embodiment of the invention , a dielectric layer 7 is interposed between the ferroelectric 2 and the semiconductor 1 . this dielectric layer has a typical thickness of approximately 10 to 13 nanometres . this dielectric layer makes it possible to bring the value of the electric field e ( for q = 0 ) closer to the value ec of the coercive field . thus , the variation of the polarization with the electric field e is very high in a ferroelectric . for a standard ferroelectric , such as lead zirconate titanate , pb ( zr 0 . 55 ti 0 . 45 o 3 ), ec is approximately 50 kv / cm and the thickness to obtain a voltage difference of approximately 5 v ( vo - v1 = 5 volts ) is therefore e f = 5100 nanometers . during the programming of the erasing of the memory point , the potential difference between the drain electrode and the gate electrode ( 5 v ) applied to said same typical thickness e f , the average electric field being 100 kv / cm , so that this value is well above the value of the coercive field , whose value was given hereinbefore and which makes it possible to reverse the polarization direction and therefore the state of the memory point . the dielectric layer makes it possible to reduce the gate capacitance ## equ2 ## c f being the capacitance of the ferroelectric and c d the capacitance of the dielectric . the thickness of the dielectric layer is chosen in such a way as to optimize the characteristics of the transistor , i . e . its average threshold voltage ## equ3 ## its voltage response and its saturation current . for a dielectric thickness e d equal to or greater than 20 nanometers , the gate capacitance c 1 is roughly equal to the dielectric capacitance . it is pointed out that the values given above are for exemplary purposes only , bearing in mind that the semiconductor type and its doping , the ferroelectric type and composition for changing the coercive field , the ferroelectric thickness , the electrode height on the ferroelectric flank , the dielectric thickness and the programming and reading voltages can be modified , whilst maintaining the operating principles defined hereinbefore . the metal - ferroelectric - semiconductor transistor according to the invention has the advantage of permitting a metal contact for the polarization at the time of writing , said metal - ferroelectric contact being more intimate ( absence of native oxide and better metallurgical compatibility ) and therefore easier to obtain . moreover , the transistor according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the voltage necessary for the local switching of the ferroelectric at the time of programming , the distance between the two writing electrodes being reduced ( distance between the gate and the contact on the ferroelectric ). in such a transistor , it is also possible to place a dielectric layer between the ferroelectric layer and the semiconductor channel 8 ( which makes the practical construction easier ), whilst still permitting a low programming voltage , because the voltage is directly applied to the ferroelectric .

6Physics

reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed , which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings . the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims ; numerous alternatives , modifications and equivalents are encompassed . for the purpose of clarity , technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the embodiments has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description . referring to fig1 , a block diagram of a computer system useful for implementing embodiments of the present invention is shown . in at least one embodiment of the present invention , a processor 100 is connected to a memory 102 and one or more force feedback elements 104 . the processor 100 may be part of an on board flight computer , some other in - vehicle computer system , a mobile personal computing device , or any other mobile computing platform . furthermore , the processor 100 may be connected to an antenna 106 for receiving data and a display 108 for displaying pertinent information . in one embodiment of the present invention , an aircraft may house a computer system according to the present invention . the processor 100 , detecting a critical event or otherwise receiving data through the antenna 106 indicating a critical event , may determine a signal to apply to the one or more force feedback elements 104 to produce a tactile sensation . the tactile sensation may alert the pilot that a critical event has occurred . different signals may produce different tactile sensations indicating different critical events or events of varying criticality . furthermore , the processor 100 may display information pertaining to the critical event on the display 108 in a minimally intrusive way because obtrusive warnings are no longer necessary as the pilot is notified by alternative means . in another embodiment of the present invention , the processor 100 , incorporated into personal computing device , may receive a signal through the antenna 106 . the signal may include embedded data indicating that the signal contains critical information . the processor 100 may detect such embedded data and determine a signal to apply to the one or more force feedback elements 104 to produce a tactile sensation . referring to fig2 , a perspective , environmental view of a flight helmet including an embodiment of the present invention is shown . a flight helmet 200 may include a plurality of force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 affixed to particular locations on or within the flight helmet 200 . for example , a first force feedback element 202 may be affixed or embedded at the left jaw line of the flight helmet 200 , a second force feedback element 204 may be affixed or embedded at the right jaw line of the flight helmet 200 and a third force feedback element 206 may be affixed or embedded at the rear of the flight helmet 200 . the force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 are positioned to produce a tactile sensation to the wearer ; for example , in at least one embodiment , the force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 are embedded in the helmet so as to be in substantial physical contact with wearer . a person skilled in the art may appreciate that while fig2 shows the force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 on the outer surface of the helmet 200 , such illustration is only for clarity and should not be considered limiting . each of the force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 is connected to a computing device such that the computing device may apply signals to each of the force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 to produce tactile pulses that may be felt and distinguished by the pilot wearing the flight helmet 200 . signals to each force feedback element 202 , 204 , 206 may indicate critical events that require a pilot &# 39 ; s attention . signals to each force feedback element 202 , 204 , 206 may also vary to indicate data pertinent to a critical event . for example , where an onboard computer system detects a critical event behind the aircraft or receives data pertaining to a critical event behind the aircraft , the computer system may apply a signal to the third force feedback element 206 to indicate to the pilot that a critical event has occurred behind the aircraft . likewise , where an onboard computer system detects a critical event to the left or right of the aircraft or receives data pertaining to such a critical event , the computer system may apply a signal to the first force feedback element 202 or the second force feedback element 204 respectively to indicate a location of the critical event . alternatively , two or more force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 may be activated in sequence to indicate information pertaining to a critical event , such as a direction relative to the aircraft . for example , when attempting to re - acquire a target , the onboard computer system may active one of the force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 to indicate the relative direction of that target . furthermore , the onboard computer system may apply varying signals to the one or more force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 . for example , the onboard computer system may apply a signal to produce a pulse having a first frequency to indicate one level of criticality , or a pulse having a second frequency to indicate a different level of criticality . alternatively , signals may vary the magnitude of a pulse . in another embodiment , where an onboard computer system detects or receives data pertaining to multiple critical events , the onboard computer system may determine multiple disparate locations pertaining to each critical event relative to the aircraft . the onboard computer system may then apply signals to two or more of the force feedback elements 202 , 204 , 206 to indicate to the pilot the relative locations of each critical event . furthermore , the onboard computer system may vary each signal to indicate relative levels of criticality associated with each critical event . referring to fig3 , a perspective , environmental view of a vest including an embodiment of the present invention is shown . the vest 300 may include a plurality of force feedback elements 304 , 306 affixed to particular locations on or within the vest 300 . for example , a first force feedback element 304 may be affixed or embedded in the upper left quadrant of the vest 300 and a second force feedback element 306 may be affixed or embedded in the upper right quadrant of the vest 300 . the force feedback elements 304 , 306 are positioned to produce a tactile sensation to the wearer ; for example , in at least one embodiment , the force feedback elements 304 , 306 are embedded in the vest so as to be in substantial physical contact with wearer . a person skilled in the art may appreciate that while fig3 shows the force feedback elements 304 , 306 on the outer surface of the vest 300 , such illustration is only for clarity and should not be considered limiting . each of the force feedback elements 304 , 306 is connected to a portable computing device 302 such that the portable computing device 302 may apply signals to each of the force feedback elements 304 , 306 to produce tactile pulses that may be felt and distinguished by the person wearing the vest 300 . signals to each force feedback element 304 , 306 may indicate critical information received by the portable computing device 302 that may require attention . signals to each force feedback element 304 , 306 may also vary to indicate data pertinent to the critical information . for example , where a portable computing device 302 receives critical information , the portable computing device 302 may apply a signal to one or more of the force feedback elements 304 , 306 depending on some data embedded in the critical information such as criticality or relative location if the portable computing device 302 has access to information pertaining to its own relative location . in another example , tactile pulses produced by force feedback elements may function as silent “ friendly ” indicators in a battlefield situation . furthermore , the portable computing device 302 may apply varying signals to the one or more force feedback elements 304 , 306 . for example , the portable computing device 302 may apply a signal to produce a pulse having a first frequency to indicate one level of criticality , or a pulse having a second frequency to indicate a different level of criticality . alternatively , signals may vary the magnitude of a pulse . in another embodiment , each force feedback element 304 , 306 may be specifically associated with one or more types of critical information . where the portable computing device 302 receives multiple types of critical information , the portable computing device 302 may determine and apply multiple disparate signals to two or more force feedback elements 304 , 306 . furthermore , the portable computing device 302 may vary each signal to indicate relative levels of criticality associated with each type of critical information . referring to fig4 , a flowchart of a method for signaling a critical event with force feedback elements according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown . a computer system executing such method may receive 400 data pertaining to a critical event . data pertaining to a critical event may include the existence of such critical event , the location of such critical event , the relative criticality of such critical event or other pertinent information . the computer system may determine 402 one or more force feedback elements to activate based on the data . for example , where the data indicates the location of a critical event , the computer system may select a force feedback element indicating the relative location of the critical event . alternatively , certain force feedback elements may be associated with certain critical events such that the activation of a force feedback element or combination of force feedback elements indicates a particular critical event or type of critical event . the computer system may then determine 404 one or more signals to apply to the selected force feedback elements . the signals may be configured to produce a pulse in the force feedback elements having a desirable frequency , or some combination of frequencies in two or more force feedback elements . the signals may also vary the magnitude of pulses in the force feedback elements . the computer system may then apply 406 such signals to the selected force feedback elements . it is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention , and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form , construction , and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages . the form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof , it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes .

6Physics

referring to fig1 there is shown a photovoltaic device 10 comprising a series array of solar cells . by way of example , a regular pattern of five solar cells is shown ; however , any number of solar cells may be connected in series in accordance with the present invention . continuing with the description of the present invention , a more detailed sectional view of a portion of device 10 is illustrated in fig2 . the device 10 comprises a substrate 12 , which may be any one of known electrical insulating materials . suitable materials are glass , anodized aluminum foil or a plastic foil such as the polyimide sold under the trademark kapton . a plurality of conductors are spaced apart on insulating substrate 12 as shown in fig1 and 2 , only two of which are numbered for the sake of clarity . a first conductor 14 is disposed adjacent to a second conductor 16 , the conductors being deposited on the substrate 12 in a known manner . any conductive material which may be selectively deposited is suitable for the conductors 14 and 16 . for example , aluminum , gold or tin oxide may be vapor deposited using aperture masks to achieve the desired pattern of conductors . alternatively , suitable metals may be selectively plated on substrate 12 by means of mechanically masking portions of the substrate 12 from a plating solution . likewise , the substrate 12 may be completely plated and then selectively etched . after the conductors are in position on the substrate 12 , a layer 18 of a first semiconductor material is deposited on the conductors and on the substrate between the conductors . a presently preferred material for semiconductor layer 18 is cds , which may be vapor deposited in a known manner . a layer 20 of a second semiconductor material is disposed on layer 18 , a photovoltaic junction 21 being formed therebetween . a presently preferred material for the semiconductor layer 20 is cu 2 s which is preferably vapor deposited on cds layer 18 in a known manner . alternatively , the cu 2 s layer 20 may be formed by dipping the device 10 into a solution containing cuprous ions . the cuprous ions displace cadmium ions to form the cu 2 s layer 20 on cds layer 18 . a plurality of like current carrying strips or grid members are disposed on cu 2 s layer 20 in a known manner using aperture masks to form a uniform grid pattern , which permits light to pass between strips thereby activating the solar cell . a suitable protective coating ( not shown ) is preferably deposited over the top of device 10 , examples of suitable coatings being sio 2 , si 3 n 4 or a clear plastic . by way of example , fig1 illustrates a grid pattern consisting of five rows of current carrying strips with seven strips per row . in actual practice the grid pattern may consist of hundreds of strips . strips 22 , 24 , 26 , and 28 are representative of the remaining strips , which , for the sake of clarity , are free of reference numerals . current carrying strips 22 and 24 are used to illustrate the relative vertical spacing of the strips . a presently preferred grid spacing &# 34 ; s &# 34 ; is about 500 microns , while the presently preferred width &# 34 ; w &# 34 ; of current carrying strips is about 25 microns . since the width &# 34 ; x &# 34 ; of adjacent conductors is typically on the order of 1 cm , it is necessary to greatly exaggerate the scale of the drawings to clearly show the details of the structure . each row of current carrying strips corresponds to an underlying conductor , the current carrying strips being slightly offset from the underlying conductor . as illustrated in more detail in fig2 strip 26 overlies conductor 14 and extends beyond edge 31 of conductor 14 in the direction of conductor 16 to a point near adjacent facing edge 33 of conductor 16 . each row of current carrying strips are electrically connected in common . for example , a connecting strip 34 joins the row of current carrying strips in which strips 22 and 24 lie . likewise , connecting strip 36 joins the row of current carrying strips in which strip 26 lies . the connecting strips have a presently preferred width &# 34 ; y &# 34 ; of about 40 microns , the strips preferably being vapor deposited through aperture masks using known registration techniques . the connecting strips lie directly over the facing edge of the adjacent conductor , as for example , connecting strip 36 lies directly over adjacent facing edge 33 . the connecting strips comprise a material which shorts the junction 21 in the immediate vicinity of the connecting strips . i have discovered that such desired shorting effect is produced by materials such as zinc , cadmium and indium , which presumably diffuse through cu 2 s layer 20 to the junction 21 . again referring to the detailed view of fig2 it remains to describe how a series connection of adjacent solar cells is achieved within device 10 . a first solar cell 40 comprises conductor 14 and portions of the semiconductor layers 18 and 20 in juxtaposition over conductor 14 . a second solar cell 50 comprises conductor 16 and portions of the semiconductor layers 18 and 20 in juxtaposition over conductor 16 . the solar cells 40 and 50 are electrically connected in series by virtue of a low resistance path designated r 1 in fig2 . by the term low resistance path is meant that r 1 is selected to be on the order of 1 ohm for each square cm of cell area . the magnitude of r 1 depends on the resistivity and thickness of cds layer 18 , the preferred resistivity being between 1 and 100 ohm - cm , and the preferred thickness being about 30 microns . to assure that adjacent solar cells 40 and 50 are not shorted , shunt resistance paths r 2 and r 3 must have a relatively high resistance in comparison to r 1 . the magnitudes of r 2 and r 3 are determined by the resistivity of layers 18 and 20 and by the separation distances &# 34 ; a &# 34 ; and &# 34 ; b &# 34 ; respectively . it has been found that &# 34 ; a &# 34 ; ≦ 0 . 01 cm and &# 34 ; b &# 34 ; ≦ 0 . 25 cm produces a total shunt resistance ( r 2 in parallel with r 3 ) which is much greater than r 1 , about 200 times greater than r 1 . therefore , it will be seen that a means for providing a low resistance path between current carrying strip 26 and conductor 16 comprises a connecting strip 36 of a material which penetrates through semiconductor layer 20 and shorts junction 21 . it will be readily apparent that a series array of solar cells may be advantageously produced in the above described manner . now referring to fig3 there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the present invention , similar numerals designating similar parts . the device 100 of fig3 is produced in a manner similar to that of device 10 of fig2 with the exception that connecting strip 136 comprises a metal such as gold or silver which does not penetrate cu 2 s layer 120 . therefore , prior to depositing the connecting strips , it is necessary to provide a window in cu 2 s layer 120 along a line above edge 133 of conductor 116 . the cu 2 s can be removed by ordinary mechanical means such as abrading or scribing . alternatively , windows in the cu 2 s layer may be created by use of an electron beam or laser . thus , in accordance with the embodiment of fig3 means for providing a low resistance path between the current carrying strips 126 and the conductor 116 comprises a metallic strip 136 contacting a cds layer 118 through a window in cu 2 s layer 120 . it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that other structures performing similar functions may advantageously employ these teachings , which other structures are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims . for example , a so - called backwall solar cell arrangement may be similarly produced . in a backwall solar cell the light passes through a transparent substrate and translucent conductors ( such as tin oxide ) into the semiconductor material . in such an embodiment , a continuous metallic strip replaces the discontinuous grid arrangement of fig1 there being no need for light passage ways between grid members .

7Electricity

the first embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to fig7 through 10 . as fig7 shows , the sample to be etched comprises a laminate structure consisting of a silicon substrate 1 , a gate insulation film 2 of a thickness of about 10 nm , a doped silicon film 3 that has been made to be of a low resistance by doping a large amount of an impurity such as phosphorus ( p ), a tungsten silicide ( wsi ) film 4 , and a photoresist pattern 6 . the underlying doped silicon film 3 and the overlying tungsten silicide film 4 constitute a tungsten polycide film 5 . the dry - etcher used in this embodiment is called an iem ( ion energy modulation ) system , which utilizes the rie ( reactive ion etching ) technology with the functions of impressing a radio - frequency ( rf ) voltage to the upper and lower electrodes , and controlling the phase difference of the rf voltage . as fig8 shows , this equipment has an etching stage 9 for supporting the sample to be etched , a lower electrode 10 , an upper electrode also functioning as a shower head 12 , an rf table 13 , a lower electrode rf power source 14 for supplying electric power to the lower electrode 10 , an upper electrode rf power source 15 for supplying electric power to the upper electrode 12 , and a modulator 16 for controlling phase difference of rf voltage supplied to the upper and lower electrodes , and is capable of generating plasma of a density of about 1 × 10 11 cm - 3 . among dry - etching , rie is classified as anisotropic etching , and has advantages that the etch rate is high , and etching advances in the vertical direction because ions impinge only in the depth direction . the numerals 7 , 8 and 11 in these drawings represent the material gas supplied to the dry - etcher , the exhaust gas from the dry - etcher , and a silicon wafer as the sample to be etched , respectively . next , a method for dry - etching the tungsten polycide film 5 ( method for forming a gate electrode ) will be described . first , as fig7 shows , a gate insulation film 2 of a thermal oxide is formed on a silicon substrate 1 , then a doped silicon film 3 is formed on the gate insulation film 2 using cvd ( chemical vapor deposition ). then , a tungsten silicide film 4 as a metal silicide film is deposited on the doped silicon film 3 using pvd ( a method for coating a surface with a substance vaporized in a vacuum ) or cvd . by this the doped silicon film 3 and the tungsten silicide film 4 constitute the tungsten polycide film 5 . next , a photoresist is applied to the surface of the tungsten silicide film 4 and exposed , then developed and patterned to form a photoresist pattern 6 corresponding to the shape of the gate electrode . in this embodiment , the developing conditions are established to make the thickness of the residual photoresist film after development twice the thickness of the tungsten silicide film 4 or more . this value can be accomplished easily also by a photoresist for krf excimer laser exposure . next , the overlying tungsten silicide film 4 is subjected to first dry - etching with the dry - etcher described above under the following conditions : cl 2 / o 2 = 90 / 10 sccm ( standard cubic centimeter per minute ) the etch rate of the tungsten silicide film 4 under these conditions is 250 nm / min , the tungsten silicide - to - photoresist selection ratio is about 1 to 1 . 3 . if the above selection ratio is 1 . 5 or more , the deposition provided from the photoresist film 6 decreases the side - wall protecting effect weakens resulting in the occurrence of the side - etching of the tungsten silicide film 4 ( see fig6 ). as the plasma source in this embodiment , ecr or icp ( inductively coupled plasma ) is used . since the plasma density of such a plasma source is as high as the order of 1 × 10 12 to 1 × 10 13 cm - 3 under conventional conditions , it is preferred to shift the conditions toward decreasing the source power and increasing the bias to make the etch rate of the tungsten silicide film 4 250 nm / min , and the plasma density the order of 1 × 10 11 cm - 3 . if the plasma density is excessively high , the re - dissociation of the deposition by plasma will easily occur , the side - wall protecting effect decreases , and the ion scattering speed component and the radical concentration increases , causing side - etching to proceed easily . normal rie is also not preferred , because the plasma density is 1 × 10 10 cm - 3 resulting in the shortage of the plasma density and the decrease of etch rate . in the dry - etching of the tungsten silicide film 4 , which is the narrowest space described above , dry - etching is performed for the time required for completely removing the tungsten silicide film 4 plus a predetermined time α ( see fig9 ). although the photoresist pattern 6 is considerably removed during this time , the beveling of the tungsten silicide film 4 is not yet started as fig9 shows even when the selection ratio is the minimum of 1 . in other words , how small the thickness of the photoresist film 6 may be at this time as long as no beveling occurs . next , the underlying doped silicon film 3 is subjected to second dry - etching under the following conditions : the etch rate of the doped polysilicon film 3 under these conditions is 170 nm / min , the selection ratio against the gate insulation film ( oxide film ) is about 60 to 80 . if the phase difference of the upper and lower electrode is 90 ° or the bias is decreased , the selection ratio will become even higher . since what plays the role of the mask in this second etching is the tungsten silicide 4 which has been dry - etched in first etching , the photoresist pattern 6 may disappear during this dry - etching ( see fig1 ). this is because the etch rate of the tungsten silicide 4 is less than 3 nm / min , and the tungsten silicide 4 plays the hard mask of the doped polysilicon film 3 . if the photoresist pattern 6 has disappeared , the phenomenon that carbon is released from the decomposed photoresist during dry - etching is prevented and the selection ratio against the gate insulation film ( thermal oxide film ) 2 is lowered . in dry - etching in conventional etching methods using an hbr - based etching gas or an etching gas containing cl 2 and hbr , radical concentration is high and anisotropy is easily lost because a high - density plasma such as ecr plasma ( of a plasma density of 1 × 10 12 to 1 × 10 13 cm - 3 ) is used ( see fig4 ). if the plasma density is high , a lot of electrons with high energy are generate and charge - up is likely to occur , or notches are easily produced in the interface with the gate insulation film ( see fig3 ). furthermore , in radical etching , the etch rate is very sensitive to the quality of the doped silicon film or the amount of the dopant . ( change in the etch rate before and after doping is 20 to 40 percent .) in contrast , in dry etching of this embodiment using hbr gas alone or an hbr / o 2 gas , since the plasma density is in the order of 1 × 10 11 cm - 3 , the radical concentration is lower than that of high - density plasma , and therefore the scattered radical speed component parallel to the silicon wafer 11 is small , little anisotropy is lost . the high selection ratio , which is an advantage of high - density plasma , of almost the same value as in the use of an ecr plasma source ( polysilicon - to - oxide selection ratio of 60 to 100 ) can be achieved when the pressure is set to about 100 mt . in addition , since radical etching is inhibited with little lowering ion energy , the etch rate is little affected by the quality of the doped silicon film 3 or the amount of the dopant . ( change in the etch rate before and after doping is 10 to 20 percent .) after the underlying gate insulation film 2 is exposed , over - dry - etching is continued under the same conditions . the exposure of the gate insulation film 2 can be detected by epd ( end point detector ), for example through the start of decrease in the change ( gradient ) of emitting light having a wavelength of 405 nm , whereby the accurate etching time can be determined . by two - step dry - etching , for example , 100 to 150 nm when converted to film thickness , no doped polysilicon 3 remains on the step portion of the gate insulation film 2 , and no notches , side - etching , or damage of the substrate occur . according to the method for dry - etching of this embodiment , since dry - etching is performed by setting the etching gas system to the conditions not to remove the tungsten silicide film 4 , and using the tungsten silicide film 4 as the mask , the occurrence of beveling of the metal silicide film due to decrease in the thickness of the photoresist film can be prevented completely , and the problem that the amount of over - etching is limited by the remaining photoresist film is solved . also , since the plasma density is set to the order of 1 × 10 11 cm - 3 in the second - step etching conditions , defective shape such as side - etching and notches , and the cause of poor withstand voltage such as charge - up , which raise problems when high - density plasma is used , can be minimized without impairing other properties . in addition , in the second etching step , since hbr gas alone or hbr / o 2 gas is used , the etch rate of the doped silicon 3 can be about 100 to 200 nm / min , resulting a better end - point detection . next , the second embodiment of the present invention will be described . dry - etching as in the embodiment 1 is repeated except that after first etching almost the same as in the first embodiment has been completed , the silicon wafer 11 is removed from the dry - etcher ( fig8 ), and was subjected to surface cleaning treatment , such as ammonia / hydrogen peroxide treatment or sulfuric acid / hydrogen peroxide treatment sequentially . by these ammonia / hydrogen peroxide treatment or sulfuric acid / hydrogen peroxide treatment , the photoresist film 6 remaining on the tungsten silicide film 4 and the deposition on the side wall of the gate insulation film 2 are completely removed . then , in order to remove the natural oxide film , the silicon wafer is subjected to the third etching step under almost the same conditions as in the first embodiment for a predetermined time ( e . g ., 5 sec ), then subjected to the second etching step under almost the same conditions as described in the first embodiment . since the mask used in the second etching step is the tungsten silicide film 4 , not the photoresist film 6 , the effect of carbon supplied from the photoresist film 6 is completely eliminated . this mask of the tungsten silicide film 4 is the mask not required to remove after etching . since the effect of carbon is completely eliminated , the polysilicon / oxide selection ratio can be increased , eliminating needs for decreasing ion energy and increasing plasma density . as a result , defective shape such as notches and side - etching , and the cause of poor withstand voltage such as charge - up , frequently observed in conventional methods , can be minimized . almost the same effect as in the first embodiment can also be achieved by the second embodiment . in addition since the photoresist pattern 6 is completely removed , a higher polysilicon / oxide selection ratio than in the first embodiment can be secured . although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments , this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense . various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the present invention . it is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention .

7Electricity

in the following discussion , numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention . however , those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details . in other instances , well - known elements have been illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail . additionally , for the most part , details concerning well known features and elements have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention , and are considered to be within the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art . turning now to the drawings , fig1 shows a top orthogonal view of an assembled electrical connector with attached wire conductors . in this drawing , reference numeral 1000 generally indicates an illustrative embodiment of an electrical connector 1000 at least partially configured according to the present invention . the electrical connector 1000 may comprise a female member 100 and a male member 500 . attached to the electrical connector 1000 are wire conductors 10 a , 10 b , 20 a , and 20 b . the wire conductors 10 a , 10 b , 20 a , and 20 b , may not considered as components of the electrical connector 1000 and are shown for the purposes of illustration . wire conductors 10 a and 10 b may carry a positive current flow and wire conductors 20 a and 20 b may carry a negative current flow . the various components of the electrical connector 1000 will be described in more detail in the following illustrative embodiment . referring to fig2 , the components of an embodiment of the electrical connector 1000 are shown in an exploded assembly view . the female member 100 may comprise a female housing 102 , a first and second female terminal 200 , and a first and second resilient member 300 . the male member 500 may comprise a male housing 502 , and a first and second male terminal 600 . turning now to fig3 a , 3 b , and 3 c , the female member 100 may comprise a female housing 102 , a first female terminal chamber 110 , a second female terminal chamber 120 , female terminals 200 , and resilient members 300 ( more clearly shown in fig2 ). a first female polarity indicator 111 and a second female polarity indicator 121 may indicate the respective polarities of the first female terminal chamber 110 and the second female terminal chamber 120 . a first orifice 116 and a second orifice 126 may be located at an end of the female member 100 opposite to the first and second female polarity indicators 111 and 121 . an example of a resilient member 300 is shown in fig3 b and 3c . a resilient member 300 may be located in each of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 ( however , only one is shown in the fig3 b and 3c for the purposes of illustration ). the various components of the female member 100 will be described in more detail in the following illustrative embodiment . referring to fig3 b , the female housing 102 may be substantially rectangular in shape and comprise a female conductor housing 104 , a female internal wall 105 , and a female terminal housing 106 , for each of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 . due to symmetry , only the first female terminal chamber 110 will be described from this point forward , reference numerals enclosed by parenthesis refer to the second female terminal chamber 120 . although a substantially rectangular shape is shown for the female housing 102 , embodiments of the present invention may not be limited to this one configuration . any configuration capable of accommodating one or more female terminals 200 may be used . the female housing 102 may be manufactured from a dielectric material able to withstand the operating conditions of an intended application and provide sufficient electrical insulation between the current carrying female terminals 200 ( i . e ., inhibiting the occurrence of electrical shorts between the female terminals 200 ). for example , the material of the female housing 102 may be a glass reinforced nylon such as zytel ® 70g33l , made by dupont ®. in some applications the reinforced nylon material may comprise approximately 33 % glass . the material may be used in a remotely controlled vehicle operating in a natural environment for example and may experience a temperature range from below − 20 ° f . (− 29 ° c .) to over 250 ° f . ( 121 ° c .) ( e . g ., when operated in desert conditions over solar heated roadways , or due to battery heat , current flow , and electrical resistance ). the female conductor housing 104 may be separated from the female terminal housing 106 by the female internal wall 105 . the female internal wall 105 may comprise an opening 114 ( 124 ) to accommodate a female terminal 200 . on the female conductor housing 104 side of the female internal wall 105 , the female internal wall 105 may comprise an indicator 113 identifying the connection side of the electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ) for example ( e . g ., “ a ” for the female member and “ b ” for the male member ). in other embodiments , the indicator 113 may comprise a polarity sign to be used in place of , or in addition to , the first and second female polarity indicators 111 and 121 ( fig3 a ). the female conductor housing 104 may circumferentially surround an end of a female terminal 200 inserted into each of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 . an end of the female conductor housing 104 opposing the female internal wall 105 may be open to provide access for a conductor ( not shown ) to contact an exposed end of a female terminal 200 . in other embodiments , an end or side of the female conductor housing 104 adjacent to the female internal wall 105 may be open to provide conductor access . in the embodiment shown , the female conductor housing 104 substantially shrouds and insulates the ends of the female terminals 200 from each other . in certain other embodiments the female conductor housing 104 may only partially surround an end of a female terminal 200 in each of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 . the female terminal housing 106 portions of each of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 may comprise a female terminal support 107 and a resilient member support 109 ( fig3 c ). each of the female terminal supports 107 may help to retain a corresponding female terminal 200 in the respective first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 . the female terminal support 107 may comprise one or more retention members 112 ( for example as represented by 112 a ) configured to retain a female terminal 200 after assembly into a female member 100 . although a slanted ramp type of retention member 112 is shown in fig3 b to facilitate an insertion type of assembly ( e . g ., inserting a female terminal 200 from left to right in the female housing 102 with respect to fig3 b ), a person of ordinary skill in the art would not be limited to just this type of retention member 112 . pins , rivets , fasteners , other mechanical attachments , welding , and chemical adhesives , among other various methods may be used to secure a female terminal 200 in the female housing 102 . further , similar additional retention members 112 b may be used to provide additional force to oppose the friction force generated during the assembly and disassembly of the electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ) that may otherwise move or dislocate one or both of the female terminals 200 . other embodiments of the female member 100 may not comprise retention members 112 . in some cases the female terminals 200 and resilient members 300 may be core molded into the female member 100 at the time of manufacture . the resilient member support 109 ( fig3 c ) may secure a resilient member 300 in each of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 . the resilient member support 109 is shown as proximate to the female internal wall 105 . however , an embodiment of the resilient member support 109 may be located proximate to an end of the female terminal housing 106 opposite to the female internal wall 105 ( i . e ., the insertion end of the female terminal housing 106 , for example , essentially configured 180 ° in a horizontal plane relative to the embodiment shown in fig3 b ) in addition to other locations . as with the female terminal support 107 , the resilient member support 109 may comprise one or more retention features 112 , for example , as represented by 112 c in fig3 c . the retention features 112 of the resilient member support 109 may comprise slanted ramp protrusions as with an embodiment of the female terminal support 107 , or the retention features 112 may comprise any of the mechanical , chemical , or welding methods of fastening previously recited . the previously recited methods of retaining and / or fastening female terminals 200 and resilient members 300 are not intended to form an exhaustive list , but are merely a sampling from amongst a broad variety of retaining and fastening methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art . as with the female terminals 200 , the resilient members 300 may be core molded into the female housing 102 during the production of the female housing 102 . the ends of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 located in the female terminal housing 106 , opposite to the female internal wall 105 , are referred to as the first and second orifices 116 and 126 . each of the first and second orifices 116 and 126 may be configured substantially in a rectangular shape as shown in fig3 a . however , in the illustrative embodiment shown in these figures , an aspect of the first orifice 116 , such as a width , may be configured differently than the same aspect of the second orifice 126 . the difference in widths may inhibit an incorrectly polarized assembly of a male member 500 ( fig1 ) with the female member 100 . although a difference in dimensional aspects such as widths may be used to inhibit reversing the polarities during connection of an electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ) the present invention may not be limited to this method . different configurations , devices , and dimensions may be used to facilitate the proper polar connection orientation during assembly of a male member 500 with a female member 100 . turning now to fig4 a and 4b , fig4 a shows a top view of an embodiment of a female terminal 200 , and fig4 b shows a side view of the female terminal 200 of fig4 a . as an example of an illustrative embodiment of a female terminal 200 , the female terminal 200 may comprise a terminal connector portion 204 and a terminal contact portion 206 . the female terminal 200 may comprise an electrically conductive material , such as brass , copper , or bronze . the female terminal 200 may be plated with gold ( such as a gold - cobalt or gold - nickel alloy ) or silver , among other materials , preferably copper plated with nickel and then plated with gold ( for example ), in order to increase the electrical conductivity between contacting portions of the male and female terminals 600 and 200 . the female terminal 200 shown may be made from a standard plate of material and punched formed to the correct size and configuration , among other methods of forming . the terminal connector portion 204 may be located on one end of the female terminal 200 and configured to electrically couple with a copper wire conductor ( for example ) such as wire conductors 10 b and 20 b ( fig1 ). the terminal connector portion 204 may be electrically coupled to a wire conductor through the use of soldering , mechanical fastening ( e . g ., through the use of a screw clamp ), standard insulated and non - insulated connector fittings , crimping , and other methods of electrically coupling a wire conductor to a portion of a terminal . embodiments of the terminal connector portion 204 may comprise a variety of configurations in order to accommodate a particular electrical coupling method . the terminal contact portion 206 may be located at an opposite end of the female terminal 200 relative to the terminal connector portion 204 , and may comprise an angled end 210 , one or more terminal retention features 212 ( two are shown in fig4 b , 212 a and 212 b ), and a contact surface 214 . the angled end 210 may help facilitate the coupling or assembly of a corresponding male terminal 600 ( fig2 ) during the connection of an electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ). the contact surface 214 may directly contact an opposing surface of a male terminal 600 in order to allow an electrical current to flow from one end of the electrical connector 1000 to the other . terminal step 208 may separate the terminal connector portion 204 from the terminal contact portion 206 . in some embodiments , during assembly of the female terminal 200 into female housing 102 ( fig3 b ), the terminal step 208 may oppose a portion of the female housing 102 and prevent further movement in the assembly direction . the terminal retention features 212 may contact corresponding retention features 112 of the female housing 102 and prevent movement in a direction opposite to the assembly direction . at this point , the female terminal 200 may be substantially securely coupled with the female housing 102 . referring now to fig5 a and 5b , these figures respectively show an orthogonal top view of a resilient member 300 and a side view of the resilient member 300 of fig5 a . the resilient member 300 may comprise a resilient base member 310 and a resilient contact member 320 . the resilient member 300 may be punch formed from a sheet of stainless steel ( e . g ., ss 301 with no plating ), spring steel ( e . g ., spring steel with nickel plating ) or other resilient material configured to work within the anticipated environmental conditions of the electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ). in some embodiments , the resilient member 300 may be plated or otherwise coated to inhibit rust or to provide an appropriate level of resistance ( e . g ., friction force ) necessary to maintain the connection between an assembled male member 500 and female member 100 . the resilient base member 310 may be located at one end of the resilient member 300 and comprise one or more resilient retention members 312 a and 312 b ( fig5 b ). the resilient retention members 312 a and 312 b may engage corresponding retention members 112 within the resilient member support 109 ( as seen in fig3 c , but only one retention member 112 c can be seen in this view ), located in each of the first and second terminal chambers 110 and 120 . the resilient retention members 312 a and 312 b may securely retain the resilient members 300 within the female housing 102 during assembly and disassembly of the electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ). the resilient base member 310 is shown as a substantially flat quadrilateral but embodiments of the present invention may not be limited to this illustrative form . the resilient base member 310 may be retained separate from the corresponding female terminal 200 and separate from a fully inserted male terminal 500 ( fig2 ). in other words , the resilient base member 310 may not overlay a corresponding male terminal 500 when an electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ) is electrically coupled . as more easily seen in fig5 b , the resilient contact member 320 may comprise an arcuate portion defined by a radius r . the arcuate portion may be resiliently deformed toward the radial center point in response to pressure or interference from portions of an installed male member 500 ( fig1 ). the arcuate portion may also be configured to interface with a depression or other engaging feature , detailed later , in an opposing surface or portion of the male member 500 in order to provide a disassembly retention force after coupling the male member 500 with the female member 100 ( see fig1 ). in the illustrative embodiment shown , only a single arcuate portion is illustrated in fig5 a and 5b . however , embodiments of the present invention are not to be limited to this one exemplary configuration . for example , larger and smaller radii either alone or in combination with one or more relatively straight portions may be used , an arcuate portion curving back upon the resilient contact member 320 , a single angular bend joining two straight portions together , or a plurality of angular or arcuate portions such as in a zig - zag or wave type of configuration may be used in order to more evenly apply a force from the female member 100 to the male member 500 . the listing is intended to provide a small representative sample of the various potential configurations consistent with the present invention and is not intended to be exhaustive . one end of the resilient contact member 320 may comprise a housing interface 324 . an example of the housing interface 324 may be illustrated by a small radius curve rotating in an opposite direction relative to the arcuate portion defined by the radius r . the housing interface 324 may facilitate a sliding movement along a contacting portion of an inner wall of the female housing 102 ( fig3 b ) in response to assembly and disassembly of a male member 500 and a female member 100 ( see fig2 ). the sliding contact may prevent or inhibit the abrading or prematurely wearing down of the inner surface of the female housing 102 over a multiple number of connections and disconnections of the electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ). in this example , the contacting portion of the housing interface 324 curves away from the inner surface of the female housing 102 in directions tangent to the small radius curve . further , the resilient contact member 320 may extend at an angle from the resilient base member 310 such that the housing interface 324 may be located above ( with respect to fig5 b ) a plane containing the resilient base member 310 . this configuration may apply a pre - load to an assembled resilient member 300 via the housing interface 324 . by adjusting the angle for the resilient contact member 320 relative to the resilient base member 310 , and / or adjusting the radius r , the force applied to the male member 500 through the resilient contact member 320 may be adjusted . adjusting the force of the resilient contact member 320 may adjust the amount of insertion and withdrawal force for the connecting and disconnecting of the electrical connector 1000 . consequently , a desired amount of insertion and withdrawal force may be established for the connecting and disconnecting of the electrical connector 1000 . turning now to fig6 a , and 6 b , the male member 500 may comprise a male housing 502 , a first male terminal extension 510 , a second male terminal extension 520 , and male terminals 600 ( more clearly shown in fig6 b ). a first male polarity indicator 511 and a second male polarity indicator 521 may indicate the respective polarities of the first male terminal extension 510 and the second male terminal extension 520 . an example of a male terminal 600 is shown in fig7 a and 7b and is detailed later . the various components of the male member 500 will be described in more detail in the following illustrative embodiment . referring to fig6 b , the male housing 502 may be substantially rectangular in shape and comprise a male conductor housing 504 , a male internal wall 505 , and a male terminal tip 506 for each of the first and second male terminal extensions 510 and 520 . due to their similarities , only the first male terminal extension 510 will be described from this point forward , reference numerals enclosed by parenthesis refer to second male terminal extension 520 . although a substantially rectangular shape is shown for the male housing 502 , embodiments of the present invention may not be limited to this one configuration . any configuration capable of accommodating one or more male terminals 600 may be used . the male housing 502 may be manufactured from a dielectric material able to withstand the operating conditions of an intended application and provide sufficient electrical insulation between the current carrying male terminals 600 ( i . e ., inhibiting the occurrence of an electrical short between the male terminals 600 ). for example , the material of the male housing 502 may be a glass reinforced nylon such as zytel ® 70g33l , made by dupont ®. in some applications the reinforced nylon material may comprise approximately 33 % glass . the material may be used in a remotely controlled vehicle operating in a natural environment for example and may experience a temperature range from below − 20 ° f . (− 29 ° c .) to over 250 ° f . ( 121 ° c .) ( e . g ., when operated in desert conditions over solar heated roadways , or due to battery heat , current flow , and electrical resistance ). the male conductor housing 504 may be separated from the male terminal housing 506 by the male internal wall 505 . the male internal wall 505 may comprise an opening 514 ( 524 ) to accommodate a male terminal 600 . on the male conductor housing 504 side of the male internal wall 505 , the male internal wall 505 may comprise an indicator 513 identifying the connection side of the electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ), for example ( e . g ., “ a ” for the female member and “ b ” for the male member ). in other embodiments , the indicator 513 may comprise a polarity sign to be used in place of , or in addition to , the first and second male polarity indicators 511 and 521 ( fig6 a ). the male conductor housing 504 may circumferentially surround an end of a male terminal 600 inserted into each of the first and second male terminal extensions 510 and 520 . an end of the male conductor housing 504 opposing the internal wall 505 may be open to provide access for a conductor ( not shown ) to contact an exposed end of a male terminal 600 . in other embodiments , an end or side of the male conductor housing 504 adjacent to the male internal wall 505 may be open to provide conductor access . in the embodiment shown , the male conductor housing 504 substantially shrouds and insulates the ends of the male terminals 600 from each other . in certain other embodiments the male conductor housing 504 may only partially surround an end of a male terminal 600 in each of the first and second male terminal extensions 510 and 520 . the male internal wall 505 of each of the first and second male terminal extensions 510 and 520 may function as a male terminal support ( fig6 b ). each of the male terminal supports ( i . e ., male internal walls 505 ) may help to retain a corresponding male terminal 600 in the respective first and second male terminal extensions 510 and 520 . the male terminal support may comprise one or more retention members 512 ( for example as represented by 512 a ), configured to retain a male terminal 600 after assembly into a male member 500 . although a slanted ramp type of retention member 512 is shown in fig6 b to facilitate an insertion type of assembly ( e . g ., inserting a male terminal 600 from the left to the right in the male housing 502 with respect to fig6 b ), a person of ordinary skill in the art would not be limited to just this type of retention member 512 . pins , rivets , fasteners , other mechanical attachments , welding , and chemical adhesives , among other various methods may be used to secure a male terminal 600 within the male housing 502 . further , similar additional retention members 512 b may be used to provide additional force to oppose the friction force generated during the connection and disconnection of the electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ) that may otherwise move or dislocate one or both of the male terminals 600 . other embodiments of the male member 500 may not comprise retention members 512 . in some cases the male terminals 600 may be core molded into the male housing 502 at the time of manufacture . the ends of the first and second male terminal extensions 510 and 520 in the male terminal tips 506 , opposite to the internal wall 505 , are referred to as the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 . each of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may be configured substantially in a rectangular shape as shown in fig6 a . however , in the illustrative embodiment shown in these figures , an aspect of the first male terminal cover 516 , for example width , may be configured differently than the same aspect of the second male terminal cover 526 . the difference in widths may inhibit an incorrectly polarized assembly of a male member 500 ( fig1 ) with the female member 100 . although a difference in dimensional aspects such as widths may be used to inhibit reversing the polarities during connection of an electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ), the present invention may not be limited to this method . different configurations , devices , and dimensions may be used to facilitate the proper polar connection orientation during assembly of a male member 500 with a female member 100 . the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may each comprise a connector retention feature 507 . in some embodiments , the connector retention feature 507 may be configured as an arcuate cavity or depression corresponding to an arcuate portion of the resilient contact member 320 of a resilient member 300 ( see fig5 b ). as the male member 500 is connected to the female member 100 ( see fig1 ), the resilient member 300 moves relative to a surface of the corresponding first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 until a portion of the resilient contact member 320 engages a corresponding portion of the connector retention feature 507 . the engagement between the resilient contact member 320 and the connector retention feature 507 may provide a sensory indication that the male member 500 is fully connected to the female member 100 . in addition , the engagement between the resilient contact member 320 and the connector retention feature 507 may help to prevent inadvertent disconnection between the male member 500 and the female member 100 during the operation of the electrical connector 1000 in an applied device . the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may further comprise an angled or slanted portion 570 , which may be located at an end opposite to the male internal wall 505 . the slanted portion 570 of each of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may facilitate the insertion and / or assembly of the male member 500 with the female member 100 ( see fig1 ). in some embodiments , rounded , arcuate , or other insertion facilitating features may be used in place of , or in addition to , the slanted portion 570 of each of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 . at least part of the remaining portions of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may provide a contact surface for the resilient member 300 , as previously explained , and may provide a degree of insulation between the resilient members 300 and the male terminals 600 . the material of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may be the same as the material used for the rest of the male housing 502 . in some embodiments , the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may comprise a coating applied to a surface of the male terminals 600 . alternatively , a coating or texture may be applied to a surface of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 to vary the level of frictional resistance between the surface and the contacting portion of the resilient contact member 320 of each of the respective resilient members 300 . turning now to fig7 a and 7b , fig7 a shows a top view of an embodiment of a male terminal 600 , and fig7 b shows a side view of the male terminal 600 of fig7 a . as an example of an illustrative embodiment of a male terminal 600 , the male terminal 600 may comprise a terminal connector portion 604 and a terminal contact portion 606 . the male terminal 600 may comprise an electrically conductive material , such as brass , copper , or bronze . the male terminal 600 may be plated with gold ( such as gold - cobalt or gold - nickel alloy ) or silver , among other materials , preferably copper plated with nickel and then plated with gold ( for example ), in order to increase the electrical conductivity between contacting portions of the male and female terminals 600 and 200 . the male terminal 600 shown may be made from a standard plate of material and punched formed to the correct size and configuration , among other methods of forming . the terminal connector portion 604 may be located on one end of the male terminal 600 and configured to electrically couple with a copper wire conductor ( for example ) such as wire conductors 10 a and 20 a ( fig1 ). the terminal connector portion 604 may be electrically coupled to a wire conductor through the use of soldering , mechanical fastening ( e . g ., through the use of a screw clamp ), standard insulated and non - insulated connector fittings , crimping , and other methods of electrically coupling a wire conductor to a terminal . embodiments of the terminal connector portion 604 may comprise a variety of configurations in order to accommodate a particular electrical coupling method . the terminal contact portion 606 may be located at an opposite end of the male terminal 600 relative to the terminal connector portion 604 , and may comprise an angled end 610 , one or more terminal retention features 612 ( two are shown in fig7 b , 612 a and 612 b ), and a contact surface 614 . the angled end 610 may help facilitate the coupling or assembly of a corresponding female terminal 200 ( fig2 ) during the connection of an electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ). the contact surface 614 may directly contact an opposing surface of a female terminal 200 in order to allow an electrical current to flow from one end of the electrical connector 1000 to the other . terminal step 608 may separate the terminal connector portion 604 from the terminal contact portion 606 . in some embodiments , during assembly of the male terminal 600 into male housing 502 ( fig6 b ), the terminal step 608 may oppose a portion of the male housing 502 and prevent further movement in the assembly direction . the terminal retention features 612 may contact corresponding retention features 512 of the male housing 502 and prevent movement in a direction opposite to the assembly direction . at this point , the male terminal 600 may be substantially securely coupled with the male housing 502 . turning now to fig8 a and 8b , fig8 a illustrates a correctly assembled electrical connector 1000 , while fig8 b illustrates an incorrectly assembled electrical connector 1000 . as seen in fig8 a , when the male member 500 is correctly coupled to a female member 100 , the first and second male polarity indicators 511 and 521 correspond to the first and second female polarity indicators 111 and 121 , indicating the maintenance of proper polarity across the electrical connector 1000 . the correspondence between the sets of polarity indicators 111 , 121 , 511 , and 521 , may provide a visual indication of the correct coupling of the male and female members 500 and 100 . as seen in fig8 b , the first and second male polarity indicators 511 and 521 may not be visible from a top oriented viewing plane when the male member 500 is incorrectly assembled to the female member 100 . in addition , as indicated by the arrows for the first and second male polarity indicators 511 and 521 ( the polarity indicators themselves are not visible in this view ), the polarities on each side of the incorrectly assembled electrical connector 1000 have been reversed . referring to fig9 a and 9b , fig9 a illustrates a cross - sectional view of the correctly assembled electrical connector 1000 of fig8 a as viewed along line 9 a - 9 a , while fig9 b illustrates a cross - sectional view of the incorrectly assembled electrical connector 1000 of fig8 b as viewed along line 9 b - 9 b . fig9 a shows an electrical connector 1000 in which a first male terminal cover 516 is inserted into a first orifice 116 and a contact surface 614 of the male terminal 600 is abutting a contact surface 214 of the female terminal 200 . the first male terminal cover 516 and the first orifice 116 may each have an approximate width of w 1 with the first male terminal cover 516 configured to fit within the first orifice 116 . the second male terminal cover 526 is inserted into a second orifice 126 such that a contact surface 614 of the corresponding male terminal 600 is abutting a contact surface 214 of the corresponding female terminal 200 . the second male terminal cover 526 and the second orifice 126 may each have an approximate width of w 2 with the second male terminal cover 526 configured to fit within the second orifice 126 . the width w 1 may be smaller than the width w 2 . this difference in widths may provide another method of inhibiting or preventing cross - polarization during connection of the male member 500 to the female member 100 ( fig8 a ), since the male member 500 may be connected to the female member 100 when the male member 500 is properly oriented with respect to the female member 100 . the proper orientation of the male and female members 500 and 100 may provide for the correct polarity of the connection . fig9 b shows an electrical connector 1000 in which a male member 500 is incorrectly connected to a female member 100 . this type of connection may be substantially prevented by the interference between the width of the second male terminal cover 526 ( w 2 ) and the width of the first orifice 116 ( w 1 )( e . g ., w 2 − w 1 ). however , if the male member 500 is somehow coupled to the female member 100 in spite of this interference , cross - polarization of the electrical connector 1000 may still be prevented by the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 separating the male and female terminals 600 and 200 . the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may prevent contact between corresponding male and female terminals 600 and 200 when the male member 500 is in a second orientation with respect to the female member 100 . therefore , as seen in this illustrative embodiment , cross - polarization of the electrical connector 1000 may be prevented and / or inhibited by at least two separate and independent methods , in addition to the visual indication given by the first and second male and female polarity indicators , 111 , 121 , 511 , and 521 . referring now to fig1 , this figure illustrates an orthogonal cross - sectional view of a correctly assembled male member 500 and female member 100 . in this figure , the first and second male terminal extensions 510 and 520 ( fig6 a ) have been inserted into the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 ( fig3 a ), or more specifically , the male terminal housing 506 portions of the first and second male terminal extensions 510 and 520 have been inserted into the first and second orifices 116 and 126 of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 . as the male member 500 is connected to the female member 100 , the resilient members 300 may initially contact the slanted portion 570 of the corresponding first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 . the resilient contact portions 320 may respectively slidingly engage a top surface of each of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 . the resilient contact portions 320 may be compressed , causing the housing interface 324 portion of the resilient member 300 to slidingly engage an interior surface of the respective first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 . the male member 500 may continue to be inserted into the female member 100 until the resilient contact portion 320 engages a corresponding connector retention feature 507 of the respective first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 . at this point , the male member 500 may be securely coupled to the female member 100 . although only one side portion of the electrical connector 1000 is described in detail , the other side portion may be similar due to the symmetry of the connector . however , complete symmetry is not a limitation required of an embodiment of the present invention and differences beyond the widths of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 and corresponding first and second orifices 116 and 126 may exist . referring now to fig1 , this figure shows an orthogonal top view with a cross - section taken through the side of an embodiment of an electrical connector . in this figure , reference number 2000 generally refers to another illustrative embodiment of an electrical connector 2000 constructed according to aspects of the present invention . one difference between the electrical connector 2000 and the previously described electrical connector 1000 ( fig1 ) may be the replacement of one or more resilient members 300 ( fig2 ) of the previous illustrative embodiment with one or more resilient members 2300 . otherwise , the function and materials for the two electrical connectors 1000 and 2000 may be considered to be the same . similar components may be identified with similar reference numerals used in the previous description , and a detailed explanation of these components may not be repeated . electrical connector 2000 may comprise a female member 2100 and a male member 500 , shown here in a connected state . the female member 2100 may comprise one or more female terminals 200 ( only one is visible in this view ) and the male member 500 may comprise a corresponding number of male terminals 600 . when the female member 2100 and the male member 500 are coupled together , electricity may be able to flow between wire conductors ( not shown ) through the electrical connector 2000 via the areas of contact between the female and male terminals 200 and 600 . the female member 2100 may comprise one or more resilient members 2300 . the resilient members 2300 may provide a pressing force to facilitate electrical conduction through the contact areas between the corresponding female and male terminals 200 and 600 . in addition , the resilient members 2300 may provide a securing force to inhibit or prevent the inadvertent disconnection of the male member 500 from the female member 2100 during the use of the electrical connector 2300 in a desired application ( e . g ., such as in a vibratory and dynamic environment of a remotely controlled vehicle ). in some exemplary embodiments , the number of resilient members 2300 corresponds to the number of electrical connections formed or broken during the connection and disconnection of the electrical connector 2000 ( e . g ., two are shown in fig1 ). however , the number of resilient members 2300 may not be required to equal the number of electrical connections formed or broken . each resilient member 2300 may comprise a resilient housing 2310 integrated with the housing of the female member 2100 . as shown in fig1 , the resilient housing 2310 may be substantially cylindrical for example , but embodiments of the present invention may not be limited to this geometric configuration . each resilient member 2300 may further comprise a retention device 2324 , a resilient device 2322 , and a contact device 2320 . the retention device 2324 may comprise an allen set screw as shown for example , or may comprise any of a number of devices able to retain the resilient device 2322 and the contact device 2320 within the resilient housing 2310 , while in some embodiments further providing a measure of adjustability . for example , a mechanical threaded fastener , angled key , or cam device , among others , may be used . in this example , the retention device 2324 may be threadably engaged with a top portion of the resilient housing 2310 . the resilient device 2322 may be located between the retention device 2324 and the contact device 2320 . the resilient device 2322 may be a spring , such as a coil spring , or resilient material , such as foam , among other devices . the resilient device 2322 may press against the contact device 2320 , facilitating movement of the contact device 2320 as the male member 500 and the female member 2100 are coupled together . the force applied to the contact device 2320 and consequently to the male and female terminals 200 and 600 , may be adjusted by tightening or loosening the retention device 2324 , in addition to altering the spring stiffness or material , among other methods . in some embodiments , the male member 500 may be securely coupled to the female member 2100 by tightening the retention device 2324 so as to eliminate or reduce the ability of the contact device 2320 to move within the resilient housing 2310 , thereby forcefully engaging the contact device 2320 with a connector retention feature 507 . the contact device 2320 may be spherical ball for example , such as in a ball and spring type of mechanism . however , in other embodiments the contact device 2320 may be any member capable of moving across the surface of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 ( only the first male terminal cover 516 is visible in this view ), such as a rounded pin , angled member , cylinder , among others . the contact device 2320 may be retained within the resilient housing 2310 between a protruding edge 2312 at one end and the retention device 2324 at the other end . during connection of the male member 500 and the female member 2100 , the contact device 2320 may engage the connector retention feature 507 as the male member 500 is fully coupled with the female member 2100 . the contact device 2320 and the connector retention feature 507 may be configured to have corresponding or interfacing features , such that when the male member 500 is fully coupled with the female member 2100 , a sensory indication of the application device 2320 engaging the connector retention feature 507 may be provided . the sensory indication may be visual , audible , tactile , or a combination of one or more of these sensory indications , in addition to other methods . referring now to fig1 , this figure shows an orthogonal top view with a cross - section taken through the side of an embodiment of an electrical connector . in this figure , reference number 3000 generally refers to another illustrative embodiment of an electrical connector 3000 constructed according to aspects of the present invention . one difference between the electrical connector 3000 and the previously described electrical connectors may be the replacement of one or more resilient members 300 ( fig2 ) or 2300 ( fig1 ) of the previous illustrative embodiments , with one or more resilient members 3300 . otherwise , the function and materials for the electrical connectors 1000 , 2000 , and 3000 may be considered to be the same . similar components may be identified with similar reference numerals used in the previous description , and a detailed explanation of these components may not be repeated . electrical connector 3000 may comprise a female member 3100 and a male member 500 , shown here in a connected state . the female member 3100 may comprise one or more female terminals 200 ( only one is visible in this view ) and the male member 500 may comprise a corresponding number of male terminals 600 . when the female member 3100 and the male member 500 are coupled together , electricity may be able to flow between wire conductors ( not shown ) through the electrical connector 3000 via the contact areas between the female and male terminals 200 and 600 . the female member 3100 may comprise one or more resilient members 3300 . the resilient members 3300 may provide a pressing force to facilitate electrical conduction through the contact area between the female terminals 200 and the male terminals 600 . in addition , the resilient members 3300 may provide a securing force to inhibit or prevent the inadvertent disconnection of the male member 500 from the female member 3100 during the use of the electrical connector 3300 in a desired application ( e . g ., such as in a vibratory and dynamic remotely controlled vehicle ). in some exemplary embodiments , the number of resilient members 3300 corresponds to the number of electrical connections formed or broken during the connection and disconnection of the electrical connector 3000 , two electrical connections are shown in this embodiment . however , the number of resilient members 3300 may not be required to equal the number of electrical connections formed or broken . each resilient member 3300 may be configured to interfere with a opposing surface of a first and second male terminal cover 516 and 526 ( only 516 is visible in this view ) when a male member 500 is coupled to a female member 3100 . as shown in fig1 , the area indicated by cross - hatching may be the area of interference between the resilient member 3300 and the top surface of the first male terminal cover 516 , although only a portion of the abutting surfaces may be configured to be interfering . the resilient member 3300 may comprise a rib interfacing with a portion of the respective top surface of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 , or the resilient member 3300 may comprise the wall of the female member housing 3102 , among numerous other configurations such as those previously described for the resilient contact portion 320 . essentially , in some embodiments the housing 3102 of the female member 3100 may function as a resilient member , allowing at least some degree of resilient deformation or movement designed to apply a force to at least a portion of an installed male member 500 ( e . g ., such as the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 , or in some embodiments , the male terminals themselves , among other configurations ). alternatively , the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may function as a resilient member , allowing at least some degree of resilient deformation or movement designed to urge the male terminals 600 together with the corresponding female terminals 200 . further , in some embodiments , both the female housing 3102 and the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 may experience some degree of resilient deformation , combining together to provide a force urging the male terminals 600 together with the corresponding female terminals 200 . the resilient member 3300 may further comprise protrusions or features configured to engage with corresponding depressions or features located on the top surfaces of the first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 , such that the male member 500 may be securely coupled to the female member 3000 upon fully connecting the male member 500 to the female member 3100 . an example of a protrusion for the resilient member 3300 may be an arcuate ridge corresponding to the connector retention feature 507 shown in fig6 b . the resilient member 3300 may at least partially resiliently deform with respect to the area of interference . alternatively , the resilient member 3300 may take advantage of at least some degree of resilient deformation in the configuration of the female member housing 3102 . turning now to fig1 a and 13b , the first figure shows a top view of an illustrative embodiment of a male member 1500 configured according to aspects of the present invention , while the second figure shows an orthogonal cross - sectional top view of the male member 1500 of fig1 a as viewed along line 13 b - 13 b . one difference between the male member 1500 and the previously described male member 500 ( fig1 ) may be the lack of first and second male terminal covers 516 and 526 ( see fig6 a and 6b ) in the male member 1500 . another difference may be the use of first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 in male member 1500 in place of the male terminals 600 shown in male member 500 ( see fig2 ). otherwise , the function and materials for the male members 500 and 1500 may be considered to be substantially the same . similar components may be identified with similar reference numerals used in previous descriptions , and a detailed explanation of these components may not be repeated . male member 1500 may comprise a male housing 1502 and first and second male terminal extensions 1510 and 1520 . the first male terminal extension 1510 may comprise the first male terminal 1600 , while the second male terminal extension 1520 may comprise the second male terminal 1650 . first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 may be configured to be insertably engaged with the first and second orifices 116 and 126 of the first and second female terminal chambers 110 and 120 of a female member 100 ( see fig3 a ). in some embodiments , some aspects of the first male terminal 1600 may be different than similar aspects of the second male terminal 1650 in order to inhibit the cross - polarizing connection of a male member 1500 and a female member 100 . in the embodiment shown , the width w 1 of the first male terminal 1600 may be smaller that the width w 2 of the second male terminal 1650 . interference between the larger width w 2 and the first orifice 116 may inhibit the connection between a female member 100 and an improperly oriented male member 1500 ( i . e ., the male member 1500 may be improperly oriented with respect to the female member 100 ). the male housing 1502 may be substantially rectangular in shape and comprise a male conductor housing 504 and a male internal wall 1505 for each of the first and second male terminal extensions 1510 and 1520 . although a substantially rectangular shape is shown for the male housing 1502 , embodiments of the present invention may not be limited to this one configuration . any configuration capable of accommodating one or more first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 may be used . the male housing 1502 may be manufactured from a dielectric material able to withstand the operating conditions of an intended application and provide sufficient electrical insulation between the current carrying first male terminal 1600 and second male terminal 1650 ( i . e ., inhibiting the occurrence of an electrical short between the first male terminal 1600 and the second male terminal 1650 ). the male internal wall 1505 of each of the first and second male terminal extensions 1510 and 1520 may function as a male terminal support . each of the male terminal supports ( i . e ., male internal walls 1505 ) may respectively secure and support the first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 in the corresponding first and second male terminal extensions 1510 and 1520 . the male terminal support may comprise one or more retention members 512 ( for example as represented by 512 a and 512 b ) configured to retain the respective first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 after assembly into a male member 1500 . although a slanted ramp type of retention member 512 is shown in fig1 b to facilitate an insertion type of assembly ( e . g ., inserting a male terminal 1600 from the right to the left in the male housing 1502 with respect to fig1 b ), a person of ordinary skill in the art would not be limited to just this type of retention member 512 . pins , rivets , fasteners , other mechanical attachments , welding , and chemical adhesives , among other various methods may be used to secure the first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 within the male housing 1502 . additionally , the first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 may be core molded along with the male housing 1502 at the time of manufacture . the first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 may comprise retention members 612 ( for example as represented by 612 a and 612 b , however , only the retention members 612 of the first male terminal 1600 may be seen in fig1 b , the second male terminal 1650 may be similarly configured ) corresponding to the retention members 512 . as with the retention member 512 , a slanted ramp type of retention member 612 is shown in fig1 b to facilitate an insertion type of assembly , however , a person of ordinary skill in the art would not be limited to just this type of retention member 612 . pins , rivets , fasteners , other mechanical attachments , welding , and chemical adhesives , among other various methods may be used to secure the first and second male terminals 1600 and 1650 within the male housing 1502 . having thus described embodiments of the present invention by reference to certain exemplary embodiments , it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature . a wide range of variations , modifications , changes , and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure . in some instances , some features of an embodiment of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features . many such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of the illustrative embodiments . accordingly , it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention .

7Electricity

referring now to the drawings , there is shown in fig1 a logic diagram of a 4 - phase clock generator in accordance with the present invention for outputting clock signals φ 1 , φ 2 , φ 3 and φ 4 synchronized with the master clock signal φ . the master clock signal φ is inputted to a nor gate 3 and an or gate 4 through an inverter 2 and is also inputted to an or gate 5 and a nor gate 6 . the nor gates 3 and 6 output clock signals φ 1 and φ 4 respectively . the clock signal φ 1 is inputted to the or gate 5 , the output of which is received by a nand gate 8 . the clock signal φ 4 is inputted to the or gate 4 , the output of which is received by a nand gate 7 . the nand gates 7 and 8 output respectively clock signals φ 3 and φ 2 . the clock signal φ 2 is inputted to the nor gate 3 and the nand gate 7 . the clock signal φ 3 is inputted to the nand gate 8 and the nor gate 6 . in this embodiment , the nor gates 3 and 6 form first gate and fourth gate means respectively . the or gate 5 and the nand gate 8 form a second gate means and the or gate 4 and the nand gate 7 form a third gate means . clock signals φ 1 , φ 2 , φ 3 and φ 4 are first , second , third and fourth clock signals respectively . the logic equations of clock signals φ 1 to φ 4 are as follows . referring now to fig1 and 2 , when the master clock signal φ is a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, the second nor gate 6 outputs a logic &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ; without reference to the logic level of the clock signal φ 3 . the second or gate 4 receives the inverted master clock signal φ and the clock signal φ 4 and the logic levels of φ and φ 4 are both &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;. therefore the second or gate 4 outputs &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;. the second nand gate 7 receives &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ; and outputs &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; without reference to the logic level of the clock signal φ 2 . the first or gate 5 receives the master clock signal φ whose logic level is &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; and outputs &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. the first nand gate 8 receives the output &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; of the first or gate 5 and the clock signal φ 3 , &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, therefore the first nand gate 8 outputs &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;. the first nor gate 3 receives the inverted master clock signal φ and the clock signal φ 2 and the logic levels of φ and φ 2 are both &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, therefore the first nor gate 3 outputs &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. after the master clock signal φ changes from a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; to a logic &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, the inverted master clock signal φ changes from &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ; to &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. then φ 1 turns into &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, that makes φ 2 turn into &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. and then φ 3 turns into &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, that makes φ 4 turn into &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. when φ changes from &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ; to &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, φ 4 turns into &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, that makes φ 3 turn into &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. then φ 2 turns into &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, and that makes φ 1 turn into &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. the levels of φ 1 , φ 2 , φ 3 and φ 4 change in the above order as shown by line 90 after the logic level of φ changes from &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; to &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, and the logic levels of φ 1 , φ 2 , φ 3 and φ 4 change in inverse order as shown by line 72 after the logic level of φ changes from &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ; to &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. referring now to fig3 there is shown a shift register comprising a series of inverters 11 , 12 and 13 separated by transfer gates 14 , 15 and 16 . the transfer gates 14 and 16 are made of a p - channel mos fet 17 and a n - channel mos fet 18 connected in parallel and a p - channel mos fet 21 and a n - channel mos fet 22 connected in parallel , respectively . the transfer gate 15 is made of a p - channel mos fet 19 and a n - channel mos fet 20 connected in parallel . clock signals φ 1 and φ 2 are applied to gate electrodes of the n - channel mos fets 18 and 22 and the p - channel mos fets 17 and 21 respectively . clock signals φ 3 and φ 4 are applied to gate electrodes of the p - channel mos fet 19 and the n - channel mos fet 20 respectively . the behavior of the transfer gates 14 , 15 and 16 in each time period of t 1 through t 9 shown in fig2 are as follows . t 1 : φ 1 is &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; and φ 2 is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, therefore the transfer gates 14 and 16 are conductive . φ 3 is &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; and φ 4 is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, therefore the transfer gate 15 is nonconductive . t 2 : φ 1 is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, then the n - channel mos fets 18 and 22 are nonconductive . t 3 : φ 2 is &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, then the p - channel mos fets 17 and 21 are nonconducting and the transfer gates 14 and 16 are nonconductive . therefore in this period , all transfer gates 14 , 15 and 16 are nonconductive . t 4 : φ 3 is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, then the p - channel mos fet 19 is conductive . t 5 : φ 4 is &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, then the n - channel mos fet 20 is conductive . therefore in this period the transfer gate 15 is conductive and the transfer gates 14 and 16 are nonconductive . t 6 : φ 4 is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, then the n - channel mos fet 20 is nonconductive . t 7 : φ 3 is &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, then the p - channel mos fet 19 is nonconductive and the transfer gate 15 is nonconductive . therefore in this period all transfer gates 14 , 15 and 16 are nonconductive . t 8 : φ 2 is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, then the p - channel mos fets 17 and 21 are conductive . t 9 : φ 1 is &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, then the n - channel mos fets 18 and 22 are conductive . therefore in this period , the transfer gates 14 and 16 are conductive and the transfer gate 15 is nonconductive . the shift register transfers information applied to the input in to the output out by conduction from one to the next adjoining transfer gates one after the other . the information applied to input in during t 1 is transferred to the input of the transfer gate 15 and is transferred to the input of the transfer gate 16 during t 4 , t 5 and t 6 , then it is outputted from output out during t 8 and t 9 . all transfer gates are nonconductive during t 3 and t 7 , and all transfer gates do not become conductive at the same time . therefore the information applied to input in is transferred to the output out synchronized to the master clock signal and race hazards never can occur in this shift register . referring now to fig4 there is shown a third embodiment of this invention . the master clock signal φ is inputted to a nor gate 3 and an or gate 4 , and the master clock signal φ , inverted by an inverter 27 , i . e . φ , is inputted to a or gate 5 and a nor gate 6 . other components are the same as the embodiment shown in fig1 . the waveforms of this circuit are shown in fig5 . the waveforms of clock signals φ 1 through φ 4 are the same as those shown in fig2 . referring now to fig6 there is shown a fourth embodiment of this invention . a master clock signal φ is inputted to a nand gate 33 , which outputs a clock signal φ 2 , and to an and gate 34 . the inverted master clock signal φ , inverted by an inverter 32 , is inputted to an or gate 35 and a nand gate 36 which outputs a clock signal φ 3 . a nand gate 38 receives the clock signal φ 2 and the output of the or gate 35 , and outputs a clock signal φ 1 which is inputted to the nand gate 33 . the nor gate 27 receives the clock signal φ 1 and the output of the and gate 34 , and outputs a clock signal φ 4 which is inputted to the or gate 35 and the nand gate 36 . the clock signal φ 3 is inputted to the and gate 34 . in the embodiment of fig6 the nand gates 33 and 36 form a first and a fourth gate means respectively . the or gate 35 and the nand gate 38 form a second gate means . the and gate 34 and the nor gate 37 form a third gate means . clock signals φ 2 , φ 1 , φ 4 and φ 3 are first , second , third and fourth clock signals respectively . the logic equation of clock signals φ 1 through φ 4 are as follows . referring now to fig7 after the master clock signal φ changes from a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; to a logic &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, the logic levels of clock signals φ 2 , φ 1 , φ 4 , φ 3 change in that same order as shown by line 74 . after the master clock signal φ changes from a logic &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ; to a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, the logic levels of clock signals φ 3 , φ 4 , φ 1 and φ 2 change in that order as shown by line 76 . referring now to fig8 there is shown a fifth embodiment of this invention . a master clock signal φ is inputted to a nor gate 43 which outputs a clock signal φ 1 , an inverter 42 which outputs an inverted master clock signal φ and to a nand gate 46 which outputs a clock signal φ 3 . an or gate 45 receives the clock signal φ 1 and the inverted master clock signal φ . an and gate 44 receives the clock signal φ 3 and the inverted master clock signal φ . a nand gate 48 receives the output of the or gate 45 and outputs a clock signal φ 2 which is inputted to the nor gate 43 . the nor gate 47 receives a clock signal generated by inverting the clock signal φ 2 and the output of the and gate 44 , and outputs a clock signal φ 4 . the clock signal φ 4 is inputted to the nand gate 46 and a clock signal generated by inverting the clock signal φ 4 is inputted to the nand gate 48 . in this embodiment , a first gate means and a fourth gate means comprise the nor gate 43 and the nand gate 46 respectively . a second gate means comprises the or gate 45 and the nand gate 48 . a third gate means comprises the and gate 44 and the nor gate 47 . clock signals φ 1 , φ 2 , φ 4 and φ 3 are first , second , third and fourth clock signals respectively . the logic equations of clock signals φ 1 through φ 4 are as follows . referring now to fig9 after the master clock signal φ changes from a logic &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ; to a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;, the logic levels of clock signals φ 1 , φ 2 , φ 4 and φ 3 change in that order as shown by line 78 . after the master clock signal φ changes from a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; to a logic &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, the logic levels of clock signals φ 3 , φ 4 , φ 2 and φ 1 change in that order as shown by line 80 . referring now to fig1 , there is shown a dynamic logic circuit made of complementary mos fets and using 4 - phase clock signals . logic sections made of n - channel mos fets 54 , 55 and 56 have at least three terminals respectively and perform such logic operations as &# 34 ; not &# 34 ;, &# 34 ; nand &# 34 ; and &# 34 ; nor &# 34 ;. transfer gates 51 , 52 and 53 consist of pairs of n - channel and p - channel mos fets 63 and 64 , 65 and 66 , and 67 and 68 respectively . the transfer gate 51 is connected between the first terminal of the logic section 54 and an input &# 34 ; in &# 34 ;. p - channel mos fets 57 , 59 and 61 are connected to the second terminal of logic sections 54 , 55 and 56 respectively . n - channel mos fets 58 , 60 and 62 are connected to the third terminal of logic sections 54 , 55 and 56 respectively . the transfer gate 52 is connected between the second terminal of the logic section 54 and the first terminal of the logic section 55 . the transfer gate 53 is connected between the second terminal of the logic section 55 and the first terminal of the logic section 56 , the second terminal of which is an output &# 34 ; out &# 34 ;. the 4 - phase clock generator shown in fig1 is used to operate this dynamic logic circuit . the clock signal φ 1 is applied to gate electrodes of n - channel mos fets 63 and 67 . the clock signal φ 2 is applied to gate electrodes of p - channel mos fets 57 , 61 , 64 and 68 and the gate electrodes of n - channel mos fets 58 and 62 . the clock signal φ 3 is applied to gate electrodes of p - channel mos fets 59 and 66 and to the gate electrode of the n - channel mos fet 60 . the clock signal φ 4 is applied to the gate electrode of the n - channel mos fet 65 . the information applied to the input &# 34 ; in &# 34 ; while the transfer gate 51 is conductive is transferred to the logic section 54 , the output of which is fixed when the clock signal φ 2 becomes a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. the output of the logic section 54 is transferred to the logic section 55 when the transfer gate 52 becomes conductive . the output of the logic section 55 is fixed when the clock signal φ 3 becomes a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. the output of the logic section 55 is transferred to the logic section 56 when the transfer gate 53 becomes conductive . the output of the logic section 56 is fixed when the clock signal φ 2 becomes a logic &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. the clock signals φ 1 and φ 4 are used only to operate the transfer gates . the clock signals φ 2 and φ 3 are used not only to operate the transfer gates , but also to precharge and discharge the logic sections . namely the clock signals control logic operations and the shifting of results of logic operations . after the output of a certain logic section is fixed , the transfer gate connected to the second terminal of the certain logic section becomes conductive and the output of the certain logic section is transferred to the next logic section . while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments , this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense . various modifications of the embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description . it is , therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention .

7Electricity

a tray 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig1 . the tray 10 includes a floor 12 and a pair of opposed end walls 14 extending upwardly from ends of the floor 12 . a first side wall 16 a extends upwardly from a first side of the floor 12 and a second side wall 16 b extends upwardly from a second side of the floor 12 . the first side wall 16 a includes a first cutout 18 opening upwardly in a middle portion of the first side wall 16 a . the second side wall 16 b includes a second cutout 20 or window opening upwardly in the middle portion of the second side wall 16 b . a pair of bail members 22 are pivotably and slidably secured at opposite ends to the end walls 14 . each bail member 22 includes a support portion 24 extending from one end wall 14 to the other . the support portion 24 is connected at each end to a support arm 26 having an elongated pin 28 extending outwardly therefrom . each pin 28 is trapped in a slot 30 through the end wall 14 . the pin 28 can slide freely from one end to the other of the slot 30 and can pivot slightly in the slot 30 . at least a portion of each end wall 14 includes an inner wall 36 and an outer wall 38 . the arm 26 is between the inner wall 36 and the outer wall 38 so that the pin 28 of the bail member 22 can be received in the slot 30 through the outer wall 38 . the inner wall 36 includes a high notch 54 and a low notch 56 for selectively supporting the support portion 24 at different heights ( support portion 24 shown in phantom in the high notch 54 and the low notch 56 ). each end wall 14 further includes an upper portion 40 and a lower portion 42 , set inwardly from the upper portion 40 . the inner wall 36 and the outer wall 38 form the upper portion 40 . the side walls 16 a , b also each include an upper portion 44 a , b set outwardly from a lower portion 46 a , b , respectively . fig2 is a perspective view of the tray 10 with a similar tray 10 ′ nested therein and nested in a similar tray 10 ″. referring to the uppermost tray 10 ′, in the nested position , the bail members 22 ′ are positioned such that the support portions 24 ′ are outside the upper portions 44 a , b ′ of the side walls 16 a , b ′. the lower portions 46 a , b ′ of the side walls 16 a , b ′ are fully nested between the upper portions 44 a , b of the side walls 16 a , b of the tray 10 below . the lower portions 42 ′ of the end walls 14 ′ are fully nested between the upper portions 40 of the end walls 14 of the tray 10 below . this minimizes the overall stacking height when the trays 10 , 10 ′, 10 ″ are empty . fig3 is a perspective view of the tray 10 with the similar tray 10 ′ stacked thereon . the bail members 22 ′ are positioned such that the support portions 24 ′ are supported in the high notches 54 ′ of the inner wall 36 ′. the lower portions 46 a , b ′ of the upper tray 10 ′ are only slight received between the upper portions 44 a , b of the lower tray 10 . fig4 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 4 - 4 of fig3 . as shown , the support portion 24 of the bail member 22 of the lower tray 10 is received within a channel 60 ′ formed on the underside of the floor 12 ′ proximate the cutout 20 in the second side wall 16 b ′. the support portion 24 of the bail member 22 contacts the floor 12 ′ of the upper tray 10 ′. thus , the second side wall 16 b ′, which is weakened by the large cutout 20 ′, is reinforced by the bail member 22 of the tray 10 below . fig5 is a perspective view of the tray 10 with the similar tray 10 ′ stacked thereon in a low stack position . the bail members 22 ′ are positioned with the support portions 24 ′ in the low notches 56 ′ ( referring to the upper tray 10 ′, because the bail members in the lower tray 10 are positioned similarly , but not visible ). when stacked thereon , the lower portions 46 a , b ′ of the side walls 16 a , b ′ of the upper tray 10 ′ are partially nested between the upper portions 44 a , b of the side walls 16 a , b of the lower tray 10 . this provides a reduced stacking height when the trays 10 , 10 ′ are loaded with products that permit a lower stacking height . fig6 is a partial sectional view of the tray of fig3 taken along lines 6 - 6 , showing movement of the bail member 22 ′ from the nest position to the high stack position . as shown , the support portion 24 ′ of the bail member 22 ′ is positioned outwardly of the upper portion 44 a ′ of the first side wall 16 a ′ when the bail member 22 ′ is in the nest position . the bail member 22 ′ can be moved from the nest position to the high stack position in the high notch 54 ′ of the end wall 14 ′ in the direction shown . the bail member 22 ′ is pivoted only slightly about the pin 28 ′ during the movement . the elongated pin 28 ′ is captured in the slot 30 ′ in the outer wall 38 ′ of the end wall 14 ′ ( the slot 30 ′ and pin 28 ′ are shown in phantom , as they are behind the inner wall 36 ′ in this view ). the slot 30 ′ includes a generally horizontal first portion 30 a ′ continuous with a sloped second portion 30 b ′, which is continuous with a generally horizontal , short third portion 30 c ′. during movement of the bail member 22 ′ from the nest position to the high stack position , the pin 28 ′ moves from one end of the first portion 30 a ′ to the opposite end of the first portion 30 a ′, adjacent the second portion 30 b ′. the pin 28 ′ is elongated horizontally in order to limit rotation of the pin 28 ′ within the slot 30 ′. as can be seen in fig6 , the support portion 24 ′ of the bail member 22 ′ has a vertically elongated cross section , which provides more stiffness in the vertical direction . thus , the support portion 24 ′ of the bail member 22 ′ at least substantially maintains this orientation in the high stack position ( fig6 ) and in the low stack position ( fig7 ). as shown with reference to the bail member 22 of the lower tray 10 ( not shown in fig6 ), the support portion 24 of the bail member 22 is received in the channel 60 ′ formed on the underside of the floor 12 ′ and contacts the floor 12 ′ to provide support . fig7 is a view similar to that of fig6 , but showing movement of the bail member 22 ′ from the nest position to the low stack position , which is also partial sectional view taken along lines 7 - 7 of fig5 . during the movement , the pin 28 ′ slides through the first portion 30 a ′ of the slot 30 ′. the bail member 22 ′ is then pivoted so that the pin 28 ′ can slide through the second portion 30 b ′ of the slot 30 ′ to the third portion 30 c ′ where the pin 28 ′ returns to its horizontal orientation and , correspondingly , the support portion 24 ′ of the bail member 22 ′ returns to its vertical orientation in the low notch 56 ′. since the pin 28 ′ and the support portion 24 ′ have both been moved down the same distance , the orientations of the pin 28 ′ and the support portion 24 ′ are unchanged . again referring to the bail member 22 of the lower tray 10 ( not shown in fig7 ), the support portion 24 is received within the channel 60 ′ and contacts the floor 12 ′ to support the floor 12 ′. fig8 is a top view of the tray 10 of fig1 with the bail members 22 in the nest position outside the side walls 16 a , b . fig9 is a perspective view of a tray 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention showing the bail members 122 in multiple positions . to the extent not otherwise described or illustrated , the tray 110 is identical to that of fig1 and like reference numerals will be used where possible , with a “ 1 ” preappended . the tray 110 includes side walls 116 a , b . in this embodiment , the bail members 122 are vertically aligned with the upper portions 144 a , b of the side walls 116 a , b when in the nest position . this decreases the overall footprint of the tray 110 in the nested position . fig1 is a perspective view of the tray 110 of fig9 nested in a similar tray 110 ″ and with a similar tray 110 ′ nested therein . in this embodiment , the band 50 ( fig1 ) of the first embodiment is removed so that the support portion 124 of the bail member 122 directly abuts the underside of the upper portions 144 a , b ′ of the side walls 16 a , b ′ and the outer surface of the lower portions 146 a , b ′. fig1 is a perspective view of the tray 110 of fig9 in a high stack position with a similar tray 110 ′ stacked thereon . the support portion 124 ′ is supported in the high notch 154 ′. fig1 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 12 - 12 of fig1 . like the previous embodiment , the support portion 124 of the lower tray 110 is received within the channel 160 ′ in the underside of the floor 112 ′ and contacts the floor 112 ′ to provide reinforcement . fig1 is a perspective view of the tray 110 of fig9 with a similar tray 110 ′ stacked thereon in a low stack position . the support portions 124 ′ are received in the low notches 156 ′. fig1 is a top view of the tray of fig9 with the bail members 122 shown in the nest position ( and shown in the two stack positions in phantom ). in this embodiment , the support portions 124 of the bail members 122 are vertically aligned with the side walls 116 a , b when in the nest position . fig1 is perspective view of a tray 210 according to a third embodiment of the present invention . except as otherwise illustrated or described , the tray 210 is identical to the tray 110 . each bail member 222 includes a locating feature 225 projecting upwardly from the corners where the support portion 224 joins the arms 226 . the locating feature is generally perpendicular to the support portion 224 and arms 226 . the locating feature assists with blind stacking , by assisting the proper location of a prior art trays onto the tray 210 , as shown in more detail in fig1 , described below . each side wall 214 includes a rail 227 extending upwardly from a middle portion thereof . each rail 227 is aligned between the locating features 225 on opposite bail members 222 . each side wall 214 further includes a pair of columns 241 projecting outwardly . a foot 243 is formed at the bottom of each column 241 . the foot is spaced outwardly from the side wall 214 . the rail 227 and feet 243 make the tray 210 more compatible with existing tray designs in a manner that will be described below . fig1 is a perspective view of the tray 210 of fig1 stacked on a prior art tray 310 and with a prior art tray 310 ′ stacked thereon . the feet 243 receive a rail 327 of the prior art tray 310 , such that the rail 327 is received between the feet 243 and the end wall 214 . the rail 227 ( not visible ) and the locating features 225 are received behind a foot flange 343 ′ of a prior art tray 310 ′ stacked on the tray 210 . this improves the stability of the stack and the compatibility of the tray 210 with the prior art trays 310 , 310 ′. while embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described , it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and 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 .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

one aspect of this invention pertains to a process for preparing compounds of formula i comprising four steps , a - d , typically operated as follows . step a ) forms iv by reacting ii ( prepared for example from substituted indanone , such as 5 - chloro - 1 - indanone , as described in detail in wo 9211249 ) with about a molar equivalent of iii in the presence of acid catalyst such as p - toluenesulfonic , sulfuric or acetic acid , optionally in an inert solvent such as methanol , isopropanol , tetrahydrofuran , dichloromethane , 1 , 2 - dichloroethane and the like . typical reaction conditions include temperatures of about 40 ° to 120 ° c ., preferably 65 ° to 85 ° c ., for about 0 . 5 to 25 h . compound iv can be recovered by standard methods such as filtration , optionally after dilution of the reaction mixture with water . alternatively , iv can be extracted with solvent and used directly in the next reaction step without isolation . step b ) forms v by reacting iv with di ( c 1 - c 3 alkoxy ) methane such as dimethoxymethane or diethoxymethane in the presence of a lewis acid , optionally in an inert solvent such as dichloromethane , 1 , 2 - dichloroethane , chlorobenzene , α , α , α - trifluorotoluene and the like . the di ( c 1 - c 3 alkoxy ) methane can be in molar excess . lewis acids include p 2 o 5 , bf 3 and so 3 , which generally require 0 . 9 to 4 . 0 molar equivalents ( relative to v ) for best results ; further included are metal ( especially scandium , ytterbium , yttrium and zinc ) trifluoromethanesulfonates , which can be used in about 0 . 1 to 0 . 5 molar equivalents relative to v . the most preferred lewis acids for this step are p 2 o 5 and so 3 ; the so 3 may be in the form of a complex such as dmf . so 3 ( dmf is dimethylformamide ). typical reaction conditions include temperatures of about 20 ° to 150 ° c ., preferably 50 ° to 60 ° c ., and pressures of about 100 to 700 kpa , preferably 100 to 300 kpa , for about 0 . 5 to 48 h . it is preferable to continuously remove the byproduct c 1 - c 3 alcohol by distillation during the reaction when non - sacrificial lewis acid such as a rare - earth trifluoromethanesulfonate is employed . compound v can be recovered by standard methods such as filtration and used without further purification in the next reaction step . alternatively , when metal trifluoromethanesulfonates are employed as the lewis acid , v can be recovered by concentrating the reaction mass , optionally diluting with an inert , water - immiscible solvent such as ethyl acetate , washing with water to remove the metal trifluoromethanesulfonates , concentrating the organic phase and inducing v to crystallize from same , optionally by adding a suitable solvent such as aqueous methanol , hexane and the like . step c ) forms vi by reacting v with hydrogen , from a hydrogen source or preferably molecular hydrogen itself , in the presence of a hydrogenolysis metal catalyst such as palladium , preferably supported on a substance such as charcoal , in an inert solvent such as methyl acetate , ethyl acetate , toluene , diethoxymethane or c 1 - c 3 alcohol . typical reaction conditions include temperatures of about 0 ° to 30 ° c ., preferably about 20 ° c . and pressures of about 105 to 140 kpa , preferably about 35 kpa , for about 3 h . compound vi can be recovered from solution by standard methods such as filtering and collecting the palladium for recycle to subsequent batches , separating the organic phase , concentrating same by removing solvent and inducing crystallization of vi , optionally by adding aqueous c 1 - c 3 alcohol , acetonitrile or aliphatic hydrocarbon such as hexane . preferably compound vi is used in the next step without isolation from solution in the organic phase . step d ) forms i by reacting vi with about a molar equivalent of vii optionally in the presence of about 1 . 0 to 1 . 5 molar equivalents ( relative to vii ) of an acid scavenger such as trialkylamine , pyridine or , preferably , aqueous sodium carbonate or bicarbonate , in an inert solvent such as toluene , xylene , methyl acetate , ethyl acetate , dichloromethane , 1 , 2 - dichloroethane , diethoxymethane and the like . typical reaction conditions include temperatures of about 0 ° to 30 ° c . for about 0 . 2 to 2 h . compound i can be recovered by standard methods such as washing the reaction mixture with aqueous acid or aqueous sodium chloride , concentrating the organic phase and inducing crystallization of i from same , optionally by addition of a c 1 - c 3 alcohol , water , alcohol - water mixtures or an aliphatic hydrocarbon such as hexane . steps c and d can be combined in a single reaction pot by adding vii and the optional acid scavenger during the hydrogenolysis of v . in this way , compound vi is acylated as soon as it is formed to give i . typical solvents for the combined steps c and d are methyl acetate , ethyl acetate , toluene , xylene , dichloromethane , 1 , 2 - dichloroethane and the like . acid scavengers can be a trialkylamine such as tripropylamine , tributylamine , diisopropylethylamine , and the like , or a solid inorganic compound such as sodium bicarbonate , calcium oxide , sodium pyrophosphate , citric acid trisodium salt and the like . reactions steps a - d proceed substantially with retention of configuration at chiral center *. in a preferred embodiment , the compound of formula ii employed in step a is enantiomerically enriched thereby providing a compound of formula i which is enantiomerically enriched with the same absolute configuration . by enantiomerically enriched it is meant that a bulk sample of the compound contains an excess of either the (+) or (-) enantiomer and includes anything greater than a 1 - to - 1 ( racemic ) mixture of enantiomers up to and including 100 % of the pure enantiomer . thus , for example , an enriched compound having 25 % (-) enantiomer and 75 % (+) enantiomer is viewed as a mixture of 50 % racemate and 50 % pure (+) enantiomer and is referred to as having 50 % enantiomeric excess of the (+) enantiomer . in an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention , the compound of formula ii is enriched with the (+) enantiomer which leads to a compound of formula i enriched with the (+) enantiomer , the (+) enantiomer having been found to be the more arthropodicidally active enantiomer . enrichment of the compound of formula ii is preferably at least 10 % and more preferably at least 20 % of the (+) enantiomer . enantiomerically enriched compounds of formula ii can be produced , for example , by physically separating the enantiomers of a racemic mixture according to standard methods . however , such methods are difficult to operate on a large scale and are often wasteful as the undesired enantiomer must be discarded . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , an enantiomerically enriched compound of formula ii is prepared by an enantioselective process comprising five steps , i - v . by &# 34 ; enantioselective &# 34 ; is meant that the desired enantiomer of the chiral product is formed preferentially , although not necessarily exclusively . steps i - v are typically operated as follows . step i ) forms viii by reacting an appropriately - substituted phenylacetyl halide which can be purchased ( for example from spectrum chemical manufacturing co .) or prepared from the acids by known procedures and optionally generated in situ , with about 1 to 4 molar equivalents , preferably 2 molar equivalents , of ethylene gas and about 0 . 9 to 1 . 5 molar equivalents of a lewis acid such as aluminum chloride in about 3 to 10 parts by weight of an inert solvent such as dichloromethane , dichloroethane , carbon disulfide , or o - dichlorobenzene . typical reaction conditions include temperatures in the range of about - 20 ° to + 30 ° c ., preferably - 5 ° to 0 ° c ., pressures in the range of about 60 to 400 kpa and reaction times of about 0 . 5 to 8 h . compound viii can be isolated by standard methods or when the solvent is suitable , for example dichloromethane or dichloroethane , the reaction mixture can be employed in the next step without isolation of viii . in a preferred embodiment , the reaction mixture from step i is employed in step ii without isolation of viii . step ii ) forms ix by reacting viii with about 2 . 5 to 3 . 5 equivalents of a peroxycarboxylic acid , preferably peroxyacetic acid , in an inert solvent such as acetic acid , dichloromethane , o - dichlorobenzene , or 1 , 2 - dichloroethane . typical reaction conditions include temperatures in the range of about 15 ° to 55 ° c ., preferably 25 ° to 45 ° c ., and reaction times of about 5 to 35 h . the temperature is kept low for safety reasons . preferably , but not necessarily , the reaction is conducted in the presence of 0 . 5 to 2 . 5 molar equivalents of a buffering agent such as sodium acetate . the rate of addition of the peroxycarboxylic acid to the solution of viii is controlled to avoid accumulating excess peroxycarboxylic acid . the product can be isolated , for example , by quenching with water , optionally adding a reducing agent such as sulfur dioxide to remove excess oxidant , and filtering . if necessary , the ph can be adjusted below 3 before filtration of the product . step iii ) forms x by esterification of ix according to standard methods . in a preferred embodiment , ix is reacted with alcohol solvent ( about 2 to 20 parts by weight ) in the presence of about 1 to 20 molar equivalents of the corresponding carbonate derivative of the alcohol as a dehydrating agent and about 0 . 001 to 0 . 2 molar equivalents of an acid catalyst , such as sulfuric acid or p - toluenesulfonic acid ; wherein typical reaction conditions include temperatures in the range of about 75 ° to 105 ° c ., pressures in the range of about 100 to 500 kpa and reaction times of about 10 to 30 hours . compound x can be isolated by standard methods . alternatively , the reaction mixture can be employed in the next step without isolation of x . preferably , x is not isolated before step iv . step iv ) forms xi by reacting x with a strong base such as an alkali metal alkoxide or hydride in an appropriate solvent such as the corresponding alcohol , benzene , toluene or xylenes . typical reaction conditions include temperatures of about 60 to 90 ° c ., pressures of about 100 to 500 kpa and reaction times of about 0 . 5 to 10 hours . the product can be recovered as the alkali - metal salt and isolated , for example , by filtration . alternatively , the product can be first neutralized with an acid such as glacial acetic acid or dilute aqueous mineral acid ; then isolated , for example , by filtration or extraction . step v ) forms enantiomerically enriched ii by reacting xi with about 0 . 9 to 1 . 5 equivalents of a hydroperoxide such as hydrogen peroxide and monoethers of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of about 0 . 001 to 1 . 5 equivalents of an optically - active amine base and optionally an inert solvent . preferred monoethers of hydrogen peroxide include t - butylhydroperoxide , cumene hydroperoxide and combinations thereof . suitable solvents include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane , aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene , xylenes , ethylbenzene , mesitylene and cumene , halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane , dichloroethane and ortho - dichlorobenzene , ketones such as methylethylketone , methylisobutylketone and methylisopropylketone , esters such as methyl acetate , ethyl acetate , isopropyl acetate , and ethers such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran . aromatic hydrocarbon solvents are preferred . typical reaction conditions include reaction temperatures in the range of about - 5 ° to 50 ° c . and reaction times of about 2 hours to 8 days . the amine base is preferably a cinchona alkaloid or derivative thereof . preferably , to produce ii enriched with the (+) enantiomer ( designated (+) ii ), the cinchona alkaloid is cinchonine , quinidine , the corresponding dihydro - derivatives of cinchonine or quinidine and any combination of the foregoing ; wherein the chiral alkaloid has the [ 8 -( r ). 9 -( s )] configuration . formula ii compounds enriched with the (-) enantiomer are obtained by employment of bases , such as cinchonidine , quinine and derivatives thereof , having the [ 8 -( s ), 9 -( r )] configuration . the product can be recovered by standard methods including filtration , optionally following dilution with either a sufficient amount of aqueous acid to remove the catalyst or a non polar solvent such as hexanes . alternatively , the product mixture can be diluted with a polar , water - immiscible solvent such as ethyl acetate , washed with aqueous acid to remove the catalyst , concentrated and crystallized . optionally , ii can be triturated or recrystallized with a suitable solvent , such as isopropyl acetate , to separate the pure enantiomer from the enriched enantiomeric mixture . in a preferred embodiment , the solvent in step v is one in which the compound of formula xi has a substantially greater solubility than the corresponding compound of formula ii . with such solvents , ii will precipitate and can be recovered by filtration and the filtrate , containing any dissolved ii , unreacted xi and catalyst , can be conveniently recycled to a subsequent batch . preferably , the solvent is also water immiscible so the filtrate can be washed , prior to use in a subsequent batch , with aqueous base and / or water to reduce the amount of acidic impurities and water soluble byproducts . recycle of the filtrate minimizes product loss and provides more efficient use of catalyst . aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylenes are particularly preferred solvents for use in this manner , especially for the preparation of a compound such as iia . to a 1 - l three - necked flask equipped with an overhead stirrer , thermometer , reflux condenser , and nitrogen inlet was charged 87 g ( 0 . 363 mol ) of methyl 5 - chloro - 2 , 3 - dihydro - 2 - hydroxy - 1 - oxo - 1h - indene - 2 - carboxylate , 63 . 5 g ( 0 . 380 mol ) of phenylmethyl hydrazinecarboxylate ( from lancaster synthesis ), 1 . 8 g ( 0 . 01 mol ) of p - toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate , and 300 ml of methanol . the slurry was heated to reflux ( 67 ° c . ), resulting in an orange solution from which the product gradually precipitated . after 14 - 16 h , the mixture was cooled to 5 ° c . and filtered . the filter cake was washed with 100 ml of cold methanol and dried at 60 ° c . under vacuum with nitrogen purge for 2 h to yield 135 g ( 96 % based on the indene carboxylate ) of iva as a white crystalline solid . an analytical sample was prepared by recrystallization from acetonitrile , mp 187 - 188 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 23 ( d , 1h , j = 18 hz ), 3 . 48 ( d , 1h , j = 18 hz ), 3 . 7 ( s , 3h ), 4 . 58 ( br s , 1h ) 5 . 19 ( br ab q , 2h ), 7 . 18 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 25 ( d of d , 1h ), 7 . 45 ( m , 5h ), 7 . 75 ( br d , 1h ), 9 . 55 ( br s , 1h ). the product appears to be nearly exclusively the z -( syn -) isomer . to a dry 1 - l three - necked flask equipped with an overhead stirrer , thermometer . reflux condenser , and nitrogen inlet was charged 42 g of diatomaceous earth , 500 ml of 1 , 2 - dichloroethane , and 100 ml of dimethoxymethane . phosphorus pentoxide ( 42 g , 0 . 31 mol ) was added under nitrogen with external cooling ( 20 ° c . bath ) and the mixture was allowed to stir for 15 min at 20 °- 25 ° c . before adding 97 g ( 0 . 25 mol ) of iva in portions . the mixture was heated to 55 °- 60 ° c . for 2 h and then filtered . the filter cake was washed with two 100 ml portions of 1 , 2 - dichloroethane and the combined filtrate was reduced in volume by distillation to about 150 ml . the ph was raised from about 1 . 5 to about 4 by the addition of about 5 g of naoac in 300 ml of methanol , and the residual dichloroethane was removed by distillation of about 150 ml of solvent . about 30 ml of water was then added , and the mixture was cooled to 5 ° c . and filtered . the filtered product was washed with 100 ml of cold methanol and suction - dried on the filter overnight to yield 89 g ( 89 % based on iva ) of va . an analytical sample was prepared by recrystallization from isopropanol , mp 122 - 124 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 16 ( d , 1h , j = 16 hz ), 3 . 42 ( d , 1h , j = 16 hz ), 3 . 64 ( s , 3h ), 5 . 12 ( d , 1h , j = 10 hz ), 5 . 26 ( ab q , 2h , j = 12 hz ), 5 . 53 ( br , d , 1h , j = 10 hz ). 7 . 2 - 7 . 45 ( m , 7h ), 7 . 65 ( d , 1h , j = 9 hz ). a 1 - l three - neck flask equipped with magnetic stirrer , thermometer , ph probe , and gas inlet valve with a three - way stopcock was flushed with nitrogen and charged with 27 . 3 g ( 0 . 13 mol ) of citric acid monohydrate , 100 ml of water , 10 . 4 g ( 0 . 13 mol ) of 50 % aqueous naoh , 0 . 6 g of 5 % palladium - on - carbon , 500 ml of methyl acetate , and 52 . 0 g ( 0 . 13 mol ) of va . the reaction vessel was purged with nitrogen and the mixture was stirred vigorously for about 3 h at 5 °- 10 ° c . while passing a stream of hydrogen subsurface . the reaction was monitored by hplc for disappearance of va ; when the reaction was complete ( about 4 h ), the reaction vessel was purged with nitrogen and the palladium - on - carbon was filtered onto a pad of diatomaceous earth and rinsed with 50 ml of methyl acetate and 20 ml of water . the filtrate was separated , and the organic phase containing via was used directly in the next step . in a separate batch , the above procedure for step c was repeated and via was isolated by removing about 400 ml of solvent by distillation , adding about 100 ml of hexanes and filtering and suction drying the crystallized product , mp 124 °- 127 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 18 ( d , 1h , j = 17 hz ), 3 . 40 ( d , 1h , j = 17 hz ), 3 . 65 ( d , 3h ), 4 . 43 ( d , 1h , j = 7 hz ), 4 . 79 ( d , 1h , j = 7 hz ), 6 . 10 ( br s , ih ), 7 . 25 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 54 ( d , 1h , j = 8 hz ). to the organic phase from the step c containing via was added aqueous saturated nahco 3 ( 140 g , about 0 . 15 mol ), followed by 41 g ( 0 . 14 mol ) of methyl ( chlorocarbonyl )[ 4 -( trifluoromethoxy ) phenyl ] carbamate ( compound vii ) and the mixture was stirred for about 1 h at 10 °- 15 ° c . the organic phase was separated , dried ( mgso 4 ), concentrated under vacuum to remove about 400 ml of methyl acetate , and the residual solvent was exchanged by distillation with 300 ml of methanol until the head temperature reached 64 ° c . the mixture was cooled to 5 ° c . and the product was filtered , washed with 70 ml of cold methanol and suction - dried to yield 58 g of ia ( 85 % overall , based on va from step c ), mp 139 - 141 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 25 ( d , 1h , j = 16 hz ), 3 . 48 ( d , 1h , j = 16 hz ), 3 . 70 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 71 ( s , 3h ), 5 . 20 ( d , 1h , j = 10 hz ), 5 . 69 ( d , 1h , j = 10 hz ), 7 . 2 - 7 . 4 ( m , 6h ), 7 . 50 ( d , 1h , j = 8 hz ). to a flask was charged 34 g ( 0 . 20 mol ) of 4 - chlorophenylacetic acid ( pcpa ) and 150 ml of 1 , 2 - dichloroethane . the suspension was stirred , 25 g ( 0 . 21 mol ) of thionyl chloride was added and the resultant solution was heated at 80 °- 90 ° c . for 2 - 3 h . a distillation head was attached , and 25 ml of solvent was distilled in order to remove residual so 2 and hcl . the pale orange solution of the acid chloride was cooled to - 5 ° c ., aluminum chloride ( 30 g , 0 . 22 mol ) was charged at - 5 ° to 0 ° c ., and the distillation apparatus was replaced with a balloon . ethylene gas ( 12 g , 0 . 43 mol ) was charged to the balloon in portions , while maintaining the temperature at - 5 ° to 0 ° c . the red solution was transferred gradually by cannula into 200 ml of 5 ° c . quench water at a rate to maintain the quench temperature at 20 °- 30 ° c . after the mixture was stirred for 1 h at 25 ° c ., the lower organic layer containing viiia was separated and washed with 100 ml of 5 % aqueous hcl . the solution of viiia from the previous step was charged to a flask equipped with an overhead stirrer . sodium acetate ( 16 g , 0 . 20 mol ) was charged to the pot and the mixture was stirred at 25 °- 30 ° c . with cooling while 114 g ( 0 . 60 mol ) of 32 % peracetic acid was continuously added from a constant - addition funnel over 3 - 4 h . the mixture was allowed to stir an additional 20 h 25 ° c . and then 300 ml of 0 . 8n hcl was added and the resulting slurry was cooled to 5 ° c . the mixture was filtered , washed with cold 5 % aqueous nahso 3 , water , suction - dried , and dried overnight in a vacuum oven at 50 ° c . and reduced pressure to afford 35 - 36 g ( 76 - 78 % yield based on pcpa ) of 99 % pure ixa as a white crystalline solid , m . p . 156 - 158 ° c . to a flask equipped with a thermowatch and overhead stirrer was charged 45 . 7 g ( 0 . 200 mol ) of ixa , 5 ml of methanol , and 100 ml of dimethyl carbonate . sulfuric acid ( 1 g ) was added , and the mixture was stirred under nitrogen at 85 ° c . for 20 h . the acid was neutralized with 3 g of 25 % sodium methoxide solution and the bulk of the dimethyl carbonate ( dmc ) was distilled from the reaction flask . methanol ( 100 - 200 ml ) was added during distillation to form the methanol / dmc azeotrope ( 62 ° c .) to facilitate removal of the dmc which would otherwise distill at 90 ° c . the product from this - step was carried into the next step without isolation . after most of the dmc was removed , an additional 150 ml of methanol was added to the methanol solution of xa from the previous step , followed by 47 . 5 g ( 0 . 22 mol ) of 25 % naome in methanol . the solution was maintained at 70 ° c ., and methanol was distilled to the minimum level required for efficient stirring . when the reaction was complete , the mixture was cooled to ambient temperature . acetic acid ( 3 g , 0 . 05 mol ), was added , followed by sufficient 1n hcl to bring the ph to 5 - 6 . the mixture was cooled to 5 ° c ., filtered , and the crude solid was washed with water , then cold hexanes , affording 40 - 42 g ( 89 - 93 % yield ) of xia as a beige solid , m . p . 80 °- 82 ° c . a mixture of 10 . 0 g of xia , 17 ml ( 51 mmol ) of a 3 . 0 m t - butylhydroperoxide in iso - octane , 70 ml of isopropyl acetate and 0 . 2 g of cinchonine ( aldrich ® chemical co .) was stirred at ambient temperature for 6 days . to the mixture was added about 100 ml of ethyl acetate , 30 ml of dilute aqueous sodium bisulfite and 20 ml of 2n hcl . the mixture was shaken and separated , and the organic extract was washed sequentially with water and brine . the solvent was removed under vacuum and the crude solid product was washed with hexane to afford 7 . 31 g of iia ( 68 % yield ) having an enantiomeric ratio of 72 % (+) to 28 % (-) as determined by hplc analysis using a chiral column . the (+) enriched iia was recrystallized from isopropyl acetate to yield 4 to 5 g of the pure (+) iia , m . p . 163 °- 165 ° c ; [ α ] d 25 + 115 . 1 ° ( chcl 3 , c = 1 . 0 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 21 ( d , 1h , j = 18 hz ), 3 . 67 ( d , 1h , j = 18 hz ), 3 . 72 ( s , 3h ), 4 . 07 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 38 ( d of d , 1h , j = 8 and 1 hz ), 7 . 47 ( d , 1h , j = 1 hz ), and 7 . 70 ( d , 1h , j = 8 hz ). illustration of an alternative operation of steps a - d starting from enantiomerically enriched iia and forming enantiomerically enriched ia . to a 1 - l single - necked flask equipped with a dean - stark apparatus and a nitrogen inlet was added 75 g ( 0 . 312 mol ) of (+) iia ( 50 % enantiomeric excess ), 54 . 6 g ( 0 . 358 mol ) of phenylmethyl hydrazinecarboxylate , 1 . 78 g ( 0 . 0094 mol ) of p - toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate ( aldrich ® chemical company ), and 275 ml of 1 , 2 - dichloroethane . the slurry was heated to reflux , resulting in an orange solution from which the product gradually precipitated . the water phase collected in the dean - stark trap was removed . after 2 h , the mixture was cooled to room temperature . the reaction mixture was used directly in step b . to a 2 - l three - necked flask equipped with an overhead stirrer , thermometer , reflux condenser , and nitrogen inlet was added 88 . 5 g of diatomaceous earth ( celite ®) and 300 ml of 1 , 2 - dichloroethane . phosphorus pentoxide ( 88 . 5 g , 0 . 623 mol ) was added followed by 120 ml of dimethoxymethane . the slurry of (+) iva in 1 , 2 - dichloroethane from step a was then added . the mixture was heated to 35 °- 40 ° c . for 5 h , and then cooled to 30 ° c . and filtered . the filter cake was washed with 135 ml of 1 , 2 - dichloroethane and the combined filtrate was distilled to minimum volume . methanol was added and the distillation was continued . when all the 1 , 2 - dichloroethane was removed and approximately 500 ml of methanol remained in the pot , the distillation was stopped and the pot was cooled to 45 ° c . the product began to precipitate , and 120 ml of water was added . cooling was continued to 20 ° c . the mixture was filtered , and the filter cake was washed with 370 ml of 3 : 1 methanol / water . the solid was dried overnight under vacuum at 80 ° c . to yield 100 . 5 g ( 80 . 5 % for 2 steps ) of (+) va . the 1 h nmr spectrum matched that obtained for va in example 1 . purity was 99 . 3 % by hplc . analysis by chiral hplc indicated 43 % enantiomeric excess of the (+) enantiomer . a 500 ml 3 - neck flask equipped with magnetic stirrer , thermometer and gas inlet valve with 3 - way stopcock was flushed with nitrogen and charged with 50 ml of methyl acetate , 50 ml of 0 . 5m sodium di - hydrogen phosphate buffer solution ( ph 3 . 5 ) and 0 . 2 g of 50 % water - wet 5 % palladium - on - carbon . the two - phase suspension was stirred at ambient temperature for 0 . 5 h . in a separate flask , 10 g ( 0 . 025 mole ) of (+) va was added to 50 ml of methyl acetate under nitrogen , heated to 35 ° c . and stirred until dissolved . the solution of (+) va was added to the pd catalyst suspension and the mixture was cooled to 10 ° c . the reaction vessel was evacuated and the mixture was stirred vigorously at 10 ° c . while passing in a stream of hydrogen subsurface . the reaction was monitored for disappearance of (+) va by tlc and gc . when the reaction was complete ( about 1 . 5 h ), the reaction vessel was evacuated and pureed with nitrogen ; the reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth and the filter pad was washed with an additional 20 ml of methyl acetate . the liquid phases were separated and the methyl acetate phase containing (+) via was carried directly on to step d . the methyl acetate solution from step c containing (+) via was added to a solution of 3 g of nahco 3 in 38 ml of water . the mixture was cooled to 10 ° c . under nitrogen and 7 . 43 g ( 0 . 025 mole ) of vii was added in one portion . the reaction was stirred at 10 ° c . for 1 h . the methyl acetate phase was separated and concentrated under vacuum to remove about 100 ml of solvent . methanol , 50 ml , was added and the slurry was re - evaporated to remove the remaining methanol as the methyl acetate / methanol azeotrope . a final 50 ml of methanol was added and the suspension was heated to reflux . diatomaceous earth ( 0 . 4 g ) was added as heating was continued and then 17 ml of water was added dropwise . the resulting slurry was cooled , filtered , washed with 33 ml of 2 : 1 methanol / water , and vacuum dried to afford 11 . 16 g of enriched (+) ia ( 78 % overall yield for steps c and d based on va ). analysis by chiral hplc indicated 42 % excess of the (+) enantiomer . a 1 - l 3 - neck flask equipped with magnetic stirrer , thermometer , and gas inlet valve with three - way stopcock was flushed with nitrogen and charged with 580 ml of methyl acetate , 0 . 164 g sodium acetate ( 2 mol %), and 0 . 8 g of 5 % palladium - on - carbon catalyst . approximately 200 ml of solvent was removed by distillation and the resulting dry solvent / catalyst suspension was allowed to cool to 50 ° c . and 40 . 0 g ( 0 . 1 mole ) of va was added in one portion . the mixture was stirred to dissolve va and then cooled to ambient temperature . the reaction vessel was purged with nitrogen then the mixture was stirred vigorously at ambient temperature as a stream of hydrogen was admitted subsurface . the reaction was monitored for disappearance of va . when the reaction was complete ( about 3 . 0 h ), the reaction vessel was evacuated and purged with nitrogen ; the palladium - on - carbon was filtered onto a pad of diatomaceous earth and rinsed with 50 ml of dry methyl acetate . the filtrate was used directly in step d . the methyl acetate solution from step c containing via was combined with a solution of 12 g of nahco 3 in 150 ml of water . the mixture was cooled to 10 ° c . under nitrogen and 29 . 7 g ( 0 . 1 mole ) of compound vii was added in portions over 0 . 5 h ; the mixture was stirred for about an additional hour at 10 °- 15 ° c . the methyl acetate phase was then separated and concentrated under vacuum to remove about 400 ml of solvent . methanol ( 50 ml ) was added and the solvent again removed in vacuo . 70 % aqueous methanol ( 100 g ) was then added and the mixture was stirred for 45 minutes with cooling from an ice bath . the product was filtered , washed with 25 ml of cold 70 % aqueous methanol , and vacuum dried to yield 51 g ( 86 % overall yield from va based on 88 . 9 % hplc assay ), mp 135 - 138 ° c . a suspension of 11 . 25 g ( 50 mmol ) of va , 70 ml of mixed xylenes , and 1 . 4 g ( 4 . 8 mmol ) of cinchonine ( aldrich ® chemical co .) was stirred under nitrogen and 7 . 0 g ( 70 mmol ) of 90 % aqueous t - butyl hydroperoxide ( aldrich ® chemical co .) was added . the resulting solution was allowed to stir at room temperature for 24 hours during which time the product began to crystallize . the reaction mixture was then diluted with 100 ml of ethyl acetate and washed successively with two 50 ml portions of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate , 50 ml of 1n aqueous hydrochloric acid , and 50 ml of saturated aqueous sodium bisulfite . the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to give 10 . 6 g of enriched (+) iia ( 86 % purity , 76 % yield based on va ). analysis by chiral hplc indicated 45 % enantiomeric excess of the (+) enantiomer . to a dry 500 ml 4 - neck flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer , thermometer , and two gas inlets was charged 49 . 9 g ( 0 . 128 mol ) of iva and 250 ml of diethoxymethane . the mixture was cooled to - 10 ° c ., and the reaction vessel was evacuated (˜ 24 cm hg pressure ). sulfur trioxide gas was admitted to the cooled reaction vessel at a rate such that temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained between - 10 ° c . to 0 ° c . when the addition was complete , nitrogen was admitted to release the vacuum . the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature , stirred for 4 . 75 h , added to 50 ml of water at room temperature with good stirring and stirred for an additional 2 h . the mixture was filtered and the organic phase from the filtrate was separated and evaporated . the residue was dissolved in 125 ml of methanol and combined with the solid from the filtration . to this slurry was added 125 ml of water dropwise after which the mixture was stirred for 1 . 5 h , then filtered . the filter cake was dried under vacuum at room temperature to give 46 . 3 g ( 90 % based on iva ) of va . a small portion of product was recrystallized from methanol to afford a sample whose mp and 1 h nmr spectrum matched that of va obtained in example 1 , step b . in a first reaction flask , 70 . 5 g ( 0 . 30 mole ) of methyl 4 -( trifluoromethoxy ) phenyl carbamate is dissolved in 700 ml of dichloromethane . then 14 . 0 g of 60 % sodium hydride ( 0 . 35 mole ) in mineral oil is added followed by 60 ml glyme ( ethylene glycol dimethyl ether ) within 15 min . there is exothermic reaction and the temperature of the reaction mixture increases to slightly above that of the ambient room temperature . the reaction mixture is stirred overnight ( ca . 16 h ) without external heating . in a second reaction flask equipped with a distillation column , 120 g ( 1 . 2 mole ) of phosgene is dissolved in 300 ml dichloromethane which is cooled to 5 - 10 ° c . the reaction mixture from the first flask , a thick slurry , is slowly added to the second flask containing the phosgene solution at 5 - 10 ° c . after addition is complete , excess phosgene is removed by distillation until the head temperature indicates only dichloromethane is coming overhead . distillation is stopped , and the reaction mixture is cooled to about 0 ° c . ice water , 200 ml , is added to dissolve the byproduct sodium chloride . the dichloromethane layer is separated from the aqeuous layer , filtered and dried with mgso 4 . the dried dichloromethane solution , c which contains compound vii , is then distilled to take off the dichloromethane and in exchange , hexane , 400 ml total , is added ( solvent exchange procedure ). when the dichloromethane is removed and the hexane begins to distill , distillation is stopped . the hexane solution is then cooled to 5 ° c . whereupon vii is precipitated ( seeding may be required ), recovered by filtration , washed with additional cold hexane and dried . yield is typically about 94 % for 97 - 98 % pure vii , m . p . 97 - 99 ° c . 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 3 . 80 ( s , 3 ), 7 . 29 ( s , 4 ).

2Chemistry; Metallurgy

one or more objects of the present invention are accomplished by the provision of an acid - hardening resin composition which is activated by exposure to actinic light , said composition comprising a blend of ( 1 ) condensation polymerizable aminoplast ; ( 2 ) condensation polymerizable alkyd resin ; and ( 3 ) a sulfolene catalyst . in one embodiment , the condensation polymerizable composition described above is a coating system which contains a photoinitiator as an additional component . in another embodiment , the condensation polymerizable composition described above is a coating system which contains a photoinitiator , and which has incorporated therein a quantity of polymerizable olefinically unsaturated monomer or prepolymer as an additional component . illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a condensation polymerizable coating composition comprising a homogeneous liquid blend of ( 1 ) between about 20 and 50 weight percent of aminoplast or aminoplast precursor , ( 2 ) between about 50 and 80 weight percent of residual hydroxycontaining alkyd resin , ( 3 ) between about 0 . 5 and 15 weight percent of a sulfolene catalyst ; and ( 4 ) between about 0 . 1 and 10 weight percent of a photoinitiator ; based on total aminoplast / alkyd resin weight . a condensation polymerizable composition of the present invention can be prepared by the simple expediency of blending the selected components at room temperature to form a homogeneous coating medium . in the manner of conventional coating systems , a present invention condensation polymerizable composition can also contain immiscible polymeric or non - polymeric organic or inorganic fillers , pigments or reinforcing agents , e . g ., silica , organophilic silica , bentonite , powdered glass , colloidal carbon , titanium dioxide , and the like . the aminoplast component employed can be any of the aldehyde condensation products of compounds such as melamine , urea , dicyandiamide , benzoquanamine , and the like ; and mixtures and etherified derivatives of these condensation products . procedures for preparing aminoplasts are described in aminoplasts , c . p . vale ( cleaver - hume press , ltd ., london ). further illustration of aminoplast preparation and application is set forth in u . s . pat . nos . 2 , 957 , 835 3 , 501 , 429 ; 3 , 522 , 159 ; 3 , 535 , 148 ; 3 , 773 , 721 ; 3 , 852 , 375 ; 3 , 891 , 590 ; 3 , 954 , 715 ; 3 , 965 , 058 ; 3 , 979 , 478 ; 4 , 071 , 578 ; and the like . the aldehyde used in preparation of the condensation aminoplasts may be ( 1 ) monofunctional or ( 2 ) polyfunctional , having at least two aldehyde groups separated by at most one carbon atom ; such as formaldehyde , paraformaldehyde , polyoxymethylene , trioxane , acrolein , and aliphatic or cyclic aldehydes such as glyoxal , acetaldehyde , propionaldehyde , butyraldehyde , and furfuraldehyde . condensation , when using formaldehyde , furfuraldehyde , paraformaldehyde , polyoxymethylene or trioxane , is generally accomplished with the use of a mildly acid or mildly alkaline catalyst . when using acrolein , glyoxal , acetaldehyde , propionaldehyde , or butyraldehyde , condensation is generally accomplished by combining the reactants in the presence of a strongly acid catalyst , neutralizing the reaction product , adding more aldehyde , and further reacting in the presence of a mildly acid , or alkaline , catalyst . these aldehyde condensation products ( i . e ., aminoplasts ) contain methylol or similar alkylol groups , the structure of the alkylol group depending upon the particular aldehyde employed . all or part of these alkylol groups may be etherified by reaction with an alcohol . among the preferred amine - aldehyde products for use in the present invention are those which are substantially alkylated by an etherification reaction , i . e ., in which at least a major portion of the alkylol groups have been reacted with an alcohol . essentially any monohydric alcohol can be employed for this purpose , including such alcohols as methanol , propanol , butanol , heptanol and other alkanols having up to about 12 carbon atoms or more , as well as benzyl alcohol and other aromatic alcohols , cyclic alcohols such as cyclohexanol , monoethers of glycols such as the cellosolves and carbitols , and halogen - substituted or other substituted alcohols , such as 3 - chloro - propanol . the preferred alcohols are methanol , butanol , and similar lower alkanols . the aldehyde is often employed as a solution in water or alcohol , and the condensation , polymerization and etherification reactions may be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously . in an acid - hardening coating composition of the present invention , the aminoplast or aminoplast precursor component is employed in a quantity between about 20 and 50 weight percent , and preferably in a quantity between about 25 and 45 weight percent , based on the total weight of the aminoplast and alkyd resin components in the composition . by the term &# 34 ; aminoplast precursor &# 34 ; is meant a mixture of aldehyde and amine compounds which yield an aminoplast under condensation conditions . the aminoplast component of a present invention coating composition is capable of undergoing condensation polymerizable reaction with the alkyd resin component under acid - hardening conditions . the alkyd resin component employed in a present invention composition can be any of the saturated or unsaturated alkyds utilized in the coatings field , produced from any polybasic acid and polyfunctional alcohol . for example , the alkyd may be made from such polyfunctional acids as phthalic acid , maleic acid , fumaric acid , isophthalic acid , succinic acid , adipic acid , azaleic acid , fatty acids and the like , as well as anhydrides of such acids . among the polyols employed are glycerol , trimethylolethane , trimethylolpropane , pentaerythritol , sorbitol , mannitol , ethylene glycol , diethylene glycol , 2 , 3 - butylene glycol , and similar alcohols . the alkyd resin may be oil - modified or non oil - modified , can contain in part a monobasic acid such as benzoic acid , and can be copolymerized with one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomers . such monomers include ethyl acrylate , methyl methacrylate and other esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid , acrylonitrile , olefinic hydrocarbons , and other polymerizable monomers . the alkyd resin which are particularly preferred are those having an average molecule weight of 200 - 600 and containing predominantly hydroxyl groups as terminal groups , i . e ., those which have been prepared with an excess of the alcohol reactant , and which are residual hydroxy - containing . the alkyd resins can be prepared in accordance with standard procedures , e . g ., with or without a catalyst , with or without the introduction of a stream of inert gas , as solution condensation , melt condensation or azeotropic esterification , at temperatures of up to 220 ° c . or higher , so that the water or the alkanols produced by the esterification are continuously removed . the esterification can be followed by measuring the hydroxyl and acid numbers . esterification conditions are selected so that the reaction is as complete as possible , i . e ., until the acid number , in case of ester charges of n mole of diol , m mole of polyol , and ( n + m - 1 ) moles of dicarboxylic acid , is smaller than 10 mg . koh / g . the molecular weight of the esters can thus be regulated by the ratio of the initially charged amounts of alcohol reactant and dicarboxylic acid mixture . the alkyd resin component of a present invention acid - hardening coating composition is employed in a quantity between about 50 and 80 weight percent , and preferably in a quantity between about 60 and 75 weight percent , based on the total weight of the alkyd resin and aminoplast components in the composition . it is a particular advantage of the present invention that a sulfolene compound is employed to catalyze the acid - hardening condensation polymerization between the aminoplast and alkyl resin components . it has been found that a sulfolene compound is superior to conventional acid catalysts , such as trichloroacetic acid , for the preparation of a present invention acid - hardening coating composition . as illustrated in example vii , a coating composition containing sulfolene as a catalyst has greater thermal stability than a coating composition containing p - toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst . further , it has been found that sulfolane is an ineffective catalyst for the practice of the present invention in comparison with the structurally related sulfolene compound . ## str1 ## sulfolene ( i . e ., butadiene sulfone ) or substituted sulfolene is readily prepared by reacting a large molar excess of liquid butadiene or substituted butadiene with liquid sulfur dioxide under non - aqueous conditions , at pressures between 100 - 500 psi and temperature around 100 ° c . methods of preparing sulfolene and substituted sulfolene are described in u . s . pat . nos . 2 , 395 , 050 ; 2 , 402 , 891 ; 2 , 420 , 834 ; 2 , 443 , 270 ; 3 , 077 , 479 ; 3 , 822 , 286 ; and the like . the use of sulfolene compounds for acid catalysis is disclosed in u . s . pat . nos . 3 , 326 , 868 and 3 , 800 , 013 . sulfolene compounds suitable for the practice of the present invention include those prepared by the reaction of sulfur dioxide with conjugated diene monomers such as butadiene - 1 , 3 ; 2 - methyl butadiene - 1 , 3 ; pentadiene - 1 , 3 ; 2 , 3 - dimethyl butadiene - 1 , 3 ; 2 , 3 - diethyl butadiene - 1 , 3 ; 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 - tetramethyl butadiene - 1 , 3 ; 1 , 4 - dimethyl - 2 , 3 - diethyl butadiene - 1 , 3 ; 2 - methyl pentadiene - 1 , 3 ; 4 - methyl pentadiene - 1 , 3 ; 2 - methyl hexadiene - 1 , 3 ; 4 - ethyl hexadiene - 1 , 3 ; cyclopentyl butadienes ; cyclohexyl butadienes ; 2 - chlorbutadiene - 1 , 3 ; 2 - methyl - 3 - chlorbutadiene - 1 , 3 ; 3 - methoxybutadiene - 1 , 3 ; and the like . the sulfolene catalyst component of a present invention acid - hardening coating composition is employed in a quantity between about 0 . 5 and 15 weight percent , and preferably in a quantity between about 1 and 10 weight percent , based on the total weight of aminoplast and alkyd resin components in the composition . in general , a conventional photoinitiator derivative is suitable for incorporation in a present invention acid - hardening coating composition . the photoinitiator component is selected to provide a fast cure response when the curable coating composition is exposed to low energy activation from a light source having a wavelength in the range between about 2000 and 6000 angstroms . suitable light sources are sunlamps , mercury arcs , carbon arcs , tungsten filament lamps , xenon arcs , krypton arcs , and the like . the radiation emitting source is preferably within about twelve inches of the coating surface being cured . the cure response is initiated usually in less than about 5 seconds with ultraviolet radiation at room temperature . the photoinitiator component can be added as a single compound or a mixture of compounds . illustrative of suitable photoinitiator compunds are those disclosed in chemical reviews , 68 ( no . 2 ), 125 ( 1968 ), and in u . s . pat . nos . 3 , 840 , 390 ; 3 , 864 , 133 ; and the like . typical photoinitiator compounds include acyloin and derivatives thereof , such as benzoin , benzoin methyl ether , benzoin ethyl ether , benzoin isopropyl ether , benzoin isobutyl ether , desyl bromide , and α - methylbenzoin ; diketones such as benzil and diacetyl , etc . ; organic sulfides such as diphenyl monosulfide , diphenyl disulfide , desyl phenyl sulfide , and tetramethylthiuram monosulfide ; s - acyl dithiocarbamates , such as s - benoyl - n , n - dimethyldithiocarbamate and s -( p - chloro - benzoyl )- n , n - dimethyldithiocarbamate ; phenones such as acetophenone , α , α , α - tribromoacetophenone , o - nitro - α , α , α - tribromoacetophenone , benzophenone , and p , p &# 39 ;- tetramethyldiaminobenzophenone ; sulfonyl halides such as p - toluenesulfonyl chloride ; and the like . if desired , an amine can also be incorporated in an invention curable coating composition to accelerate the rate of curing by light radiation when the photoinitiator is an aryl ketone . amines that exhibit this synergistic rate - enhancing effect include triethanolamine , tributylamine , triethylamine , and the like . the photoinitiator component of a present invention acid - hardening coating composition is employed in a quantity between about 0 . 1 and 10 weight percent , and preferably in a quantity between about 1 and 6 weight percent , based on the total weight of aminoplast and alkyd resin components in the composition . as previously indicated hereinabove , in a preferred embodiment a present invention acid - hardening coating composition can include a quantity of polymerizable olefinically unsaturated monomer or prepolymer as an additional component . a preferred polymerizable component is one which functions as a low viscosity solubilizing medium for the other organic components , and which polymerizes readily without volatilizing when the coating composition is subjected to ultraviolet radiation curing conditions . suitable polymerizable compounds include vinyl acetate , vinyl butyrate , butyl acrylate , divinylbenzene , allyl methacrylate , diethylene glycol dimethacrylate , ethylene glycol dimethacrylate , trimethyolopropane trimethacrylate , diallyl adipate , methylene - bis - acrylamide , diethylene glycol diacrylate , ethylene glycol diacrylate , diallyl fumarate , diallyl phthalate , divinyl sulfone , butylene dimethacrylate , trimethylene glycol diacrylate , butylene glycol diacrylate , pentamethylene glycol diacrylate , glyceryl triacrylate , octylene glycol diacrylate , the tetraacrylate ester of pentaerythritol , ethyl diallylphosphonate , triallylisocyanurate , and the like . a preferred class of polymerizable compounds are those which are liquid at 25 ° c ., and which contain 2 - 4 polymerizable olefinically unsaturated groups and have a molecular weight in the range between about 120 and 600 . highly preferred polymerizable compounds for the purposes of this invention include trimethylolpropane triacrylate and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate . the said optional polymerizable component of a present invention acid - hardening coating composition is employed in a quantity between about 2 and 30 weight percent , and a preferably in a quantity between about 5 and 25 weight percent , based on the total weight of the aminoplast and alkyd resin components in the composition . the coating of substrates with an invention resin composition is accomplished by conventional application techniques such as spraying , dipping , curtain and roll coating , and the like . the coated substrate is exposed to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength above about 2000 angstroms and up to about 6000 angstroms . the optimal exposure time will vary , depending on such factors as film thickness , temperature , radiation power , and the like . generally , with a mercury vapor radiation power of about 200 watts per linear inch set at a distance of 12 inches from the coating surface , cure response is initiated within about 5 seconds , and in most cases within about 2 seconds . it has been demonstrated that superior film properties are obtained if a present invention coating is irradiated with actinic light in a first step , and then subjected to a heat treating cycle in a second step . it is particularly noteworthy that no curing can be achieved if a present invention coating is not exposed to ultraviolet radiation prior to a heat - treating cycle ( e . g ., 5 minutes at 150 ° c .). this is in contrast to conventional acid - hardening resin coating systems . the sulfolene catalyst component of the present invention coating compositions requires photoinitiation before it can induce the condensation polymerization reaction between the aminoplast and alkyd resin components . the following examples are further illustrative of the present invention . the reactants and other specific ingredients are presented as being typical , and various modifications can be devised in view of the foregoing disclosure within the scope of the invention . a mixture of 65 . 1 grams of ethylene glycol ( 1 . 0 mole ), 79 . 8 grams of 1 , 2 - propanediol ( 1 . 0 mole ), 74 grams of phthalic anhydride ( 0 . 5 mole ) and 73 grams of adipic acid ( 0 . 5 mole ) is heated under a nitrogen atmosphere over a period of 16 hours . during the heating period the temperature is increased gradually from 140 ° c . to 200 ° c . approximately 25 milliliters of water is separated during the reaction period . a colorless ester mixture is recovered which has an acid number of about 2 . 5 milligrams koh / gram ( average m . w . of 245 ). an alkyd resin is prepared which is composed of the following combination of monomers : ______________________________________ mole ratio weight % ______________________________________pentaerythritol 2 . 01 , 6 - hexanediol 9 . 0 30phthalic anhydride 10 . 0methyl methacrylate 1 . 0ethyl acrylate 2 . 0 70hydroxyethyl acrylate 0 . 1acrylic acid 0 . 1______________________________________ a reaction vessel is charged with xylene and dicumyl peroxide , and the charge is heated to reflux . the mixture of acrylic monomers listed above is added dropwise to the refluxing reaction medium . after the addition of the monomer mixture is completed , more dicumyl peroxide in xylene is introduced and the reflux is continued for an additional brief reaction period . then as a catalyst there is added dibutyltin oxide dissolved in a minimal quantity of water . this is followed by the sequential addition of 1 , 6 - hexanediol , phthalic acid and pentaerythritol . after a reflux period of several hours , the solvent is distilled off and the acrylic - modified alkyd product is recovered . to a reaction vessel equipped with thermometer , stirrer and reflux condenser , are charged 270 grams of formaldehyde dissolved in 510 grams of water . the ph of the reaction medium is adjusted to 8 . 5 with sodium hydroxide , then 126 grams of melamine are added over a period of two hours at a reaction medium temperature of 50 ° c . the temperature is maintained at 50 ° c . for three hours after the addition of the melamine is completed . the ph is adjusted to 9 . 5 , and the solid methylolmelamine product which forms is recovered by filtration . the methylolmelamine product of example ii is charged to a reaction vessel , and to the charge is added 480 grams of methanol while the reaction medium is maintained at about 35 ° c . by cooling . the ph of the reaction medium is adjusted to 3 . 0 with sulfuric acid . agitation is continued until all of the suspended solids are completely dissolved , then the ph of the reaction medium is adjusted to 9 . 0 with sodium hydroxide . the reaction medium is vacuum distilled to remove unreacted methanol , formaldehyde and other volatiles . toluene is added to azeotrope out residual traces of water . at normal pressure , 480 grams of methanol are added to the reaction vessel contents with cooling to 35 ° c . the ph is adjusted to 3 . 0 with sulfuric acid , and the reaction medium is maintained at 35 ° c . for about three hours . the ph is adjusted to 9 . 0 with sodium hydroxide , and then the reaction medium is subjected to vacuum distillation to remove volatiles from the resultant methoxymethylmelamine product . aminoplast / alkyd resin coating compositions are prepared by admixing the following components in the proportions indicated . each of the coating compositions is drawn down on steel panels employed a 1 mil bird applicator , passed under a 200 watt / inch medium pressure mercury vapor lamp for 3 passes at 20 fpm , and then baked at 150 ° c . for 5 minutes . it is to be noted that the three compositions containing sulfolene catalyst in accordance with the present invention exhibit superior coating properties . ______________________________________ parts by weightcomponents 1 2 3 4______________________________________modified alkyd resin ofexample ii 75 . 0 75 . 0 75 . 0 75 . 0hexamethoxymethylmelamine 12 . 5 12 . 5 12 . 5 12 . 5sulfolene 5 . 0 5 . 0 5 . 0 -- benzoin ethyl ether -- 5 . 0 -- -- benzophenone -- -- 5 . 0 -- 50 % p - toluenesulfonic acid -- -- -- 10 . 0in ethanoltukon hardness 11 . 75 55 . 0 * 15 . 4 1 . 0film thickness ( mils ) 1 . 0 - 1 . 5 0 . 2 - 0 . 4 0 . 8 - 1 . 0 0 . 8 - 1 . 0gloss , 60 ° 92 . 4 76 . 2 116 . 8 115 . 2gloss , 20 ° 54 . 2 27 . 4 76 . 8 89 . 2______________________________________ * extreme hardness probably attributable to low film thickness . in the manner of example v , the following aminoplast / alkyd resin coating compositions are prepared and drawn down on steel panels . composition number 7 containing sulfolene catalyst and trimethylolpropane triacrylate monomer in accordance with the present invention exhibits exceptional tukon hardness in comparison with the other compositions illustrated . sulfolane , for example , is ineffective as a catalyst as compared to sulfolene . ______________________________________ parts by weightcomponents 5 6 7 8______________________________________modified alkyd resin ofexample ii 75 . 0 75 . 0 75 . 0 75 . 0hexamethoxymethylmelamine 12 . 5 12 . 5 12 . 5 12 . 5trimethylolpropanetriacrylate 12 . 5 12 . 5 12 . 5 12 . 5benzophenone 5 . 0 5 . 0 5 . 0 5 . 0sulfolane -- 5 . 0 -- -- sulfolene -- -- 5 . 0 -- hexachloroethane -- -- -- 5 . 0tukon hardness 0 . 9 2 . 35 15 . 0 5 . 8______________________________________ when the coating procedure is repeated , but without exposure of the coatings to actinic light , the following tukon hardness is observed for the respective coatings . ______________________________________ 5 6 7 8______________________________________tukon hardness tacky 1 . 0 2 . 3 tacky______________________________________ as is noted , without prior exposure to actinic light , essentially no curing of the coatings is effected by the 150 ° c . baking cycle . this example demonstrates the thermal stability of a present invention composition containing a sulfolene compound as an acid - hardening catalyst . ______________________________________ parts by weightcomponents 9 10______________________________________modified alkyd resin ofexample ii 75 . 0 75 . 0hexamethoxymethylmelamine 12 . 5 12 . 5sulfolene 5 . 0 -- 50 % p - toluenesulfonic acidin ethanol -- 10 . 0______________________________________ each sample was stored in a glass jar in an oven at 120 ° f . and observed at 24 - hour intervals .

2Chemistry; Metallurgy

fig1 illustrates a computer architecture including an instruction unit 110 , to which is attached conventional elements such as a level 1 instruction cache ( l1 i - cache ) 100 , n branch unit 112 , n fixed point unit 122 , n floating point unit 132 and thread switch logic 300 . various , conventional registers such as general purpose registers ( gprs ) 116 and special purpose registers ( sprs ) 118 are connected to the n fixed point unit 122 , n branch unit 112 and the thread switch logic 300 . also , floating point registers ( fprs ) 114 are connected between the floating point unit 132 and gprs 116 . furthermore , a level 1 data cache ( l1 d - cache ) 50 is connected to the instruction unit 110 via scu 200 containing cache line buffer 210 and via bus 220 . a level 2 cache ( l2 cache ) 180 and main memory 140 are also connected to the instruction unit 110 in this fashion . a translation lookaside buffer ( tlb ) 120 , a segment lookaside buffer ( slb ) 125 and segment registers ( srs ) 135 are connected to the l1 i - cache 100 and scu 200 . within the l1 i - cache , there is i - cache control logic and the erat 410 as further described in relation to fig2 . fig2 illustrates the internal construction of the l1 i - cache 100 by showing an i fetch effective address being fed into the i cache control logic . the l1 i cache 100 includes an instruction cache 430 . in this example , the i cache 430 is a 2048 × 8 instruction i cache which stores the most recently used instructions or instructions most likely to be used in the future . instructions accessed in the i cache 430 are fed to the i buffer upon an i cache hit . the i cache 430 is addressed by a field of the effective address which , in this example , includes ea bits 48 - 58 . the i cache 100 also includes an i cache directory 420 , selector ( sel ) 440 , erat 410 , hash 405 , comparators 450 , 455 and logical and gate 460 which are connected as follows . the i cache directory 420 receives a field of the effective address . in the example shown in fig2 i cache directory 420 is a 256 × 2 directory receiving ea bits 48 - 56 , which is utilized to address the i cache directory to output corresponding real page numbers . one of these real page numbers is selected by selector 440 and fed to comparator 455 . the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 receives a hashed portion of the effective address , via hash 405 , that is utilized to output a line of the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 including an effective page number ( epn ) and a real page number ( rpn ). the real page number from the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 is fed to comparator 455 and compared against the real page number output from the i cache directory 420 . if comparator 455 outputs a 1 , then this correct comparison indicates an i cache directory hit . the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 also outputs an effective page number that is fed to comparator 450 . comparator 450 compares the effective page number output from effective - to - real address translation cache 410 against another field of the effective address . in this example , comparator 450 compares bits 0 - 46 of the effective address against the effective page number output from effective - to - real address translation cache 410 . a valid comparison from comparator 450 indicates an effective - to - real address translation cache hit . and gate 460 then ands the outputs from comparators 450 and 455 . if there is a directory hit and an effective - to - real address translation cache hit , then there is an i cache hit outputted from and gate 460 . if not , then there is an i cache miss . fig3 a illustrates the two types of effective addresses , which include a 32 - bit segment register mode effective address in which 32 bits of the 64 - bit word specify the effective address . more specifically , a 4 - bit field labeled sr specifies which of the 16 segment registers contain the corresponding virtual address . the virtual address is then concatenated with the offset field to access the translation lookaside buffer 120 and thereby obtain the real address . the 64 - bit mode effective address includes a tag or segment identification ( id ) that is utilized to address a segment table to obtain a virtual address that is concatenated with the offset to address the translation lookaside buffer 120 and thereby obtain the real address . fig3 b illustrates the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 in more detail . as shown , the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 includes two fields for each entry including a tag or effective address field and a real address field . for a segment register entry corresponding to a 32 - bit segment register mode effective address translation , the effective address field has the same structure as the 32 - bit segment register mode effective address . on the right side corresponding to the effective address is shown the real address xyz . a second , normal entry is shown in fig3 b including effective address abc and real address def . still further , a validity bit may be utilized for each entry in the erat 410 . fig3 c illustrates the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch ( erat - sr ) 500 . because the illustrated implementation utilizes 16 segment registers 135 , the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch has a corresponding number ( 16 ) of bits . each bit in the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 corresponds uniquely with a segment register 135 . fig3 d illustrates the erat invalidate pending latch 550 , which may be implemented with a single bit or flag . the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 and effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 may be situated within the instruction unit 110 . furthermore , the logic for managing the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 and effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 may also be constructed within instruction unit 110 . the invention described above performs effective - to - real address translation in both the 32 - bit segment register mode and 64 - bit mode as generally known in the art . as described above , these processes employ a two - step effective - to - virtual and then virtual - to - real address translation using either segment registers 135 and translation lookaside buffer 120 or the segment lookaside buffer 125 and translation lookaside buffer 120 in the 64 - bit mode to perform an effective - to - real address translation . the most recently translated addresses are stored in the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 also as known in the art . the present invention intelligently manages the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 by utilizing the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 and effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 . the first process for managing the effective - to - real address translation cache is the effective - to - real address translation cache loading process upon an effective - to - real address translation cache miss as shown in the high - level flow chart of fig4 . the process for loading the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 upon an effective - to - real address translation cache miss begins with start step 600 as shown in fig4 . then , the process decides whether the address is from a 32 - bit segment register mode in step 610 . if not , then 64 - bit addressing is being utilized , and the process proceeds by loading the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 as normal through the segment lookaside buffer 125 and translation lookaside buffer 120 as generally known in the art as indicated by step 640 . thereafter , the 64 - bit addressing mode for loading the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 ends as indicated by step 650 . if step 610 determines that 32 - bit segment register mode addressing is being utilized , then step 620 loads the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 as conventionally known by accessing the segment registers 135 and translation lookaside buffer 120 in step 620 . then , the invention sets a corresponding bit in the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 that corresponds to the segment register 135 that was accessed in step 620 to translate the effective address to the virtual address . in this way , the invention keeps track of which segment registers 135 have been utilized to load the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 . thereafter , the effective - to - real address translation cache loading process for the 32 - bit addressing modes ends as indicated by step 650 . effective - to - real address translation cache segment register cache management continues as shown in fig5 . upon the execution of a move to segment register ( mtsr ) instruction , the process flow in fig5 begins as indicated by step 700 . then , step 720 compares the segment register being set by the move to segment register instruction to the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 . if the segment register 135 being affected by the move to segment register instruction has already been utilized to load an effective - to - real address translation in the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 , then step 720 will determine this occurrence by examining the bit in the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 corresponding to this segment register 135 to see if a match occurs . if step 740 determines that such a match has occurred , then step 760 sets the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 . if no match occurs or after the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch is set by step 760 , then this process ends as indicated by step 780 . many computer architectures , such as the powerpc ® architecture , allow the actual invalidation of the effective - to - real address translation cache to be delayed until a context synchronizing event occurs . the present invention takes advantage of this capability as indicated by fig6 . fig6 illustrates the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidation process , which begins with a context synchronizing operation 800 . upon the occurrence of context synchronizing operation 800 , step 820 then examines the effective - to - real address translation invalidate pending latch 550 . if step 820 determines that the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 has not been set , then the process ends as indicated by step 880 and the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 is not invalidated . if , on the other hand , step 820 determines that the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 has been set , then step 840 actually invalidates the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 at that time . it is to be noted that two events must occur to invalidate the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 . the first event is the context synchronizing operation . when the context synchronizing occurs , then the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 must also be set to invalidate the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 in step 840 . thereafter , the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 and the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 may be cleared or otherwise reset in step 860 . the process is then complete as indicated by end step 880 . by utilizing the above elements , the present invention can intelligently manage the effective - to - real address translation cache , and particularly , the timely invalidation of the effective - to - real address translation cache without unduly affecting processor performance . by maintaining indicators in the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 indicating which of the segment registers 135 are currently mapped in the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 , the invention can then determine when a move to segment register instruction renders the effective - to - real address translation cache invalid . upon the execution of a move to segment register instruction , the invention examines the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 500 to determine if the segment register 135 that the move is going to is one of the segment registers 135 currently mapped in the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 . if no match is detected , no further action is taken . if a match is detected , the hardware will set the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 . when the processor detects a context - synchronizing event , and the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 is set , the hardware will then and only then invalidate the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 . the hardware is then reset by clearing the effective - to - real address translation cache segment register latch 550 and the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidate pending latch 550 . delaying the effective - to - real address translation cache invalidation causes fewer invalidations to occur and results in greater processor efficiency . the following exemplary code stream illustrates the increased processor efficiency of the present invention . conventional effective - to - real address cache invalidation mechanisms would blindly invalidate the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 after each of the mtsr instructions . such conventional effective - to - real address translation cache invalidation mechanisms would invalidate the effective - to - real address translation cache five times with the above code stream . in contrast , the present invention would invalidate the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 only once with the above code stream . if , however , the number of effective - to - real address translation invalidations is too high , the effective - to - real address translation cache can be split into halves , each with its own effective - to - real address translation segment register latch and effective - to - real address translation invalidate - pending latch . when an address from 32 - bit segment mode is loaded into the effective - to - real address translation cache , the effective - to - real address translation segment register latch for that half of the effective - to - real address translation cache is updated but not the latch for the other half of the effective - to - real address translation cache . the process for an mtsr instruction compares the segment register being set to each effective - to - real address translation segment register latch and sets the corresponding effective - to - real address translation invalidate - pending latch . at a context synchronizing operation , each half of the effective - to - real address translation cache is invalid according to its own effective - to - real address translation invalidate - pending latch . in this way , there will be times that only half the effective - to - real address translation cache is invalidated compared to the entire effective - to - real address translation cache in the basic operation disclosed . of course , the effective - to - real address translation cache could also be divided into fourths or eighths and so on , as a way to reduce the number of entries invalidated . the above techniques of controlling and managing the effective - to - real address translation cache 410 may be implemented with discreet logic elements within the instruction unit 110 . alternatively , the above process control may be implemented in software to program the instruction unit 110 and thereby arrive at a specially program machine . the choice between hardware , software , firmware , or a mixture of these elements are routine choices within the scope of the present invention and may be implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art using known techniques . the invention being thus described , it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways . such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention , and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims .

6Physics

one or more embodiments will be described below . these described embodiments are only examples of implementation techniques , as defined solely by the attached claims . additionally , in an effort to provide a focused description , irrelevant features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification . with reference to fig1 , a phase locked loop 100 is now described . the phase locked loop 100 includes a phase frequency detector ( pfd ) 110 , which receives an input signal fin having an input frequency , and an output signal fout having an output frequency . the output signal fout received by the phase frequency detector 110 is the output signal fout of the phase locked loop 100 . the phase frequency detector 110 has outputs up , dn coupled to a charge pump 200 or 300 , also referred to as an attenuation circuit . the charge pump 200 or 300 in turn has an output coupled to a loop filter z , which is in turn coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator ( vco ) 120 . the output of the vco 120 is coupled to the input of the phase frequency detector 110 via an optional divider 130 . in operation , the phase frequency detector 110 compares the input signal fin to the output signal fout , and generates the control signals up , dn for the charge pump 200 or 300 based thereupon . when the phase of the input signal fin leads the phase of the output signal fout , the control signal up is asserted at a logic high , while the control signal dn remains at a logic low . conversely , then when the phase is the input signal fin lags the phase of the output signal fout , the control signal dn is asserted at a logic high , while the control signal up remains at a logic low . when the phase of the input signal fin and the phase of the output signal fout match , neither up nor dn are asserted . the charge pump 200 or 300 generates a control signal for the vco 120 , which is passed through the loop filter z , which extracts the low frequency content of the control signal . the vco 120 , based on the control signal , adjusts the phase and frequency of the output signal fout . when up is asserted , the charge pump 200 or 300 increases the voltage of the control signal , as opposed to decreasing the voltage of the control signal when dn is asserted . those of skill in the art will appreciate that since the phase of the input signal fin cannot both lead and lag the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 will not simultaneously assert both up and dn . an optional divider 130 may be included in the feedback loop coupling the output signal fout to the phase frequency detector 110 . the divider 130 serves to divide the frequency of the output signal fout , thereby causing the frequency of the output signal fout to be generated by the vco 120 as a multiple of the frequency of the input signal fin . for example , if the divider 130 divides the frequency by 2 , in order for the phase frequency detector 110 to see that the input signal fin and the feedback signal ( the output signal fout after being fed through the divider 130 ) have a same frequency , the output signal fout would have a frequency twice that of the input signal fin . if the divider 130 is not present , or if the divider divides by 1 , then the frequency of the output signal fout will match the frequency of the input signal fin . details of the charge pump 200 and loop filter z will now be given with reference to fig2 - 3 . the charge pump 200 includes a first current source 202 coupled between a power supply node vcc and a node 204 . switch s 1 is coupled between node 204 and node 206 . switch s 2 is coupled between node 206 and node 208 . a second current source 210 is coupled between node 208 and ground . switch s 3 is coupled between node 204 and node 218 . switch s 4 is coupled between node 206 and node 218 . switch s 7 is coupled between node 218 and node 208 . a first capacitor cs is coupled between node 206 and node 212 , and switch s 5 is coupled in parallel with the first capacitor cs between node 206 and node 212 . a second capacitor cs 2 is coupled between node 206 and ground gnd . switch s 6 is coupled between nodes 212 and 214 , and the loop filter z is coupled between node 214 and ground . in addition , the non - inverting terminal of an amplifier 216 is coupled to node 214 , while the inverting terminal and output terminal of the amplifier 216 is coupled to the node 218 . the capacitors cs and cs 2 have a capacitance value less than a capacitance value of impedance elements used in the loop filter z . the value of cs 2 differs from that of cs by a factor of one less than a desired gain a of the charge pump circuit 100 . that is , the value of cs 2 is cs *( a − 1 ). the loop filter z , details of which are shown in fig3 , includes a resistor r 1 and capacitor c 1 coupled in series between node 214 and ground . a capacitor c 2 is coupled between node 214 and ground , and a resistor r 2 and capacitor c 3 are coupled in series between node 214 and ground . in operation , switch s 1 is triggered in response to assertion of up , while switch s 2 is triggered in response to assertion of dn . switch s 3 is triggered in response to assertion of a complement of up , noted as nup , while switch s 7 is triggered in response to assertion of a complement of dn , noted as ndn . switch s 6 is triggered in response to assertion of a signal representing a logical nand operation between the complement of up and the complement of dn hb ( shown in fig2 a ), while switches s 4 and s 5 are triggered in response to assertion of a signal h which is a complement of that signal . thus , when the phase of the input signal fin leads the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts up while keeping dn low . the switches s 1 , s 6 , and s 7 are closed and the other switches opened , resulting in the flow of current from the first current source 202 through nodes 204 and 206 into the second capacitor cs . this serves to charge up the second capacitor cs with a voltage seen at node 214 . the amplifier 216 has a unity gain , and thus passes the voltage seen at node 214 to its output at node 218 . the control signal for the vco 120 is output from node 214 . on the other hand , when the phase of the input signal fin lags the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts dn while keeping up low . the switches s 2 , s 3 , and s 6 are thus closed and the other switches opened , resulting in the sinking of current from node 206 , and thus the discharge of the voltage at the second capacitor cs . therefore , the voltage at node 214 falls , which the amplifier 216 passes to its output at node 218 . the control signal for the vco 120 is output from node 214 . where the phase of the input signal fin is matched to the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts neither up nor dn . thus , switches s 3 , s 4 , s 5 , and s 7 close , while the other switches remain open . this serves to pass the current from the first current source 202 through the node 204 , into node 218 , into node 208 , and to ground gnd through the second current source 210 . the charge pump circuit 200 described above provide a variety of advantages over traditional charge pump circuits . for example , the charge pump circuit 200 uses a charge - pump current 202 and 210 that is higher by a factor of a , but preserves the overall pll loop gain by an attenuation factor of 1 / a which is achieved via capacitive division . this is illustrated in fig6 - 7 . shown in fig8 a - 8c is how noise suppression increases as a increases . in addition , the thermal noise in the charge pump circuit 200 from the current sources 202 and 210 is reduced by a factor of a . amplifier noise feedthrough to the loop filter z is proportional to cs * vamp * fin , where fin is the input frequency to the pll and where vamp is the voltage at the non - inverting terminal of the amplifier 216 , and should be less than the noise from the current sources 202 and 210 . thus , for the same loop gain in the charge pump circuit 200 , the noise entering the loop filter z is reduced . this also serves to reduce the in - band phase noise . the reduction in output noise over conventional charge pump circuits is on the order of 1 / a and can be seen in fig6 - 7 . an alternate design for the charge pump circuit 300 is now described with reference to fig4 . the charge pump circuit 300 includes a first current source 302 coupled between the power supply node vcc and node 304 , and a switch s 1 coupled between the node 304 and a node 306 . a switch s 2 is coupled between the node 306 and a node 308 . a second current source 310 is coupled between the node 308 and ground gnd . a resistor r 3 is coupled between the node 306 and a node 312 , and the loop filter z is coupled between the node 312 and ground gnd . a resistor r 4 is coupled between the node 306 and a node 314 , through switch s 3 . a amplifier 316 has its non - inverting terminal coupled to node 312 , and its inverting terminal and its output coupled to the node 314 . the values of the resistor of the attenuation filter z is high . a switch s 4 is coupled between node 304 and node 314 . node 314 is coupled to node 311 . the resistance of the resistor r 3 may equal ( a − 1 )* r 4 , while the resistance of r 4 is chosen to reduce the noise contribution from the resistive attenuation network and make its noise contribution less than that of current sources 302 and 310 . to do so , r 4 & gt ; a / gm , where gm is the transconductance of the current sources 302 and 310 . this causes 1 / a of the current from the current sources 302 , 310 to flow across r 3 and into the attenuation filter z . the current sources 302 , 310 conduct a times more current than conventional charge pump current sources , thus the transconductance of the current sources 302 , 310 can be a times more than that of conventional charge pump current sources . in addition , when the resistors r 3 and r 4 have large values , the noise from the amplifier 316 that enters the attenuation filter z is reduced . in operation , switch s 1 is triggered in response to assertion of up , while switch s 2 is triggered in response to assertion of dn . switch s 3 is triggered in response to assertion of a logical nand operation between complements of up and dn , denoted as hb , while switch s 4 is triggered in response to a complement of assertion of up and switch s 5 is triggered in response to a complement of assertion of dn . therefore , when the phase of the input signal fin leads the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts up while keeping dn low . switch s 1 , s 3 , and s 5 are then closed while switch s 2 and s 4 are open , resulting in the flow of current from the first current source 302 through node 306 , into the resistor r 3 , and into node 312 , thereby generating a voltage across the resistor r 3 , which is seen by the non - inverting terminal of the amplifier 316 at node 312 , which passes the voltage at node 312 to its output at node 314 . the control signal for the vco 120 is output from node 312 . when the phase of the input signal fin lags the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts dn while keeping up low . the switches s 2 , s 3 , and s 4 close while the switches s 1 and s 5 open , resulting in the sinking of current from node 306 . therefore , the voltage at node 312 , and thus the voltage of the control signal for the vco 120 , falls . when the phase of the input signal fin matches the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts neither up nor dn . thus , switches s 4 , s 5 are closed , while switches s 1 , s 2 , s 3 remain open . this serves to couple output of the amplifier 316 to the non - inverting terminal of the amplifier 316 and to ground , lowering the voltage at node 312 , and thus the voltage of the control signal for the vco 120 . the loop filter z of fig5 is usable with the charge pump circuit 300 , and comprises a resistor r coupled in series with a capacitor c . when the loop filter z is employed , the value of the resistor r 3 differs from that of the resistor r 4 by a factor of one less than a desired gain a of the charge pump circuit 300 . that is , the value of r 3 is r 4 *( a − 1 ). the charge pump circuit 300 has the same advantages as the charge pump circuit 200 described above . as stated , the charge pump circuit 300 offers an increased gain over conventional charge pumps by a factor of a , yet reduces the loop gain within the charge pump circuit 300 by a factor of 1 / a , so the overall loop gain for the phase locked loop 100 is preserved . in addition , the thermal current noise in the charge pump circuit 300 is increased by a factor of a or √{ square root over ( a )}, but is attenuated by when entering the loop filter z . the noise feed through from the amplifier 316 to the loop filter z is proportional to thus , for the same loop gain in the charge pump circuit 300 , the noise entering the loop filter z is reduced . an embodiment where the phase locked loop 100 employs one of the charge pump circuits 200 , 300 described above as well as an additional charge pump circuit 400 is now described with reference to fig8 . the phase locked loop 100 operates as the phase locked loop of fig1 , however the additional charge pump circuit 400 is coupled in series between the pfd 110 and the loop filter z before the phase locked loop 100 locks , while one of the charge pump circuits 200 , 300 is coupled in series between the pfd 110 and the loop filter z after the phase locked loop 100 locks . the purpose of this selection between charge pump circuits 200 , 300 or 400 is so as to assist quick locking of the phase locked loop 100 while still receiving the advantages of the charge pump circuits 200 , 300 as described above . it should be noted that if the current output by the charge pump 400 is i , then the current output by the charge pump circuits 200 , 300 would be i * a . selection of the charge pump circuit 200 , 300 or 400 is based upon a selection signal . as shown in fig1 , a selection signal lock is generated based on a lock detector detecting whether or not the phase locked loop 100 has locked , by comparing the input frequency fin to the feedback signal . an inverse of this selection signal enh is used to enable the charge pump circuit 400 , while an inverse of that signal enl is used to enable the charge pump circuits 200 , 300 . the charge pump circuit 400 , as shown in fig9 , includes a first current source 402 coupled between a power supply node and node 404 . a first switch s 1 is coupled between node 404 and node 406 . an amplifier 416 has a non - inverting terminal coupled to node 406 . a loop filter z is coupled between node 406 and ground . the inverting terminal of the amplifier 416 is coupled to its output at node 414 so as to bias the amplifier 416 in a unity gain mode . a switch s 2 is coupled between node 406 and node 408 . a second current source 410 is coupled between node 408 and ground . a switch s 3 is coupled between node 404 and node 414 , while a switch s 4 is coupled between node 414 and node 408 . in operation , switch s 1 is actuated by assertion of up , while switch s 2 is actuated by assertion of dn . switch s 3 is actuated by an inverse of up , nup , while switch s 4 is actuated by an inverse of dn , ndn . when the phase of the input signal fin leads the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts up while keeping dn low . the switches s 1 , s 4 are closed and the other switches opened , resulting in the flow of current from the first current source 402 through nodes 404 and 406 into the loop filter z and the non - inverting terminal of the amplifier 416 , thereby increasing the voltage seen at the non - inverting terminal . due to the unity gain of the amplifier 416 . the voltage seen at node 406 is passed to its output at node 414 . the control signal for the vco 120 is at node 406 . when the phase of the input signal fin lags the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts dn while keeping up low . the switches s 2 , s 3 are thus closed and the other switches opened , resulting in the sinking of current from node 406 . therefore , the voltage at node 406 falls , which the amplifier 416 passes to its output at node 414 . the control signal for the vco 120 is at node 406 . where the phase of the input signal fin is matched to the phase of the output signal fout , the phase frequency detector 110 asserts neither up nor dn . thus , switches s 3 , s 4 while the other switches remain open . this serves to pass the current from the first current source 402 through the node 404 , into node 414 , into node 408 , and to ground gnd through the second current source 410 . it should be understood that any of the loop filters z described herein may be used with any of the embodiments described herein , and that other types of loop filters ( i . e . active loop filters utilizing operational amplifiers ) are also usable with any of the embodiments described herein . while the disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments , those skilled in the art , having benefit of this disclosure , will appreciate that other embodiments can be envisioned that do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as disclosed herein . accordingly , the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only by the attached claims .

7Electricity

the vacuum - pressure pump includes a fixed handle 102 , which is attached to a sealed cylinder 104 , and together they form the body of the pump . the fixed handle 102 is shaped to include indentations 106 for the fingers of an operator &# 39 ; s hand . a movable handle 108 is pivoted at a joint 110 on a support 112 which is attached to the fixed handle 102 . the end of the movable handle 114 is coupled via a joint 115 to a piston rod 116 . the piston rod 116 extends into the cylindrical chamber 104 and terminates in a cylindrical piston cap 118 with a resilient cylindrical piston 120 disposed thereon . the cap 118 and piston 120 are shown slightly drawn back from the inner end 121 of the cylindrical chamber 104 . the cap 118 has at its leading end a small disc formation 501 ahead of which is a larger disc formation 500 . the piston 120 is pressed to the inner end of the cylinder 104 by a spring 122 . one end of the spring 122 bears against a cap 124 secured to the outer end of the cylinder 104 , and the other end of the spring 122 bears against a spreader ring 123 . the spring 122 thus presses against the back side of the spreader ring 123 which in turn presses against the back side of the piston 120 to thereby improve the seal between the piston 120 and the cylinder 104 . the piston rod 116 may be flat and may have a pair of reinforcing ribs on either side , only one rib 125 is shown in fig1 . when the pair of handles 102 and 108 is squeezed , the piston 120 will be drawn back . when the pair of handles is released , the spring 122 will cause the piston 120 to return to the inner end 121 of the cylinder 104 . for pressure pump operability it is necessary that the spring 122 is strengthened over a spring 122 normally operable as only a vacuum pump . also , to facilitate the generation of a pressure there is located a pressure pad 502 at a location opposite the piston for exerting thumb pressure on the end of the piston to assist in urging its forward movement . at the inner end of the cylindrical chamber 104 is a first recessed area 126 where an inlet valve means , being an umbrella valve 128 is placed ( see fig2 ). also at the inner end of the cylindrical chamber 104 is a second recessed area 130 at which an outlet valve means being a duckbill valve 132 is placed ( see fig3 ). the first valve means and the second valve means re separate units . note that the second recessed area 130 is normal to the axis of the cylindrical chamber . the cylindrical piston 120 can cover and seal this second recessed area 130 when the piston is at that end of the chamber . when the piston is drawn back , air will be drawn from the pump &# 39 ; s inlet area 134 into the area 136 evacuated by piston 120 creating a differential pressure . when the handle is released and the spring loaded piston 120 returns to the inner end 121 of the cylindrical chamber 104 the air in the cylinder &# 39 ; s evacuated area 136 will be forced to exit via the duckbill valve 132 to the pump &# 39 ; s exhaust area 138 . it can be easily seen that repeated squeezings and releasings of the two handles 102 and 108 will result in air being pumped from the inlet area 134 to the outlet area 138 , and a high vacuum will be generated . in addition , pressure will be generated through the exhaust area 138 . the valving means 400 is disposed in a valving body 401 which converts the pump between a vacuum pump and a pressure pump . the valving body 401 includes a cylindrical formation 402 wherein there is a rotatable rotor 403 with four circumferentially disposed and spaced apertures 404 , 405 , 406 , and 407 located at substantially right angular spacing from each other . apertures 405 and 407 are connected by a tube 408 which is also connected with aperture 404 by a pipe 409 . thus , apertures 404 , 405 and 407 are interconnected by means of tube 408 and pipe 409 . said apertures are centered in the body of rotor 403 as shown in fig8 and are not directly open to the air but rather connected with either tube 408 or pipe 409 as shown . aperture or opening 406 is open to the air as shown in fig4 and is not connected to any of the other apertures 404 , 405 and 407 . the forward end of the valving body 401 is connected with a port 410 through which the differential pressure is used so that either a vacuum is drawn or a pressure created . the port 410 is connected by tube 411 with the cylinder formation 402 . a branch tube 412 from the tube 411 permits for connection to a vacuum and / or pressure gauge ( not shown ) as required . also connecting with the cylinder 402 is a tube 413 connected to the input to the umbrella valve inlet , and a tube 414 to a second port 510 connected by a conduit 415 with the duckbill valve outlet . operation of the valving means 400 is through the rotor 403 and an axial handle 425 mounted on spindle 416 whereby the rotor 403 can be rotated and positioned in either the vacuum position or the pressure position ( as shown in fig6 ). as shown in fig4 and 8 the spindle 416 includes a step key 416a which engages a meeting key slot ( not shown ) within handle 425 . the valving body has an i - piece cross - sectional structure as best seen in fig4 and 6 , and the end 418 adjacent the pump body has a substantially circular plate 417 . there is a support shoulder 419 with apertures 420 through which screw means can affix the valving means body 401 with the pump body . in the illustration of fig1 the tube 415 is shown as being composed of two sections 415a and 415b which are effectively joined when the valving body is affixed to the vacuum / pressure pump . the affixation can be through a tapered coupling 421 with a suitable o - ring seal 422 to ensure pressure and vacuum can be maintained . in operation of the pump means as a pressure pump as indicated in fig1 air drawn on through aperture 406 , enters tube 413 and through the umbrella valve into the cylinder . from there it passes through duckbill valve when the piston is returned under spring pressure , to the tube conduit 415 . in turn it enters aperture 407 and passe through conduits 408 and 409 to aperture 404 and in turn along tube 411 to port 410 . as a vacuum pump the air is drawn through port 410 to tube 411 , and with the valving rotor 403 in the position shown in fig5 it passes through tube 408 to tube 413 , as the piston is drawn back in its cylinder . when the piston is returned , it pumps air through the duckbill valve , conduit 415 , tube 414 and exits through aperture 406 . this causes a vacuum to be drawn at port 410 . referring now to fig2 the operation of an umbrella valve is disclosed . the umbrella valve 128 operates in conjunction with a pair of air inlets 202 and 204 . it comprises a rubber plug 206 ( which may be made of polyfluorosilicone ), which is inserted through its retaining wall 208 at a plug - hole 210 and which is thickened at a section 212 to prevent it from falling through the plug - hole 210 . valve 128 also comprises a broad gas shield 214 which covers the air inlets 202 and 204 and which is impermeable to gases . the gas shield is flexible but has some tension , so that gas flow may occur from the inlet area 134 ( fig1 ), through the air inlets 202 and 204 , past an edge 220 of the gas shield 214 to the other side of the gas shield shown as area 136 . when the air pressure of inlet 134 exceeds that of area 136 , gas flow will occur . however , when this air pressure differential is reversed , no gas flow will occur . an umbrella valve is a standard device and is well - known in the art . referring now to fig3 the operation of a duckbill valve is disclosed . the duckbill valve 132 comprises a pair of solid , flexible walls 302 and 304 ( which may be made of polyfluorosilicone ) and which are compressed together at a lip 306 . the valve 132 is anchored with a solid base 308 connected to the solid walls 302 and 304 . the walls terminate in a lip 306 which is flexible but which has some tension , so that gas flow may occur from the inside area 130 to the outside areas 138 of the valve 132 . when the air pressure of area 130 exceeds that of area 138 , gas flow will occur from area 130 to area 138 , but when the air pressure differential is reversed , no gas flow will occur . a duckbill valve is a standard device and is well known in the air . the valving body 400 can be affixed through a retrofit to a vacuum pump thereby adapting the vacuum pump into a vacuum - pressure pump as required . the pressures attainable are as high as 25 - 30 p . s . i . depending on the spring pressure . the components are conveniently made of plastic and are easily repairable . the invention can be repaired or cleaned by removing the end cap 124 from the cylinder 104 . as shown in fig7 the end cap 124 includes locking grooves 430 and 432 . corresponding locking arms 434 and 436 extend outward from the end of cylinder 104 . the end cap 124 is inserted over the end of the cylinder 104 with the locking arms 434 and 436 passing through the locking grooves 430 and 432 . the end cap 124 is then rotated in a clockwise direction whereby the ends of the locking arms are positioned over the face of the end cap 124 . when positioned in this manner the end cap 124 is further held in place by means of screw 438 which passes through a flange 440 extending from the bottom edge of the end cap 124 . the screw 438 fits within an aperture in the body of the pump as shown in fig1 . it should be understood that while a presently preferred embodiment has been disclosed , variations are possible which remain within the scope of the present invention .

5Mechanical Engineering; Lightning; Heating; Weapons; Blasting

turning now to the drawing , and in particular to fig1 there is shown a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a separating and rolling device according to the present invention , which is incorporated in an arrangement for processing a round bar - shaped solid workpiece , as shown schematically in fig1 a . according to fig1 a , the workpiece is transferred to an inlet gutter 17 for transport by a feed unit , e . g . a rotary drive 18 to the separating and rolling device 16 ( shown here only schematically ), whereby the rotary drive 18 imparts a rotation upon the workpiece shortly before entrance into the separating and rolling device 16 . in the end position of the rotary drive 18 , as shown in dotted line , the workpiece is released and coasts by itself into the separating and rolling device 16 , while the rotary drive 18 returns to the initial position for grabbing a further workpiece . suitably , a buffer zone 19 is provided upstream of the separating and rolling device 11 to implement an end - to - end sequential positioning of workpieces . an induction heat unit 20 is shown here in a location between the separating and rolling device 11 and the buffer zone 19 for heating the workpiece and thereby decrease its resistance to deformation . persons skilled in the art will understand that the arrangement of the buffer zone 19 and the induction heat unit 20 is optional and may be omitted , if desired . turning now again to fig1 the separating and rolling device includes two cutting rollers 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 for the continuous separation of identically sized disk - shaped blanks 4 from a workpiece in the form of a round solid bar 5 advancing in a direction indicated by arrow 8 and having a radius r . the cutting rollers 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 are each provided with a coil 2 and rotate in a common direction as indicated by arrow 9 . a positive connection of the cutting rollers 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 ensures a synchronous operation for the cutting procedure . the positive connection may be implemented , for example , by disposing articulated spindles 15 ( fig1 a ) between the cutting rollers of the separating and rolling device 16 and a suitable gear mechanism . such a configuration is generally known to the artisan and thus has not been described in more detail for sake of simplicity . each of the cutting rollers 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 has a main body subdivided in different sections , i . e . entry portion ea which terminates in a primary portion ha . following the primary portion ha is a separating portion ta . as shown in fig1 the coils 2 of the cutting rollers 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 have cutting edges 6 , 7 , and are characterized by a steady increase in height commencing from the entry portion ea via the primary portion ha into the initial zone of the separating portion ta . in the separating portion ta , the cutting edges 6 , 7 of the coils 2 have a height 10 which slightly exceeds the radius of the round bar 5 to be cut . in order to prevent a collision of confronting cutting edges 6 , 7 of the coils 2 in the separating portion ta , the tips of the confronting cutting edges 6 , 7 are directed alternately to the left and to the right , and thus away from one another , as shown in particular in fig2 which is a sectional view , on an enlarged scale , of a detail marked x in fig1 . dash - dot line 3 indicates the center axis of the round bar 5 for better understanding . in a configuration of the separating and rolling device with only two cutting rollers 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 , it is difficult to keep a precise central guidance of the round solid workpiece 5 as a consequence of the availability of a geometrically very small gap . therefore , a guiding gib is provided which is shown in fig1 b and 1 c in more detail and generally designated by reference numeral 21 . the gib 21 is configured as endless sliding shoe 22 guided in chain links . in this manner , the round workpiece 5 is secured in the spaces between the coils 2 and conjointly pulled by the coils 2 of the cutting rollers 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 as a result of the coil pitch referring now to fig3 there is shown a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a separating and rolling device according to the present invention . parts corresponding with those in fig1 are denoted by identical reference numerals and not explained again . in this embodiment , provision is also made for an arrangement of only two cutting rollers 1 , 3 , 1 . 4 for the continuous separation of identically sized disk - shaped blanks 4 from a workpiece in the form of a round solid bar 5 . the increase in height of the coils 2 in the entry portion ea and the primary portion ha is comparable to the embodiment of fig1 . however , in order to prevent a collision of confronting cutting edges 11 , 12 in the separating portion ta , the cutting edges 11 , 12 are arranged in alternating sequence and in oscillating manner . this type of arrangement is shown in a simple way in fig4 whereby the height 10 of the cutting edges 11 , 12 is ensured to slightly exceed the radius r of the round bar 5 . the coils 2 have thus a configuration in which the height steadily increases and decreases about 180 °, respectively . referring now to fig5 there is shown a schematic , partially sectional view , of a third embodiment of a separating and rolling device according to the present invention , having three cutting rollers in 120 ° offset disposition , thereby defining a top roller 1 . 5 and two bottom rollers 1 . 6 , 1 . 7 . all three cutting rollers 1 . 5 , 1 . 6 , 1 . 7 have a same base radius r and , as shown by arrows 9 , rotate in a common direction . the increase in height of the coils 2 in the entry portion ea and the primary portion ha ( not shown here ) is comparable to the embodiments of fig1 and 3 . a collision in the separating portion ta ( shown here ) is prevented by configuring the cutting edge 13 of the top roller 1 . 5 at a height 10 which is slightly greater than the radius r of the round bar . the height of the coils 2 of the bottom rollers 1 . 6 , 1 . 7 in the separating portion ta remains constant and thus no longer increases . to prevent a collision of the cutting edge 13 of the top roller 1 . 5 with the surface of both bottom rollers 1 . 6 , 1 . 7 , the radius r of the round bar 5 should satisfy the requirement r ≧ 0 . 366 r , wherein r is the base radius of the cutting rollers 1 . 5 , 1 . 6 , 1 . 7 . [ 0034 ] fig6 shows a variation to decrease the radius r of the round bar 5 . both bottom rollers 1 . 6 , 1 . 7 are pushed together until their surfaces touch one another . the arrangement of the three cutting rollers 1 . 5 , 1 . 6 , 1 . 7 is hereby reduced to an angular offset of less than 120 °. a collision of the cutting edge 13 of the top roller 1 . 5 is prevented when the radius r of the round bar 5 satisfies the requirement r ≧ 0 . 2601 r . a further minimization of the radius r of the round bar 5 is implemented by the configuration shown in fig7 in which the three cutting rollers 1 . 8 , 1 . 9 . 1 . 10 have different base radii . the top roller 1 . 8 has a base radius r . 1 which is greater than the base radii r . 2 of the bottom rollers 1 . 9 , 1 . 10 , whereby the base radii r . 2 of the bottom rollers 1 . 9 , 1 . 10 are identical . unlike the embodiment of fig5 and 6 , both bottom rollers 1 . 9 , 1 . 10 may coast idly or may be driven at matching rotating speed , as shown by way of example in fig8 . the bottom rollers 1 . 9 , 1 . 10 are both supported on a bearing block 23 and rotated by a drive 24 , e . g . an electric motor . no positive connection of the three cutting rollers 1 . 8 , 1 . 9 . 1 . 10 is implemented here . while the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for the continuous , chipless separation of individual , identical disk - shaped blanks or rods from round bar - shaped workpieces , it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

my referenced paper and the &# 39 ; 185 patent describe very completely the geometry of the surface - skimming - type of diode laser , and especially the importance of the active regions being close to the active surface of the device . the surface - skimming laser structure is characterized by an optical waveguide structure such that the optical mode is sufficiently confined to the structure &# 39 ; s surface and the optical field is strong in very close proximity to that surface , referred to herein as the active surface . this is the topmost surface of the structure . air is a critical component in the waveguide and bounds active surface . the referenced paper and patent also describe in detail how to achieve such structures , which are typically built up of iii - v semiconductor materials . those same materials and techniques can be used to construct a surface - skimming laser in accordance with the present invention , except that plural layers providing plural active regions are stacked over the substrate , with the active regions having different compositions such that they are capable when excited of lasing at different wavelengths . the surface - skimming laser structures produced in accordance with the invention are capable of many different types , such as edge - emitting lasers , grating lasers , and vertical cavity emitting lasers . the first two laser types have been described in the referenced paper and patent . the third type is described below . the basic device structure is illustrated in fig1 ( not to scale ), wherein a semiconductor body 10 comprises a p - type or semi - insulating substrate 11 on which is grown in succession , typically by well - known mocvd processes , a thick lower waveguiding or cladding layer 12 , and thin layers 13 - 15 , each of which can constitute one of three active regions of a surface - skimming laser . as one example , not meant to be limiting , the substrate 11 is of gaas , the cladding layer 12 of algaas , the layer 13 containing a third active region of ga 0 . 5 in 0 . 5 p , the active layer 14 containing a second active region of al 0 . 5 ga 0 . 9 as , and the active region 15 containing a first topmost active region of in 0 . 1 ga 0 . 9 as . well - known buffer layers and etch - stop layers are not shown . the compositions of the active layers 13 - 15 are chosen such that the first active layer 15 , closest to the active surface designated 16 , has the shortest bandgap and is thus capable of lasing at the longest wavelength , and the bandgap and lasing wavelengths of the two remaining layers 14 and 13 progressively increase , respectively decrease , as their distance from the active surface 16 progressively increases toward the substrate 11 . from the structure illustrated in fig1 can be constructed a single surface - skimming laser having one of three selected wavelengths , dual surface - skimming lasers having two different wavelengths selected from among three possible values , or a tri - beam emitting surface - skimming laser emitting at three different wavelengths . wavelength selection is achieved by providing closest to the active surface the active region with the desired wavelength . by providing appropriate contacts and other known isolation regions , and selectively removing at two or more body locations one or more active layers portions starting from the active surface 16 , plural laser structures result each of which can be separately addressed , and each of which may have remaining closest to the active surface one of three of the active regions . if all three are exposed , then tri - wavelength emission from the multiple active region surface - skimming lasers results . an example of the latter is depicted in fig2 . three different lasers are indicated at 20 , 21 and 22 . each is separated by an n - type diffused region 23 , for example , of silicon , and ion - implanted regions 24 , for example of hydrogen , which penetrate through active layers 13 - 15 down into the cladding diffused and implanted regions function to provide electrical and optical isolation between the three lasers , as well as provide the electrical structure for the necessary lateral current flow , when voltage is applied between electrical contacts 25 - 28 , for example of gold , provided on top of the diffused regions 23 . with this structure , the light emission is from the edges , indicated by the arrows 29 - 31 . optical facets at the front and rear surfaces to form the laser cavities as is well - known are not shown . as will be observed in fig2 the active layer closest to the surface 16 in the first laser 20 is layer 15 , which will lase at approximately 950 nm ( λ 1 ). the layer portion 15 at the second laser 21 has been removed exposing the second active layer 14 which will lase at approximately 850 nm ( λ 2 ). both layer portions 13 and 14 at the third laser 22 have been removed exposing the third active layer 13 which will lase at approximately 650 nm ( λ 3 ). each of the lasers 20 - 22 can be addressed by applying potentials to the adjacent electrodes defining the lateral boundaries of the active layer . for example , the first laser 20 is addressed by applying a potential between contacts 25 and 26 . alternatively , two or all three of the lasers can be simultaneously activated by applying appropriate potentials to their respective flanking electrodes . fig3 is a view similar to fig2 of another form of multiple active region , lateral - injecting laser providing multiple wavelength emission from a monolithic structure . the same reference numerals are used for similar elements . as in the fig2 embodiment , a tricolor laser structure is realized by leaving the entire structure intact for a long wavelength laser 40 , removing the topmost active layer or longest wavelength structure 15 for a middle wavelength laser 41 , and removing the two uppermost active regions layers 15 , 14 for the shortest wavelength laser 42 . now , by replacing the lower waveguiding layer 12 of fig2 with a distributed bragg reflector ( dbr ) mirror 52 of sufficiently broad bandwidth , and depositing dielectric stack mirrors 44 , 45 , 46 on the exposed surfaces , respectively , of the three active regions 15 , 14 and 13 , then three vertical cavity surface emitting lasers result , with the direction of the output beams at wavelengths λ 1 , λ 2 and λ 3 indicated , respectively , by the arrows 47 , 48 , 49 . the mirrors 44 - 46 are conveniently deposited by known electron beam deposition . the mirrors would be adjusted in wavelength to be optimal at the respective wavelengths of their emitting laser region . as with the surface - skimming laser , the laser of fig3 is characterized by lateral current flow , but with vertical cavities formed between layer 52 acting as a common bottom mirror and structures 44 , 45 and 46 acting as mostly reflecting , slightly transparent top mirrors to allow exiting of the output radiations 47 , 48 , 49 . moreover , the laser embodiment of fig3 is not limited to multiple beams of different wavelengths . a feature of my invention is a laterally - injecting laser with a vertical cavity for a beam output normal to the plane of the layers . a further feature is the foregoing in combination in a monolithic body with multiple active regions , preferably layered , but which progressively decrease in wavelength ( increase in bandgap ) as their distance from the top surface increases . thus , selection of a particular wavelength output is easily obtained by selectively disabling longer wavelength active regions , if any , to access or enable the active region of the desired wavelength . it will also be appreciated that the mirror formed by the stack of dielectric layers is not critical to this aspect of the invention . the top mirror can also be formed , for example , by a stack of semiconductor layers functioning to reflect radiation , or by a dbr stack , or by a iii - v semiconductor compound layer . as described in the referenced &# 39 ; 185 patent , by providing suitable gratings at the active surface , indicated schematically for one laser 41 at 55 in fig4 then conventional grating surface emitting lasers result , indicated in fig4 by the vertical arrows 56 . the structures depicted are readily made by conventional techniques well known in the art . preferably the active layers are single quantum well regions . this has the advantage that the total thickness of the three active layers can be kept to a minimum , with the result that the entire series of three wavelengths could be accomplished by removing as little as 50 nm of material at the rightmost shortest wavelength laser . this means also that a minimal step height difference results which facilitates application in multiple beam polygon ros systems . conventional etchants can be used for this semiconductor material removal . etch - stop layers provided between the active regions prevents undesired removal of the underlying ultra - thin layer . for example , not meant to be limiting , fig5 illustrates an intermediate step in the manufacture with etch - stop layers 57 , 58 , for example , of gainp . fig5 shows a conventional etch - resistant mask 59 . with a conventional etchant such as h 2 o 2 / h 3 po 4 , the active layer 15 at the dotted portion 15 &# 39 ; could be etched off , with the etching stopping at etch - stop 57 . then an etchant such as hbr can be used to remove the exposed portion of etch - stop layer 57 where it is desired to etch off an underlying portion of the active region 14 . other etch - stop and etchant compositions will be evident to those skilled in the art . in the preferred embodiments , the multi - layer structure is readily made by conventional epitaxial layer deposition techniques . preferably , all epitaxial layers are p - doped , with the diffused regions n - doped , for example with silicon , to produce the desired p - n junctions , and the implanted regions p - doped or semi - insulating to isolate . the invention also contemplates a single wavelength surface - skimming laser from a multi - wavelength structure of the type depicted in fig1 . in this case , the pre - layered structure as shown can be pre - fabricated . when a laser is desired with a wavelength equal to λ 1 , λ 2 or λ 3 , then the pre - fabricated structure is etched , to remove all quantum wells with emissions shorter than the desired wavelength in a given cavity , and suitable diffusion , implanting , and contact making steps carried out in order to produce one of the three lasers 20 - 22 shown in fig2 . alternatively , the fig2 structure can be shelved and made suitable to lase in a single wavelength by applying current across only one pair of the contacts . ( b ) reduced step height variations for better coupling to waveguide structures , ( c ) precise horizontal alignment of the several lasers since conventional photolithography techniques can be used to make the monolithic structure , the improved alignment providing better coupling to other optical structures , ( d ) close proximity of the laser active region to the surface which facilitates operation as grating surface emitting layers and for harmonic generation , as well as to incorporate conventional transistors into the structure . it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific compositions given as examples . for example , in the fig1 embodiment , another preferred combination would include ingaas for active region 1 , algaas for active region 2 , and algainp for active region 3 . other combinations of materials will be evident from the referenced paper , patent , and copending application , whose contents are also incorporated herein . although there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention , it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof . the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative , and not restrictive . this scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description .

7Electricity

fig1 is a photograph of the film , according to the invention , as initially manufactured . the photograph shows a fragment of a film having a hole therethrough . fig2 is a photograph of the film after it has broken into large fragments after exposure to light . fig3 is a photograph of the film after it has further broken into small fragments after further exposure to light . this invention is further described in more detail by reference to the following illustrative examples , but not limited to them . twenty parts by weight of polyisobutylene oxide resin powder having a reduced specific viscosity of 3 . 5 dl / g determined in o - dichlorobenzene at 120 ° c , and 80 parts by weight of polypropylene resin powder , trademark : noblen fs - 2011 , of sumitomo chemical co ., ltd ., were thoroughly blended . into this mixture , there were added 0 . 9 percent by weight , based on the weight of the isobutylene oxide resin powder , of tetrakis [ methylene - 3 -( 3 , 5 - ditertiary butyl - hydroxy phenyl ) propionate ] methane , and 0 . 1 percent by weight , on the same basis , of dibenzyl sulfide as an anti - oxidant . the resulting composition was melt - extruded and formed into a transparent film , 60 cm wide , 40 m long , and approximately 30 microns thick . holes of 5 cm in diameter were punched in the film at longitudinal intervals of 30 cm . the film then was placed on three fields of a farm in the kanto area of japan . seeds of corn were planted through the holes on april 5 , 1973 . on may 31 of that year , the film began to deteriorate and the wind further caused crevices and cracks therein . subsequently by june 6 , most of its parts which had been exposed to the sunlight split into pieces , some of which thereafter mingled with the soil and others of which were scattered in the form of flakes by the wind . by june 13 , 1973 , nearly all of the pieces of the film had disappeared completely . in addition , the corn grew very well . it was found that the total weight of economical female ears per are of corn in the field covered with the light - degradable mulching film was 160 . 0 kg / are . while , that of corn in the control field covered with polyethylene film of 20 micron thickness was 137 . 2 kg / are . in comparison , the female ears of the former were generally larger than those of the latter . the reason will be explained as follows : in the latter case , the mulching film was not decomposed in summer , whereby the film imparted to corn high temperature and drought harm . on the other hand , the former mulching film was photolytically decomposed , so that it made the production of corn increase . accordingly , the film proved itself practical for use as a light - degradable mulching film for agricultural use . at the outset in laboratory tests , the film possessed a tensile elongation of 350 percent when measured at a speed of 10 mm per minute by the tensilon utm - ii , of toyo baldwin co . the initial tensile elongation of 350 percent , however , reduced to 100 percent after 180 hours exposure by we - sun - hc , a standard sunshine carbon weather - o - meter , made by tokyo rika kogyo co . at 60 ° c , with shower sprays on the film for 15 minutes every 2 hours . polyisobutylene oxide resin powder and polypropylene resin powder were respectively blended at the ratios shown in table 3 in the same way as in example 1 . into these mixtures , the antioxidant and the ultraviolet light absorber or ultraviolet light sensitizer as listed in table 3 were also added . the resulting compositions were formed into transparent films . table 3 indicates the periods of time of exposure to the carbon arc weather - o - meter required to reduce the tensile elongations of the films to 100 percent under the same conditions as in example 1 . the films shown in table 3 , which were placed on a surface of the same outdoor ground as in example 1 and exposed to sunlight from apr . 1 , 1973 to june 10 , 1973 , remained high in strength and in elongation and resisted rain and wind , and showed a remarkable effect of maintaining the soil temperature properly while the film remained intact for the number of days shown in table 3 . after the passage of the indicated number of days , the films began to exhibit visible signs of light degradation , and then they cracked further into powder and fragments capable of being plowed into a field . these test results show that the films are excellent as mulching films and that their light degradation period can be predetermined in advance . the effects of these light - degradable mulching films on agricultural products will be explained below . the mulching film of example 3 was adapted to the test growth of sweet potato in the same field as in example 1 . it was found to photolytically decompose in about one month since planting dated may 4 . the increase of the product was observed , which is considered to lead from the same reason as in example 1 , as well as the operation of removing the film could omitted . separately , the mulching film was adapted to the growth of peanut and taro , and the effects of both omitting film - removing operation and the increase of the product were observed , which is shown in tables 1 and 2 . table 1______________________________________growth test of peanut weight of total grainmulching film kg / are______________________________________film of example 4 28 . 7polyethylene removed after 29 . 7film two months not removed 21 . 0 through the test * no 24 . 5______________________________________ table 2______________________________________growth test of taro amount of productmulching film kg / are______________________________________film of example 4 113 . 4polyethylene removed after 96 . 0film two months not removed 78 . 3 through the test * ______________________________________ * note : not cultured table 3__________________________________________________________________________ filmsmaterials example 2 example 3 example 4 example 5 example 6__________________________________________________________________________polyisobutylene oxide 50 40 30 20 10 ( parts by weight ) polypropylene ( parts by weight ) 50 60 70 80 90agent for controlling none ultraviolet ultraviolet ultraviolet nonelight - degradation light light light absorber absorber sensitizer tinubin tertiary anthra - 328 butyl quinone phenyl salicylate 2 . 0 0 . 2 0 . 2 parts by parts by parts by weight weight weight test resultselongation of original 250 320 400 360 410film ( percent ) weather - o - meter exposure period 55 110 140 70 210until the film tensile elonga - tion reduced to 100 % ( hours ) a . period during which 18 33 42 21 65 the film form remained intact during outdoor exposure ( days ) b . further period , after 2 4 6 3 10 period a , required for the film to break into pieces on continued outdoor exposure ( days ) __________________________________________________________________________ polypropylene resin powder , trademark : noblen fs - 2011 , of sumitomo chemical co ., ltd ., was made into a film in the same way as in example 1 . the elongation of the film initially was 420 percent , and after it was exposed to the weather - o - meter for 400 hours , the elongation was 270 percent . the film did not crack after exposure outdoors for three months under the same conditions as in example 1 . a film was prepared in the same manner as in comparative example 1 from a composition consisting of three parts by weight of the polyisobutylene oxide resin in example 1 , 0 . 2 part by weight of β - methyl anthraquinone as an ultraviolet light sensitizer and 97 parts by weight of the polypropylene resin in comparative example 1 . the film , after exposure outdoors for 26 days , split here and there , and broke into relatively large fragments , which then were scattered about by the wind without pulverizing during the following week . thus , this film is unsuitable for use as a light - degradable agricultural mulching film . forty parts by weight of the foregoing polypropylene resin , 60 parts by weight of polyisobutylene oxide resin having a reduced specific viscosity of 2 . 6 dl / g and the same antioxidant used in example 1 were blended and the composition was made into a film of 20 micron thickness . the film started to break apart after 10 days exposure to sunlight and then after the passage of two more days , split partially into fragments . the initial tensile elongation of the film was 270 percent , and its tensile elongation was reduced to 15 percent after exposure for a total of 40 hours to the carbon arc weather - o - meter under the conditions explained in example 1 . the film degraded upon exposure to sunlight so fast that it failed to keep the ground that it covered warm enough . this film is unsatisfactory as a mulching film for agricultural use . a composition consisting of 25 parts by weight of polyisobutylene oxide resin mixed with the same antioxidant used in example 1 , 75 parts by weight of polyethylene , trademark : hizex 21colp , of sumitomo chemical co ., ltd ., and 0 . 1 part by weight of benzophenone as an ultraviolet light sensitizer was made into film , which then was exposed outdoors under the same conditions as in example 1 . after the passage of 72 days , the film started to break apart due to photolytic decomposition and thereafter it was completely broken into pieces after 10 more days . the initial elongation of the film was 280 percent and the elongation was reduced to 100 percent when exposed to the carbon arc weather - o - meter for 240 hours . one hundred parts by weight of polyethylene and 0 . 5 part by weight of benzoquinone as an ultraviolet light sensitizer were blended and made into a film of 2 . 0 micron thickness in the same manner as in example 7 . the film cracked when exposed outdoors for about two months under the same conditions as in example 7 , but it did not disintegrate into pieces thereafter , and finally was scattered about by strong wind . films , each of which was 25 microns in thickness , having the respective resin compositions as shown in table 2 , were prepared and they were subjected to the same weather - o - meter test as in example 1 and also the same outdoor test as explained in example 2 . the results given in table 2 were obtained . each of these films is suitable for agricultural use , and is a light degradable mulching film according to this invention . the polyisobutylene oxide resin used has a reduced specific viscosity of 3 . 2 , measured in o - dichlorobenzene at 120 ° c . in this composition , there was used the same antioxidant as employed in example 1 . table 4__________________________________________________________________________materials and filmtest results example 8 example 9 example 10 example 11__________________________________________________________________________polyisobutylene oxide 40 30 30 20 ( parts by weight ) polypropylene polyethylene ( nobline fs - 2011 ( hizex 2100 made by sumitomo made by sumitomo chemical co ., chemical co , ltd .) ethylene propylene polypropylene ltd .) rubber ( noblen fs - 2011 60 50polyolefin resin ( esprene made by made by ( parts by weight ) sumitomo chemical sumitomo polyisobutylene ethylene - vinyl co ., ltd .) chemical co ., rubber acetate copolymer ltd .) ( pv - 30sh made by ( evaflex - 260 made by 60 50 nichiyu chemical sumitomo chemical co .) co ., ltd .) 10 30 cis - 1 , 2 - poly - butadienepolydiene resin none ( s - 810 made by none none ( parts by weight ) japan synthetic rubber co .) 20 ultraviolet ultraviolet light absorber light sensitizer 2 - hydroxy - 4 - p - benzoquinoneagent for controlling methoxy - 2 &# 39 ;- none nonelight - degradation carboxy benzo -( parts by weight ) phenone 0 . 1 0 . 2weather - o - meter 105 85 95 260exposure period untilthe film tensileelongation is reducedto 100 % ( hours ) a . period during 32 25 31 80 which the film form remained intact during outdoor exposure ( days ) b . further period , 4 3 4 8 after period a , required for the film to break into pieces on continued out - door exposure ( days ) __________________________________________________________________________

2Chemistry; Metallurgy

the identification of novel biomarkers was carried out by screening plasma proteins . the passage of molecules from the cns to plasma allows the direct identification in the plasma of biomarkers coming from disease sites , which are added to the possible alteration of specific plasma markers . furthermore , the sampling of peripheral fluids allows for the collection of a greater number of samples during the discovery step of the biomarkers , providing a greater statistical robustness of the results obtained . a two - dimensional electrophoresis ( 2de ) screening of the plasma proteome of patients suffering from als was carried out comparing the latter with healthy individuals and non - neurological patients sampled shortly after a heart - stroke or coronary - stroke ( in the following referred to as cardiovascular patients ). the concept at the basis of applied proteome research is that most diseases result in a variation in the amount of proteins and peptides in the body fluids and tissues . proteomic strategies may reveal the disruption of the balance in the distribution of different protein isoforms or modifications in proteins such as those deriving from oxidative stress , directly or indirectly related to the aetiological mechanisms [ perluigi et al ., 2005 ]: for this reason much of the current applied biochemical research is directed to the study of the proteome of biological fluids to identify biomarkers related to different pathological conditions . as regards complex biological mixtures such as blood , different proteomic analyses have already identified proteins specifically associated to non - genetic diseases and unrelated to tumours [ aivado et al ., 2007 ; kim et al ., 2007 ; li et al ., 2007 ; avasarala et al ., 2005 ]. it should be noted that not always are the identified biomarkers rare proteins or fragments thereof , or proteins or parts of proteins the expression of which is peculiar and rare . on the contrary , many publications report disease biomarkers which consist of modified forms of common and ubiquitary proteins such as albumin and proteins related thereto [ yagame et al ., 1995 ; kaiser et al ., 2004 ; funding et al ., 2005 ; german et al ., 2007 ]. an important advantage of proteomics based on 2de consists in the possibility of identifying alterations in the amount of fragments and modified forms of proteins for which the level of the intact molecule does not significantly change [ finehout et al ., 2007 ]. peculiar protein fragments specific for als and other diseases with a strong apoptotic component , may derive from the selective activation of proteases and specific degradation pathways , which are usually active at low levels [ ilzecka et al ., 2001 ]. in particular , as far as neurodegenerative diseases are concerned , it has been shown that c - terminal fragments of albumin present in the cerebrospinal fluid ( csf ) of patients with ad are specific disease biomarkers , probably because the disease implies alterations in the degradation process of albumin [ finehout et al ., 2007 ]. it has also been shown that albumin fragments have toxic activity on organotypic cultures of cholinergic neurons and on primary cultures of astrocytes [ moser and humpel , 2007 ]. therefore , peptides deriving from the degradation of albumin or other abundant plasma proteins could represent not only an epiphenomenon of the disease , but also of the main players in the pathogenesis . for the proteomic study that has led to the identification of the biomarkers of the disease , the plasma proteome of three groups of individuals was considered : healthy subjects ( controls , n = 14 ) cardiovascular patients , within 6 hours of heart - stroke or coronary - stroke ( n = 8 ) als patients ( n = 27 ) the cardiovascular patients were included in the study as a “ filter ” to eliminate the biomarkers that discriminate als patients from controls only due to the inflammatory process ongoing in the patients . the plasma proteome of two groups of als patients was considered for the proteomic study that led to the identification of the progression biomarker : a study was first carried out on 10 patients subjected to a treatment with riluzole ( analysing two samples — t1 and t2 — for each patient performed at an interval of 10 - 12 months ). the result was then confirmed by a second study on 8 patients subjected to a treatment with riluzole + lithium ( analysing two samples — t0 - lithium and t1 - lithium — for each patient performed at an interval of 3 - 5 months ). fresh blood from all patients was sampled by standard methods with their informed consent . the plasma samples were then centrifuged at 400 g for 10 ′ at 4 ° c . albumin was not depleted from the sample , not only because albumin is a carrier protein which may bind to interesting markers , but also because ( as previously disclosed ) modified forms of albumin differentially present in the disease at issue may have a diagnostic role . the depletion of albumin may therefore lead to loss of useful biomarkers [ kawakami et al ., 2005 ; german et al ., 2007 ]. once the samples were prepared , 2de was performed for each sample and for at least one technical replicate according to jacobs et al . [ 2001 ] with some modifications . in brief , 6 μl ( about 400 μg of total protein in case of coomassie staining ), or 1 . 5 μl ( about 100 μg of total protein in case of sypro staining ) of each plasma sample were heated for 5 ′ at 95 ° c . with 10 μl of sds 5 % w / v , dtt 2 . 5 % w / v , and diluted to 330 μl with 7 m urea , 2 m thiourea , 4 % w / v chaps , 0 . 5 % v / v of ipg buffer 3 - 10 nl ( ge healthcare , uppsala , sweden ), and traces of bromophenol blue , as in hughes et al ., 1992 . the sample was then loaded on cm ipg 3 - 10 nl strips ( ge healthcare , uppsala , sweden ) for isoelectrofocusing ( ief ) by in - gel rehydration ( 2 h at 0 v , 12 h at 30 v ). ief was then performed at 20 ° c . on an ipgphor apparatus ( ge healthcare ) as follows : 500 v at 500 v / hr , 1 , 000 v at 1 , 000 v / hr with a linear gradient ; 8 , 000 v at 13 , 500 v / hr with a linear gradient , 8 , 000 v at 72 , 000 v / hr . prior to sds - page ( sds - polyacrylamide gel denaturing electrophoresis ), the ipg strips were equilibrated twice for 15 ′ in a buffer containing 50 mm tris - hcl ph 8 . 8 , 6 m urea , 30 % v / v glycerol , 2 % w / v sds , and traces of bromophenol blue , containing 1 % w / v dtt for the first equilibration step and 2 . 5 % w / v iodoacetamide for the second one . sds - page was performed on 12 . 5 % polyacrylamide gels ( 1 . 5 mm thick ) according to laemmli [ 1970 ] but without stacking gel , using a hoefer se600 apparatus ( ge healthcare ). the second dimension was run at 60 ma / gel at 16 ° c . until the bromophenol blue dye front reached the bottom of the gel . proteins with a molecular weight ( mw ) in the range between 15 and 100 kda and with an isoelectric point ( pi ) in the range between 4 . 5 and 8 . 5 were used as standards for the calibration of the mws and of the pls . the gels were coloured with coomassie brilliant blue r350 ( sigma , san diego , us ) or with sypro ruby ( molecular probes , invitrogen ). stained gels were scanned with an imagemaster labscan v3 . 0 scanner ( ge healthcare ) for the gels stained with coomassie blue or with a ccd camera ( perkin elmer ) for the gels coloured with sypro . images were analysed with the imagemaster 2 - de platinum 5 . 0 software ( ge healthcare ). for each group , a reference gel was chosen , i . e . the gel containing the highest amount of well focalized spots . spots were detected and gels in turn matched with their respective reference . spots present in more than 70 % of the gels in a given group were used to create a synthetic gel ( average gel ) that represents the average proteome of each group . the three average gels were subsequently matched to detect the spots shared by the three examined populations ; the subsequent quantitative analysis consisted in comparing the corresponding percentage volumes (% vol ) of each of these spots in the three populations . for each spot , the % vol was calculated as an integral of the volume of each spot stained with coomassie blue ( area of the spot multiplied by its intensity ) normalised by the sum of the volumes of all of the spots in the reference average gel . spots , which consistently and significantly varied among the three populations , were extracted through a non - parametric anova ( kruskal - wallis test ), plus a multiple comparisons post - test ( dunn &# 39 ; s test ), and p values & lt ; 0 . 05 were considered statistically significant . the spots identified in this manner are listed in fig1 a and shown in fig2 ( spot 65 , 66 , 110 , 125 , 182 , 183 , 87 , 34 , i . e . seq id no : 1 - 8 , excluding spot 8 ). the average % vol values and the standard deviations for each of the spots are summarised in fig3 , highlighting the differences among the als patients and the rest of the individuals considered . spot 110 allows to distinguish als patients both from controls and from cardiovascular patients . the experimental variability among technical replicates of the same sample has been determined by comparing the different % vol obtained , and did not result in any case above 0 . 8 times ( average variability : 0 . 45 times ; minimum variability : 0 . 2 times ). after the quantitative analysis was completed in the manner disclosed above , unmatched spots were subjected to a qualitative analysis , in order to identify those proteins or protein fragments representative of the als patient group only , and absent in the other groups , or vice - versa ( qualitative analysis ). spot 8 ( seq id no : 1 ) is also an identified als marker ( fig1 a , fig2 ; the three - dimensional magnification of spot 8 stained with coomassie blue appears in fig4 a ; the levels of this marker in the tested individuals are shown in fig5 ). considering all of the 9 spots , a post - test discriminating analysis has been performed to assay the ability thereof to classify each individual in the appropriate population , on the basis of the measured % vol ( software : statistixl ). the overall correct prediction efficiency reaches 89 . 8 % with the correct identification of all of the als patients and of 81 . 5 % of als patients . the same analysis has led to the formulation of the following linear function ( diagnostic function , df ): in which % vol ( n ) indicates the % vol of spot n , according to the numbering indicated on the 2de map of fig2 . the correspondence between the numbering of the spots considered for the computation of the df as shown in fig2 and of their respective seq id nos , used elsewhere in the present patent , has been shown in fig1 a . the value of the df for each of the subjects included in the study is shown in fig6 . a positive value of this function is clearly a diagnostic parameter for als , while a negative value tends to be associated to individuals not suffering from als . the average values of the df , the corresponding standard deviations and the size of the considered groups have been taken as input values for the following power analysis , comprising the computation of cohen &# 39 ; s d parameter , which accounts for the effect of the size of the sample in the determination of the normalised size effect , as disclosed by cohen [ 1992 ] and by hedges and olkin [ 1985 ]. the power analysis which was performed therefore provides a measure of the confidence by which the same size effect may be observed on the entire population . as regards the disease progression biomarkers , a non - parametric analysis ( mann - whitney test ) was carried out with a threshold of p ≦ 0 . 05 in order to identify the spots which vary consistently and significantly between the two populations of samples ( t1 vs t2 , t0 - lithium vs t1 - lithium ), as shown in fig7 a and 7b : spot 101 is an als progression biomarker . once the biomarkers were identified in the disclosed manner , the identity thereof was determined by mass spectrometry . in particular , the selected protein spots were excised manually from the gels and destained overnight with 40 % ethanol in 25 mm ammonium bicarbonate , washed twice with 25 mm ammonium bicarbonate , three times with acetonitrile , and dried . each gel fragment was rehydrated in 25 mm ammonium bicarbonate containing 0 . 6 μg of modified porcine trypsin and digested overnight at 37 ° c . peptides were extracted by sonication in 25 mm ammonium bicarbonate , loaded onto a zorbax 300 sb c18 rp column ( 75 μm × 150 mm , 3 . 5 μm particles , agilent , santa clara , calif ., usa ) and eluted with a gradient of acetonitrile from 5 % to 80 % ( containing 0 . 1 % formic acid ) at a flow rate of 0 . 3 μl / min by an hp 1100 nanolc system coupled to a xct - plus nanospray - ion trap mass spectrometer ( agilent ) ( elsewhere referred to as lc - esi ms / ms . ms parameters were the following : scan range m / z = 100 - 2 , 200 , scan speed 8 , 100 m / z s - 1 , dry gas flow 5 l / min , dry temperature 300 ° c ., capillary 1 . 8 kv , skimmer 40 v , ion charge control ( icc ) target 125 , 000 , maximum accumulation time 300 ms . positively charged peptides were automatically isolated and fragmented , and spectra were deconvoluted by the dataanalysis software version 3 . 4 ( bruker daltonics , bremen , germany ). mass spectrometry data obtained by lc - esi ms / ms were fed to the mascot search algorithm for searching against the ncbi non - redundant database ( http :// www . matrixscience . com — mass tolerance for the monoisotopic peak masses was set to 1 . 8 da for the parent ion or 0 . 8 da for the fragments ; the maximum number of non - cut sites per peptide was 3 ). allowed modifications were cysteine carbamidomethylation and methionine oxidation . hits with a probability - based mowse score higher than 47 were considered significant ( p & lt ; 0 . 05 ). the protein identity of the biomarkers obtained in this manner is shown in fig1 and indicated with the corresponding seq id nos . as clearly results , albumin fragments ( seq id no : 1 - 4 ) are predominant . 1 - 4 ). the minimum amino acid sequence of these fragments is shown in fig1 a and diagrammatically shown in fig8 as compared to the whole albumin sequence , identified by accession number 28592 , which results being the reference sequence for human serum albumin . fragments of this sequence have been identified in the present study as the biomarkers which are the object of the present patent . “ minimum fragment sequence ” means the sequence obtained by examining the peptides deriving from the tryptic digestion of a fragment , by sorting the peptides on the basis of the sequence of the native protein , and obtaining the sequence included between the n - terminal amino acid of the first peptide and the c - terminal amino acid thereof . this sequence is included within the fragment at issue , but is not limited thereto . further amino acids may be present both at the n - terminal and at the c - terminal included between the identified tryptic sites and the following tryptic site ( in an n or c - terminal direction ). therefore , although the fragments corresponding to spot 66 and spot 8 in fig1 a ( highlighted in the two - dimensional map of fig2 ) have the same minimum sequence ( seq id no : 1 ), they are probably different at the c - terminal ( as both minimum sequences start at the n - terminal end of mature albumin ). in particular , as there are many acidic residues immediately downstream of the minimum sequence , it is possible that the fragment corresponding to spot 66 has some c - terminal acidic residues more than the fragment corresponding to spot 8 , in accordance with its more acidic isoelectrical point ( fig2 , fig8 ). the fragmentation of albumin in vivo is altered in many conditions , among which the after - effects of hematopoietic stem cell transplant [ kaiser et al ., 2004 ], exocrine pancreatic damage [ walgren et al ., 2007 ], acute corneal rejection [ funding et al ., 2005 ], meningococcal sepsis [ holland et al ., 2001 ], diabetic nephropathy [ yagame et al ., 1995 ], ischemic heart disease , acute inflammation , endotoxicosis and ageing [ bito et al ., 2005 ]. as regards the cns and neurodegenerative diseases , specific albumin fragments have already been reported as being biomarkers : for instance , some c - terminal fragments of albumin present in the csf represent specific biomarkers for ad [ finehout et al ., 2007 ]. furthermore , a specific serum albumin fragment has been found to be increased 2 . 8 times in a mouse model of muscle dystrophy [ doran et al ., 2006 ]. as als is characterised by an extensive activation of serum proteases [ ilzecka et al ., 2001 ; demestre et al ., 2006 ] and by a strong oxidative stress [ barber et al ., 2006 ], it is feasible that some degradation mechanisms typical of the disease produce specific albumin fragments , such as those included in the set of biomarkers disclosed in fig1 a and shown in fig8 against the sequence of the whole albumin . another biomarker which was identified and corresponds to spot 182 ( fig1 a and fig2 ; seq id no : 6 ), is a glycoform of transferrin . it should be recalled that , in als patients , transferrin accumulates in bunina bodies [ mizuno et al ., 2006 ], that the sod1 protein modulates the expression of the transferrin receptor [ danzeisen et al ., 2006 ], and finally that defects in the expression of alsin cause the intracellular accumulation of transferrin in motoneuron cultures [ jacquier et al ., 2006 ]. if singularly considered , and not in combination with the other biomarkers disclosed in the present invention , transferrin would have a limited value as an als biomarker , as transferrin glycoforms are involved in an aspecific manner in different neurodegenerative and non - neurodegenerative diseases [ zeman et al ., 2000 ; brettschneider et al ., 2008 ]. however , we have verified that the inclusion of these two spots in the identified set of biomarkers increases the overall diagnostic power of the set , probably because , as recalled , there are some mechanisms which lead to the alteration of transferrin in als patients . another biomarker that was identified and corresponds to spot 183 ( seq id no : 7 ) is the constant chain of igms . the involvement of igms in als is well documented and mainly based on serological evidence on patients . high anti - gm1 ganglioside igm titres are commonly found in patients with peripheral neuropathies and neuromotory syndromes [ pestronk , 1991 ]. more recently , high titres of igms against gm2 and gd2 were also dosed [ mizutani et al ., 2003 ]. noteworthy , igm is the isotype of serum immune responses reported against neurofilament proteins [ couratier et al ., 1998 ]. therefore , in general , the igm fragment identified as an als marker could derive from the igm related immune response , reported in more than one study on als patients . another biomarker identified with the disclosed method is chain a of gamma - fibrinogen ( spot 125 , seq id no : 5 ). although fibrinogen is not synthesised in the cns , the increase of fibrinogen gamma a chain in the csf is thought to be connected to blood - csf barrier damage and fibrinogen is generally regarded as a marker of inflammation associated to neurological diseases , since it is known that the nervous system is especially able to produce fibrin receptors and fibrin - dependent intracellular signalling molecules under inflammatory conditions [ discussed in akassoglou e strickland , 2002 ]. recent studies have shown that macrophages in the cns and schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system are the two cytotypes most commonly involved in phenomena correlated with extravasation of fibrinogen and products resulting from the degradation thereof . impairment of the fibrinolysis pathway is closely associated to the pathogenesis of ms , for which neuroinflammation is one of the main pathological features [ adams et al ., 2004 ]. furthermore , in the csf of ad patients , an increase in chain a of gamma - fibrinogen has a role as disease biomarker , although this increase may be merely due to damage of the hematoencephalic barrier [ lee et al ., 2007 ]. the last als biomarker that was identified ( spot 87 ; seq id no : 8 ) was found to be a form of clusterin ( apo j ). an increase in the mrna for clusterin was shown by in situ hybridisation in areas of active neurodegeneration of the spinal cord [ grewal et al ., 1999 ]. clusterin may have a complex role in neurodegenerative processes : as well as having an inhibiting activity on the cell membrane anchoring complex , this multifunctional glycoprotein may promote cell aggregation and serve as molecular chaperone , preventing the aggregation of denatured proteins . the increase of the mrna level of clusterin and of the protein itself may be detected in cerebral ischemic damage and in many neurological diseases , among which ad , multiple sclerosis and epilepsy . in some cells , the induction of the expression of clusterin is associated to apoptosis ; non - neural cells engineered so as to produce reduced amounts of clusterin are more sensitive to oxidative stress [ grewal et al ., 1999 ]. it allows to discriminate the population of als patients from both control populations ( healthy and cardiovascular patients ); the different expression of spot 8 in als patients with respect to healthy controls has also been tested by 2de western blotting ( fig4 b ). as regards the als progression biomarker , the analysis by lc - esi ms / ms has identified it as complement component 3 , in particular fragment 2 of chain α ′ of c3c ( seq id no : 9 ). in non - denaturing conditions , this fragment is bound by disulphide bonds to other 2 polypeptide chains again deriving from complement c3 : chain β ′ and fragment 2 of chain α ′ ( polypeptide c3c seq id no : 10 ) ( http :// www . uniprot . org /). c3c fragments have already been identified by 2de as peripheral als markers [ goldknopf et al ., 2006 ]: however the fragments reported in goldknopf et al . do not correspond to the specific fragment disclosed in the present invention , as is apparent from the totally different pi ( and therefore from the different position in the 2de maps obtained from serum or plasma , an example of which is shown in fig9 ). furthermore , c3c has never been involved in the progression of the disease , and therefore the c3c fragment corresponding to spot 101 represents a truly new als progression biomarker . it should be clear at this point to the person skilled in the art that any combination of disclosed biomarkers , with different statistical power , may be used for the differential diagnosis of als with respect to other neurodegenerative diseases , as well as for its progression . furthermore , each combination of such biomarkers may be used together with other biomarkers to obtain a better predictive and statistical power . for example , the disclosed biomarkers , and in particular the % vol evaluated by 2de , may be used in combination with the als serum markers discovered by goldknopf et al . [ 2006 ], both for the diagnosis and for the evaluation of the stage of progression of the disease . it is apparent that such combinations fall within the aim and scope of the present patent , as do other combinations of other types of biomarkers and / or physiological and / or diagnostic markers . the diagnostic procedure object of the present invention may be carried out by different embodiments . by way of mere example , the following paragraph discloses an embodiment based on the sampling of blood from subjects to be tested , on the quantification by 2de of the identified biomarkers , on the computation of a diagnostic function to identify the presence of als and on the evaluation of the stage of progression of the disease by comparing the amount of c3c on 2de between diachronic samples . as disclosed in the paragraph directed to the variants of the suggested method , it should be understood that the procedure disclosed in detail in the following is one among the many possible procedures which exploit the same set of biomarkers , which procedures must be considered , as a whole , as falling within the spirit and the scope of the present patent . in particular , the present invention is based on the discovery of a set of als biomarkers , the amount of which is correlated with the presence of the disease ( all of the biomarkers indicated in fig1 a , i . e . all except c3c ) or with its progression ( only c3c , fig1 b ). the amount of these biomarkers may be evaluated by 2de , as previously disclosed , but it is apparent to a person skilled in the art that any other evaluation method of the level of one or more of the biomarkers shown in fig1 falls within the scope and spirit of the present patent application . by mere way of example , the biomarkers may be quantified by one or more of the following alternative techniques : 1 . western blot 2 . enzyme - linked immunoadsorbent assay ( elisa ) 3 . high pressure liquid chromatography ( hplc ) 4 . mass spectrometry furthermore , a variant falling within the scope of the present patent application consists in using any numerical combination of the amount of some or all the disclosed biomarkers to compute a different diagnostic ( linear or non - linear ) function or derive any statistical parameter so as to obtain a score useful for the diagnosis of als or for the evaluation of its progression . it should also be understood that any combination of the present biomarkers with other diagnostic methods for als or other neurological disorders must be considered to be part of the present patent application . it should finally be understood that , although the use of human blood samples is preferable as compared to other biological material , the testing and use of any combination of biomarkers shown in fig1 in biological samples other than human blood must be part of the present patent application . in order to diagnose als in an individual , or evaluate the stage of progression of the disease , the following paragraphs disclose : ( 1 ) a method for quantifying the biomarkers object of the present patent ; ( 2 ) a method for diagnosing als based on the quantification of previous item ( 1 ); ( 3 ) a method for evaluating the stage of progression of als based on the quantification of the c3c biomarker obtained with the procedure of item ( 1 ). the plasma of the individuals involved was obtained by standard methods . once the plasma samples were prepared ( by centrifugation at 4 ° c . for 10 ′ at 400 g ), a 2de experiment was carried out for each sample and for the corresponding technical replicate , according to jacobs et al . [ 2001 ] with some modifications . in brief , 6 μl ( about 400 μg of total protein , in case of coomassie staining ), or 1 . 5 μl ( about 100 μg of total protein , in case of sypro staining ) of each plasma sample were heated for 5 ′ at 95 ° c . with 10 μl of sds 5 % w / v , dtt 2 . 5 % w / v , and diluted to 330 μl with 7 m urea , 2 m thiourea , 4 % w / v chaps , 0 . 5 % v / v of ipg buffer 3 - 10 nl , and traces of bromophenol blue , as in hughes et al ., 1992 . the sample was then loaded on 18 cm ipg 3 - 10 nl strips by in - gel rehydration ( 2 h at 0 v , 12 h at 30 v ). isoelectrofocusing was then performed at 20 ° c . on an ipgphor apparatus ( ge healthcare ) or equivalent as follows : 500 v at 500 v / hr , 1 , 000 v at 1 , 000 v / hr with a linear gradient ; 8 , 000 v at 13 , 500 v / hr with a linear gradient , 8 , 000 v at 72 , 000 v / hr . prior to sds - page , the ipg strips were equilibrated twice for 15 ′ in a buffer containing 50 mm tris - hcl ph 8 . 8 , 6 m urea , 30 % v / v glycerol , 2 % w / v sds , and traces of bromophenol blue containing 1 % w / v dtt for the first equilibration step , and 2 . 5 % w / v iodoacetamide for the second one . sds - page was performed on 12 . 5 % polyacrylamide gels ( 1 . 5 mm thick ) according to laemmli [ 1970 ] but without stacking gel , using a hoefer se600 apparatus ( ge healthcare ) or equivalent apparatus . the second dimension was run at 60 ma / gel at 16 ° c . until the bromophenol blue dye front reached the bottom of the gel . standard proteins having mw ( 15 - 100 kda ) and pi ( ph 4 . 5 - 8 . 5 ) may be used for the calibration of the mw and of the pi . the gels must then be stained with coomassie brilliant blue r350 ( sigma ) or with sypro ruby ( molecular probes , invitrogen ). after staining , the digital images of the gels are acquired by using an imagemaster labscan v3 . 0 scanner ( ge healthcare ) or an equivalent for the gels stained with coomassie or a ccd camera ( perkin elmer ) for gel stained with sypro , and the images are analysed with the imagemaster 2 - de platinum 5 . 0 software ( ge healthcare ) or an equivalent . to identify the diagnostic spots on the tested gel , the image of the gel is overlapped with the appropriate reference gel ( fig2 ). the % vol is obtained for each diagnostic spot by densitometric analysis as a percentage ratio of the normalised density of the spot on the total of the density of all of the spots aligned between the examined gel and the reference gel . to carry out the 2de western blot experiments , the plasma proteins were denatured and subsequently separated on a 2de gel , as disclosed for coomassie and sypro staining . after the gels were run , they were immediately introduced into an aqueous solution containing 25 mm tris , 40 mm 6 - aminohexanoic acid and 20 % v / v methanol , checking that the final ph was 9 . 4 . the proteins separated thereby were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane ( hybond c - extra with 0 . 45 micrometre pores ; ge healthcare , uppsala , sweden ) by applying a “ semi - dry ” transfer . after transfer , the membranes were incubated for 1 hour at 42 ° c . in a blocking solution containing tbs and 0 . 1 % w / v tween 20 ( t - tbs ) and 3 % w / v fish gelatine . t - tbs was also used for washing away unspecific antibody binding . a polyclonal alb ( n17 ) santa cruz antibody was used as a primary recognition antibody at a dilution of 1 : 500 . as the antibody is raised in goat , an anti - goat hrp ( horse radish peroxidase ) conjugate was used as secondary detection antibody ; the membrane was therefore incubated with a specific chemiluminescent substrate provided by the ecl western blotting kit ( pierce , euroclone ). the images corresponding to the proteins identified after film exposure , were acquired by an imagemaster labscan v3 . 0 ( ge healthcare , uppsala , sweden ). the following diagnostic function df may be computed from the % vol of the spots identified in fig1 : wherein it should be understood that the numbering of each spot shown highlighted by way of example on the 2de map in fig1 corresponds to the seq id no shown in fig1 a for each spot , i . e . : it should also be understood that any other function ( for example a different linear function or a non - linear function ) of the indicated amounts of biomarkers obtained as disclosed or by western blot , elisa or other methods , may be used instead of the disclosed function , and falls within the scope of the present patent . as shown in fig6 , the value of df tends to be positive in the presence of als . it is therefore assumed that , in case the quantification of the suggested biomarkers leads to a value of df & gt ; 0 , the tested individual suffers from als . the person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in recognising that , if a different function is used , a different threshold value must be selected , but the information inputted , however related to one or more of the reported biomarkers , is the same and is covered by the present patent . to identify spot 101 on the test gel , the same gel is overlapped to the image of a reference gel ( fig9 ). the % vol of spot 101 is therefore computed as previously disclosed . in the course of time from the clinical onset of the disease , the % vol of spot 101 is expected to decrease in als patients ( fig7 a , 7 b and 7 c ). therefore , a comparison of the % vol of this spot with the corresponding value obtained in a previous moment is informative of the progression of the disease . as is apparent to the person skilled in the art , the measurement of the amount of protein corresponding to spot 101 ( c3c ) by any other means may replace the evaluation of the % vol of spot 101 , without departing from the scope of the present patent . the decrease of % vol of spot 101 with the progression of the disease has also been studied by 2de - western blotting as disclosed hereinafter ( fig7 c ). to carry out the 2de western blot experiments , the plasma proteins were denatured and subsequently separated on a 2de gel , as disclosed for coomassie and sypro staining . after the gels were run , they were immediately introduced into an aqueous solution containing 25 mm tris , 40 mm 6 - aminohexanoic acid and 20 % v / v methanol , checking that the final ph was 9 . 4 . the proteins separated thereby were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane ( hybond c - extra with 0 . 45 micrometre pores ; ge healthcare , uppsala , sweden ) by applying a “ semi - dry ” transfer . after transfer , the membranes were incubated for 1 hour at 42 ° c . in a blocking solution containing tbs and 0 . 1 % w / v tween 20 ( t - tbs ) and 5 % w / v milk . t - tbs was used for washing away unspecific antibody binding . a polyclonal antibody ( a 0062 , dako ) was used as a primary recognition antibody at a dilution of 1 : 5000 . as it was raised in rabbit , an anti - rabbit hrp ( horse radish peroxidase ) conjugate was used as secondary detection antibody ; the membrane was then incubated with a specific chemiluminescent substrate provided by the ecl western blotting kit ( pierce , euroclone ). the images corresponding to the proteins identified after film exposure were acquired by an imagemaster labscan v3 . 0 ( ge healthcare , uppsala , sweden ). the person skilled in the art and dealing with als will immediately recognise the advantages of a diagnostic test such as that disclosed and of the corresponding biomarkers , which have the following advantages : 1 . greater objectivity with respect to clinical diagnostic methods , the test being related to a molecular aspect of the disease and to the measurement of quantitative parameters for the diagnosis ; 2 . greater accuracy of the suggested biomarkers with respect to others , as they are selected by considering two control groups , the first formed by healthy subjects and the second by cardiovascular subjects , to distinguish between specific als markers and generic inflammation markers ; 3 . simple sampling required for diagnosis , as the measurement is based on haematic biomarkers , small volumes of blood and on a single value for the diagnosis of als ; 4 . possibility of developing simplified diagnostic methodologies , as the detected biomarkers may be detected with techniques other than 2de ; 5 . possibility of a follow - up at a quantitative level of the disease and of the therapies , as one of the detected biomarkers varies its level during the course of the disease . what has been disclosed up to this point is a privileged example of the invention with some possible variations . the terms , descriptions and figures are shown by mere way of illustration and do not imply limitations in the aims or object of the present patent . the person skilled in the art will recognise that many possible variants are possible in the spirit and scope of the present invention , in the description of which each term has been used in the broadest sense possible , without any limitation unless explicitly indicated . in particular , the present invention is based on the discovery of a set of als biomarkers , the amount of which is correlated to the presence of the disease ( all of the biomarkers indicated in fig1 a , i . e . all except c3c ) or to its progression ( only c3c , fig1 b ). the amount of these biomarkers may be evaluated by 2de , as previously disclosed , but it is clear to a person skilled in the art that any other evaluation method of the level of one or more of the biomarkers shown in fig1 falls within the scope and spirit of the present patent application . by mere way of example , the biomarkers may be quantified by one or more of the following alternative techniques : 1 . western blot 2 . elisa 3 . hplc 4 . mass spectrometry . furthermore , a variant falling within the scope of the present patent application consists in using any numerical combination of the amount of some or all of the disclosed biomarkers to compute a different diagnostic ( linear or non - linear ) function or derive any statistical parameter that provides a score useful for the diagnosis of als or for the evaluation of its progression . it should also be understood that any combination of the present biomarkers with other diagnostic methods for als or other neurological disorders must be considered to be part of the present patent application . it should finally be understood that , although the use of human blood samples is preferable as compared to other biological material , the testing and use of any combination of biomarkers shown in fig1 in biological samples other than human blood must be part of the present patent application . adams r a , passino m , sachs b d , nuriel t , akassoglou k . ( 2004 ). fibrin mechanisms and functions in nervous system pathology . mol interv , 4 : 163 . aivado m , spentzos d , germing u , alterovitz g , meng x y , grall f , giagounidis a a , klement g , steidl u , otu h h , czibere a , prall w c , iking - konert c , shayne m , ramoni m f , gattermann n , haas r , mitsiades c s , fung e t , libermann t a . ( 2007 ). serum proteome profiling detects myelodysplastic syndromes and identifies cxc chemokine ligands 4 and 7 as markers for advanced disease . proc natl acad sci usa , 104 : 1307 . akassoglou k e strickland s . ( 2002 ). nervous system pathology : the fibrin perspective . biol chem , 383 : 37 . avasarala j r , wall m r , wolfe g m . ( 2005 ). a distinctive molecular signature of multiple sclerosis derived from maldi - tof / ms and serum proteomic pattern analysis : detection of three biomarkers . j mol neurosci , 25 : 119 . barber s c , mead r j , shaw p j . ( 2006 ). oxidative stress in als : a mechanism of neurodegeneration and a therapeutic target . biochimica et biophysica acta , 1762 : 1051 . belsh j m . ( 1996 ). epidemiology and historical perspective of als . in : belsh j m , schiffmann p l ( eds ) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — diagnosis and management for the clinician . futura publishing company , 3 . bito r , hino s , baba a , tanaka m , watabe h , kawabata h . ( 2005 ). degradation of oxidative stress - induced denatured albumin in rat liver endothelial cells . am j physiol cell physiol , 289 : c531 . bowser r , cudkowicz m , kaddurah - daouk r . ( 2006 ). biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . expert rev mol diagn , 6 : 387 . brettschneider j , mogel h , lehmensiek v , ahlert t , süssmuth s , ludolph a c , tumani h . ( 2008 ). proteome analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( als ). neurochem res , 2008 may 15 . [ epub ahead of print ] bruijn l i , miller t m , cleveland d w . ( 2004 ). unraveling the mechanisms involved in motor neuron degeneration in als . annu rev neurosci , 27 : 723 . couratier p , yi f h , preud &# 39 ; homme j l , clavelou p , white a , sindou p , vallat j m , jauberteau m o ( 1998 ). serum autoantibodies to neurofilament proteins in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . j neurol sci , 154 : 137 . danzeisen r , achsel t , bederke u , cozzolino m , crosio c , ferri a , frenzel m , gralla e b , huber l , ludolph a , nencini m , rotilio g , valentine j s , carri m t . ( 2006 ). superoxide dismutase 1 modulates expression of transferrin receptor . j biol inorg chem , 11 : 489 . demestre m , howard r s , orrell r w , pullen a h . ( 2006 ). serine proteases purified from sera of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( als ) induce contrasting cytopathology in murine motoneurones to igg . neuropathol appl neurobiol , 32 : 141 . doran p , martin g , dowling p , jockusch h , ohlendieck k . ( 2006 ). proteome analysis of the dystrophin - deficient mdx diaphragm reveals a drastic increase in the heat shock protein cvhsp . proteomics , 6 : 4610 . finehout e j , franck z , choe l h , relkin n , lee k h . ( 2007 ). cerebrospinal fluid proteomic biomarkers for alzheimer &# 39 ; s disease . ann neurol , 61 : 120 . funding m , vorum h , honore b , nexo e , ehlers n . ( 2005 ). proteomic analysis of aqueous humour from patients with acute corneal rejection . acta ophthalmol scand , 83 : 31 . german d c , gurnani p , nandi a , garner h r , fisher w , diaz - arrastia r , o &# 39 ; suilleabhain p , rosenblatt k p . ( 2007 ). serum biomarkers for alzheimer &# 39 ; s disease : proteomic discovery . biomed pharmacother , 61383 . goldknopf i l , sheta e a , bryson j , folsom b , wilson c , duty j , yen a a , appel s h . ( 2006 ). complement c3c and related protein biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinson &# 39 ; s disease . biochem biophys res commun , 342 : 1034 . grewal r p , morgan t e , finch c e . ( 1999 ). c1qb and clusterin mrna increase in association with neurodegeneration in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . neurosci lett , 271 : 65 . hedges l e olkin i , editori . ( 1985 ). statistical methods for meta - analysis . new york : academic press . holland p c , hancock s w , hodge d , thompson d , shires s , evans s . ( 2001 ). degradation of albumin in meningococcal sepsis . lancet , 357 : 2102 . hughes g j , frutiger s , paquet n , ravier f , pasquali c , sanchez j c , james r , tissot j d , bjellqvist b , hochstrasser d f . ( 1992 ). plasma protein map : an update by microsequencing . electrophoresis , 13 : 707 . ilzecka j , stelmasiak z , dobosz b . ( 2001 ). interleukin - 1beta converting enzyme / caspase - 1 ( ice / caspase - 1 ) and soluble apo - 1 / fas / cd 95 receptor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients . acta neurol scand , 103 : 255 . jacobs d i , van rijssen m s , van der heijden r , verpoorte r . ( 2001 ). sequential solubilization of proteins precipitated with trichloroacetic acid in acetone from cultured catharanhus roseus cells yields 52 % more spots after two - dimensional electrophoresis . proteomics , 1 : 1345 . jacquier a , buhler e , schafer m k , bohl d , blanchard s , beclin c , haase g . ( 2006 ). alsin / rac1 signaling controls survival and growth of spinal motoneurons . ann neurol , 60 : 105 . julien j p . ( 2001 ). amyotrophic lateral sclerosis : unfolding the toxicity of the misfolded . cell , 104 : 581 . kaiser t , kamal h , rank a , kolb h j , holler e , ganser a , hertenstein b , mischak h , weissinger e m . ( 2004 ). proteomics applied to the clinical follow - up of patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation . blood , 104 : 340 . kawakami t , hoshida y , kanai f , tanaka y , tateishi k , ikenoue t , obi s , sato s , teratani t , shiina s , kawabe t , suzuki t , hatano n , taniguchi h , omata m . ( 2005 ). proteomic analysis of sera from hepatocellular carcinoma patients after radiofrequency ablation treatment . proteomics , 5 : 4287 . kim h j , cho e h , yoo j h , kim p k , shin j s , kim m r , kim c w . ( 2007 ). proteome analysis of serum from type 2 diabetics with nephropathy . j proteome res , 6 : 735 . lacomblez l , bensimon g , leigh p n , guillet p , meininger v . ( 1996 ). dose - ranging study of riluzole in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / riluzole study group ii . lancet , 347 : 1425 . laemmli u k . ( 1970 ). cleavage of structural proteins during the assembly of the head of bacteriophage t4 . nature , 227 : 680 . lee j w , namkoong h , kim h k , kim s , hwang d w , na h r , ha s a , kim j r , kim j w . ( 2007 ). fibrinogen gamma - a chain precursor in csf : a candidate biomarker for alzheimer &# 39 ; s disease . bmc neurol , 7 : 14 . li s q , yun j , xue f b , bai c q , yang s g , que h p , zhao x , wu z , wang y , liu s j . ( 2007 ). comparative proteome analysis of serum from acute pulmonary embolism rat model for biomarker discovery . j proteome res , 6 : 150 . miller r g , mitchell j d , lyon m , moore d h . ( 2002 ). riluzole for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( als )/ motor neuron disease ( mnd ). cochrane database syst rev , 2 : cd001447 . mizuno y , amari m , takatama m , aizawa h , mihara b , okamoto k . ( 2006 ). transferrin localizes in bunina bodies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . acta neuropathol , 112 : 597 . mizutani k , oka n , kusunoki s , kaji r , kanda m , akiguchi i , shibasaki h . ( 2003 ). amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with igm antibody against gangliosides gm2 and gd2 . intern med , 42 : 277 . moser k v e humpel c . ( 2007 ). blood - derived serum albumin contributes to neurodegeneration via astroglial stress fiber formation . pharmacology , 80 : 286 . perluigi m , poon h f , hensley k , pierce w m , klein j b , calabrese v , de marco c , butterfield d a . ( 2005 ). proteomic analysis of 4 - hydroxy - 2 - nonenal - modified proteins in g93a - sod1 transgenic mice - a model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . free radic biol med , 38 : 960 . pestronk a . ( 1991 ). motor neuropathies , motor neuron disorders , and antiglycolipid antibodies . muscle nerve , 14 : 927 . rowland l p . ( 1998 ). diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . j neurol sci , 160 : s6 . shaw p j e williams r . ( 2000 ). serum and cerebrospinal fluid biochemical markers of als . amyotroph lateral scler other motor neuron disord , 1 : s61 . walgren j l , mitchell n d , whiteley l o , thompson d c . ( 2007 ). evaluation of two novel peptide safety markers for exocrine pancreatic toxicity . toxicol sci , 96 : 184 . yagame m , suzuki d , jinde k , yano n , naka r , abe y , nomoto y , sakai h , suzuki h , ohashi y . ( 1995 ). urinary albumin fragments as a new clinical parameter for the early detection of diabetic nephropathy . intern med , 34 : 463 . zeman d , adam p , kalistová h , sobek o , kelbich p , andel j , andel m . ( 2000 ). transferrin in patients with multiple sclerosis : a comparison among various subgroups of multiple sclerosis patients . acta neurol scand , 101 : 89 .

6Physics

referring now to the drawings in general and in particular to fig1 of the drawing , there is shown the subject improved bulk material container , generally by the numeral 10 , which comprises a central shell portion 12 having a top cap 14 positioned on the upper portion thereof , and a bottom cap 16 positioned on the lower portion . the bulk material container 10 is designed to be lifted by a separate lifting frame 18 having a plurality of lifting fingers 20 projecting underneath the bottom of the container . the lifting frame 18 is attached to a rope 22 , steel cable , or other means which then may be raised and lowered as desired to position the bulk material container in a given pouring position . a modified lifting frame is shown in fig1 and its use will be described more fully hereinafter . when it is desired to control the flow of material from the container , a sliding plate 24 having a hand hold 26 is positioned within a slot 28 formed in the bottom cap 16 , as will be described more fully hereinafter . the bottom cap 16 is tightly restrained on the central shell 12 by means of a steel band 30 as well as by an interlocking feature locking the bottom cap 16 to the central shell 12 as will be more fully described hereinafter when referring to fig3 of the drawing . referring now to fig2 of the drawing there is shown an exploded perspective view of the subject bulk material container shown in fig1 of the drawing showing the respective parts of the subject invention in somewhat more detail . the bottom cap 16 has formed in the bottom thereof a plurality of scorelines 32 forming a star pattern 34 in the bottom of the bottom cap 16 , as will be described more fully hereinafter . also formed in the bottom of the bottom cap 16 is a pouring opening 36 in proximity to the plurality of scorelines 32 and in the central portion of the star pattern 34 from which the quantity of materials packaged in the container in the polyethylene bag 38 may be removed . the entire bulk material container 10 is also contained within an outer polyethylene bag 40 which is placed over the top cap 14 and the central shell 12 containing the inner poly bag 38 and also over the bottom cap 16 and the sliding plate 24 . an inner poly sheet 42 is also positioned underneath the bottom cap 16 with its ends 44 being positioned within the outer poly bag 40 in the preferred embodiment . prior to shipping of the bulk material container 10 , the entire combination is then passed through a heat shrink tunnel in order to heat shrink the outer poly bag 40 tightly over the bulk material container 10 and also to heat shrink the inner poly sheet 42 so that its ends 44 adhere to the outer poly bag 40 , thereby forming a tight moisture resistant covering over the entire package . the entire package is placed for shipment on a special wooden pallet 46 having slots 48 sized to allow the lifting fingers 20 of the lifting frame 18 to be positioned within the slots beneath the bottom cap 16 in order to lift the entire package as shown in fig1 of the drawings . by referring to fig1 , there is shown a modification of the lifting frame 18 wherein a plurality of lifting fingers 20 project underneath the bottom of the container 10 on one side with an opposing horizontal strip 21 having a plurality of barbs 23 to prevent relative downward movement of the bulk material container 10 within the frame 18 . the horizontal strip 21 is affixed to vertical pivoting legs 25 which are connected by rods 19 to the lifting component 27 of the frame in such a manner as to cause the act of lifting to press the horizontal strip 21 against the container 10 with a force proportional to the weight of the container and its contents . the frame 18 is then suspended by its lifting component 27 at an angle which is equivalent to the angle of repose of the catalyst or other material carried in the container 10 . the frame 18 must be placed around the container 10 so that the horizontal strip 21 is oriented to be on the side of the container 10 which is closest to the pouring opening in the bottom of the container . the outer polyethylene bag 40 , in the preferred embodiment , may be approximately 6 mils thick while the inner polyethylene sheet 42 may be approximately 4 mils thick . by the use of the polyethylene bag 40 and sheet 42 of the size mentioned , a six sided moisture and dust protection is given to the entire package and its contents container within the inner poly bag 38 . the inner poly bag 38 may be spot glued to the inside of the central shell 12 during production of the shell and may have its ends 50 tied with a twist type metal wire 52 or the ends 50 may be left loose and simply folded on top of the bulk product as desired by the customer . referring now more particularly to fig1 and 3 of the drawing , there will be described in detail the construction of the central shell 12 which comprises a series of rectangular panels 54 , 56 , 58 and 60 hingedly attached together by a plurality of scorelines 62 , 64 and 66 . the panels 54 , 56 , 58 and 60 are divided in the middle by an elongated scoreline 65 which runs the length of the panels 54 , 56 , 58 and 60 . formed on one end of panel 60 is a manufactures joint flap 66 by means of the scoreline 68 and formed on the opposite end of the production blank on panel 54 , in the position shown in fig1 , is a manufactures joint flap 70 hingedly attached to the panel 54 by means of the scoreline 72 . formed on the panel 54 on one side thereof is a side panel 74 by means of the scoreline 76 and in a like manner there is formed a side panel 78 on the panel 56 by means of the scoreline 80 . panel 58 has formed on its side a side panel 82 by means of the scoreline 84 and panel 60 has formed on its side a side panel 86 by means of the scoreline 88 . the respective side panels 74 , 78 , 82 and 86 are separated from each other by means of the slots 90 , 92 and 94 . when formed in the manner just described the central shell 12 also has applied thereto an adhesive in the area 96 between the scorelines 62 , 72 , 65 and 76 and in a like manner the adhesive is applied to the area 98 formed between the scorelines 65 , 80 , 62 and 64 . the area 100 formed between the scorelines 64 , 66 , 65 and 84 also has applied thereto an adhesive which is also applied to the area 102 formed between the scorelines 66 , 65 , and 88 . by referring now to fig3 and 4 of the drawing as well as fig1 , it can be seen how the central shell 12 is formed to provide a double wall shell which has adhesive 104 applied between the respective panels as before mentioned . in erecting the central shell 12 , the panels 54 , 56 , 58 and 60 , as well as the manufactures joint 66 are folded along the elongated scoreline 65 so that one half of the panel 54 is laminated to the area 96 with one half of the panel 56 being laminated to the area 98 . in a similar manner one half of the panel 58 is laminated to the area 100 while one half of the panel 60 is laminated to the area 102 . referring now to fig4 of the drawing there will be seen how the manufactures joint is constructed for the subject central shell 12 which comprises positioning the manufactures joint flap 66 against the panel 54 and positioning the manufactures joint flap 70 against the panel 60 with both being adhesively attached to their panels or stapled in place by means well known in the art . when formed thusly , it can be seen how the central shell 12 becomes a rigid double wall shell which is also clearly seen by referring to fig3 of the drawings . referring now to fig8 of the drawing there is seen a plan view of the production blank for the bottom cap 16 which comprises a central panel 106 having a plurality of side panels 108 , 110 , 112 and 114 hingedly attached thereto by means of the scorelines 116 , 118 , 120 and 122 . the side panels 108 , 110 , 112 and 114 have formed therein in the central portion a pair of scorelines 124 and 126 dividing the respective panels in half to form outer panels 108a , 110a , 112a , and 114a . by referring now particularly to fig3 of the drawing and also to fig8 it will be seen how the bottom cap 16 is interlocked with the shell 12 by the use of the side panels 108 , 110 , 112 and 114 in combination with the outer panels 108a , 110a , 112a and 114a . the outer panels 108a , 110a , 112a and 114a are positioned between the side panels 74 , 78 , 82 and 86 which had previously been folded outward from the shell and turned upwardly so that the outer panels 108a , 110a , 112a and 114a can be turned downwardly between the upwardly turned side panels and the shell proper . when positioned in this manner as shown in fig3 of the drawing there is then applied the steel or plastic band 30 which is tightly positioned around the shell structure thereby allowing the bottom cap or bottom of the container to be able to support great amounts of weight from the bulk materials contained within in the inner poly bag 38 . referring now to fig5 of the drawing there is shown a view taken along line 5 -- 5 of fig2 of the bottom cap showing the plurality of scorelines 32 formed in the central panel 106 of the bottom cap 16 . as before mentioned , the plurality of scorelines 32 are formed in a star pattern 34 which also contains the pouring opening 36 which is formed in a generally elongated configuration in the preferred embodiment but may be formed circular or in some other configuration with the spirit and scope of the invention . the pouring opening 36 is formed off center within the star pattern 34 in the preferred embodiment and may also be centrally located therein . the star pattern is formed in the preferred embodiment with the star points positioned in the corners of the central panel 106 . it is within the spirit and scope of the invention that some or all of the star points may be positioned at locations other than the corners of the central panel 106 . for example by referring to fig1 there is shown a modification of fig5 wherein the score lines 32 are placed in a star pattern also but have their points 35 located at other than the corners of the central panel 106 . there is applied a friction diminishing coating in the form of a silicone coating 128 which is applied across the central panel 106 and the star pattern 34 at least as wide as the pouring opening 36 and preferably somewhat wider . the purpose of the friction diminishing silicone coating 128 is to reduce the friction between the sliding plate 24 and the central panel 106 as the sliding plate is moved on the central panel . the sliding plate 24 may also have applied thereto a silicone coating 130 as shown in fig6 of the drawing and the slide plate may be formed out of hard fiberboard or some other material as desired by the purchaser or supplied by the manufacturer . the slide plate 24 is sized to fit within the slot 28 formed on the central panel 106 as shown in fig8 of the drawing and contains the hole 26 formed in the panel 132 hingedly attached to the slide plate by means of the scoreline 134 . referring now to fig7 of the drawing there is shown in greater detail how the star pattern 34 and its respective scorelines 32 allow the central panel 106 of the bottom cap 16 to be weakened thereby deforming from the weight of the product positioned on the bottom cap in the inner poly bag 38 . since the central shell 12 as well as the top cap 14 and the bottom cap 16 are formed out of corrugated paperboard in the preferred embodiment it can be seen by referring to fig7 that whenever a scoreline 32 is placed in the central panel 106 the structural integrity of the corrugated paperboard will be weakened because of the diminished thickness in the paper thereby allowing the bottom to deform to the position shown in fig7 to provide a generally funnel shaped bottom which serves as an aid in guiding the material out of the container . whenever the slide plate 24 is positioned in the container as shown in fig7 of the drawing the silicone coating 130 on the slide plate 24 will come in contact with the silicone coating 128 on the central panel 106 allowing the pull plate 24 to be easily moved in and out of the container according to the desires of the operator . referring now to fig9 of the drawings there is shown in detail the top cap 14 of the subject invention which comprises generally a central panel 136 having formed thereon a plurality of side panels 138 , 140 , 142 and 144 by means of the scorelines 146 , 148 , 150 and 152 . the side panel 140 has formed on each end thereof a flap 154 and a flap 156 by means of the scorelines 158 and 160 . in a like manner the side panel 144 has formed on the side thereof a flap 162 and a flap 164 by means of the scorelines 166 and 168 . when erecting the top cap 14 , the side panels 138 , 140 , 142 and 144 are folded 90 degrees about their respective scorelines 146 , 148 , 150 and 152 . thereafter the flaps 154 and 156 are turned inwardly about their respective scorelines 158 and 160 and are stapled or glued to their adjacent side panels 138 or 142 . in a like manner the flaps 162 and 164 are turned inwardly about their respective scorelines 166 and 168 and are stapled or glued to their respective side panels 138 or 142 . from the above it can be seen that there has been provided by the subject invention a new and improved bulk material container which is designed to handle a large quantity of bulk materials such as chemical catalysts or other bulk materials and which has new and improved features which allow the bulk materials to be quickly and easily removed from the container by bottom dumping as a result of the deformable bottom formed in the container . whenever the subject container is lifted from the pallet 46 by means of the lifting frame 18 , the weight of the bulk materials contained in the inner poly bag 38 will exert a downward force on the bottom cap 16 and especially the central panel 106 deforming the central panel so that the star pattern 34 formed by the scorelines 32 forms a funnel for channeling the bulk materials out through the pouring opening 36 whenever the sliding plate 24 has been extracted by pulling it outwardly through its associated slot 28 . as a result the subject new and improved bulk material container may be partially dumped in a controlled manner by utilizing the sliding plate 24 and may be totally dumped without requiring an extra operation to manually remove a quantity of the bulk materials that generally remain in a prior art type of container . depending upon the weight of the material contained within the inner poly bag 38 , it may be necessary to slit the inner poly bag 38 , as well as the inner poly sheet 42 , with a knife or some sharp object if the weight of the bulk material is not sufficient to tear the sheets away whenever the sliding plate 24 is removed from the face of the pouring opening 36 . it can be seen that there has been provided by the subject invention a new and unique container which accomplishes all of the objects and advantages of the invention and it should be apparent that many changes can be made in the various structural parts and arrangement of parts in the subject invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and the preferred embodiment , given by way of illustration only , is not to limit the invention &# 39 ; s scope .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

as mentioned above , thermally stable diamond compacts are used in applications where high temperatures are generated in use or during manufacture of the tool . such compacts are not easily wetted by conventional brazes and this is one of the reasons why they are as a general rule held mechanically in the working surface of the tool . for example , in a surface set drill bit the individual compacts , which may have a triangular , cubic , hexagonal or other useful shape , will be held mechanically in the matrix of the working surface of the drill bit . it is desirable to supplement the mechanical bond by a bond of a chemical or braze nature . it has been found that the alloy specified above bonds extremely strongly to the diamond compact surface to which it is applied . furthermore , the alloy , it has been found , bonds readily to a variety of commercially available brazes and forms a braze bond with the matrix of conventional surface set and impregnated drill bits . the alloy coated surface may be bonded readily to a cemented carbide support , either directly or through another commercially available braze . when another commercially available braze is used , it is preferably a high temperature braze such as a silver / copper / zinc / nickel / manganese braze or a copper / manganese / nickel / indium / tin braze both of which have a liquidus temperature above 700 ° c . the diamond compact , being thermally stable , can withstand such temperatures and the resulting braze bond is extremely strong . the invention thus enables a thermally stable diamond compact to be brazed to a tool or tool holder in contrast to uncoated thermally stable diamond compacts of the prior art . the alloy will preferably contain 40 to 70 percent by weight of gold or silver or a combination thereof . examples of suitable alloys are the following : 3 . a silver / copper / palladium ternary alloy containing the active metal , particularly titanium . the thickness of the alloy layer is not critical , but it will generally not exceed 200 microns in thickness . the thermally stable diamond compact may be used in the form of small fragments having any one of a number of useful shapes such as cube , triangle or hexagon . for such compacts it is preferable that the alloy layer is bonded to at least 75 percent of the surface thereof . the thermally stable diamond compact may also be provided in the form of a disc or segment of a disc having a major flat surface on each of opposite sides thereof . for such compacts it is preferable that at least one of the major flat surfaces has the alloy layer bonded to it . the coated flat surface may be bonded to a cemented carbide support . the alloy may be bonded to the surface of the diamond compact by contacting the surface with the alloy , for example in the form of a foil , and then raising the temperature of the coated compact to a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the alloy in a non - oxidising atmosphere . an example of a suitable non - oxidising atmosphere is a vacuum of 10 - 4 mbar or better . to improve the wettability of the diamond compact surface , it is preferable first to apply a flashing of gold or silver to the compact surface before the alloy is bonded thereto . the gold or silver flashing will generally have a thickness of no more than a few microns . a method of applying a gold or silver flashing prior to bonding the alloy to the surface is described fully in european patent publication no . 0 104 063 . the thermally stable diamond compact may be any known in the art , but is preferably one of the type described in british patent application no . 8508295 . the invention will further be described with reference to the following examples . a diamond compact in disc form was produced using the method described in british patent application no . 8508295 . the compact consisted of a mass of diamond particles containing a substantial amount of direct diamond - to - diamond bonding to form a coherent skeletal mass and a second phase consisting essentially of silicon in the form of elemental silicon and silicon carbide . the compact was a thermally stable diamond compact as discussed hereinbefore . a major flat surface of the diamond compact was degreased in alcohol . a 100 micron thick foil of a silver based alloy was placed on the degreased and etched surface of the diamond compact . the silver - based alloy contained 62 % silver , 19 % copper , 14 % palladium and 5 % titanium , all percentages being by weight . a cemented tungsten carbide disc was placed on the alloy foil to produce an unbonded stack . a load of 50 to 100 gms was applied to the unbonded stack . the loaded stack was then heated in a vacuum of better than 10 - 4 mbar to 1100 ° c . and maintained at this temperature for 10 minutes . the stack was allowed to cool to ambient temperature . it was found that an excellent bond between the thermally stable diamond compact and the cemented carbide disc was obtained . a similar bonded compact was produced using the same procedure , save that a flashing ( 0 , 1 mm thick ) of gold was applied to the compact surface after degreasing . again excellent bonding between compact and cemented carbide disc was obtained . a thermally stable diamond compact as described in example 1 had a major flat surface degreased in alcohol . to this degreased and etched surface was applied a 100 micron thick foil of the same silver / copper / palladium / titanium alloy . the compact and foil were heated to 1100 ° c . in a vacuum of better than 10 - 4 mbar and held at this temperature for 5 minutes . the compact was cooled to ambient temperature . the alloy was found to bond strongly to the diamond compact producing a metallised surface . the metallised compact was positioned on the top of a cemented tungsten carbide disc with the metallised surface face down . between the metallised surface and the cemented carbide disc was placed a 100 micron thick disc of nicuman - 36 alloy ( 56cu - 36mn - 2ni - 3in - 3sn ) having a melting range of 771 ° to 825 ° c . a load of about 50 to 100 gms was applied to the compact / carbide unbonded stack . the stack was heated to 1000 ° c . in a vacuum of better than 10 - 4 mbar and held at this temperature for 10 minutes . the stack was allowed to cool to ambient temperature . it was found that the diamond compact was strongly bonded to the cemented carbide disc . a thermally stable diamond compact as described in example 1 was fragmented into a plurality of cubes . the cubes were degreased in alcohol . the clean surfaces of the cubes then had applied to them a flashing , approximately 0 , 1 microns in thickness , of gold using standard sputtercoating techniques . all but one surface of each cube was then wrapped in a foil of an alloy as described in example 1 . the wrapped cubes were heated to a temperature of 1100 ° c . in a vacuum of 10 - 4 mbar . this caused the alloy to melt and bond firmly to each cube . the gold flashing assisted in wetting the surfaces of the cubes and assisting in the bonding of the alloy to these surfaces . the alloy was found to be very firmly bonded to the cubes exhibiting a shear strength in excess of 15 kgmm - 2 .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

the conventional hypodermic syringe 10 generally consists of a molded plastic barrel 11 for holding fluid , a plunger 12 used to draw fluid into the barrel or to eject fluid , a needle holder 13 at one end of the barrel which is usually an integral part of the barrel itself and a hollow needle 14 through which the fluid passes into or out of the body of the patient or animal . to help keep the needle sterile before it is used , a small diameter elongated plastic tubular covering 15 having a small hub 19 near its open end and closed at its other end covering over the needle 14 is removably attached to barrel 11 near the needle holder area usually merely by a friction fit so it can be easily removed for use . additionally , ordinarily each syringe assembly is separately enclosed in a container of some sort , usually a paper package , which can be easily opened when the syringe is to be used . after the package is opened and the syringe is being prepared for use tubular covering 15 is removed and the needle is injected . in some cases the syringe assembly remains intact but in other cases the barrel and the needle may be separated , for example , when the syringe is used to aspirate some part of the body . in any event , for safety reasons as described earlier , the nurse , for example , will place the needle into a receptacle before disposing it . if the needle is discarded uncovered into the waste it could later accidentally prick janitors or others who might be cleaning up . also , if the needle is laying around uncovered , it could fall into bed sheets or other laundry and eventually stick someone . when the syringe remains intact , the nurse will usually insert the needle back into tube 15 . if the needle is separated , the nurse may place the needle in the same receptacle or in a different one before throwing it away . as mentioned earlier , it is not uncommon for the user to be stuck by the needle while trying to place the needle into tube 15 or some other receptacle because the nurse fails to insert the needle into the receptacle opening and as a result , gets stuck by the point of the needle . to overcome this problem , the present invention provides a shield near the open end of the receptacle . in one embodiment , the shield may be in the form of an annular disc 16 which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the receptacle and extends radially and perpendicular outward therefrom . the receptacle may be a different tube or may be tube 15 which had originally covered the needle . disc 16 may be formed integrally with the tube 15 when it is molded or formed or it can be separately made and slipped over the tube and frictionally held in place or it may be locked into a slot around the tube near the open end . as a further feature , the disc 16 may be made out of material that is strong enough to not be torn or pierced by the needle point yet be somewhat flexible or resilient so that if it is made as an integral part of the tube 15 , when the hypodermic syringe is first assembled the disc 16 can be folded or squeezed back on the tube and held in place when packaged yet spring back to its normal position as a shield when the package is opened . this avoids adding appreciable bulkiness to the packaging of the hypodermic syringe . an alternative embodiment is illustrated in fig3 which shows a cone shaped shield which flares outward and rearward from the open end of tube 15 . this also may be constructed as an integral part of the tube or may be friction fitted onto the tube or snapped into a slot or groove formed on the outside of the tube . the flare of shield 17 would not add as much bulkiness to the packaging of the hypodermic syringe as the unfolded disc 16 of fig2 . the shield 17 , however , similarly could be made of a material similar to that described above to further reduce bulkiness in packaging . yet another embodiment is illustrated in fig4 which shows a tube 20 having an outwardly forwardly flaring funnel - shaped opening or mouth at 18 . preferably , this would be formed as an integral part of receptacle 20 ; however , it could be an attachment to tube 15 similar to the previously described embodiments . if the flare were an integral part of the receptacle then the barrel 11 would require a suitable mating tapered surface of some other means would be provided to enable the receptacle to be pushed onto and held by friction at the end of the barrel . in the less common case of the needle being separated from the barrel after use , it can be disposed of by inserting it in an elongated opening 21 ( fig5 ) formed at about the axis of plunger 12 contained in barrel 11 . preferably a recess 22 is formed at the outer end of plunger 12 to engage and frictionally hold the holder end 13 of the inserted needle . the flange 23 on the barrel 11 protects the fingers while the needle is being inserted . fig6 is a rear view of a somewhat rectangular shaped shield 24 around tube 15 . a shield 25 ( fig7 ) also might be shaped as a cloverleaf or cross . a further prior art device , which is not shown in the drawing , includes another plastic tube open at both ends covering over the barrel with tube 15 passing through the opening at one end and the additional tube held in place over the barrel by a cap at its other end . when the syringe is to be used the cap is removed and the additional tube is removed and tube 15 is removed . to place the needle back in tube 15 after use and before discarding , the latter is first inserted into the additional tube and the syringe needle is then inserted into tube 15 located at the far end of the additional tube . this is awkward and time - consuming and most nurses find it troublesome to deal with . these difficulties are avoided with the instant invention .

0Human Necessities

fig2 shows the first embodiment of a projection apparatus 20 of the present invention . in general , the projection apparatus 20 comprises a light source 21 , an optical engine 23 , a dmd module 25 , and a cooling module 30 . the projection apparatus 20 can further comprise other essential components for projection , for example , a print circuit board 26 which is not described herein . in addition , fans 22 , 24 are appropriately disposed in this embodiment to form cooling airflows in the projection apparatus 20 . the aforementioned components are all disposed within a housing 29 and integrated to perform a projection function . the dmd module 25 further comprises a dmd chip 251 , which is utilized to process light provided from the light source 21 with the inputted image signals . thus , the dmd chip 251 is one of the principal heat generating portions in the dmd module 25 . the cooling module 30 of the present invention is utilized to cool the dmd module 25 and specifically cool the dmd chip 251 of the dmd module 25 . fig3 is a schematic view illustrating the cooling module 30 . the cooling module 30 generally consists of a heat conduction device 31 , at least one heat pipe 33 , and at least one fin 35 . in this embodiment , one heat pipe 33 and a plurality of fins 35 are illustrated . the heat pipe 33 has a first portion 331 and a second portion 333 in which the first portion 331 connects to the heat conduction device 31 and the second portion 333 connects through the plurality of fins 35 . because the first portion 331 and the second portion 333 are in heat conduction , heat generated from the dmd module 25 for processing light can be outwardly removed from the heat conduction device 31 through the heat pipe 33 and the fins 35 . in this case , the heat conduction device 31 is in contact with the dmd module 25 ; more specifically , in contact with the dmd chip 251 . in actuality , the heat pipe 33 can be integrally formed with the heat conduction device 31 , or alternatively , the heat pipe 33 can be welded or adhered to the heat conduction device 31 during the manufacturing process . a cross - sectional view of the heat conduction device 31 is shown in fig4 a as another embodiment . the heat conduction device 31 includes a contact portion 311 which has a first surface 311 a and a second surface 311 b opposite to the first surface 311 a . in application , the first surface 311 a can be adjacently in contact with the dmd chip 251 while the first portion 331 of the heat pipe 33 can connect to the second surface 311 b . preferably , the heat conduction device 31 further comprises a heat conduction base 313 adjacent to the second surface 311 b of the contact portion 311 . as compared with the contact portion 311 , the heat conduction base 313 possesses a greater area for enhancing heat dissipating efficiency . more specifically , the first portion 331 of the heat pipe 33 is completely embedded in the heat conduction base 313 and in contact with the second surface 311 b of the contact portion 311 . more preferably , at least one base fin 313 a ( or any other simple heat conduction device ) is formed on the outer surface of the heat conduction base 313 which is opposite to the contact portion 311 . increasing the base fin 313 a will increase the heat exchange area and thus promote the cooling efficiency . fig4 b and fig4 c show other embodiments of the heat conduction device 31 . unlike the aforementioned embodiment , the first portion 331 of the heat pipe 33 is attached onto the outer surface of the heat conduction base 313 and is opposite to the contact portion 311 as shown in fig4 b . in fig4 c , the first portion 331 of the heat pipe 33 is partially embedded in the heat conduction base 313 from the outer surface thereof . it is noted that the heat conduction base 313 and the base fin 313 a illustrated in fig4 a , 4 b , and 4 c are only utilized to enhance the cooling efficiency , not as essential elements in the embodiments . with reference to fig2 , the cooling module 30 of the present invention further comprises a fan 22 disposed adjacent to the fins 35 . the fan 22 is suitable for generating a cooling airflow 221 which assists in outwardly dissipating hot air through the fins . therefore , an airflow field can be generated from the cooling airflow 221 flowing in the projection apparatus 20 . this airflow field can also cool other components . preferably , the location of the fan 22 should be adjustable and thus guides the cooling airflow 221 substantially towards the interior of the projection apparatus 20 or more preferably , towards the light source 21 . generally , because the light source 21 is the main heat generating portion in the projection apparatus 20 , the cooling airflow 221 directed at the light source 21 will help cool the light source 21 . furthermore , a plurality of venting apertures 291 can be disposed on the housing 29 of the projection apparatus 20 to facilitate the formation of the airflow field . these venting apertures 291 can also coincide with other fans 24 to facilitate cooling other components in the projection apparatus 20 . for example , in fig2 , the fans 24 are disposed opposite to the plurality of venting apertures 291 to draw airflows . this process can fully and efficiently contribute to the interior airflow field . certainly , the positions of the fans 24 are not limited . the fans can be alternatively disposed on the same side of the venting apertures 291 or other substitute locations . in the ideal situation , light generated by the light source 21 should be guided into the optical engine 23 for projection . nevertheless , scattering light is inevitable . for simplicity , light generated from the light source 21 will be differentiated into a first part and a second part herein ( not shown in the figures ). the first part of the light is guided into the optical engine for projection , while the second part of the light , which is not usable , scatters outward from the optical engine . heat accumulated on the dmd module 25 results from the first part of the light generated by the light source 21 , while the second part of the light may scatter outward from the housing 29 , causing imperfections in the use and quality of the performance . the second embodiment of the present invention provides an arrangement for dealing with the scattered second part of the light . as shown in fig5 , the cooling module 30 of the present embodiment works with fans 24 to generate airflow for cooling the fins 35 and also to shelter the second part of light from the light source 21 . fig6 illustrates a schematic view of the cooling module 30 of the present embodiment . the plurality of fins 35 is disposed substantially along a lengthwise direction of the second portion 333 of the heat pipe 33 , and successively parallel to one another . consequently , a plurality of parallel spaces is formed for venting airflows and dissipating hot air . for simplicity , each of the fins 35 can be defined as having a first edge 351 and a second edge 353 . the first edge 351 is opposite to the second edge 353 in view of the second portion 333 of the heat pipe 33 . each of the first edges 351 partially overlaps with the second edge 353 of the adjacent fin thereof along the illuminating direction s ( as shown in fig6 with broken lines ) which is construed by the second part of light generated by the light source 21 . in this embodiment , each of the fins 35 forms a substantially non - orthogonal angle with the second portion 333 of the heat pipe 33 and then forms overlaps for light sheltering . alternatively , if each of the fins 35 forms an orthogonal angle with the second portion 333 of the heat pipe 33 , the fins 35 do not provide light sheltering . another embodiment of the plurality of fins 35 is shown in fig7 . each of the fins 35 has a fin body portion 350 and a bending portion 352 which connects with the fin body portion 350 . the first edge 351 is formed on the fin body portion 350 while the second edge 353 is formed on the bending portion 352 . specifically , the fin body portion 350 forms a substantially orthogonal angle with the second portion 333 of the heat pipe 33 , while the bending portion 352 forms a substantially non - orthogonal angle with the second portion 333 of the heat pipe 33 . the fins 35 have a plurality of bending portions 352 to increase the overlapping . thus , the bending portion 352 and the fin body portion 350 at least partially overlap along the direction s of the second part of the light , generated by the light source 21 , for shelter . another preferred embodiment is shown in fig8 . the bending portions 352 are respectively formed on the first edge 351 and the second edge 353 of the fins 35 . more preferably , these two groups of bending portions 352 are disposed opposite each other . this can facilitate overlap formations along the direction s of the second part of the light . fig9 shows still another preferred embodiment of the present invention . in this embodiment , the fin body portion 350 has a cambered shape . thus , a deviation is formed from the center to the first edge 351 and the second edge 353 of each fin 35 . overlaps for light sheltering can still be formed along the direction s of the second part of the light . the cooling module 30 of the present invention is not limited to be formed with a single heat pipe . as shown in fig1 , the second portion 333 of the heat pipe 33 has two sections that form an included angle therewith , and the fins 35 disposed on the heat pipe 33 are distributed on the two sections . even though the plurality of heat pipes are not illustrated in the figures , either the first portion or the second portion of the heat pipe 33 is expected to be disposed with the fins 35 in plurality . aforementioned embodiments can help cool the dmd module 25 . for example , when the fins 35 of the present invention collaborate with the plurality of heat pipes 33 , the fin body portion 350 has two holes which connect with two heat pipes 33 therethrough as shown in fig1 . to achieve the predetermined cooling efficiency , the way that the holes are to be designed depends on how many that the heat pipes 33 are given . according to the aforementioned disclosures , the cooling module 30 of the present invention uses the heat pipe 33 and the fins 35 to enhance the cooling efficiency of the dmd module 25 . the fins 35 can not only provide rapid cooling but also shelter light due to the overlaps between the fins 35 . the conventionally disposed light shelter plate would be economized . this design thus benefits the dlp apparatus that contributes a narrow interior and an effective airflow field . in addition , the fans 24 and the venting apertures 291 can be disposed on opposite sides , same sides or any other positions in the projection apparatus 20 . furthermore , the fans 24 can either draw or blow airflows . all of these can be adapted in the embodiments as shown in fig5 and fig1 . the above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents and inventive features thereof people skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof . nevertheless , although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions , they have substantially been covered in the following claims as appended .

6Physics

referring to fig1 , the present invention shall be described in the context of a simplified computer system 10 having a mass storage device (“ msd ”) 12 , a solid - state drive (“ ssd ”) 14 and a memory 16 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . the mass storage device 12 , which may be , for example , one or more hard disk drives , optical disc drives or magnetic tape drives , holds data which may be measured , for example , in petabytes or exabytes , and couples directly or indirectly to a device controller 18 , which may be , for example , one or more serial ata (“ sata ”) controllers or similar devices . the device controller 18 also couples directly or indirectly to the ssd 14 , which may be measured in size , for example , in gigabytes , such as a 128 gigabyte ssd , and the device controller 18 also couples directly or indirectly to a system controller or chipset 20 . the system controller or chipset 20 couples directly or indirectly to one or more system processors 60 , which may execute computer readable software fixed in a tangible medium , and to memory 16 . the memory 16 may be any conventional computer system memory , and in a preferred embodiment , may be dynamic random access memory (“ dram ”), which may be measured , for example , in gigabytes . the ssd 14 comprises interface logic 30 , an ssd controller 32 , a ram buffer 40 and a plurality of flash memory packages 42 , 44 , 48 and 50 , or similar non - volatile computer memory which can be electrically erased and reprogrammed . the device controller 18 communicates with interface logic 30 , which , in turn , communicates with the ssd controller 32 generally via i / o requests and responses . the ssd controller 32 comprises an ssd processor 34 or similar logic , a buffer manager 36 and a flash controller 38 . the ssd processor 34 couples between the interface logic 30 and the flash controller 38 , and the ssd processor 34 also couples to the ram buffer 40 . the buffer manager 36 couples between the interface logic 30 and the flash controller 38 . the ssd controller 32 operates to translate logical pages of incoming requests to physical pages , to translate physical pages of outgoing responses to logical pages , and to issues commands to flash memory packages 42 , 44 , 48 and 50 via the flash controller 38 . the flash controller 38 communicates with the plurality of flash memory packages 42 , 44 , 48 and 50 via a plurality of flash memory channels 46 and 52 , in which certain flash memory packages 42 and 44 are coupled via one channel 46 , and certain flash memory packages 48 and 50 are coupled via another channel 52 . in a preferred embodiment , data will be organized in the ssd 14 such that that multiple entries to be read reside on the same page , thereby reducing the number of page reads . referring to fig2 a , a block diagram of exemplar flash memory package 42 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . each flash memory package may comprise a plurality of flash memory integrated circuit chips or dies 80 and 82 . in turn , each die 80 and 82 may further comprise a plurality of flash memory planes , such as planes 84 and 86 on die 80 , and planes 88 and 90 on die 82 . referring to fig2 b , a block diagram of exemplar flash memory plane 84 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . each flash memory plane may further comprise a cache register 92 , coupled in turn to a data register 94 , coupled in turn to a plurality of blocks 96 . each block may further comprise a plurality of pages 98 for holding data . the data register 94 may temporarily store a data page during a read or write . a page generally represents a minimum increment of data access , being either the amount of data that must be written to or read from the ssd package in a single read cycle or write cycle . in operation , for a write command , the ssd controller 32 may first transfer data to the cache register 92 , then to the data register 94 , via a channel such as channel 46 . the data may then be written from the data register 94 to a corresponding physical page . conversely , for a read command , the data may be first read from the physical page to the data register 94 , then to the cache register 92 , and then the data may be transferred from the cache register 92 to the controller via a channel such as channel 46 . this architecture accordingly provides varying degrees and levels of parallelism . parallelism , as used herein , means that data can be read or written to simultaneously in different parallel structures . each channel can operate in parallel and independently of each other . thus , the ssd 14 allows channel - level parallelism . typically , the data transfers from / to the flash memory packages 42 and 44 on the same channel , or the flash memory packages 48 and 50 on the same channel , are serialized . however , data transfers may also be interleaved with other operations , such as reading data from the page 98 to the data register 94 on other packages sharing the same channel . this interleaving allows package - level parallelism . the ssd controller 32 also allocates consecutive logical pages across a gang of different packages on the same channel to provide package - level parallelism . the command issued to a die 80 can be executed independently of others on the same flash memory package 42 . this allows die - level parallelism . accordingly , multiple operations of the same type , such as read cycles , write cycles and / or erase cycles , can occur simultaneously on different planes in the same die . a two plane command may be used for executing two operations of the same type on two different planes simultaneously . this provides plane - level parallelism . furthermore , data transfers to and from the physical page can be pipelined for consecutive commands of the same type . this may be achieved using the cache register 92 in the plane . for consecutive write commands , the cache register 92 stores the data temporarily until the previous data is written from the data register 94 to the physical page 98 . the cache register 92 may similarly be used for pipelining read commands . currently , reading data from the physical page 98 to the data register 94 may typically takes on the order of 25 microseconds ( μs ). data transfers on the channel may typically take on the order of 100 μs . thus , transfer time on the channel is the primary bottleneck for page reads . as such , the throughput of page reads may be significantly improved by leveraging channel - level parallelism . a first approach to extract the benefits of parallelism may be to simply use multiple threads issuing requests in parallel . by issuing multiple requests in parallel , and increasing the depth of the i / o queue , the overall throughput may be considerably improved . however , to issue requests in a manner that ideally exploits parallelism , it is important to understand the mapping between pages and channels . recently , the authors of “ essential roles of exploiting internal parallelism of flash memory based solid state drives in high - speed data processing ,” hpca , pages 266 - 277 , 2011 , f . chen , r . lee , and x . zhang , the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference , have devised a method to determine the mapping . a group of consecutive logical pages is striped across different packages on the same channel . the authors discuss a technique to determine the size of the group that gets contiguously allocated within a channel . they refer to this logical unit of data as a “ chunk .” they show how to determine the chunk size and the number of channels in the ssd . using this , they also show how to derive the mapping policy . in particular , they discuss techniques for deriving two common mapping policies : ( a ) write - order mapping , where the i th chunk write is assigned the channel 1 % n , assuming n is the number of channels , and ( b ) logical block address (“ lba ”) based mapping , where the lba is mapped to a channel based on lba % n . using the above , the chunk size and number of channels for the 128 gigabyte ssd 14 may determined , for example , to be 8 kilobytes and 32 , respectively , following a write - order mapping . with this knowledge of the order of writes to the ssd 14 , we can determine the channel corresponding to a page , which enables determining how to reorder and schedule requests to spread them across channels . in addition , package - level parallelism may be achieved by issuing chunk - sized or larger reads . based on the above properties of the ssd 14 , we identify the following guidelines in designing large hash table - based data structures : ( a ) avoiding random page writes and issue few large writes , ( b ) combining multiple reads by arranging data in such a way that the multiple lookups can be confined to a single page or a small number of pages , and ( c ) intelligent request reordering to allow uniform distribution over channels . referring now to fig3 , a logical diagram illustrating indexing data in a storage system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown . a data element 100 is received for storage in a storage system 102 , which may be a mass storage device , at a storage address 104 . a slot address 106 , such as slot “ 0 ,” is determined in an index 108 in a first memory 110 (“ in - memory ”), which may be dram , as a function 101 , such as a random hash - based function , of a value of the data element 100 for storage . the data element 100 linked to the storage address 104 is stored as an index pair 112 and 114 , respectively , at the slot address 106 in the index 108 in the first memory 110 . the index 108 , a collection of index pairs at various slot addresses in the first memory 110 , may be referred to as an “ incarnation .” an alternative embodiment may provide a plurality of incarnations in the first memory 110 , such as an additional index 109 in the first memory 110 . at intervals , such as when the index 108 is full , which may be determined , for example , by reaching a predetermined number of slot addresses for an incarnation , the index pairs , such as index pair 112 and 114 , are transferred from the first memory 110 to an index 125 , a portion of which may be referred to as a “ slice table ,” in a second flash memory 126 larger in capacity than the first memory 110 , such as an ssd , to be preferentially combined with previously transferred index pairs . for example index pair 112 and 114 having the slot address “ 0 ” may be transferred to the slice table 125 in the second flash memory 126 at a particular “ slice ” or index 120 with other index pairs also having the same slot address “ 0 ,” such as index pair 130 and 132 . the slice table 125 may exist alongside additional slice tables , such as index 127 . similarly , index pair 140 and 142 having the slot address “ n ” may be transferred to the slice table 125 in the second flash memory 126 at a particular “ slice ” 124 in the second flash memory 126 with other index pairs also having the same slot address “ n ,” such as index pair 144 and 146 . in other words , index pairs at each slot address in an incarnation are transferred to slices where they are grouped with previously transferred index pairs according to having the same slot address . for “ n ” slot addresses in the index 108 in the first memory 110 , there may be “ n ” slices in the index or slice table 125 in the second flash memory 126 . for such embodiments using hash tables , this may be referred to as “ slice hash .” such intervals need not occur at fixed or predetermined times . in a preferred embodiment , the size of a slice can be limited to a page , and thus it would require only one page read . for example , for a 16b key - value pair , one slice can contain as many as 128 incarnations . additional incarnations may be created in the first memory 110 , such as the additional index 109 . for example , determining the slot address for distinctly different data values could result in determining the same slot address . in this case , the entries may be stored in different incarnations using the same slot address . in transferring incarnations to the slice table , the most recently created incarnation may be transferred as the latest entries in the corresponding slice table — with the oldest entries in the slice table evicted as may be required , such as due to space limitations — a in a fifo order . a slot address 106 , such as slot “ 0 ,” is determined in an index 108 in a first memory 110 (“ in - memory ”), which may be dram , as a function 101 , such as a random hash - based function , of a value of the data element 100 for storage . the data element 100 may also be received for retrieval from the storage system . in this case , a slot address 134 is determined in the index or slice table 125 of the second flash memory 126 as a function of a value of the data element 100 for retrieval . the preferentially combined index pairs having the same slot address are read from the second flash memory 126 in a single read cycle , the data element for retrieval is identified and a linked storage address is obtained . for inserts / writes , we insert a key into the in - memory index 108 . if the in - memory index 108 becomes full , we first read the corresponding slice table 125 from the second flash memory 126 . we then replace the entries for the corresponding incarnation for each slot or slice with the entry of the in - memory index 108 . then , we write back the modified slice table 125 to the second flash memory 126 . the in - memory index 108 is cleared , and the current incarnation count is incremented . subsequent insertions happen in a similar way . once all incarnations are exhausted on the second flash memory 126 , the incarnation count is reset to zero . thus , this scheme supports a default fifo eviction policy . for updates , if the key is in the in - memory index 108 , the in - memory index 108 is updated with the new value . alternatively , if the key lies on the second flash memory 126 , directly updating the corresponding key - value pair on the second flash memory 126 would cause random page writes and affect performance . instead , the new key - value pair is inserted into the in - memory index 108 . for lookups / reads , the key is first looked up in the in - memory index 108 . if not found , the corresponding slice table is looked up on the second flash memory 126 and the slice is read from the ssd . the entries for all incarnations may be scanned in the order of the latest to the oldest incarnation . this ensures that the lookup does not return stale values . based on the first few bits of keys , the in - memory index 108 may be partitioned into multiple small in - memory indexes , and , for each in - memory index 108 , a corresponding small - sized slice table on flash may be maintained . thus , if an in - memory partition becomes full , only the corresponding slice table on the ssd requires updating . in this way , the size of slice tables on flash and the worst case insertion latency may be controlled . if additional memory is available , spurious lookups may be reduced using in - memory bloom filters . all lookups may be first checked in these bloom filters . if the bloom filters indicate that a key is present in the second flash memory 126 , only then is an ssd lookup issued . further , memory may be used opportunistically . for example , bloom filters can be maintained for only some partitions , for example , those that are accessed frequently . this gives the ability to adapt to memory needs , while ensuring that in the absence of such additional memory application performance targets are still met . referring now to fig4 , a diagram illustrating adding concurrency to slice hash is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . in order to leverage the parallelism inherent to an ssd , i / o requests should be issued in parallel . instead of using a multithreaded programming model , multiple concurrent i / o requests may be issued to the ssd , such as that described in “ b +− tree index optimization by exploiting internal parallelism of flash - based solid state drives ,” pvldb , 5 , 2011 , h . roh , s . park , s . kim , m . shin , and s .- w . lee , referred to as “ psync i / o ,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference . internally , psync i / o uses multiple asynchronous i / o calls , and waits until all i / o &# 39 ; s are completed . a controller 200 may processes requests originating from request queue 202 , which may comprise insert , update and / or lookup operations , in batches . the controller 200 first processes all requests that can be instantly served in memory . then the controller 200 processes lookup requests which need reading from the ssd . to leverage channel - level parallelism maximally , the controller should pick requests that go to different channels . based on determining a mapping between pages and channels as discussed above , a channel - estimator may be developed to estimate the mapping between read requests and channels . using these estimates , a set of k requests , with k corresponding to the size of the ssd &# 39 ; s ncq , such that the number of requests picked for any channel is minimized . while it is desirable to use as much concurrency as the ncq can provide , it is important to optimally exploit channel parallelism . the algorithm underlying request selection works as follows . in block 204 , a “ depth ” for each channel is maintained , which estimates the number of selected requests for a channel . multiple passes over the request queue are taken until k requests are selected . in each pass , requests that would increase the depth of any channel by at most 1 are selected . in this manner , the set of read requests to be issued are found . in block 206 , the controller then asks a worker 210 to process these read requests in parallel , such as using psync i / o . while the worker 210 is waiting for flash reads to complete , the controller also determines the next batch of read requests to be issued to the worker 210 . after the flash page reads are complete , the worker 210 searches the entries of all incarnations on the corresponding flash page for the given key . after processing lookups , in block 208 the controller assigns ssd insert requests to the worker 210 . these occur when an in - memory index is full and needs to be flushed onto the flash ssd 212 . the worker 210 processes these ssd insert requests , and accordingly reads / writes slice tables from the ssd 212 . note that there may be consistency issues with reordering reads and writes . the controller handles such corner cases explicitly . building on the technique used in “ essential roles of exploiting internal parallelism of flash memory based solid state drives in high - speed data processing ,” write - order mapping to predict the channel corresponding to a request may be determined . as discussed above , data chunk writes alternate across channels . in other words , the first write goes to the first channel , the second write goes to the second channel , and so forth . knowing this write order can help determine the channel for any chunk . one approach is to maintain an index that keeps track of the assignment of each chunk to a channel ; whenever a chunk is written , estimate its channel as 1 % n for the i th write and update the index . for example , the size of the index may be estimated around 160 megabytes for 4 kilobyte data chunk in a 128 gigabyte ssd , and assuming 4 bytes for the chunk identifier , and 1 byte for the channel in the index . we consider an approach that does not require any index management . we configure the size of the slice table to be a multiple of n × chunksize , where n is the number of channels . this simplifies determination of the channel . whenever a slice table is written to the ssd , there will be n chunk writes , and the i th chunk write would go to the i th channel . the subsequent slice table write would also follow the same pattern ; after the n th channel , the first chunk write would go to the first channel , the second chunk write would go to the second channel , and so on . in other words , once we determine the relative chunk identifier ( first , or second , or nth ) for an offset in the slice table , we can determine the channel . the relative chunk identifier can be determined as the offset modulo chunk size . due to its simplistic design and low resource footprint , slice hash can easily leverage multiple ssds attached to a single machine . slice hash can benefit from multiple ssd &# 39 ; s in two ways : ( a ) higher parallelism ( the key space is partitioned across multiple ssds ; one controller - worker combination for each ssd is maintained ; lookup / insert requests may be distributed across multiple ssds ; and each controller may handle requests in parallel ), and ( b ) lower memory footprint ( for each in - memory index , one slice table per ssd is maintained ). for lookups , concurrent lookup requests to all ssds may be issued , in effect requiring an average latency of one page lookup . for insertions , insertions into a slice table on one ssd are made , and as it becomes full , insertions move to next ssd . once all ssd &# 39 ; s slice tables are full , insertions return to the slice table on the first ssd . this may reduce the memory footprint , while maintaining the same latency and throughput . other systems , such as bufferhash and silt , do not support such scaling out and ease of tuning . in practice , depending on the specific requirements of throughput and memory footprint , a combination of the above two techniques may be used to tune the system accordingly . thus , slice hash allows us to leverage multiple ssd &# 39 ; s in many different ways . latency and the memory overhead of slice hash may be analyzed accordingly . table 2 provides a summary of notations relevant for such analysis . the memory overhead per entry may be estimated . the total number of entries in an in memory hash table is h / s eff where h is the size of a single hash table and s eff is the effective average space taken by a hash entry ( actual size ( s )/ utilization ( u )). the total number of entries overall in a slice hash for a given size f of flash is : here , m is the total memory size . hence , the memory overhead per entry is mi # entries , in other words , for s = 16 bytes ( key 8 bytes , value 8 bytes ), u = 80 %, m = 1 gigabyte , and f = 32 gigabytes , the memory overhead per entry is 0 . 6 bytes / entry . in contrast , silt and bufferhash have memory overheads of 0 . 7 bytes / entry and 4 bytes / entry , respectively . by using n ssd &# 39 ; s , we can reduce the memory overhead to even lower , using the technique outlined above . for the above configuration with n = 4 ssd &# 39 ; s , this amounts to 0 . 15 bytes / entry . the average time taken for insert operations may be estimated . the time taken to read a slice table and then write it back is first calculated . this is given by where s is the size of the slice table , b is the size of a flash block , and r b and w b are the read and write latencies per block , respectively . this happens after h / s eff entries are inserted to the hash table ; all insertions up to this point are made in memory . hence , the average insertion cost is ( r b + w b ) × s eff × k b , for typical block read latency of 0 . 31 ms , a blocked write latency of 0 . 83 nearly seconds , s = 16 bytes , m = 1 gigabyte , f = 32 gigabytes , and u = 80 %, the average insertion cost is approximately 5 . 7 microseconds ( μs ), and thus still small . in contrast bufferhash has an average insertion latency of approximately 0 . 2 μs . similarly , the worst - case insertion cost of slice hash is ( 0 . 31 + 083 )× s / b milliseconds ( ms ). by configuring s to be the same size as b , we can control the worst - case insertion cost of the ( 0 . 31 + 083 )= 1 . 14 ms , slightly higher than the worst - case insertion cost ( 0 . 83 ms ) of bufferhash . we consider a cuckoo hashing based hash table implementation with two hash functions . suppose the success probability of the first lookup is p . for each lookup , a corresponding slice is read . we configure h , the size of an in - memory hash table , such that size of a slice is not more than a page . with this , the average lookup cost is r p +( 1 − p )× r p or ( 2 − p )× r p assuming that almost all of the lookups go to ssd and only few requests are served by in - memory hash tables . for p = 0 . 9 , r p = 0 . 15 ms , the average lookup cost is 0 . 16 ms . silt and bufferhash , both have similar average lookup cost . the worst case condition may occur upon reading both pages corresponding to the two hash functions . the worst case lookup latency is 2 × r p . for r p = 0 . 15 ms , this cost is 0 . 3 ms . in contrast , bufferhash may have very high worst case lookup latency ; in the worst case , it may have to scan all incarnations . for k = 32 , this cost would be 4 . 8 ms . the ratio of the number of insertions to the number of block writes to the ssd may be estimated as the ratio r write . a hash table becomes full after every h / s eff inserts , after which the corresponding slice table on flash is modified . the number of blocks occupied by a slice table is s / b or kx h / b . thus thus , by increasing the number of incarnations k , the frequency of writes to ssd ( which is inversely proportional to r write ) also increases . this in turn affects the overall performance . slice hash increases the number of writes to the ssd which may impact its overall lifetime . the lifetime of an ssd may be estimated . for a given insert rate of r , the number of block writes to the ssd per second is r / r writes or the average time interval between block writes is r writes / r . the ssd may supports e erase cycles . assuming the wear leveling scheme for flash is perfect , then the lifetime ( t ) of the ssd could be approximately estimated as number of blocks , f / b times erase cycles e , times average time interval between block writes , r wrires / r , in other words , bloom filters , including as described in “ network applications of bloom filters : a survey ,” internet mathematics , a . broder and m . mitzenmacher , 2005 , 1 ( 4 ): 485 - 509 ; “ bloomflash : bloom filter on flash - based storage ,” in icdcs , b . k . debnath , s . sengupta , j . li , d . j . lilja , and d . h . c . du ., pages 635 - 644 , 2011 ; and “ buffered bloom filters on solid state storage ,” in adms , m . canim , g . a . mihaila , b . bhattacharjee , c . a . lang , and k . a . ross , 2010 , the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference are traditionally used as in - memory data structures . some recent studies have observed , with storage costs falling and data volumes growing into the peta - and exa - bytes , space requirements for bloom filters constructed over such datasets are also growing commensurately . in limited memory environments , there is a need to maintain large bloom filters on secondary storage . the techniques described above may be applied for supporting bloom filters on flash storage efficiently , referred to as “ slice bloom .” similar to slice hash , several in - memory small bloom filters and corresponding slice filters may be provided on flash , similar to slice tables in slice hash described above with respect to fig3 . the in - memory bloom filters are written to flash as incarnations . each slot in a slice filter contains the bits from all incarnations taken together . in traditional bloom filters , a key lookup requires computing multiple hash functions and reading entries corresponding to the bit positions computed by the hash functions . here , the corresponding in - memory bloom filter partition may be first looked up , and then the corresponding slice filter on the flash storage for each hash function may be looked up . the number of hash functions would determine the number of page lookups , which could limit the throughput . since flash storage is less expensive than conventional memory , such as dram , more space per entry on flash may be used , in other words , a larger m / n where m and n are the bloom filter size and number of unique elements , respectively , and reduce the number of hash functions ( k ) while maintaining a similar overall false positive rate . for example , for a target false positive rate of 0 . 0008 , instead of using m / n = 15 and k = 8 , we can use m / n = 32 and k = 3 . by reducing k , the number of page lookups may be reduced and performance improved . locality sensitive hashing , including as described in “ similarity search in high dimensions via hashing ,” in proc . vldb , 1999 , a . gionis , p . indyk , and r . motwani ; “ image similarity search with compact data structures ,” in proc . cikm , 2004 , q . lv , m . charikar , and k . li ; and “ small code and large image databases for recognition ,” in proc . cvpr , 2008 , a . torralba , r . fergus , and y . weiss , the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference , is a technique used in the multimedia community for finding duplicate videos and images at large scale . these systems use multiple hash tables . for each key , the corresponding bucket in each hash table is looked up . then , all entries in the buckets are compared with the key to find the nearest neighbor based on a certain metric , for example , the hamming distance or an l2 norm . once again , the techniques discussed above may be applied to build large lsh hash tables efficiently on flash storage , referred to as “ slice lsh .” each of the lsh hash tables is designed as slice hash ; when a query comes , it goes to all slice hash instances . we further optimize for lsh to exploit ssd - intrinsic parallelism . when we write in - memory lsh hash table partitions to flash , they are arranged on the flash such that each lsh slice table partition belongs to one channel and the hash tables are uniformly distributed over multiple channels . this ensures that multiple hash table lookups would be uniformly distributed over multiple channels , and the intrinsic parallelism of flash ssds is maximally leveraged . one or more specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above . it is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and / or 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 . it should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation , as in any engineering or design project , numerous implementation - specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers &# 39 ; specific goals , such as compliance with system - related and business related constraints , which may vary from one implementation to another . moreover , it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming , but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design , fabrication , and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure . nothing in this application is considered critical or essential to the present invention unless explicitly indicated as being “ critical ” or “ essential .” certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only , and thus is not intended to be limiting . for example , terms such as “ upper ,” “ lower ,” “ above ,” and “ below ” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made . terms such as “ front ,” “ back ,” “ rear ,” “ bottom ,” “ side ,” “ left ” and “ right ” describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion . such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above , derivatives thereof , and words of similar import . similarly , the terms “ first ,” “ second ” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context . when introducing elements or features of the present disclosure and the exemplary embodiments , the articles “ a ,” “ an ,” “ the ” and “ said ” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features . the terms “ comprising ,” “ including ” and “ having ” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted . it is further to be understood that 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 . references to “ a microprocessor ” and “ a processor ” or “ the microprocessor ” and “ the processor ” can be understood to include one or more microprocessors that can communicate in a stand - alone and / or a distributed environment ( s ), and can thus be configured to communicate via wired or wireless communications with other processors , where such one or more processor can be configured to operate on one or more processor - controlled devices that can be similar or different devices . furthermore , references to memory , unless otherwise specified , can include one or more processor - readable and accessible memory elements and / or components that can be internal to the processor - controlled device , external to the processor - controlled device , and can be accessed via a wired or wireless network . all of the publications described herein including patents and non - patent publications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties .

6Physics

referring initially to fig1 a system is shown , generally designated 10 , for managing data access in a distributed data storage system , such as a storage area network ( san ) having associated client computers and at least one server computer . as shown , the system 10 can include a cluster of server computers , and the network can include plural storage disks and tapes and other storage devices . one or more of the disks can be “ local ” to a client computer , i . e ., the client computer manages one or more disks as though the disks were local to the client computer . in one intended embodiment , the computers of the present invention may be personal computers made by international business machines corporation ( ibm ) of armonk , n . y ., or the computers may be any computer , including computers sold under trademarks such as as400 , with accompanying ibm network stations . or , the computers may be unix computers , or os / 2 servers , or windows nt servers , or ibm workstations or ibm laptop computers . the flow charts herein illustrate the structure of the logic executed by the computers of the present invention as embodied in computer program software . those skilled in the art will appreciate that the flow charts illustrate the structures of logic elements , such as computer program code elements or electronic logic circuits , that function according to this invention . manifestly , the invention is practiced in its essential embodiment by a machine component that renders the logic elements in a form that instructs a digital processing apparatus ( that is , a computer ) to perform a sequence of function steps corresponding to those shown . in other words , the flow charts may be embodied in a computer program that is executed by a processor within the computers as a series of computer - executable instructions . these instructions may reside , for example , in a program storage device 12 of the computers . the program storage device 12 may be ram of the computers , or a magnetic or optical disk or diskette , dasd array , magnetic tape , electronic read - only memory , or other appropriate data storage device . in an illustrative embodiment of the invention , the computer - executable instructions may be lines of compiled c ++ compatible code . to better understand the flow charts described below that illustrate the present invention , reference is first made to fig2 - 4 . as a preferred but non - limiting example of the types of semi - preemptible access locks that can be used in the present invention , attention is now directed to fig2 which shows a table 14 of locks and lock semantics . it is to be understood that a semi - preemptible access lock of the present invention permits predefined open accesses to assets in the data storage system as long as the semi - preemptible access lock is held by a client computer . that is , to access an asset a client computer first obtains a semi - preemptible access lock , and then , as further described below , the client computer can permit processes to obtain file locks as required to instantiate actual open instances . once an actual open instance is closed and the file lock relinquished , the client computer nonetheless retains the semi - preemptible access lock to support subsequent open instances until such time as the semi - preemptible access lock is relinquished in accordance with the disclosure below . as shown , six locks , respectively named “ metadata ”, “ read ”, “ shared ”, “ write ”, “ update ”, and “ exclusive ” can be provided from which a client computer can select , depending on the type of access to an asset that is desired by the client computer and the types of other concurrent open instances of the asset the client computer is willing to accept . accordingly , as indicated in the third column of the table 14 , the “ m ” semi - preemptible access lock can be used to access metadata of an asset under the lock , and when the “ m ” lock is used another client computer concurrently can access the same asset for any other type of open instance , i . e ., read , metadata , and write . furthermore , the “ r ” lock can be used to obtain read accesses of an asset , and when the “ r ” lock is used another client computer concurrently can access the same asset for any other type of open instance . on the other hand , when the “ s ” lock is used , read accesses of an asset can be obtained under the lock , and when the “ s ” lock is used another client computer can concurrently access the same asset but only for read accesses and metadata accesses . as further shown in fig2 the “ w ” lock can be used to obtain both read and write accesses of an asset , with any other concurrent access of the asset by another client computer being permissible . moreover , the “ u ” lock can be used to obtain read and write accesses of an asset , and when the “ u ” lock is used another client computer concurrently can access the same asset but only for read and metadata accesses . on the other hand , when the “ x ” lock is used , read and write accesses of an asset can be obtained under the lock , and when the “ x ” lock is used another client computer can concurrently access the same asset but only for metadata accesses . the set of access privileges granted by a lock “ l ” can be designated “ p l ”. in contrast , the set of sharing privileges restricted by a lock “ l ” can be designated “ c l ”. fig3 illustrates a compatibility table 16 , which shows which locks are compatible with which other locks . check marks indicate compatibility . as intended by one preferred embodiment , two locks are compatible with each other if they mutually share the access modes that the other lock protects . stated differently , in one presently preferred embodiment lock l s is compatible with lock l t iff p ls c lt and p lt c ls . thus , for example , the “ m ” lock is compatible with all other locks that might happen to have been granted , the “ r ” lock is compatible with all other locks but the “ x ” lock , the “ w ” lock is compatible with the “ m ”, “ r ”, and “ w ” locks , the “ s ” lock is compatible with the “ m ”, “ r ”, and “ s ” locks , the “ u ” lock is compatible with the “ m ” and “ u ” locks , and the “ x ” lock is compatible only with other outstanding “ x ” locks . as set forth further below , locks may require upgrading or downgrading . fig4 shows the legal upgrades and downgrades between the msrwux locks . for example , as indicated by the arrows the “ x ” lock can be upgraded to any other lock , the “ u ” lock can be upgraded to any other lock but the “ x ” lock , the “ w ” and “ s ” locks can be upgraded to the “ r ” and “ m ” locks , and the “ r ” lock can be upgraded only to the “ m ” lock . in contrast , the “ m ” lock can be downgraded to any other lock , and the “ r ” lock can be downgraded to the “ w ”, “ s ”, and “ u ” locks . fig5 shows the server logic that is executed when a request for a semi - preemptible access lock l r is received by the server . commencing at block 40 , a request for an access lock is received . moving to decision diamond 42 , the server determines whether the requested lock is compatible with any other outstanding access lock . if it is determined at decision diamond 42 that the requested lock is compatible with all outstanding access locks , the process moves to block 44 to grant the requested lock . in contrast , if the test at decision diamond 42 is negative , the logic moves to block 46 to demand all incompatible locks from the client computers that hold those locks . if any denials are received at decision diamond 48 , the requested lock is denied at block 50 ; otherwise , the lock is granted at block 44 . fig6 shows the logic executed by a client computer when a demand for a semipreemptible lock is received from the server . commencing at block 70 , the demand is received , and at decision diamond 72 it is determined whether any open instances exist that are protected by the demanded lock , i . e ., whether any children nodes representing local locks exist under the root node representing the demanded lock in the client forest . if not , the lock is relinquished at block 74 . on the other hand , if open instances exist that are protected by the demanded semi - preemptible access lock , the logic flows to block 76 to determine the compatibility of each semi - preemptible access lock held by the client computer vis - a - vis the demanded lock . proceeding to block 78 , all locks that are incompatible with the demanded lock are added to an incompatible list , and then , at block 80 , each lock in the incompatible list is attempted to be downgraded in accordance with the downgrades shown in fig4 while still protecting any local instances , i . e ., while still encapsulating any local file locks . if it is determined at decision diamond 82 that any downgrades failed , the requested lock is refused to be relinquished at block 84 ; otherwise , if all incompatible locks can be successfully downgraded as described further below , the client computer relinquishes the requested lock at block 86 . should a client computer receive a request for a local open instance that requires a stronger access lock than the one held by the client computer , it invokes the logic above to request the required access lock . as recognized herein , the client never needs to upgrade from a held lock to a stronger incompatible lock , because that would mean the client is not using the full strength of its current access lock . clients address this situation by downgrading their current access lock to an access lock that protects existing open instances , and then upgrading to the needed stronger lock . while the particular system for managing asset access in a distributed storage system as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above - described objects of the invention , it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and is thus representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention , that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art , and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims , in which reference to an element in the singular means “ at least one ”. all structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above - described preferred embodiment that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims . moreover , it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention , for it to be encompassed by the present claims . furthermore , no element , component , or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element , component , or method step is explicitly recited in the claims . no claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 u . s . c . § 112 , sixth paragraph , unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “ means for ”.

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

the suspended urinary external drainage system type diaper 10 as shown in fig1 has a flexible outer liquid barrier 12 made from a plastic material , a treated nylon material or other suitable material . the barrier 12 is connected to the collector 14 . the collector 14 has a tubular cross section and preferably forms a ring that encircles the entire diaper 10 . a flexible material is used to construct the collector . however , the collector 14 must maintain a central passage that permits the flow of liquid when such flow is required . the flow of liquid can be ensured by using a semi - rigid material for collector construction or by providing internal projections 68 , shown in fig3 that prevent the collector walls from collapsing . the diaper 10 has a back half 16 and a front half 18 connected by crotch portion 20 . the barrier 12 is narrow in the crotch portion 20 so that the barrier and two portion of the collector 14 can pass between the legs of a person wearing the diaper 10 . the collector 14 as shown in fig1 extends across the top portion 22 of the back half 16 as well as the top portion 24 of the front half 18 . the portions of the collector 14 that extend across the top portion 22 of the back half 16 could be eliminated but in some situations fluid might be retained in the collector that should be discharged . a large number - of capillary tubes 26 pass through the walls of the collector 14 and extend into the center section of the front half 18 of the diaper 10 . each capillary tube 26 has an inlet end 28 and a discharge end 30 . the inlet ends 28 are positioned in a center portion of the front half 18 and in the crotch portion 20 where a plurality of the inlets can receive any fluids that are discharged and carry these fluids to the collector 14 under the force of gravity regardless of the position the person wearing the diaper 10 is in . the discharge ends 30 of the capillary tubes 26 are positioned away from the walls of the collector 14 so that any discharge fluids in the collector are generally out of contact with the discharge ends of other tubes . the capillary tubes 26 make sealing contact with the walls of collector 14 where they pass through the walls . the capillary tubes 26 can be glass or plastic . if they are plastic , they must be a plastic that will not hold fluid droplets on their surfaces . medical plastics used in heart pumps and blood filters can be used . discharge openings are provided at position 32 through 42 in the walls of the collector 14 . positions 32 and 42 are toward the top of the back half 16 of the diaper . positions 34 and 40 are in the crotch area or portion 20 . positions 36 and 38 are near the top of the front half 18 of the diaper . at each position 32 through 42 there is preferably an upper opening 44 and a lower opening 46 as shown at positions 36 and 38 in fig2 . two openings 44 and 46 are provided so that fluid can be drained from the collector 24 regardless of the position of the person wearing the diaper . each of the openings 44 is connected to a short discharge tube 48 . each opening , 46 is also connected to is a short discharge tube 50 . each pair of short discharge tubes 48 and 50 are connected to a common t coupler 51 with an outlet 52 . the short discharge tubes 48 and 50 have sufficient length for the outlet 52 to fall below the opening 44 and 46 depending on the orientation of the diaper 10 . long discharge tubes 54 , 56 , 58 , 60 , 62 , and 64 connect the out lets , 52 of each t coupler 51 to a holding bag 66 . a one - way valve ( not shown ) is built into each t coupler 51 if desired to prevent the return flow of discharged fluids to the collector 14 . if desired the long discharge tubes 54 - 64 can be connected to a common connector and a single final discharge tube can extend to the holding bag 66 . long discharge tubes could also be connected directly to each of the openings 44 and the holding bag 66 . long discharge tubes would also have to be connected to the openings 46 and to the holding bag 66 . the capillary tubes 26 are covered with a fabric lining 70 . the outer edge of the lining 70 is secured to the collector 14 . this fabric lining 70 is a soft cotton material which permits urine to pass through to the inlet ends 28 of the capillary tubes 26 . the cotton material is treated to prevent the absorption of liquid and keep the lining substantially dry . tape strips 72 and 74 on each side of the back half 16 of the diaper 10 can adhere to the front half 18 to hold the diaper on an individual . the diaper 10 is made primarily from inexpensive synthetic materials . this makes it inexpensive to change the diaper 10 two or three times a day and keep the wearer dry substantially all the time . skin problems are substantially reduced and infections are substantially eliminated . labor costs are substantially reduced . overall there will be significant savings . the drain tubes 48 and 50 are removed from the collector 14 when the diaper 10 is changed . a disinfectant can be quickly forced through the drain tubes if desired . the holding bag 66 is discarded together with the urine collected and the disinfectant periodically . the disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred form of the invention , but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof . the invention is defined in the claims .

0Human Necessities

aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention . alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention . additionally , well - known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention . before the present invention is disclosed and described , it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting . it must be noted that , as used in the specification and the appended claims , the singular forms “ a ,” “ an ,” and “ the ” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise . while the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel , it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures , in which like reference numerals are carried forward . the figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale . the present invention provides a new system to safely and efficiently transfer a card holder &# 39 ; s account information to a vendor &# 39 ; s pos device . the term “ card ” encompasses credit , charge , and debit cards , or any other type of card used to identify a user &# 39 ; s account information . the term “ vendor ” includes , but is not limited to any entity ; such as a merchant or other retailer , including hardware or software used thereby , that accepts card information in relation to completion or facilitation of financial transactions . the term “ pos device ” encompasses any economic transaction device , such as credit - card readers , atm machines , fuel dispensers , and others . referring now to fig1 , an exemplary card 100 is shown . as stated above , the term “ card ,” is used generically herein , and is not necessarily meant to refer only to a credit card , but can include charge cards , debit cards , smart cards , microprocessor cards , and other identification - number - bearing cards of the same or different dimensions . fig1 shows the front face of the card 100 . in one embodiment , the card 100 is made of a medium 102 , which can be , for example , plastic or other type of synthetic , and supports printed or raised characters , such as a visible account number 104 , an expiration date 106 , an authorization number 108 , and a name 110 of the cardholder . in addition , the card can include graphics 112 that , for example , identify the card issuer or an institution to which the card is associated . an account number 104 is created and used by an issuing institution , such as a bank , to uniquely identify the card holder and the card holder &# 39 ; s account . generally , each issuer type is also identified by this number . for instance , account numbers issued by american express are 15 digits long and account numbers issued by visa and mastercard are 16 digits long . in addition , account number formats are able to vary between issuing institutions . to authorize a card &# 39 ; s use , a merchant receives account information , such as the account number , so they can transmit it to the credit card issuer or some other credit verifying entity for verification of the account . this can be accomplished in several ways utilizing embodiments of the present invention , including traditional methods . a first traditional way is for the merchant to manually enter the account numbers digit by digit into the pos system . this can be accomplished by reading the visible number 104 on the front face of the card and typing the number 104 into a keypad on the payment terminal . a second traditional method to receive the account information is by swiping a magnet strip , described below , on the card across a magnetic strip reader . both of these first two methods are well known in the art . fig2 shows the back side of the card 100 , which includes a magnetic strip 200 attached to or integrated into the body 102 . the magnetic strip 200 is encoded with the account number 104 shown on the front face or some other code that is associated with the user &# 39 ; s account number . the pos system is provided with a magnetic strip reader that is used to capture the account number and transmit it to the credit card issuer for verification of the account . typically , the back side of credit cards has a signature box 202 . when a card is first received , the holder signs his or her name in the signature box 202 . during a transaction , a merchant can compare the signature of the person completing the transaction to the signature in the signature box 202 . this comparison acids a layer of security to help ensure that the person completing the transaction is actually the authorized card holder . in addition to the two traditional methods of manually entering numbers and swiping the magnetic strip 200 on the card , as just described , embodiments of the present invention advantageously also provide further methods of communicating account information to a merchant that provide greater convenience than any method currently known in the art . fig3 shows the card 100 of fig1 and 2 with a wireless account information transmitting device 300 integrated into the body 102 . in some embodiments of the present invention , device 300 is used as a receiving device as well . in one embodiment , the transmitter is a radio frequency identification ( rfid ) device 300 . radio frequency identification ( rfid ) is a well - known automatic identification method , relying on storing and remotely retrieving data via rfid transponders . in this exemplary application , the data includes a credit - card holder &# 39 ; s account information and is stored in a memory 310 provided on the card 100 . the rfid transponder device 300 has its own internal power source 302 , which is used to power a clock 308 and any integrated circuits that are used to generate an outgoing radio - frequency signal 304 . in one embodiment , the rfid device 300 has a practical communication range of only about 1 foot or less . this short range helps limit the number of persons / devices that are able to receive , i . e ., intercept , the credit card information to those that are in the very near vicinity . however , the present invention , is not limited to any particular range . a clandestine receiver may be equipped with a more - sensitive antenna and , hence , may be able to communicate with the card or pos device over a longer distance than normally expected . the invention can , therefore , transmit at distances less than or greater than 1 foot . in addition , the present invention provides features not present in prior - art economic - transaction systems . specifically , the inventive card 100 includes a vibration detector 306 , which is coupled to the clock 308 , a processor 309 , the memory 310 , and the wireless account information transmitting device 300 . the vibration detector 306 can be any device that senses vibrations and shock , whether acoustic or tactile , acceleration , tilt , and many others . exemplary implementations of the vibration detector 306 include microelectromechanical systems ( mems ) ( separate or built directly into processor chips ), microphones , piezoelectric crystals , and more . as shown in fig4 , the merchant is equipped with a pos system 400 that is able to wirelessly receive and interpret information from the card 100 . the pos system 400 includes a housing 402 enclosing a wireless receiving antenna 404 , which is capable of receiving card information transmitted by the wireless account information transmitting device 300 on the card 100 . the housing 402 also includes at least a surface 406 on an area facing the customer during a transaction . as shown in fig5 , also located on or within the housing 402 is a vibration detector 408 , which is operable to detect the occurrence of a vibration and , in particular , a tap on the surface 406 . the vibration detector 408 can be any device that senses vibrations and shock , whether acoustic or tactile , acceleration , tilt , and many others . exemplary implementations of the vibration detector 408 include microelectromechanical systems ( mems ) ( separate or built directly into processor chips ), microphones , piezoelectric crystals , and more . the pos system 400 further includes a clock 410 and a processor 412 , which includes comparative capabilities , as will be explained below . in operation , the vibration detector 306 within the card 100 will detect a vibration and , in particular , a tap of the card 100 against the surface 406 of the housing 402 . correspondingly , the vibration detector 408 of the housing 402 also detects the same tap . as will now be explained , the independently - recognized taps can be used to authenticate a transaction . fig6 , in conjunction with fig3 - 5 , show an exemplary process that takes place during an exemplary transaction utilizing the inventive card 100 and pos system 400 . the flow begins at step 600 and moves directly to step 602 where a card holder 414 , in physical possession of a card 100 , comes within a defined proximity to a pos terminal system 400 , shown in fig4 . in step 604 , the card holder 414 makes a brief physical contact , i . e ., “ taps ,” the card 100 against the surface 406 of the pos system 400 . upon occurrence of the tap , in step 606 , both the vibration detector 306 of the card 100 and the vibration detector 408 of the pos system 400 detect the vibration . substantially simultaneously with detecting the vibration , in step 608 , both the card 100 and the pos system 400 mark a time stamp , which will provide a reference of when the tap occurred . the pos system 400 , in step 610 , through use of the clock 410 and the processor 412 , begins counting the amount of time expired since the time stamp , i . e ., since the tap occurred . in step 612 , the card 100 , through use of the clock 308 and processor 309 , also begins counting the amount of time expired since the tap occurred . in step 614 , the transmitter 300 of the card 100 wirelessly transmits information 304 to the pos system 400 . the information 308 includes the account number , i . e ., credit card number , as well as a tap confirmation signal , which includes information indicating the amount of time that has expired since the tap occurred . in other embodiments , the credit card account number or other account - generating information can be transmitted separately from the transmission of the tap confirmation . in step 616 , the pos system 400 receives the information 304 , including the tap confirmation . the pos system 400 then , in step 618 compares the amount of expired time , which information is contained within the tap confirmation signal 304 , to the elapsed time recorded by the pos system 400 since the last tap occurred . if the times match , i . e ., have the same amount of expired time and are accurate , within a predetermined amount of error , the transaction is confirmed in step 620 and the account information 416 is then transmitted , in step 622 , to an account - verifying entity 418 , which can be the card issuer or any agent or extension thereof , for verification that that account number is valid and that the transaction is authorized by the issuer of the card . this transmission can be wired , such as via the internet , phone line , or any other network , or may be wireless . the process ends at step 624 . if , in step 618 , the elapsed times do not match , the transaction is denied in step 626 and , as an optional step ( dashed line ), the failed transaction can be reported in step 628 to a relevant merchant , bank , the account holder , and / or the card holder . the inventive tap - verifying step advantageously ensures that account information from other cards in proximity to the pos system 400 is not erroneously accepted into the transaction . if sufficient precision of corresponding tap times between the card and pos system 400 is required , the likelihood that another card near the pos system 400 will be tapped at the same time becomes virtually impossible or , at least , extremely unlikely . the present invention includes various amounts of precision between the card 100 and pos system 400 elapsed time calculations , but an error of no more than 5 milliseconds is used in at least one embodiment of the present invention . in this embodiment , if the elapsed time calculations vary by more than 5 milliseconds , the transaction is not allowed . in one embodiment , the allowed range of time difference would be between 1 and 5 milliseconds . if the card 100 was provided with a 32 khz clock , for instance , which is relatively slow ( selected for the purpose of saving power ), the frequency the “ clock ticks ” would be a thirtieth of a millisecond , allowing , time measurement to a precision on that order . the present invention , however , is in no way limited to transactions using cards like credit cards . a great majority of today &# 39 ; s card holders carry cellular telephones when making a purchase . although numerous other electronic devices , such as mp3 players , personal desktop assistants ( pda ), pagers , global positioning system ( gps ) units , and others , could be used with the present invention , the cellular telephone will be described herein as an exemplary embodiment of an alternative to the card device 100 described above . as shown in fig7 , a cellular telephone 700 includes a built in microphone 702 . as is well known in the art , a microphone 702 enables the cellular telephone 700 to convert sounds in the environment of the telephone 700 ( e . g ., a user &# 39 ; s speech ) into a series of electrical signals . in addition , cellular telephone 700 utilizes an antenna 704 , whether internal or external ( as shown ), to communicate with the cellular telephone &# 39 ; s service provider . this antenna 704 also allows the device to communicate with other electronic devices , such as the pos system 400 , in addition to the cellular - telephone service provider . fig7 also shows the telephone 700 having a processor 706 , a clock 708 , and a memory 710 — subsystems that are present in virtually every cell phone in existence . as with the credit card 100 described above , the cellular telephone 700 can , itself , be tapped against the pos system 400 to produce an audible sound . the tapping sound produced by such mechanical contact is recognized by both the cellular phone 700 and the pos system 400 substantially simultaneously . in this embodiment , the microphone 702 of the cellular telephone 700 performs the same or similar function as the vibration detector 306 , which is to capture the moment of the tap . here , microphone 702 , serving as a vibration detector , and the vibration detector 408 of the pos system 400 will record an electronic signature of the tapping sound . substantially simultaneously with detecting the vibration , both the phone 700 and the pos system 400 mark a time stamp , which will provide a reference of when the tap occurred . the pos system 400 , through use of the clock 410 and the processor 412 , begins counting the amount of time expired since the time stamp , i . e ., since the tap occurred . the phone 700 , through use of the clock 708 and processor 706 , also begins counting the amount of time expired since the tap occurred . the steps involved in a consumer attempting to make an authorized purchase from a merchant or retailer are shown in fig8 . the process flow starts at step 800 and progresses to step 802 , where the consumer inputs his / her account information into the phone 700 or , more specifically , the memory 710 within the phone 700 . it should be noted that , the cellular telephone 700 is just one of a myriad of electronic devices capable of use with the present invention and , therefore , this embodiment of the invention should not be limited to a cell phone configuration . in step 803 , the user places the device in a tap - verification state . this state - change can be performed by operation of a hard switch , soft buttons , or any other way of indicating to the device that the state should be entered . in step 804 , the owner 414 of the electronic device comes in close proximity with a pos system 400 . in step 806 , the consumer 414 taps their cellular telephone 700 to the payment terminal 400 , thereby creating an audible sound . both the electronic device 700 and payment terminal 400 receive and record the time of the tapping sound in step 808 . from a security standpoint , the fact that both vibration detectors 408 , 702 located in the pos system 400 and the cellular telephone 700 , respectively , hear the tapping sound and provide a subsequent comparison of the recorded times and their respective elapsed times to the time of comparison provides a novel mode of achieving secure authentication . since the tapping creates a sound from the mechanical interaction of the cellular telephone 700 and pos system 400 , both sounds will have substantially identical timestamps and , in one embodiment , audio waveforms . in this embodiment , both the pos system 400 and the cellular telephone 700 capture the actual audio waveform of the tap . a subsequent comparison of this audio waveform can be used to differentiate a second device that was tapped at the same time , but not against the same surface 406 . once the tapping is audibly captured , the cellular telephone 700 , in step 810 , sends the user account information and timestamp to the pos system 400 through antenna 704 . optionally , the cellular telephone 700 can also transmit the audio signature it received at the time of the tap in step 810 as well . when the pos device 400 has both its own recorded timestamp and receives the timestamp and account information from the cellular telephone 700 , in step 812 , both timestamps are sent along with the user account information to an authorization service . the authorization service can be a comparison performed within the pos system 400 or can be carried out remotely at an account verifying entity 418 . again , the comparison can also include a comparison of the audio signatures of both sides of the tap that were recorded in step 808 . at step 814 , the authorization service compares the two elapsed times since the tap occurred or , in some embodiments , the audible waveforms , with one being from the cellular telephone 700 and the other from the pos system 400 . the comparison step determines if the elapsed time or audio signals are the same , i . e ., vary by no more than an acceptable error margin , e . g ., 0 . 5 %. various techniques known to those skilled in the art may be used to characterize the two audio signals , such as intensity - over - time , frequency - domain spectra ( e . g . : fast fourier transform processing ), or other techniques of signal analysis . this margin of error may account for the amount of time it takes to transmit and receive the elapsed time value between the card 100 and the pos system 400 . if the elapsed time is a match , then the process advances to step 816 , whereby the authorization service confirms the successful authorization to the merchant and applies the purchase to the account information provided . the transaction by the user completes at step 818 , where the request is confirmed by the bank . the process ends at step 824 . however , if at step 814 the authorization service determines that the two elapsed times vary from each other by more than the allowable variation , the transaction is denied at step 820 . for example , the audible nature of sound allows for its interception by someone or some piece of electronic theft equipment within range of the sound . however , the speed of sound creates a delay in a recorded audio signature when the sound is received subsequent to the tapping . this delay provides sufficient verification information for the authenticating service to differentiate the intercepted signal , post - tapping , from the user - authorized signal that was created simultaneous to the tapping . this security measure protects the account holder and issuer from unauthorized purchases . in addition , in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention , this denial will also trigger a notification , in step 822 , to the merchant and account holder of the attempted unauthorized purchase . by sending this notification , the merchant will not proceed with the purchase and the account holder will be put on notice of the thwarted unauthorized purchase on their account so s / he can take further action . once this notification occurs , the process ends at step 824 . the heretofore mentioned tapping / confirming technology can be implemented in many other applications including , but not limited to , automobile key fobs , locker / safe devices , gap pumps , computer terminal access devices , door knobs , and many others . a transaction authentication system , device , method , and protocol has just been described that advantageously provides an added layer of security to economic transactions as well as to many other possible situations where access is limited to those with authorization .

6Physics

referring now to fig1 and 2 , a two compartment bag that is a first embodiment of the invention comprises a first rectangular backing sheet part 10 of any one of the thin plastics material usually employed in the plastics bag making industry , the sheet part having a top edge 12 , a bottom edge 14 and side edges 16 , and a second rectangular cover sheet part 18 also having top , bottom and side edges . to avoid multiplicity of reference numbers the corresponding edges of all of the separate sheet parts from which the bag is formed are given the same reference numbers as those of the first sheet part . in the finished bag the side edges 16 of this second sheet part register with the corresponding edges of the first sheet part , while the two sheet parts are formed by folding to a j - shape a section taken from a first continuous strip of plastics material , the common fold junction between them comprising their bottom edges 14 . the side edges 16 of these two sheet parts are sealed together to form a first larger compartment 20 of the two bag compartments , and in this embodiment the backing sheet part 10 is somewhat longer than the cover sheet part 18 , giving a top border part 22 extending beyond the second sheet part that can be provided with wicket holes 24 , and / or folded down to close the top end of the first compartment when desired . in other embodiments the section may be folded to a u - shape , whereby the two sheet parts are of the same length without such a top border part . a second shorter compartment 26 is formed from a section of a second continuous strip of plastics material attached to the front surface of the second cover sheet part 18 , this sheet section being folded along two parallel fold lines to provide a third rectangular compartment forming sheet part 28 , a fourth rectangular closure sheet part 30 , and a fifth rectangular connecting sheet part 32 connecting the third and fourth sheet parts . the top edges 12 of the third and fifth sheet parts comprise the common fold junction between them , while the bottom edges 14 of the fourth and fifth sheet parts are constituted by the other parallel common fold junction . the third , fourth and fifth sheet parts are all of much shorter length than the backing and cover sheet parts , while the widths of all of the first through fifth sheet parts are the same , so that all of the side edges register with one another . in this embodiment the bottom edges 14 of the second and third sheet parts register with one another . the fourth sheet part overlays a portion of the second sheet part , the top edge 12 of the third sheet part and an immediately adjacent top portion 34 of the third sheet part to an extent that will be described in detail below . the first larger compartment 20 between the first and second sheet parts 10 and 18 extends the full length of the second sheet part and has an opening to its interior at its top end . this first compartment is made of sufficient size for a larger item 36 , such as a periodical , magazine or a folded newspaper , to be received therein and the top border part 22 of the backing sheet part 10 to be folded down to close the compartment , if desired . the closure can be made more permanent , again if desired , by stapling or by a strip of adhesive tape 38 overlying the top edge of the first sheet part and the adjacent surface of the second sheet part . if the bag is made sufficiently long it is also possible to twist the upper end and tie it with a knot or with a wire tie . the second shorter compartment 26 formed between the third through fifth sheet parts is within the area of the first compartment , this second compartment having a labyrinthine opening to its interior comprising a downward facing opening between the lower portion of the fourth sheet part 30 and the overlaid top portion 34 of the third sheet part 28 , and an upward facing opening between the third and fifth sheet parts . a small but relatively bulky item 40 , such as a sample box of cereal , can easily be inserted through this opening into the second compartment and will be retained securely therein by the closure formed by the overlapping two sheets , despite the fact that the opening remains permanently open for ready removal of the item by the recipient . if nevertheless a more secure closure is desired this can be achieved by use of a small piece of adhesive tape 42 . prior proposals for comparable dual compartment bags have restricted the use of the second smaller compartment to the receipt and accommodation of a small very thin item , such as an accompanying invoice or waybill , and none provides a structure that can successfully receive and retain a bulky item therein without the necessity for a permanent closure means , such as a protected adhesive strip or a separate strip of adhesive tape . it has been found that the requirements for a successful multiple compartment bag that will safely store a bulky item in a second compartment while providing immediate permanent access , are that the compartment should extend the full width of the first compartment , thereby providing the maximum possibility of bulging outward from the first compartment while containing the bulky item , and that the labyrinthine opening should be formed as the result of overlap lengthwise between the sheet parts of closely defined limits . specifically , the minimum lengthwise overlap required is considerable , namely at least 30 % of the overall length of the second compartment , if the item is to be safely retained and readily removable as required , as compared to the 10 % provided in the embodiment of the japanese publication no . 5 - 330563 ( a ) referred to above . a maximum value for the overlap is found to be 70 % of the overall length of the second compartment , since above this value there is not justifiable increase in retentiveness , and it becomes rapidly and surprisingly too difficult to readily insert and remove the bulky item , so that the additional material required is wasted . fig1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment in which the overlap to form the labyrinthine opening is at the minimum value of 30 % such a bag can be produced using readily available sheet handling and sealing equipment and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture . in the absence of the bagged items it is sufficiently flat that it can readily be collated , stacked and packaged for transport to the place of use . any of the outwardly facing sheet part surfaces can be provided with decorative and informative printed matter , using any of the available printing techniques for plastics materials . even with both compartments loaded the bags are of consistent size set by the size of the first compartment , so that if desired the loaded bags can still readily be packed for transport to the distribution point . thus , newspaper and magazine periodical publishers are able to use the bags in the field of home sample delivery using their existing distribution networks , especially since their delivery personnel are accustomed to being required to bag the newspaper prior to delivery and / or to insert into the publication additional booklets and / or advertising flyers delivered to them separately in bulk . with the multi - compartment bags of the invention it is possible for the bags , the newspapers or magazines , and the samples to be delivered separately in bulk to each delivery person , and thereafter it is not an onerous task for that person to insert the publications and the samples into the bags to result in easily carried and deliverable units . similarly , a sample delivery organization is able to provide economically easily carried and deliverable units each consisting of a bulky sample together with any pertinent or other printed advertising material . although in the embodiment shown in fig1 and 2 the second compartment 26 is much smaller in length than the first compartment 20 , this need not always be the case , and the length of the second compartment can be increased to a maximum when the top common junction 12 between the fourth and fifth sheet parts extends immediately adjacent to the top edge 12 of the second sheet part 18 . fig3 and 6 show another embodiment in which the bottom common junction 14 between the third and fifth sheet parts does not register with the bottom edges 14 of the first and second sheet parts but is spaced therefrom , the second compartment 26 therefor being located higher on the first compartment than with the embodiment of fig1 and 2 . in the embodiment illustrated by these two figures the overlap between the third and fourth sheets has an intermediate value of 45 %. fig4 and 7 show a three - compartment bag consisting of a single first compartment 20 and two shorter sample receiving compartments 26 within the area confines of the first compartment . two third through fifth sheet parts are provided for each bag , appropriately sealed to the second sheet part , so as to form two similar shorter additional compartments each with a labyrinthine opening formed between overlapping third and fourth sheet parts , and each of which can receive and securely retain a respective small bulky sample . in the embodiment illustrated by these two figures the overlap between the third and fourth sheets has a higher intermediate value of 55 %. more than two such additional compartments can be provided if their total transverse lengths are sufficiently less than the overall length of the first compartment , and if the spacing between the additional compartments is sufficient for samples to easily inserted and removed through their respective openings . fig5 and 8 show a further embodiment in which the first through fourth sheet parts have all been provided by separate continuous sheets of the plastics material , so that no folding is required for manufacture of the bags , the sheets being laid upon one another in an appropriate sequence . the third and fourth sheet parts are sealed directly to the second sheet part and the fifth connecting sheet part 32 is not required , since its connecting function is performed by the intervening part of the second cover sheet 18 . in this embodiment the first and second sheet parts are of the same length , while the overlap between the third and fourth sheets has the maximum value of 70 %. in other embodiments which are not shown the first and second sheet parts may be obtained by folding a wider sheet to u - shape or to j - shape , as required , while the third and fourth sheet parts are obtained from separate sheets . referring now to the flow diagram of fig9 the two compartment bag of fig1 and 2 may be manufactured by feeding onto a support surface 44 , comprising the upper surface of a continuous conveyer belt moving in the direction of the arrow 46 , a sheet 48 of the thin transparent plastics material . the sheet is folded by any of the folding means well known to those skilled in the art ( not shown ) to a j - shape in which it provides different length first and second sheets . subsequently these sheets are divided transversely to provide respective successions of the first rectangular backing sheet parts 10 and second rectangular cover sheet parts 18 joined together along the common bottom fold junction 14 . the sheets used in the manufacture of the bags will usually be supplied from respective rolls thereof ( none of which are shown ) and are fed onto the conveyor surface 44 by any of the well known means available in the industry for that purpose . a second sheet 50 is fed from its roll down onto the upper surface of the succession of second sheet parts 18 and is adapted to provide upon folding along two spaced parallel fold lines ( by folding means which are not shown ) respective successions of third , fourth and fifth sheet parts forming a respective succession of second compartments . prior to the folding of the second sheet 50 it is heat sealed at a sealing station to the second cover sheet parts along two spaced parallel seal lines by respective transversely spaced heated sealing wheels 52 , the upper seal line also establishing the common junction between the fourth and fifth sheet parts 30 and 32 , while the lower seal line also establishes the common junction between the third and fifth sheet parts 28 and 32 . in this embodiment the lower common junction registers with the common junction between the first and second sheet parts , so that the bottom edges of the first and second compartments register with one another . also in this embodiment , because of the prior folding of the first sheet 48 , a shield plate 54 is interposed between the sheet parts 10 and 18 to prevent them from being sealed together along the upper seal line by the respective heated sealing wheel 52 . the sheet 50 shown in solid lines is of transverse width such that when folded as illustrated the overlap between the resulting third and fourth sheet parts is of the minimum value of 30 % of the overall length of the second compartment , while the sheet 50 shown in chain broken lines is of transverse width such that when similarly folded the overlap between the resulting third and fourth sheet parts is of the maximum value of 70 % of the overall length of the second compartment . although in this embodiment two spaced heat seal lines are employed to fasten the two sheets together , and thereby fasten the second compartment to the first compartment , in other embodiments only a single such fastening line , or more than two such fastening lines may be employed , as long as it or they are adequate to provide a secure connection between the superimposed butting sheet parts . fastening methods known in the industry other than heat sealing may instead be employed , such as the use of hot glue or double sided tapes . the superimposed folded and sealed together first and second sheets then pass to a sealing and severing station at which the registering side edges 16 of all of the sheet parts are simultaneously heat sealed together by the action of a heat sealing bar 56 extending transversely of the moving sheets , this single edge sealing operation being all that is required to securely establish all of the first compartment and the second compartment or compartments . at the same time the thus formed separate bags are partially or completely separated from one another by cutting through the middle of the transverse seal line produced by the bar 56 ; any partial separation is such as to enable the bags to be readily separated later as required . whether completely or partially separated the bags will thereafter usually be collated , stacked and packaged for transport to the point of eventual use . in another method which is not illustrated the second sheet 50 is sealed to the first sheet 48 prior to folding the latter , thus avoiding the need for the intervening plate 54 . any of the first through fourth sheet parts can be supplied as separate sheets from respective rolls thereof , but folding from a wider sheet is usually preferred whenever this is possible , the ease of handling compensating for the slight wastage of material caused by the presence of the fifth connecting sheet part 32 , whose function is otherwise provided by the intervening part of the second sheet part . the inexpensive thin plastic sheets required for low cost items such as the bags of the invention are almost universally produced by blow molding that results in a continuous tube of the material , and two rows of bags can be produced simultaneously from such a tube by slitting it longitudinally into two parallel sheets of the u - shape or j - shape required for the first and second sheet parts . similarly each of the one or more second compartments can be formed from a respective smaller diameter tube that is slit longitudinally and then folded as described above .

1Performing Operations; Transporting

fig1 illustrates an embodiment of a plug 12 of the invention before friction fitting to a fence post 10 . the post 10 has one or more slots 14 formed therein to receive a strand of wire . the slots 14 have , for example , an inverted - l shape in vertical cross section . the slots 14 optionally have other equivalent vertical section shapes , for example , l shapes , angled shapes , curve shapes , etc . the slots 14 are regularly or irregularly spaced vertically along the post 10 . the post 10 has , for example , a y - shaped horizontal cross section . the post 10 can have other equivalent horizontal section shapes , for example , t shapes , i shapes , h - shapes , circular shapes , rectilinear shapes , etc . the post 10 is formed , for example , from metal or plastics . referring to fig2 , each plug 12 is sized and shaped to be friction - fitted into a slot 14 and over a strand of wire 16 received therein to thereby fasten the strand of wire 16 in position on the post 10 . the plug 12 is formed , for example , as an integral moulding in plastics . the strand of wire 16 is , for example , barbed wire , wire mesh , smooth wire , and combinations thereof . referring to fig3 and 4 , each plug 12 optionally includes an elongate , generally rectangular horizontal plug body 18 having curved fir tree branches 20 extending thereunder downwardly and rearwardly . other equivalent fir tree branches 20 may also be used , for example , the curved branches 20 may further or alternatively extend upwardly from the plug body 18 . in use , the fir tree branches 20 allow the plug 12 to be friction - fitted into a slot 14 and over the stand of wire 16 with a low insertion force ( i . e ., the force required to insert the plug 12 into the slot 14 ) while maintaining a high extraction force ( i . e ., the force required to withdraw the plug 12 from the slot 14 ). the plug body 18 may have other shapes which complement the shape of the slots 14 . the plug body 18 is enclosed on three sides by two vertically overlapping side or peripheral flanges 22 , and a vertically overlapping rear end flange 24 . the plug 12 is generally h - shaped in vertical cross section through the plug body 18 and side flanges 22 , and generally squared - u - shaped in horizontal cross section through the side and rear end flanges 22 , 24 . in use , the plug 12 friction -, press -, snap - or push - fits into the slot 14 , and the side flanges flex - fit , clip , snap or clamp around portions of the post 10 adjacent to opposing side edges of the slot 14 , as illustrated in fig2 . the side flanges 22 prevent the plug 12 from being displaced from the slot 14 in directions generally parallel to the strand of wire 16 . each side flange 22 has a semi - circular cut - out 26 adapted to overlie the strand of wire 16 when in position in the slot 14 . the side flanges 22 therefore allow the plug 12 to be snugly flush - mounted around the post 10 and over the strand of wire 16 . the side flanges 22 and / or the rear end flange 24 optionally have gripping projections , for example ribbing or flanges ( not shown ), to aid gripping during insertion and withdrawal of the plug 12 from the slot 14 . each post 10 has , for example , a plurality of slots 14 , and a plurality of plugs 12 are provided for each post 10 . the posts 10 and plugs 12 are provided separately or together as a kit of parts . the kit of parts optionally further includes the wire 16 . 1referring to fig5 , the plug 12 is compatible with electric fencing insulators 28 to fasten strands of electrified wire or tape to the post 10 as part of an electrified fence . referring to the lower insulator 28 , the plug 12 is inserted into a slot 14 in the post 10 , and a pin 30 is inserted horizontally through one end of the insulator 28 and through the wire - receiving portion of the slot 14 to thereby fasten the insulator 28 to the post 10 . a strand of wire or tape ( not shown ) to be electrified is then fastened to the free end of the insulator 28 by a vertical pin 32 . it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention advantageously allow fencing wire to be easily and securely fastened to fence posts without the need for tying off individual wires . the embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims which follow .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

referring to fig1 , 2 , 3 , 3 a - 3 c , 8 and 9 , there is shown an embodiment of the electronic candle 10 . candle 10 , generally , includes an illumination assembly 11 , a slidably removable candle cover sleeve 12 , a top cover assembly 13 a base 41 with 42 cylindrical arms and a cover 14 . the assembly rests on pedestal 15 . illumination assembly 11 has a housing 16 , electronic assembly 17 , movable switch arm 18 , operably connected with electronic assembly 17 , two vertically disposed illumination elements or leds 19 , and translucent illumination housing 20 , for purposes hereinafter appearing . it also has a base 41 with cylindrical arms 42 and a compression spring 40 . candle cover sleeve 12 is cylindrically shaped . candle cover sleeve 12 is partially clear , textured or transparent . candle cover sleeve 12 has an outer cylindrical surface 22 , an inner cylindrical surface 23 , an annular top edge 24 and an annular bottom edge 25 having radially outwardly disposed lip 25 a . a radially inwardly protruding element 30 is formed on inner cylindrical surface 23 at a prescribed distance from bottom edge 25 for purposes hereinafter appearing . inner cylindrical surface 23 is formed with recess 26 for receiving a sheet 35 bearing indicia 36 ( fig1 ), whereby the indicia is viewable through clear portion 28 . the candle cover sleeve also has a lowered and angled circular top 22 a and on 22 a outer surface a 22 b recess to receive photo 63 . a compression spring 40 is operably disposed between candle cover sleeve 12 bottom edge 25 , illumination housing 16 , housing base 41 and cylindrical arms 42 . spring 40 is retained between candle cover sleeve 12 , lip 25 a , base 40 and cylindrical arms 42 . cylindrical arms 42 also limit candle cover sleeve 12 motion when base cover 14 is placed . ( fig3 a - 3c ). referring to specifically to fig3 a - 3c , candle cover sleeve 12 is shown in operable engagement with switch arm 18 , spring 40 and illumination circuitry 17 and leds 19 . referring to fig3 a , element 30 slidably engages the outer surface of housing 16 . spring 40 is uncompressed in fig3 a . sleeve bottom edge 25 and 25 a rests on spring 40 in the disposition of fig3 a . in the foregoing manner of constructions , switch arm 18 is disposed in the initial “ off ” position . referring specifically now to fig3 b , there is shown the downward movement of candle cover sleeve 12 by the user ( not shown ) pressing downwardly on candle cover sleeve top edge 24 . this downward movement causes the candle cover sleeve bottom edge 25 a to compress spring 40 . candle cover sleeve protruding element 30 , slidably moves downwardly from the outer surface housing 16 , and contactingly slidably engage switch arm 18 . this engagement causes switch arm 18 to pivot inward to initiate “ on ” position as shown in fig3 b . this downward initial movement of candle cover sleeve 12 causes switch arm 18 to actuate electronic assembly 17 to turn the illuminating leds 19 on . referring now specifically to fig3 c , there is shown the operating position after the user ( not shown ) disengages from sleeve top edge 24 . spring 40 decompresses and returns to its initial disposition . sleeve protruding element 30 likewise returns to its initial position . switch arm 18 likewise returns to its initial position . circuitry 17 power holding circuitry electronics 51 , however , causes leds 19 to remain on for an extended period if sleeve 12 remains downwardly unmoved . candle 10 is then effectively illuminated in perpetuity . if candle cover sleeve 12 is depressed by the user again , the switch arm 18 is moved to an inward position , and circuitry 17 power holding electronics 51 will turn the leds 19 off . referring specifically to fig8 and 9 there is shown a block diagram and an actual schematic of the electronic circuitries the dual power source the dc / dc power converter , and flame flickering circuitry to provide the leds with illumination in effect in perpetuity . the electronic assembly 17 is connected to wall outlet power supply ( not shown ) in a customary manner . the power supply is connected to dual power source 50 , which provides power to the power holding circuitry 51 and to dc / dc power converter 52 . the power source 50 provides power to simulate flame flickering circuitry 53 . fig9 shows an actual working circuitry . in this manner of construction , leds 19 remains lighted by either the batteries or the external power source . this permits the leds 19 to remain lighted in perpetuity . if batteries are rechargeable types the external power source will recharge them at the same time . candle 10 remains lighted in perpetuity , as is the generally most desired presentation for memorial candles . candle 10 is provided with a sheet or insert 35 which is imprinted with a memorial notice 36 once with inscribed the name 37 of the deceased ( fig1 ). further , referring to fig2 and 3a , candle cover sleeve 12 top assembly 13 includes a transparent cover or magnifying lens 60 , and a photo 63 of the deceased . the photo is shaped that it will fit into recess 22 b . the inside upper portion of candle cover sleeve 12 with its lowered and angled circular top 22 a and its recess 22 b will receive photo and the photo will be held and protected by lens cover 60 by pressing it in to candle cover sleeve top . referring to fig4 and 5 , there is shown a further embodiment of the electronic candle 10 customization . with transparent plate or insert 61 having recess 62 a in its upper top surface closing the candle cover sleeve at top edge 24 a chamber or compartment 70 can be created with a slanted bottom toward the front . the compartment or chamber 70 may be used to stow or preserve a memento ( not shown ) or significance to the customer or viewer . the transparent insert 61 may receives a picture in its recess 62 a that is covered with lens 60 . the inserted object will be visible from the front and side from the upper clear section of candle cover sleeve 12 . referring to fig1 - 12a , there are shown alternative embodiments of candle cover sleeve 12 , namely 80 , 90 and 100 . all embodiments of candle cover sleeve 12 are thermoformed or injection molded with same dye but with different inserts ( nothing , cross , star of david , etc .) to the dye for the different insignias . also the candle cover sleeves can be molded in various colors to enhance the significant of the insignias . candle cover sleeve 80 is of molded thermoplastic construction like candle cover sleeve 12 . candle cover sleeve 80 differs from candle cover sleeve 12 in three principal aspects . candle cover sleeve 80 is formed with a cross 81 molded and formed as part of the unitary candle cover sleeve construction . candle cover sleeve 80 is formed of red colored thermoplastic construction . candle cover sleeve 80 is also formed of an upper inner surface , which is textured 84 . texture surface “ breaks up ” the flickering light emanating from the colored leds 19 to provide an enhanced simulated flickering wax candle effect . candle cover sleeve 90 is formed or molded with a star of david 91 . candle cover sleeve 90 is formed of a deep blue colored thermoplastic construction . the upper inner surface of candle cover sleeve 90 is textured ( not shown in fig1 ) in a manner similar to that of candle cover sleeve 80 . the leds utilized with candle cover sleeve 90 are complementarily colored to provide an enhanced simulated wax candle flickering effect . candle cover sleeve 100 represents when customer wants no religious designation of candle . it has the same construction than the candles with insignias . the following table i shows a coordination of the textured candle cover sleeve colors , the led colors and their required voltage provided by the dc / dc converter 52 to cause the respective enhanced simulated wax candle flickering effects . referring to fig5 - 7 , there is shown an alternate embodiment candle 100 . candle 100 differs from candle 10 that candle 100 does not include memorial elements 36 , 37 , and 35 . candle 100 is constructed with a partially open external memorial collar assembly 110 . collar assembly 110 is slidably disposed on the outer surface of the candle cover sleeve 12 and rests on cover 14 . collar assembly 110 is formed of 2 rings of 121 and 121 a and a cylindrical segment of 120 . upper and lower inner recesses 112 and 113 are formed in ring 121 and 121 a . indicia bearing sheet 114 of paper or thermoplastic , which is imprinted with the memorial indicia 36 and 37 , is removably disposed in recesses 112 and 113 . a protective transparent plastic cover sheet 115 is disposed in recesses 112 and 113 in front of sheet 114 and functionally retained in recess 112 - 113 . fig6 shows a perspective view of collar 110 and fig7 is a sectional view of collar 110 at axis 7 - 7 . candle 100 may include any of the candle cover sleeve configuration . the afore - discussed embodiments provide a readily customized memorial candle for funerary and memorial businesses . one method , by way of example , useful in a funerary business is where a loved one of the deceased completes an e - form that with the internet instructs the funeral director as to e . g . the name , religion and image of the decease . the funeral director that imprints the requested memorial information 36 and 37 and photo and assembles the candle with the appropriate candle cover sleeves e . g . 80 or 90 or 100 or any other and complementary leds ( table i ). this construction and methodology permits a readily customized and personalized electronic candle , which stimulates a flickering lighted wax candle in perpetuity . a business , such as a funerary or memorial business , may utilize the afore - discussed electronic candle construction to provide cost - effective personalization and customization services to diverse customers . in one preferred embodiment of the business ; ( a ) an e - form is provided by the business on the business website ; ( b ) a prospective customer accesses the website and completes the e - form , including information such as ( i ) name of deceased ; ( ii ) religion of deceased and ( iii ) photograph of the deceased ; ( c ) the business then assembles the appropriate symbol bearing candle cover sleeve ( colors ), leds and memorial indicia and simultaneously bills the customer &# 39 ; s credit card ( fig1 ). the funerary business or customizing agent may transfer the indicia and customization instructions 201 to a printer and the memento 202 to the assembly location where the electronic candle is assembled ( fig1 ). the customer is then provided with the customized and personalized electronic candle at or in connection with a funeral or memorial service . the described systems and candle 10 constructions provides a simulated flame lighted in perpetuity , with readily viewable memorial indicia 37 , memorial photo and / or memorial memento . the present invention provides a complete all - in - one customized and personalized memorial unit . the above - discussed specific embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any way . many changes can be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof . it is intended that all material contained herein be interpreted as illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense of the invention which is defined by the adjoined claims .

5Mechanical Engineering; Lightning; Heating; Weapons; Blasting

while the following description will be presented in terms of a stamping operation , it is to be understood that reference to such a stamping operation is intended to be illustrative only and that practice of the invention is in no way limited to stamping tools . to the contrary , it is contemplated and intended that the inventive cleaning practices may be equally applicable to any number of forming tools that apply controlled deformation to a work piece including cutting tools , extrusion tools and the like as will be well known to those of skill in the art . reference will now be made to the various drawings wherein to the extent possible , like elements are designated by corresponding reference numerals in the various views . in fig1 , a stamping tool 10 of tool steel or the like and a metal work piece 20 of a deformable metal such as aluminum or the like are illustrated prior to stamping . as will be appreciated , the stamping tool 10 has a contoured workface defining a pattern 12 of indentations and protrusions of varying size and shape . during the stamping operation the pattern across the stamping tool is pressed in relief across the work piece 20 . fig2 illustrates the stamping tool 10 and the metal work piece 20 subsequent to the stamping operation . as can be readily observed , following the stamping operation localized regions of small amounts of metal substrate residue 20 a become adhered to the stamping tool . these deposits will normally build up over time so as to change of the profile of the stamping tool 10 and affect friction conditions that were optimized for forming . fig3 depicts the inventive method of cleaning the stamping tool 10 . this method uses a solution of caustic material in the form of a base or mild acid that does not attack the tooling material , which can be either in the form of a gel or saturated onto a cloth 15 . the gel or saturated cloth 15 is placed into contacting relation with critical areas of the stamping tool 10 which have localized regions of metal substrate residue buildup . after approximately 5 minutes of contact the gel is neutralized or wiped off or the saturated cloth is removed . the contact is preferably substantially static in nature with the gel or cloth 15 being held in a substantially fixed position so as to promote uninterrupted chemical reaction . to facilitate the cleaning action an optional ultrasonic vibration device 25 may be secured at least partially around the gel or saturated cloth 15 to promote loosening of the substrate residue 20 a . fig4 illustrates the cleaned stamping tool 10 in which the localized buildup of metal substrate residue 20 a is no longer evident . the stamping tool requires no additional cleaning or polishing . according to potentially preferred practices , the caustic material may be either basic or acidic in nature . by way of example only , and not limitation , exemplary caustic compositions include naoh , koh , acetic acid , phosphoric acid and chemicals with similar caustic properties , and any combination of such materials depending on the adhered material and the tooling material used . by way of example only , and not limitation one caustic material that has been found to be effective is a gel marketed under the trade designation drano ®. in accordance with a particularly preferred practice , the cleaning operation may be performed at slightly elevated temperatures such as 50 - 100 ° c . in order to accelerate the reaction . the present method is believed to be particularly beneficial for cleaning ferrous stamping tools with deposits from aluminum and aluminum alloy metal work pieces . however , the practice can also be applied to clean other tooling materials including ceramics and the like and other work piece metals that stick to such tooling including magnesium , titanium , zinc coatings on steel and the like . the composition of the cleaning agent preferably in gel form is tailored such that it is reactive to the adhered material and has no reaction with the tooling material , which can be steel or another material suitable for tooling . it is to be understood that while the present invention has been illustrated and described in relation to potentially preferred embodiments , constructions , and procedures , that such embodiments , constructions , and procedures are illustrative only and that the invention is in no event limited thereto . rather , it is contemplated that modifications and variations embodying the principals of the invention will no doubt occur to those of skill in the art . it is therefore contemplated and intended that the present invention shall extend to all such modifications and variations as may incorporate the broad aspects of the invention within the true spirit and scope thereof .

2Chemistry; Metallurgy

with reference now to the drawings , a new and improved question and answer board game embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described . turning initially to fig1 - 7 , the components of a first preferred form of the invention are shown . a game board 10 ( fig1 ) is provided of generally rectangular shape and preferably , is foldable along a central crease or fold line 12 for compact storage within a storage or packing box ( not shown ). in accordance with the invention , the board 10 is designed to simulate the layout of an actual pocket billiards snooker table and to that end , preferably features a green field 14 surrounded by a red border 16 . six circular segments 18 preferably of a black or dark color are positioned substantially as shown to simulate the pockets of the billiard table . a transverse line 20 extends across the board about a fifth of the way from one end and is intercepted by a centrally disposed semi - circle 22 . the line 20 represents the &# 34 ; balk &# 34 ; line whereas the semi - circle 22 defines the &# 34 ; d &# 34 ; of a conventional snooker table layout as is well known . finally , the board 10 comprises a series of four ( 4 ) centrally aligned black dots 24 , 26 , 28 and 30 which on an actual snooker table would represent the locations for certain colored snooker balls of ascending point value when the balls are racked at the start of each game or inning as will be more particularly described . in an actual snooker game , there are 22 balls consisting of one ( 1 ) cue ball , fifteen ( 15 ) red balls each having an assigned value of one ( 1 ) point , and six ( 6 ) differently colored balls respectively having assigned ascending point values as follows : if board 10 were an actual snooker table and one wished to rack the table at the start of a game , typically the 15 red balls would be racked with the apex of the triangle on spot 26 ; the black ball would be placed on spot 24 ; the pink ball would be placed touching and in front of the red ball on spot 26 ; the blue ball would be placed on spot 28 ; the brown ball on spot 30 ; the yellow ball would be placed on the spot defined by the intersection of the d and the balk line to the left of spot 30 as viewed in fig1 ; and the green ball would be placed on the spot defined by the intersection of the d and the balk line to the right of spot 30 as viewed in fig1 . in the board game of the present invention , the game pieces shown in fig3 and 4 are used to simulate the &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; and the &# 34 ; colored &# 34 ; snooker bails . thus , in fig4 there are fifteen ( 15 ) similarly shaped and sized &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; game pieces 32 each having an assigned point value of 1 . in fig3 there are six ( 6 ) similarly shaped and sized game pieces of differing colors having assigned differing point values respectively as follows : except for their color , game pieces 32 - 44 may be identical and fabricated from molded plastic or wood . preferably , they assume the shape substantially as shown in fig3 and 4 . it thus will be appreciated that in setting up the game board of the present invention prior to beginning play , the pieces 32 - 44 are arranged on the board in the same manner as actual snooker balls are placed on a snooker table with the game pieces taking the place of the actual racked and positioned balls . turning now to fig5 - 7 , the question and answer game cards 46 will be described . the game cards 46 simulate the cue and cue ball used in snooker and are structurally similar to each other in size and shape so as to form a conveniently handled &# 34 ; deck &# 34 ; ( fig5 ). any reasonable number of cards may be provided in the deck , and several different decks may be used . each card 46 includes an obverse face 48 and a reverse face 64 ( fig7 ). the obverse side 48 of each card 46 has printed thereon or in any other suitable manner displays a series of seven ( 7 ) questions preferably arranged from top to bottom as indicated by the arabic numerals 1 - 7 in fig6 . to the left of each question is a color - coded block or other space 50 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 58 , 60 , and 62 associating the questions with the colors of game pieces 32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 and 44 , respectively . it is to be noted that the intellectual content of the questions on the obverse side 48 of each game card 46 is entirely arbitrary and forms no part of the present invention . thus , the questions may relate to any category of subject matter such as trivia , sports , geography , history , and so on . the only requirement of the invention in this regard is that the questions become increasingly more difficult as they range from top to bottom of each card , i . e . question 1 is easiest , question 7 most difficult . nor is it required that the questions on each obverse card face be devoted to the same category . they may be intermixed by category , as long as the ascending order of difficulty is adhered to . the reason for this will become apparent when it is noted that colored blocks or spaces 52 , 54 , 56 , 58 , 60 and 62 on each card obverse face 48 are as follows , respectively ; black and thus correspond to the same ascending point value as defined by the color coding of game pieces 32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 and 44 , respectively ( e . g ., red = 1 , black = 7 ). in other words , the difficulty of each question on the obverse face 48 of each card 46 is , in accordance with the present invention , associated with the same ascending point value as that of the simulated game pieces 32 - 44 and therefore , of the actual &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; and &# 34 ; colored &# 34 ; balls in snooker . on the reverse side 64 of each game card 46 ( fig7 ) are displayed in corresponding order the &# 34 ; answers &# 34 ; to the questions on the obverse side and the same color coding scheme regarding degree of difficulty . thus , the answer to any posed question may be determined easily and rapidly by merely flipping each card over . if a posed question is answered correctly , the game piece corresponding to that question may be removed from the game board simulating the pocketing of a snooker ball . under the rules of the game of the present invention , each player commences a game or inning by first attempting to correctly answer a question on a given card 46 corresponding to the &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; game pieces each of which has a point value = 1 , i . e . the easiest or first question on the obverse face 48 of the card 46 . if the player correctly answers the &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; question ( corresponding to pocketing a &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; ball in snooker ), he or she receives 1 point and then , and only then , may attempt to answer a question of higher point value or , synonymously , of a greater degree of difficulty ( corresponding to attempting to pocket a &# 34 ; colored &# 34 ; ball in snooker ). in accordance with the invention , chance selection means are provided for selecting the next question to be answered after a &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; question has been correctly answered . in the preferred embodiment , the chance selection means is in the form of a seven ( 7 ) sided die 66 wherein each of the seven sides has a different color . corresponding to red , yellow , green , brown , blue , pink , and black , respectively . by this arrangement , each of the seven colored sides of die 66 will also have associated with it , respectively , the same point values assigned to the &# 34 ; colored &# 34 ; game pieces and the questions 1 through 7 on each card obverse face 46 as described above . thus , when the die 66 is tossed , the colored side facing up will indicate the color cede for the next question , e . g . if &# 34 ; pink &# 34 ; faces up , the next question will have a point value = 6 , and this question will appear on line 6 of the question card obverse face 48 having the &# 34 ; pink &# 34 ; color - coded block 60 . to determine if the answer to question 6 is correct , the card is turned over to its reverse face 64 where the correct answer will be found on line 6 next to a corresponding &# 34 ; pink &# 34 ; color - coded block . as mentioned above , correctly answering a question having a point value greater than = 1simulates pocketing a colored snooker ball and the point value of the correctly answered question is added to the player &# 39 ; s score . a player continues to use the chance selection means ( die 66 ) until all questions on the card are answered correctly , or until a question cannot be answered correctly , whichever occurs first . the next player then &# 34 ; racks &# 34 ; the snooker table ( i . e . game board 10 ) by replacing any removed game pieces and selects another answer card 46 from the deck to start a new game or inning . the chance selection means or die 66 also may be used to determine order of play among a plurality or group of players since each of the colored faces of the die 66 has a point value assigned to it . thus , for example , the red face = 1 , the yellow face = 2 , the black face = 7 , and so on . hence , each player may toss the die in turn to determine order of play with , for example , the highest point value commencing play first , the next highest commencing play second , and so on . turning now to fig8 - 10 , where like reference numerals represent like parts , there is shown an alternative form of the present invention . in its alternative preferred form , game board 10 is mounted on four legs 68 at each corner thereof to simulate a raised snooker table . in addition , there is provided a pair of receptacles 70 , 72 positioned respectively in the surface of game board 10 near the opposed , longitudinally extending sides thereof substantially as shown . receptacles 70 , 72 serve as convenient storage means for question and answer cards 46 . as shown in fig9 each receptacle 70 , 72 includes an elevator platform 74 attached to a compression spring 76 fixed to the floor 78 of the receptacle . by the action of this arrangement , a new or next question / answer card 46 conveniently may be presented to the players from , say , receptacle 70 . when an inning is over and the card 46 is no longer in use , it may temporarily be stored in the other receptacle 72 . in recording the progress of a player , any suitable scoring means may be used . for example , the scores of each player may be recorded by adding the point value of all questions answered correctly each inning and noting the sum in a column on a piece of paper under each player &# 39 ; s name . in the preferred embodiment of fig8 - 10 , however , a mechanical scoring device generally represented by reference numeral 80 is preferably provided . scoring device 80 is in the form of a housing having a neoclassical get - up to suggest an academic institution ( i . e . college or university ). in this regard , note the arch 82 and columns 84 . each column 84 represents a different . player ( while four ( 4 ) are shown , any number may be provided ), and includes a finger tab 86 movable within a longitudinal slot in each column . each tab is mechanically connected inside housing 80 in a known manner to a slide 88 extending upwardly . through the roof of the housing . slides 88 bear suitable markings or indicia thereon to indicate each corresponding player &# 39 ; s score , i . e . the slide markings could indicate level of achievement such as bachelor &# 39 ; s degree , master &# 39 ; s degree , ph . d ., or have numerical grades ranging from a minimum to a maximum , and so on . when the game begins , all tabs 86 will be in their bottommost position , and as each player &# 39 ; s score . accumulates , the tabs 86 and slides 88 will be moved upwardly in corresponding fashion to reveal each player &# 39 ; s progress . it will be noted in fig1 that the length of columns 84 is sized so that the bottom and surfaces of the columns abut the upper surface of game board 10 when the scoring device 80 is positioned adjacent the board substantially as shown . this permits a compact and convenient arrangement between the game board and scoring device facilitating increased enjoyment during use . in playing the question and answer board game of the present invention , the following &# 34 ; rules &# 34 ; are preferred : ( 1 ) the game pieces initially are positioned on the game board following typical rules for racking a snooker table ( as described above ). ( 2 ) the chance selection means ( e . g . 7 - sided die 66 ) is thrown in turn by each player to determine order of play ( highest number goes first , followed by next highest , etc .). ( 3 ) each player must start an inning by first attempting to answer the easiest or &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; question on a selected card . ( 4 ) if the &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; question on a given card is incorrectly answered , the inning is over and the next player takes his / her turn . ( 5 ) if the &# 34 ; red question &# 34 ; on a given card is correctly answered , a &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; piece is removed from the board and the chance selection means thrown to determine the next question to be answered on a given card ( or a different card ) by that player . ( die is thrown again if the next question comes up &# 34 ; red ,&# 34 ; i . e . &# 34 ; next &# 34 ; question must be a color other than &# 34 ; red .&# 34 ;) ( 6 ) if the next question is answered correctly , the corresponding point value is noted and added to the player &# 39 ; s score . in addition , the game piece corresponding to the color of the correctly answered question is removed from the board . ( 7 ) a player follows the procedure of ( 6 ) until he / she fails to answer a question or all colored game pieces other than &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; are removed from the board whichever comes first . ( 8 ) only the colored game pieces are repositioned on the board following completion of an inning . ( 9 ) the game ends when all &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; pieces have been removed from the board and the last player &# 39 ; s inning is over . ( 10 ) the player with the highest cumulative score at the end of the game is declared the winner . ( 11 ) any reasonable number of players may participate ; however , 2 - 4 players are preferred . while the above &# 34 ; rules &# 34 ; of the board game of the present invention may be presented in any suitable manner , it is preferred that they be printed on the inside cover of the packing box or carton ( not shown ) in which the game board 10 , the question and answer cards 46 , the game pieces 32 through 44 , the chance selection means 66 , and any other parts , are stored . it will be appreciated from the above description that , by playing the question and answer game board of the present invention , the pocket billiard game of snooker may be simulated with each correctly answered question being analogous to the pocketing of a &# 34 ; red &# 34 ; or &# 34 ; colored &# 34 ; snooker ball . the same point value schemes are employed and the object of both games is the same , i . e . achieve the highest total score . playing the question and answer board game of the present invention thus not only offers enjoyment similar to that which one would receive from experiencing an actual game of snooker , but furthermore , leads to enhanced knowledge . it is thus seen that all of the objects and advantages of the invention may successfully be achieved . with respect to the above description then , it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention , to include variations in size , materials , shape , form , function and manner of operation , assembly and use , are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art , and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and 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 . further , 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 construction and operation shown and described , and accordingly , all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to , falling within the scope of the invention . for example , instead of using chance selection means in the form of the 7 - sided die 66 , a spinnable arrow supported on a card having a circular design with seven color - coded segments may be employed instead . still other obvious modifications or alterations will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art .

0Human Necessities

one embodiment of the system includes a multi - source , multi - layer network usage metering and mediation solution that gives network service providers ( nsps ), including internet service providers ( isps ) and enterprise network ( intranet ) operators , the information needed to set the right - price for ip ( internet protocol ) services . with the system , the providers can generate accurate usage - based billing and implement usage - based charge - back models . the system derives ip session and transaction information , collected in real time , from a multitude of network elements . the system gathers , correlates , and transforms data from routers , switches , firewalls , authentication servers , ldap , web hosts , dns , and other devices to create comprehensive usage and billing records . the system transforms raw transaction data from network devices into useful billing records though policy - based filtering , aggregation , and merging . the result is a set of detail records ( drs ). in some embodiments , the detail records are xacct detail records ( xdrs ™) available from xacct technologies . drs are somewhat similar in concept to the telephony industry &# 39 ; s call detail records ( cdrs ). thus , drs can be easily integrated with existing customer care and billing ( ccb ) systems . in addition to billing data , drs enable nsps to deploy new services based on documented usage trends , plan network resource provisioning , and audit service usage . the system provides a clear picture of user - level network service use by tracking a variety of metrics such as actual session quality of service ( qos ), traffic routes , and end - user application transactions . the system is based on a modular , distributed , highly scaleable architecture capable of running on multiple platforms . data collection and management is designed for efficiency to minimize impact on the network and system resources . the system minimizes network impact by collecting and processing data close to its source . modular architecture provides maximum configuration flexibility , and compatibility with multiple network information sources . the system , or other embodiments , may have one or more of the following features . data collection can be from a wide range of network devices and services , spanning all layers of the network — from the physical to the application layer . real - time , policy - based filtering , aggregation , enhancement and merging creates accurate , detailed and comprehensive session detail records ( drs ). real time correlation of data from various sources allows billing record enhancement . leverages existing investment through integration with any customer care & amp ; billing solution , reducing costs , minimizing risks and shortened time - to - market . web - based user interface allows off - the - shelf browsers to access the system , on - demand , locally or remotely . carrier - class scalability allows expansion to fit an nsps needs without costly reconfiguration . customized reporting with built - in report generation or an nsps choice of off - the - shelf graphical reporting packages . comprehensive network security features allow secure communication between system components and multiple levels of restricted access . the following describes the system 100 of fig1 . the system 100 allows nsps to account for and bill for ip network communications . the following paragraphs first list the elements of fig1 then describes those elements and then describes how the elements work together . importantly , the distributed data gathering , filtering and enhancements performed in the system 100 enables load distribution . granular data can reside in the peripheries of the system 100 , close to the information sources . this helps avoids reduce congestion in network bottlenecks but still allows the data to be accessible from a central location . in previous systems , all the network information flows to one location , making it very difficult to keep up with the massive record flows from the network devices and requiring huge databases . the following lists the elements of fig1 . fig1 includes a number of information source modules ( isms ) including an ism 110 , an ism 120 , an ism 130 , an ism 136 , an ism 140 , and an ism 150 . the system also includes a number of network devices , such as a proxy server 101 , a dns 102 , a firewall 103 , an ldap 106 , a cisco netflow 104 , and a radius 105 . the system also includes a number of gatherers , such as a gatherer 161 , a gatherer 162 , a gatherer 163 , a gatherer 164 , and a gatherer 165 . the system of fig1 also includes a central event manager ( cem ) 170 and a central database ( repository ) 175 . the system also includes a user interface server 185 and a number terminals or clients 180 . this paragraph describes how the elements of fig1 are coupled . the various network devices represent devices coupled to an ip network such as the internet . the network devices perform various functions , such as the proxy server 101 providing proxy service for a number of clients . each network device is coupled to a corresponding ism . for example , the proxy server 101 is coupled to the ism 110 . the dns 102 is coupled to the ism 120 . the firewall 103 is coupled to the ism 130 . the ism 136 is coupled to the ldap 106 . the ism 140 is coupled to the cisco netflow 104 . the ism 150 is coupled to the radius 105 . each gatherer is associated with at least one ism . thus , the gatherer 161 is associated with the ism 110 and is therefore coupled to that ism . the gatherer 162 is coupled to the ism 120 . the gatherer 163 is coupled to the ism 130 and the ism 136 . the gatherer 164 is coupled to the ism 140 . the gatherer 165 is coupled to the ism 150 . the various gatherers are coupled to the cem 170 . the user interface server is coupled to the terminals 180 and the cem 170 . the following paragraphs describe each of the various elements of fig1 . the network devices represent any devices that could be included in a network . ( throughout the description , a network device , unless specifically noted otherwise , also refers to an application server .) a network device represents a subset of information sources that can be used by the system 100 . that is , the network devices are merely representative of the types of sources of information that could be accessed . other devices such as on - line transaction processing databases can be accessed in other embodiments of the invention . typically , the network devices keep logging and statistical information about their activity . a network information source can be the log file of a mail server , the logging facility of a firewall , a traffics statistics table available on a router and accessible through snmp , a database entry accessible through the internet , an authentication server &# 39 ; s query interface , etc . the network devices represent the information sources accessed by the isms . each type of network device can be accessing using a different method or protocols . some generate logs while others are accessible via snmp , others have proprietary apis or use other protocols . the isms act as an interface between the gatherers and the network devices enabling the gatherers to collect data from the network devices . thus , the isms represent modular , abstract interfaces that are designed to be platform - neutral . the information source modules act as interfaces or “ translators ”, sending ip usage data , in real time , from the network devices to the gatherers . each ism is designed for a specific type of network data source . ( in other embodiments , some ism are generic in that they can extract information from multiple network devices ). isms can be packaged separately , allowing nsps to customize ism configurations to meet the specific requirements of their network . for example , in the system of fig1 if the nsp did not have cisco netflow devices , then the ism 140 would not have to be included . the isms can communicate with its corresponding network device using protocols and formats such as udp / ip , tcp / ip , snmp , telnet , file access , odbc , native api , and others . in some embodiments , the reliability of system 100 is enhanced through on - the - fly dynamic reconfiguration , allowing the nsp to add or remove modules without disrupting ongoing operations . in these embodiments , the cem 170 can automatically update the isms . the following isms are available in some embodiments of the invention . dns ( e . g . ism 120 )— resolves host names and ip addresses . generic proxy server ( e . g ., ism 110 )— collects data from access logs in a common log format . checkpoint firewall - 1 — collects data from firewall - 1 accounting log and security log . cisco ios ip accounting — collects accounting data from a cisco router using ios ip accounting . the data from an asynchronous ism is dynamic so that the asynchronous ism reacts to the information and relays it to the associated gatherer without prompting from other information sources in the system 100 . if the firewall 103 were a checkpoint - firewall - 1 , then the ism 130 would be an example of an asynchronous ism . when a network session is initiated , the details are recorded by the firewall - 1 103 . the corresponding ism 130 receives the details and passes them on automatically to the gatherer 163 . synchronous isms provide its information only when accessed by a gatherer . the ism 120 is an example of a synchronous ism . the dns server 102 maintains information matching the ip addresses of host computers to their domain addresses . the ism 120 accesses the dns server 102 only when the ism 120 receives a request from the gather 162 . when the dns server 102 returns a reply , the ism 120 relays the reply information to the gatherer 162 . pipe isms operate on record flows ( batches of records received from information sources ). pipe isms process one or more enhancement flows the records as the flows arrive . the pipe ism may initiate new record flows or may do other things such as generate alerts or provision network elements to provide or stop services . the pipe is implemented as an ism to keep the internal coherency and logic of the architecture . ( record flows can terminate in a database or in a pipe ism . the pipe ism can perform filtering and aggregation , send alarms , or act as a mediation system to provision network elements when some event occurs or some accumulated value is surpassed . specifically , pipe isms can act to enable pre - payment systems to disable certain services such as a voice ip call , when the time limit is surpassed or amount of data is reached .) the gatherers can include caches and buffers for storing information from the isms . the buffers allow the gatherers to compensate for situations where there is a loss of connection with the rest of the system 100 . the cache sizes can be remotely configured . the cache minimizes the number of accesses to the information source . ism queries can be cached and parallelized . caching of synchronous ism queries provides for fast responses . parallelizing queries allows for multiple queries to be processed at the same time . the gatherers gather the information from the isms . in some embodiments , the gatherers are multi - threaded , lightweight , smart agents that run on non - dedicated hosts , as a normal user application on windows nt or unix , as a background process , or daemon . what is important though is that the gatherers can be any hardware and / or software that perform the functions of a gatherer . the gatherers can be installed on the same network segment as the network device such as router and switch or on the application server itself . this placement of a gatherer minimizes the data traffic impact on the network . the gatherers collect network session data from one or more isms . session data can be sent to another gatherer for enhancement or to the cem 170 for merging and storing in the central database 170 . the gatherers can be deployed on an as needed basis for optimal scalability and flexibility . the gatherers perform flexible , policy - based data aggregation . importantly , the various types of isms provide different data and in different formats . the gatherers normalize the data by extracting the fields needed by the cem 170 and filling in any fields that may be missing . thus , the gatherers act as a distributed filtering and aggregation system . the distributed data filtering and aggregation eliminates capacity bottlenecks improving the scalability and efficiency of the system 100 by reducing the volume of data sent on the network to the cem 170 . aggregation can be done by accumulating groups of data record flows , generating a single data record for each group . that single record then includes the aggregated information . this reduces the flow of the data records . filtering means discarding any record that belongs to a group of unneeded data records . data records are unneeded if they are known to be collected elsewhere . a policy framework enables the nsp to configure what to collect where . filtering and / or aggregation can be done at any point along a data enhancement ( described below ) so that aggregation schemes can be based on enhanced data records as they are accumulated . the filtering and / or aggregation points are treated by the system 100 as pipe isms which are flow termination and flow starting points ( ie : like an asynchronous ism on the starting end and like a database on the terminating end ). data enhancement paths and filtering and / or aggregation schemes can be based on accumulated parameters such as user identification information and a user &# 39 ; s contract type . as noted above , the pism can be used in the context of filtering and / or aggregation . one or more record flows can terminate at the pism and can be converted into one or more new record flows . record flows are grouped based on matching rules that apply to some of the fields in the record flows , while others are accumulated or undergo some other operation such as “ maximum ” or “ average ”. once the groups of accumulated records have reached some threshold , new accumulated records are output . this can be used for example in order to achieve a business - hybrid filtering and aggregation data reduction by imposing the business rules or the usage - based products that are offered to the customer , onto the record flows as they are collected in real - time . this is done instead of previous system where the information is stored in a database and then database operations are performed in order to create bills or reports . the filtering and aggregation reduces the amount of data that is stored in the central database 175 while not jeopardizing the granularity of data that is necessary in order to create creative usage - based products . typically , data collected from a single source does not contain all the information needed for billing and accounting , such as user name and organization . in such cases , the data is enhanced . by combining ip session data from multiple sources , such as authentication servers , dhcp and domain name servers , the gatherers create meaningful session records tailored to the nsp &# 39 ; s specific requirements . in the example of fig1 the gatherer 161 can provide information to the gatherer 162 so that the source ip address for an internet session from the proxy server 101 can be combined with the domain address from the dns server 102 . the enhancement procedure can be triggered by an asynchronous ism . the information from the asynchronous ism is associated with field enhancements in the central database 175 . a field enhancement defines how a field in the central database is filled from the source data obtained from the asynchronous ism . through the field enhancements , the missing parameters are added to a record using the data collected from one or more synchronous isms . enhancements are described in detail below . the gatherers can include caches and buffers for storing information from the isms . the buffers allow the gatherers to compensate for situations where there is a loss of connection with the rest of the system 100 . the caches can reduce the number of accesses to an information source . the buffer and / or cache sizes can be remotely configured . the central event manager ( cem ) 170 acts as the central nervous system of the system 100 , providing centralized , efficient management and controls of the gatherers and the isms . the cem 170 can perform one or more of the following tasks : coordinates , controls , and manages the data collection process . the cem 170 coordinates the operation of the gatherers and manages the flow of data through the system 100 through the collection scheme defined in the system configuration . the latter includes the configuration of the gatherers , the isms , the network devices , the fields in the central database 175 ( described below ), and the enhancement procedures . based on the collection scheme the cem 170 determines the system 100 &# 39 ; s computation flow ( the set of operations the system 100 must perform to obtain the desired information ). the cem 170 then controls all the gatherers , instructing them to perform , in a particular sequence , the operations defined in the computation flow . the cem 170 receives the records collected by the gatherers and stores them in the central database 175 . nsps can configure the cem 170 to merge duplicate records before storing them in the central database 175 . record merging is described below . performs clean - up and aging procedures in the database 175 . the system 100 collects and stores large amounts of session information every day . the cem 170 removes old data to free space for new data periodically . the nsp defines the expiration period for the removal of old records . the cem 170 is responsible for coordinating the removal of records from the central database 175 . the cem 170 places a time stamp on every record when the record enters the central database 175 and deletes the record after the time period the nsp has defined elapses . the nsp can perform version upgrades of the system 100 at the cem 170 . the gatherers can be automatically upgraded once a new version is installed on the host computer of the cem 170 . isms are also installed via the cem 170 and exported to the gatherers . the cem 170 maintains a list of licenses installed in the system and verifies periodically if the system is properly licensed . this feature lets the nsp centrally install and uninstall licenses . it also prevents unlicensed use of the system 100 and any of its components . monitors the state of the gatherers and isms . the gatherers periodically communicate with the cem 170 . the cem 170 continuously monitors the state of each gatherer and network devices in the system 100 . the cem 170 can be fault - tolerant , that is , it can recover from any system crash . it coordinates the recovery of the system 100 to its previous state . the central database 175 is the optional central repository of the information collected by the system 100 . the central database 175 is but one example of a sink for the data generated in the system 100 . other embodiments include other configurations . the central database 175 stores and maintains the data collected by the gatherers , as well as the information on the configuration of the system 100 . thus , in configuring the system 100 , the nsp defines what data will be stored in each field in the central database 175 and how that data is collected from the isms . the information on network sessions is stored in the database in the form of a table . each field in the table represents a network session parameter . each record describes a network session . the system 100 has a set of pre - defined fields that are configured by the cem 170 on installation . the nsp can modify the central database 175 structure by adding , deleting , or modifying fields . the nsp access the data in the central database 175 by running queries and reports . the old data is removed from the central database 175 to free space for new data periodically . you can specify the time interval for which records are stored in the central database 175 . the structure of the central database 175 with some of the predefined fields is illustrated in the following figure . as each ip session may generate multiple transaction records , during the merge process the cem 170 identifies and discards duplications , enhancing the efficiency of the data repository . generally , data records are passed through the merger program , in the cem 170 , into the central database 175 . however , the data records are also cached so that if matching records appear at some point , the already stored records can be replaced or enhanced with the new records . the database tables that contain the record flows can be indexed , enhancing the efficiency of the data repository . a merge is achieved by matching some of the fields in a data record and then merging the matching records from at least two record flows , transforming them into one record before updating the central database 175 . in some embodiments , adaptive tolerance is used to match records . adaptive tolerance allows for a variation in the values of fields that are compared ( e . g ., the time field value may be allowed to differ by some amount , but still be considered a match ). the adaptive aspect of the matching can include learning the appropriate period to allow for the tolerance . the reason that the records that do not match any previous records are sent through into the central database 175 , in addition to being cached for later matching , is to avoid loss of data in case of system failure . the following table illustrates an example of the types of records stored in the central database 175 by the cem 170 . destination source destination duran total source ip ip host host service date / time on bytes counter 199 . 203 . 13 204 . 71 . 177 . 3 pclev . xacc yahoo . com http 1998 - 04 - 26 6464 435666 261019 2 . 187 5 t . com 10 : 56 : 55 199 . 203 . 13 207 . 68 . 137 . 5 prodigy . xac microsoft . co telnet 1998 - 04 - 26 747 66743 261020 2 . 131 9 ct . com m 10 : 56 : 55 199 . 203 . 13 199 . 203 . 132 . pceitan . xac xpert . com smtp 1998 - 04 - 26 82 55667 261021 2 . 177 1 ct . com 10 : 56 : 55 199 . 203 . 13 204 . 162 . 80 . 1 pcadi . xacc cnet . com http 1998 - 04 - 26 93 33567 261022 2 . 173 82 t . com 10 : 56 : 55 the system 100 supports a non - proprietary database format enabling the central database 175 to run on any of a number of commercially available databases ( e . g ., ms - sql server , oracle server , db2 , etc .). the user interface server ( uis ) 185 allows multiple clients ( e . g . terminals 180 ) to access the system 100 through , the microsoft internet explorer with java ™ plug - in or netscape navigator with java ™ plug - in . other embodiments can use other applications to access the system 100 . the main function of the uis 185 is to provide remote and local platform independent control for the system 100 . the uis 185 can provide these functions through windows that correspond to the various components of the system 100 . access to the system 100 can be password protected , allowing only authorized users to log in to the system and protecting sensitive information . the nsp can perform one or more of the following main tasks through the uis 185 : [ 0101 ] fig2 illustrates the data distillation process performed by the system of fig1 . the data distillation aggregates and correlate information from many different network devices to compile data useful in billing and network accounting . first , the isms 210 gather data from their corresponding network device . note that for some isms ( e . g . pipe isms ), real - time , policy - based filtering and aggregation 215 can also be done . this data is then fed to the gatherers 220 . the gatherers 220 perform data enhancement to complete the data from the isms 210 . the results are provided to the cem 170 . the cem 170 performs data merges 270 to remove redundant data . the merged data is then optionally stored in the central database 175 as a billing record 275 or is sent directly to an external system . the billing record information can be accessed from external applications , through the application interface 290 , via a data record 280 . filtering and / aggregation and / or data enhancements can be done at any stage in the system 100 . as mentioned above , the gatherers 220 provide data enhancement features to complete information received from the isms 210 . the following describes some example data enhancement techniques used in some embodiments of the invention . [ 0105 ] fig3 illustrates an example of data enhancement . data enhancement comprises a number of field enhancements . a field enhancement specifies how the data obtained from the trigger of the enhancement procedure is processed before it is placed in a single field in the central database 175 . the data can be placed in the field directly , or new information may be added to the record by applying a synchronous ism function . ( in the example below , the function is “ resolve the ip address to a host fqdn ”). field enhancements may involve one or multiple steps . there is no limit to the number of steps in a field enhancement . the data record starts with fields obtained from an asynchronous ism 300 . the fields in the dr 300 are then enhanced using the field enhancements . the enhanced fields result in the dr 320 . a visual representation of an enhancement can be presented to the nsp . the enhancement may include an itinerary of isms starting off with an aism , passing through pisms , and terminating in the cem 170 . using this view f the system 100 , the nsp need not be shown the actual flow of data since the flow may be optimized later in order to achieve better performance . this is more of a graphical logical view of how the enhancement is achieved in steps . ( pisms can terminate more than one flow and initiate more than one flow .) a visual representation of a field enhancement shows the per - field flow of data correlation . this process ends in the cem 170 or in a pism . the nsp supplies information telling the system 100 how to reach each of the terminating fields ( in the cem 170 or the pism ) starting off from the initiating fields ( pism or aism ). each step of enhancement defines cross correlation with some sism function . [ 0108 ] fig4 a illustrates various field enhancements ( 410 through 440 ). a field enhancement includes applying zero or more functions to a field before storing the field in a specified field in the central database 175 . one - step field enhancement 410 . the initial source data from the asynchronous ism is placed directly in a field in the central database 175 . example : the field enhancement for the source ip field . two - step field enhancement 420 . the initial source data from the asynchronous ism is used to obtain new additional data from a synchronous network device and the new data is placed in a field in the central database 175 . example : the field enhancement for the source host field . three - step enhancement 430 . the initial source data from the asynchronous ism is used to obtain additional data from a synchronous ism . the result is used to obtain more data from another ism and the result is placed in a field in the central database 175 . the following illustrates an example data enhancement . suppose the data obtained from a proxy server 101 contains the source ip address of a given session , such as 199 . 203 . 132 . 2 , but not the complete domain address of the host computer ( its fully qualified domain name ), such as www . xacct . com . the name of the host can be obtained by another network device — the domain name system ( dns 102 ) server . the dns - server 102 contains information that matches ip addresses of host computers to their fully qualified domain names ( fqdns ). through an enhancement procedure the information collected from the proxy server 101 can be supplemented by the information from the dns 102 . therefore , the name of the host is added to the data ( the data record ) collected from the proxy server 101 . the process of adding new data to the data record from different network devices can be repeated several times until all required data is collected and the data record is placed in the central database 175 . [ 0113 ] fig4 b illustrates another example data enhancement where an enhanced record 490 is created from an initial netflow record 492 . fields in the enhanced record 490 are enhanced from the radius record 494 , the qos policy server record 496 , the nms db record 498 , and the ldap record 499 . the following describes the process for defining enhancement procedures in some embodiments of the system . typically defining an enhancement procedures for the system 100 includes ( 1 ) defining enhancement procedures for each asynchronous ism and ( 2 ) configuring field enhancements for all fields in the central database 175 for which the nsp wants to collect data originating from an asynchronous ism that triggers the corresponding enhancement procedure . 2 . select the enhancement procedures list using the uis 180 . 4 . select a trigger for the new enhancement procedure . the trigger can correspond to any asynchronous ism in the system 100 . alternatively , the trigger can correspond to any asynchronous ism in the system 100 that has not already been assigned to an enhancement procedure . 5 . optionally , a description for the enhancement procedure can be provided . 6 . the new enhancement procedure can then be automatically populated with the existing fields in the central database 175 . optionally , the nsp can define the fields ( which could then be propagated to the central database 175 ). alternatively , based upon the type of asynchronous ism , a preset set of fields could be proposed to the nsp for editing . what is important is that the nsp can define field procedures to enhance the data being put into the data records of the central database 175 . 7 . the nsp can then define the field enhancements for every field in the new enhancement procedure for which the nsp wants to collect data from the ism that is the trigger of the new enhancement procedure . defining a field enhancement involves specifying the set of rules used to fill a database field from the information obtained from the trigger of the enhancement procedure . the nsp defines field enhancements for each field in which nsp wants to collect data from the trigger . if no field enhancements are defined , no data from the trigger will be collected in the fields . for example , suppose the firewall asynchronous ism 130 that triggers an enhancement procedure . suppose the central database 175 has the following fields : source ip , source host , destination ip , destination host , user name , total bytes , service , date / time , and url . if the nsp wants to collect session data for each field except the url from the firewall ism 130 , which triggers the enhancement procedure , the nsp defines a field enhancement for each field with the exception of the url . in some embodiments , the field enhancements are part of the enhancement procedure and the nsp can only define and modify them when the enhancement procedure is not enabled . the field enhancements can be defined in a field enhancement configuration dialog box . the field enhancement configuration dialog box can have two panes . the first displays the name of the enhancement procedure , the name of its trigger , and the name and data type of the field for which the nsp is defining the field enhancement . the second is dynamic and interactive . its content changes depending on the nsp &# 39 ; s input . when first displayed , it has two toggle buttons , end and continue , and a list next to them . the content of the list depends on the button depressed . when end is depressed , the list contains all output fields whose data type matches the data type of the field for which the nsp is defining the field enhancement . for example , if the field &# 39 ; s data type is ip address , the list contains all fields that are of the same type , such as source ip and destination ip that the aism supplies . the fields in the list can come from two sources : ( 1 ) the source data which the gatherer receives from the trigger and ( 2 ) the result obtained by applying a synchronous ism function as a preceding step in the field enhancement . the following notation is used for the fields : sisname . functionname ( inputargument ). outputfield for the output of a field that is the result of applying a function sisname . . . outputfield for the output of a field that is the result of applying a function as the final step of a field enhancement source ip is the field provided by the trigger of the enhancement procedure that contains the ip address of the source host . dns . . . host name and dns . name ( source ip ). host name are the names of a field originating from the resolved function name of a network device called dns that resolves the ip address to a domain address . the input argument of the function is the field provided by the trigger of the enhancement procedure , called source ip . it contains the ip address of the source host . the function returns the output field called host name that contains the domain address of the source host . the notation dns . . . host name is used when the field is the result of applying the function as the final step of a field enhancement . the notation is dns . name ( source ip ). host name is used when the field is used as the input to another function . in the user interface , if end is unavailable , none of the output fields matches the data type of the field . when continue is depressed , the list contains all applicable functions of the available synchronous network device configured in the system 100 . if the preceding output does not match the input to a function , it cannot be applied and does not appear on the list . when the function has multiple input and / or output arguments , the notation reflects this . the arguments are separated by commas . where dns is the name of the synchronous ism ( or network device ) as it appears in the system configuration . ( host name : string ) is the input to the function — host fqdn of data type string ( ip address : ip address ) is the output — ip address of data type ip address the nsp can define the field enhancement by choosing items from the list . the list contains the option & lt ; none & gt ; when the end button is depressed . choosing this option has the same effect as not defining a field enhancement : no data from the trigger will be stored in the field in the central database 175 . [ 0148 ] fig5 illustrates an example record merge . record merging removes duplicate records from the central database 175 . the following example shows how merges work and illustrate , the need for merging duplicate records . suppose the system 100 is using two asynchronous isms 110 and 130 . all outbound network traffic going through the proxy server 101 is routed through the firewall 103 . the firewall 103 records the proxy server 101 as the source of all sessions passing through the proxy server 101 , although they originate from different workstations on the network . at the same time , the proxy server 101 records the destination of all sessions as the firewall 103 , although their actual destinations are the different internet sites . therefore , all sessions are logged twice by the system 100 and the records are skewed . the data from the firewall 103 indicates the destination of a given session , but not the source ( see data record 520 ), while the data from the proxy server 101 records the source , but not the destination ( see data record 510 ). defining a merge eliminates the duplication of records . a merge can be defined instructing the cem 170 to store the destination data obtained from the firewall 103 and the source data from the proxy server 101 in the central database 175 . the merge will also eliminate the problem of skewed data by storing the correct source and destination of the session in the central database 175 . both network devices provide information on the url . the latter can be used to identify the fact that the two seemingly independent records ( 510 and 520 ) are actually two logs of the same session . two enhancement procedures are defined for the example of fig5 . the trigger of the first , designated flow one , is the proxy server asynchronous information source module . the trigger of the second , flow two , is the firewall asynchronous information source module . the records from flow one and flow two are records of the same session . they both have the same value for the url field . based on this value , the cem 170 identifies the two records are double logs of the same session . it merges the two data records taking the source ip value from flow one and the destination ip from flow two as the values to be stored in the central database 175 . the following describes defining merges . a merge is a set of rules that specify how duplicate records from multiple enhancement procedures must be identified and combined before being stored in the central database 175 . the nsp can merge the records from two or more enhancement procedures . to define a merge , the nsp identifies the following information . how to identify duplicate records ( which fields of the records must match ). how to combine the records ; that is , for each field , which value ( from which enhancement procedure ) must be stored in the central database 175 . if the nsp does not specify how records must be combined , the records are merged as follows : when the values in all but one of the fields are null , the non - null value is stored . when the fields contain non - null values , the value of the first record received ( chronologically ) is stored . in some embodiments , the user interface used by an nsp to configure the system 100 can be presented as a graphical representation of the data enhancement process . every step in the enhancement can be shown as a block joined to another block ( or icon or some graphical representation ). the properties of a block define the operations within the block . in some embodiments , the entire data enhancement process from network devices to the central database 175 can be shown by linked graphics where the properties of a graphic are the properties of the enhancement at that stage . in some embodiments , multiple cems 170 and / or central databases 175 can be used as data sources ( back ends ) for datamart or other databases or applications ( e . g ., customer care and billing systems ). in some embodiments , the types of databases used are not necessarily relational . object databases or other databases can be used . in some embodiments , other platforms are used . although the above description of the system 100 has been ip network focused with unix or windows nt systems supporting the elements , other networks ( non - ip networks ) and computer platforms can be used . what is important is that some sort of processing and storing capability is available at the gatherers , the cems , the databases , and the user interface servers . in some embodiments , the gatherers and other elements of the system 100 , can be remotely configured , while in other embodiments , some of the elements need to be configured directly . for example , a gatherer may not be remotely configurable , in which case , the nsp must interface directly with the computer running the gatherer . in other embodiments , the general ideas described herein can be applied to other distributed data enhancement problems . for example , some embodiments of the invention could be used to perform data source extraction and data preparation for data warehousing applications . the gatherers would interface with isms that are designed to extract data from databases ( or other data sources ). the gatherers would perform filtering and aggregation depending upon the needs of the datamart ( in such an embodiment , the central database and cem could be replaced with / used with a datamart ). the data enhancement would then be done before storing the information in the datamart . [ 0170 ] fig6 illustrates a system 600 where multiple systems 100 are linked together . this system could be an isps point of presence accounting system . the system 620 and the system 610 can store detailed network accounting information in their local detailed accounting databases . this information can then be aggregated and sent over the more expensive long distance links to the billing database in the system 630 . customer service information can still be accessed at the detailed accounting database , but the aggregated information may be all that is needed to create the bills . additional embodiments of the invention are described in the attached appendices a - f . a network accounting and billing system and method has been described . in some embodiments , the system can access any network related information sources such as traffic statistics provided by routers and switching hubs as well as application server access logs . these are accumulated in a central database for creating auditing , accounting and billing reports . because of the distributed architecture , filtering and enhancements , the system efficiently and accurately collects the network usage information for storage in a form that is useful for billing and accounting .

8General tagging of new or cross-sectional technology

“ quantitative pcr ” or “ qpcr ” is defined as a polymerase chain reaction ( pcr ) process which monitors the kinetics of pcr for the quantification of dna templates . when qpcr follows a reverse transcription reaction , it can be used for the quantification of rna templates as well . “ threshold cycle ” or “ c t ” is defined as a fractional cycle number at which a reporter signal rises above a threshold value . “ threshold ” or “ threshold value ” is defined as the reporter signal value that is used for calculation of threshold cycle ( c t ). “ local window ” or “ lw ” is defined as a subsection of the amplification curve with a certain number of data points . the qdas algorithm characterizes the pcr amplification by using data from each local subsection to approximate the global features of the curve . “ local quality value ” or “ lqv ” is a measurement that characterizes the trend for the data - points in the “ local window ” lw . for example , trend might incorporate the slope and the tightness of the data - points in the window region . “ quality score ” or “ qs ” is defined the “ local quality value ” lqv of the “ maximum local quality window ” mlw . it is used as an indicator for characterization of the amplification curve and qdas classification for the amplification status report . “ maximum local quality value window ”, or “ maximum lqv window ”, or “ mlw ” is defined as the local window with the highest lqv score among all the possible local windows for a given amplification curve . the lqv score for the mlw is defined as the quality score for the whole amplification . “ threshold window ” or “ tw ” is defined as the local window that is closest to mlw and across threshold value by a defined margin . “ reporter normalized ” or “ rn ” is defined as the reporter signal normalized ( divided ) by a passive reference signal . “ subtracted reporter normalized ” or “ delta rn ” is defined as the reporter signal subtracted the background and then normalized by the passive reference signal . “ passive reference signal ” is defined as the signal generated by a stable reagent added into the sample reaction . it is used to monitor reaction volume difference . “ reporter signal ” is defined as the signal generated by a pcr product reporter . it is used to measure the amount of pcr product . it is defined as a more general term in this document , and could be referenced more specifically as reporter normalized ( rn ), or subtracted reporter normalized ( delta rn ). “ quantitative pcr analysis system ”, or “ qpcr analysis system ”, or “ qdas ” is defined as the implementation of the algorithm and system depicted in this documentation . “ qdas c t ” or “ qc t ” is defined as the c t value calculated by the qdas algorithm . the qc t concords with the c t values calculated by commercial instrumentation software , but reports more accurate and consistent ct values when data is less than ideal . “ background normalized ” or “ bn ” is defined as the difference between the reporter normalized ( rn ) and the subtracted reporter normalized ( delta rn ). it is the absolute background and noise measured by qpcr instrument , normalized ( divided ) by the passive reference signal . in one embodiment of the present invention , methods and systems are provided for measuring biological data , including but not limited to data for cycling reactions . examples of suitable data include but are not limited to , fluorescent signal data , optical signal data , magnetic signal data , and electronic signal data . any number of assays are suitable , including quantification of dna by qpcr and quantification of rna by rt - pcr . the shape and characteristics are estimated of an amplification curve . a quality score ( qs ) is produced for a region of maximum lqv for the amplification curve . a c t value is calculated as illustrated in fig3 . a status classification is made of the amplification curve . the status classification can be any one of a set of classifications enumerated in table 1 . in one embodiment , automated methods and systems are provided for measuring the quality of a qpcr amplification curve and performing localized curve fitting . this embodiment includes the following steps : a windowing method is used to estimate the shape and characteristics of the amplification curve ; a local window ( lw ) is used to characterize the local features for a section of amplification curve . a local quality value ( lqv ) is computed based on the slope ( 1st derivative ) and correlation coefficient ( r ) of the amplification curve by localized linear regression within each window ; a threshold window ( tw ) is identified as the window that intersects the threshold and is closest to the maximum lqv a c t is calculated based on localized quadratic regression on the threshold window ; a quality score ( qs ) for the curve is assigned as the maximum lqv of all window regions . a status classification is made , as illustrated in fig4 . in one embodiment , a measurement of lqv is made at each region along an amplification curve . the region with maximum lqv is indicative of the effectiveness of the amplification . a threshold window is identified and used to calculate a c t value . the method reduces the occurrence of false c t values due to high variation of data . an amplification curve may intersect the threshold multiple points . our definition of the threshold window will select the optimal intersection as illustrated in fig5 . in one embodiment , a reporter signal is generated by the fluorescent signal of a chemical reagent . a passive reference signal is generated by the fluorescent signal of a second chemical reagent . at the conclusion of a pcr assay run , a reporter file is generated . the reporter file contains rn and delta rn values of each pcr cycle for the each plate well , and serves as the input file for qpcr data analysis system ( qdas ). the qdas system performs data quantification and quality determination . by way of illustration , and without limitation , 40 rn values and 40 delta rn values are read by the qdas . the rn and delta rn values are stored in a database . in one embodiment , the values are stored in a relational database schema and dataset table as illustrated in fig6 . data modeling procedures typically try to find a global mathematical function for the representation of data curves . however , these methods are not always practical due to the wide range of features of amplification curves in real - world situations . in this invention , we utilize a windowing method to perform localized approximation of the assay data curve . localized approximation allows the system to capture the critical trend as expressed by slope and correlation coefficient for each subsection of the curve and summarize these measurements as a global score that can be used to classify the amplification . the qdas performs a curve fit ( regression ) for each shifting window of the curve . the window is defined as a region along the curve that includes a set of adjacent data points . the shifting window is defined as each overlapping window along the curve ( fig5 ). the window is used to estimate the slope ( first derivative ) and variation for each window of the curve . the window size can range from 1 data point up to the total number of cycles . there are two considerations for choosing the number of points for the shifting window . the more data points are included , the more sensitive the model is to the data variation . more data points have a higher risk of rejecting reasonably good amplification curves . the fewer data points included , the less sensitive the model to data variation . fewer data points have a higher chance of accepting a poor curve and may generate a false high quality score . in one embodiment , the window size is optimized to contain four points . a window size of pour points performed reliably on broad range of empirical qpcr datasets . during a qpcr reaction early pcr cycles tend to have high variation due to the instrument and assay start - up ( fig1 ). to better accommodate this variation , the shifting window can have the options to skip these early pcr cycles . in one embodiment , the shifting window skips the first three pcr cycles and starts at the fourth pcr cycle to exclude the high variation . starting at the fourth pcr cycle , a window represented by a four - point data frame is generated that consists of the following arrays : 1 ) a four - element , one - dimension array that stores the four consecutive cycle numbers , and 2 ) a four - element , one - dimension array that stores the delta rn values . in certain embodiments all or a portion of the windows overlap the adjacent data windows . fig4 illustrates one working example of the window shifting method with overlapped windows . in one embodiment , a linear - least - squares regression is utilized and calculates the slope and correlation coefficient ( r ). the calculation is repeated for all the possible four point window of consecutive cycles . for each window a local quality value ( lqv ) is computed . the lqv incorporates the slope measurement and correlation coefficient . “ 1000 ”: a scaling factor that will bring the final quality score ( qs , or maximum lqv ) into the range from zero to about 1000 . 2 ). “ slope ”: the slope of the fitted line on the four - point data frame , which measures the efficiency of pcr . the value ranges from about zero to about 1 . 0 . the value for typical successful pcr reactions ranges from 0 . 1 to 0 . 7 . slope is the dominant factor ( most weighted ) for the quality score ( qs , or maximum lqv ) in comparison to the correlation coefficient ( r ). 3 ). “ 2 / pi * arcsin ( r )”: the correlation coefficient r has the value range from − 1 to 1 in theory . it measures the tightness of the four points . however for the four - point window with the maximum lqv , its value mostly ranges from 0 . 8 to 0 . 99999 with distribution skewed towards higher value end ( close to 1 ) given reasonable pcr success rate . if the coefficient was directly factored into the lqv , it would have only minimum effect on the quality score ( qs , or maximum lqv ). for this reason , the correlation coefficient ( r ) is transformed using the arcsin function , which increases the spread on the data . in order to bring the range back to (− 1 , 1 ) after the transformation , the coefficient of “ 2 / pi ” is introduced . after the transformation , the correlation coefficient ( r ) will have a noticeable effect on the quality score ( qs , or maximum lqv ) but slope remains the dominant factor . the region of maximum slope corresponds to the linear phase of the pcr curve . this region is the four cycle window where amplification is occurring at the most rapid rate . the final quality for the pcr is determined by the characteristics on the four - point data frame with the maximum lqv . the quality score ( qs ) is based on two parameters : 1 ) the slope of the fitted line on the four - point data frame , which measures the efficiency of pcr , and 2 ) the correlation coefficient ( r ), which measures tightness of the four points . the four - point window with the maximum lqv is used to represent the overall quality of the assay well . this quality score ( qs ) is used to determine the pass / fail status of the curve and to determine the cycle threshold . an automated algorithm , qdas algorithm , can be utilized in the calculation of an accurate c t value . in one embodiment , a localized curve fitting strategy is used to determine a precise c t value . the algorithm is illustrated in fig5 and fig6 , and detailed below . the qdas algorithm uses the window that intersects the threshold and is closest to the curve region with maximum lqv . this window is named as threshold window . once the maximum lqv has been determined , the qdas program finds the threshold window that intersects the threshold and is closest to the maximum lqv window by shifting the window towards the threshold ( fig3 , and fig4 ). in order to tolerate data variation for a good pcr amplification , the window is shifted beyond the desired threshold by a specified margin . an upper threshold and lower threshold is defined as the c t calling threshold plus or minus the defined margin . in one embodiment , the margin is 10 % of the threshold value , such that the resulting lower threshold is 90 % of the threshold value and the upper threshold is 110 % of the threshold value . if the smallest delta rn value for the maximum lqv window is greater than the lower threshold , the qdas algorithm will shift backward to a window such that the smallest delta rn value is less than the lower threshold . if the largest delta rn value for the maximum lqv window is less than the upper threshold , the qdas algorithm will shift forward to a window such that the largest delta rn value is greater than the upper threshold . curve fitting is performed on the threshold window data to estimate a c t value . the curve fitting employed can be any reasonable method , including but not limited to , linear least squares regression , quadratic least squares regression , or polynomial regression . the number of data points used for the regression can be any number that is greater than one . in one embodiment , a quadratic least squares regression curve fitting method is used to fit the curve and a window size of four points is used for the regression . after the quadratic regression curve fitting is performed , the c t value for the point where the fitted quadratic curve crosses to the c t calling threshold line will be the projected c t value . the c t value thus projected is referred as qdas c t . a complication that arises when projecting the qdas c t is that mathematically the threshold line will have two crossing points on the fitted quadratic curve . although typically only one point falls within the threshold window , the algorithm must select the appropriate intersection in all cases . in one embodiment , the qdas algorithm selects the appropriate intersection as follows : if only one intersection point falls within the pcr cycle range of the threshold window , it will be selected . in most cases , it is the right - most point . in certain cases that both points are outside the threshold window range , the program will pick up the cross point that is closer to the lowest point of the swing four point window . in the rare case where there is no intersection point , a linear curve fit is used to estimate the c t value . however in this case , it typically indicates a high data variation in the threshold window that a precise c t cannot be determined . an “ abnormal curve ” statusis reported as described in table 4 . the parabolic regression algorithm employed is designed to fit the parabolic curve by the least - squares method according to the following function formula : where x and y are variables . in this document , y is substituted with the delta rn value , and x the pcr cycle number for the regression . using this formula for the computation of the cycle threshold , c t is the solution of the equation : threshold = a ( c t ) 2 + b ( c t )+ c the four - point data - frame of maximum lqv and the calculation of the qdas c t value using these methods is illustrated in fig3 : the linear regression algorithm employed when there is no parapolic intersection point and is designed to fit the line by least - squares method according to the following function formula : where x and y are variables . in this document , y is substituted with the delta rn value , and x the pcr cycle number for the regression . using this formula for the computation of the cycle threshold , c t is the solution of the equation : the delta rn value for a qpcr reaction is composed of signal readings from several chemicals as well as a background signal component . a signal reading can be any quantitative reading acquired by the qpcr instrument , including but not limited to optical reading , magnetic reading , and electric signal reading . the signal readings typically contain a passive reference so all other signals can be normalized by the volume of reaction in each well , and reduce the variance caused by volume variation during sample handling . the reporter normalized ( rn ) value is derived from a signal reading and normalized against the passive reference . as we defined the background normalized ( bn ), the delta rn value can be expressed as the difference between the rn value and normalized background signal as shown in the following formula : the passive reference signal in the pcr reaction may decrease as the cycle number increases . generally , any decrease in passive reference signal is marginal and its effect is negligible . however , in some cases the decrease in the passive reference signal may be drastic or rapid . when this happens , it will lead to an abnormal increase in normalized background and as well as the rn value . the resulting amplification curve is therefore distorted or skewed and the projected c t will be inaccurate . in order to characterize this kind of background error , we implement a background normalized ( bn ) range cutoff value . as a working example , we analyzed the data from one clinical study ( providence phase ii ). fig7 shown below plots the bn range versus the qdas c t values for all data points ( a total of 79156 wells ) from this study . for the majority of the samples , the range for the background normalized signal is less than 0 . 8 . when the bn range was larger than 0 . 8 , it may distort the amplification graph and generate a false c t value . if the bn range is greater than the configured bn threshold , qdas will label the sample as “ high background ” genes with low expression can be handled effectively by the following algorithm , which are provided by way of illustration , and without limitation : if the delta rn value of a well never rises above the threshold , the well status is marked as below detection and the c t value is reported as 40 . if the delta rn crosses the threshold at a high c t (˜ 38 or greater ) and the quality score is low (& lt ;=˜ 50 ) effectively due to non - specific amplification , the well status is marked as below quantification and the c t value is reported as 40 . generally a higher quality score indicates a better pcr amplification . a low quality score indicates a bad or failed amplification . a quality score cutoff value can be used to categorize the amplification results for quality control . the determination of cutoff value will vary depending on the study . the examples of cutoff value include but are not limited to a constant value and a variable value determined by a function . in one embodiment , a lower limit for quality scores can be selected to categorize the quality of amplification curves using a function . note that quality scores have a c t dependent component because they are predominantly based on the slope of the qpcr curve . as c t values increase , the maximum theoretical quality score decreases , so a fixed cutoff is not preferable . by way of illustration , and without limitation , data from two clinical studies and commercial patient samples were analyzed , an approximate one - sided 95 % lower prediction interval was determined , and a cubic function modeled for a set of genes . in one embodiment , a quality lower limit function is defined in the form : where a , b , c , d are coefficients for the cubic function modeled . where c t l and c t h are the lower c t point and higher c t point respectively that define sections for well classification based on quality scores . we have also defined loq ( limit of quantitation ) as the c t value beyond which quality scores less that the qlimit ( c t h ) are classified as below quantitation . in general , wells with quality scores greater than or equal to qlimit ( c t ) are classified as good amplifications . wells with quality scores less than qlimit ( c t ) are classified depending on the c t values as follows : for c t values less than or equal to c t h wells with quality score greater than or equal to qlimit ( c t h ) are classified as fair amplifications . wells with quality score less than qlimit ( c t h ) are classified as poor amplifications . for c t values greater than c t h , wells are classified as below quantitation . as a working example , the following table shows a set of parameters used to determine the qlimit function . the “ default ” signifies that the parameter set is used for any gene not explicitly configured . the graph in fig8 illustrates the use of the quality lower limit function curve for well classification , using the default parameter set shown in table 2 . during the geometric phase and linear phase an amplification curve generally rises smoothly as the pcr cycle number increases resulting in a monotonic curve . if the curve for the region between tw and mlw is not monotonic , it is an indication of inaccurate c t value . the qdas algorithm performs a slope evaluation for each lw between tw and mlw ( including both tw and mlw ). if a slope for any lw is less than zero while the amplification curve rises above threshold value , the curve for this region is not monotonic and the amplification is reclassified as abnormal curve . parameter values for the qdas algorithm can be adjusted without limitation in order to accommodate different study and stringency requirements . the following table contains a working example set of parameter values . downstream data analysis and validation can be performed based on the classification of the amplification curve . by way of illustration and without limitation , the final status for each output of the qdas program is classified as one of the categories shown in table 4 below and detailed thereafter . not all wells in a pcr plate may contain samples or reagents . certain wells remain empty either purposely by experimental design , or due to a sample handling or tracking error . qpcr always generates some signal reading regardless of whether the well is empty or not . however , if the well is empty , there is no passive reference and the minimum delta rn are reported as highly - variable numbers , dominantly negative . a signal significantly less than zero is used to detect empty wells . when the signal is less than the emptywell threshold (− 1 . 0 ) the algorithm will assign “ 0 ” for the status of an empty well . if the quality score calculated is greater than the lower limit quality function value for the reported c t it will be assigned a status “ 1 ”, “ good amplification ”. if the quality score calculated is greater than the minimum quality function value for the reported c t but less than or equal to the lower limit quality function . these wells will be assigned a status of “ 2 ”, “ fair amplification ” if the well is not empty , and the delta rn value never rises above threshold value , it will be assigned a status “ 3 ”, which means pcr amplification is “ below detection ”. if the delta rn value rises above threshold value and the quality score calculated is less than or equal to the value of the minimum quality threshold function . if 1 ) the well is not empty , and 2 ) the normalized background range is greater than background range cutoff value , it will be assigned a status “ 5 ”, which means pcr amplification is “ high background ”. in the current version of the algorithm , the cutoff value is set as “ 0 . 8 ”. high c t values (& gt ;˜ 38 ) with extremely low quality (& lt ;=˜ 50 ) are reported as a c t of 40 . this status is reported when an irregular amplification curve is detected . the following conditions will return an “ abnormal curve ” status “ 8 ”. if the quality score calculated is more than 7000 and the well is not empty ( as defined above . this happens when the qpcr probe dissociates from template or cannot be quenched as pcr proceeds . if the curve stagnates at threshold . in rare cases , the parabolic fitted curve will not cross threshold because the entire curve at the threshold region is above or below the threshold . for example , in some samples , when the amplification rises close to the threshold , it stagnates and does not increase for three or more cycles in the threshold region . when this happens , the amplification curve is distorted and an accurate c t cannot be projected . note in this case a linear curve - fit is used to estimate a c t but the curve is reported as abnormal . if a c t value is reported within the baseline normalization region . if c t value is less than or equal to 15 ( c t & lt ;= 15 ) then the well is reported as abnormal curve . values within the baseline region are typically due to high data variation and are not reliable . if a slope for any local window between the tw and mlw including tw and mlw is less than zero while the amplification curve rises above threshold value , the curve for this region is not monotonic . the ct value is inaccurate in this case and the amplification will be reported as abnormal . if a computation exception occurs status 9 “ algorithm failure ” is reported . if a well meets the criteria for multiple status codes , the evaluation order of classification and reporting can be determined based on biological , commercial , or computational factors . by way of illustration , the following is an example evaluation sequence ordering : empty well ; below detection ; below quantification ; poor amplification ; high background ; abnormal quality ; fair amplification ; good amplification . fig9 shows an illustration of a working example of the process flow for the amplification status classification . as an illustration of the implementation , the following functions have been coded into a working c # program as documented in table 5 . the qdas programs assume the integrity of the rn and delta rn values from the report file generated by qpcr instrument software . if the qpcr instrument software generates inaccurate measurements or has missing data , for example , due to gross equipment error , the results of the automated qdas program need to be examined accordingly . while embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described , it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and 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 .

2Chemistry; Metallurgy

referring to the drawings , a projector according to the present invention will be described . in fig1 the reference numeral 1 generally indicates the projector , in which red , blue and green cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b and 2g construct displayed pictures , which are then projected by a conventional projecting unit 30 on a screen 40 to form a color picture . more specifically , a channel selection circuit 4 of the projector 1 changes its operation on the basis of control data outputted from a system control circuit 5 , and thereby receives a desired television program by way of an antenna 6 . a demodulation circuit 10 demodulates output signals from the channel selection circuit 4 to generate red , blue and green chrominance signals sr1 , sb1 and sg1 . in this event , the chrominance signals sr1 , sb1 and sg1 are corrected according to control signals outputted from the system control circuit 5 . a selection circuit 12 switches contacts according to control signals outputted from the system control circuit 5 for outputting chrominance signals sr1 , sb1 and sg1 or chrominance signals sr2 , sb2 and sg2 , outputted from a video tape recorder ( vtr ) 14 , to selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g , respectively . the chrominance signals are inputted via selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g to amplifiers 18r , 18b and 18g , which drive cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b and 2g on the basis of the chrominance signals , respectively . in this manner , a displayed picture of the corresponding chrominance signals is formed on each of cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b and 2g . in this event , amplifiers 18r , 18b and 18g make correction of brightness , contrast , etc . on respective cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b and 2g according to control data outputted from the system control circuit 5 . the desired television broadcast program or the reproduced picture of the video tape recorder is thus formed on the screen 40 by projecting the displayed pictures , constructed on the cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b and 2g , on the screen . the system control circuit 5 outputs control data in response to the operations of the switches 20a , 20b , 20c , . . . , and thereby controls the whole operation of the projector 1 . more specifically , the system control circuit 5 outputs control data to a power supply circuit 21 when the power switch 20a is activated , and the power supply circuit 21 is thereby turned on to provide a power supply vcc to each circuit block of the projector 1 . when switches 20b , 20c , . . . , such as for brightness and sound volume , are activated in this state , control data are sent to corresponding circuit blocks to correct the brightness , sound volume , etc . furthermore , when the power supply circuit 21 is turned on , the system control circuit 5 switches the selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g for a predetermined time interval , so that chrominance signals srefr , srefb and srefg from the reference signal generating circuit 22 are fed to the amplifiers 18r , 18b and 18b , respectively . thus , fluctuation in registration is reduced in a short time . it is considered that the fluctuation in the registration which changes as time passes is produced due to electric charges accumulated on the inner surface of the glass of each of the cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b and 2g . it was confirmed that the fluctuation of the registration was reduced to within a practically acceptable range as a sufficient period of time passed . moreover , it was found that the fluctuation in registration fell within a practically allowable range in a short time when the beam current which flowed in each of the cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b and 2g was made large . on the other hand , it was also noted that it took about 2 to 3 hours to reduce the fluctuation of the registration within a permissible range in a case where beam currents are small as in a gray display picture , for example . from these facts , if sufficient beam currents are caused to flow in cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b , and 2g by inputting reference signals at a luminance level of about 100 %, it is possible to reduce the fluctuation of the registration to within a practically acceptable range in a very short time . for this purpose , the reference signal generating circuit 22 generates chrominance signals srefr , srefb and srefg for uniformly displaying a white picture with a luminance level of about 100 % all over the screen , and outputs the chrominance signals to the selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g . corresponding to this , the system control circuit 5 executes the procedures shown in fig2 and thereby places the cathode ray tubes in a condition , where there is little fluctuation in registration , in a short time . more specifically , in the step sp2 the system control circuit 5 judges whether or not the power switch 20a is on . when a negative result is given in this step , the step sp2 is repeated . when the power switch 20a as shown in fig3 a , is on , the system control circuit 5 proceeds to the step sp3 , in which the system control circuit 5 outputs control data to the power supply circuit 21 to provide the power supply vcc ( fig3 b ), and then outputs control data to the selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g for selecting contacts b on the side of the reference signal generating circuit 22 in place of the contacts a for the selection circuit 12 ( fig3 c and 3d ). in this manner , the system control circuit 5 causes chrominance signals srefr , srefb and srefg to be outputted from the reference signal generating circuit 22 to the amplifiers 18r , 18b and 18g instead of the chrominance signals from the selection circuit 12 , so that a white picture with a luminance level of 100 % is uniformly displayed over the whole screen . subsequently , the system control circuit 5 goes to the step sp4 , in which it judges whether or not switches 20b , 20c , . . . except the power switch 20a are turned on . when the result is negative in this step , the system control circuit 5 proceeds to the step sp5 where it decides whether or not 10 minutes have passed since application of the power . when a negative result is obtained , the system control circuit 5 returns to the step sp4 . the loop of steps sp4 - sp5 is repeated until 10 minutes passes after the power is applied . in a case where a white picture is displayed at a luminance level of about 100 %, in this embodiment fluctuation in registration is reduced to within a practically acceptable range in about 10 minutes . accordingly in the system control circuit 5 , an affirmative result is given in the step sp5 in 10 minutes after the application of the power , and then in the step sp6 the contacts of the selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g are changed over . then , the system control circuit 5 goes to the step sp7 and completes the routine . this routine enables displayed pictures to be constructed on the basis of the chrominance signals sr1 , sb1 and sg1 of the television program or the chrominance signals sr2 , sb2 and sg2 , outputted from the video tape recorder 14 , with a reduced fluctuation in registration . however , users may want to watch a desired program immediately after the power is applied . for this purpose , an affirmative result is provided in the step sp4 if switches 20b , 20c , . . . except the power switch 20a are turned on ( fig3 e ) before 10 minutes passes after the application of the power . then , the system control circuit 5 goes to the step sp8 , in which contacts of the selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g are switched ( fig3 d ). subsequently , the system control circuit 5 proceeds to the step sp9 , where in response to turning on of switches , adjustments of the sound volume , the brightness , the contrast , and the hue , switching of the selection circuit 12 and selection of channels are performed , and then the system control circuit 5 goes to the step sp7 to complete the routine . these operations enable the user to monitor the desired displayed picture immediately after the power is applied . by turning on the power switch 20a , in this embodiment the power vcc is supplied to each circuit block , and chrominance signals srefr , srefb and srefg which are outputted from the reference signal generating circuit 22 are supplied to amplifiers 18r , 18b and 18g via selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g , respectively . thus , the white displayed picture with the luminance level about 100 % is displayed on the screen . this enables each of the cathode ray tubes 2r , 2b and 2g to be placed in a condition where there is little fluctuation in registration , and after the contacts of the selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g are switched in 10 minutes , an excellent displayed picture is produced on the screen 40 . on the other hand , to monitor a desired displayed picture immediately after the application of the power , the selection circuits 16r , 16b and 16g are switched by turning on predetermined switches 20b , 20c , . . . , so that the desired displayed picture is monitored by shortening the period of the display of the white picture . although in the embodiment it is stated that a white picture with a luminance level about 100 % is displayed for 10 minutes after the application of the power , any time period of the display may be set according to need . moreover , in view of facility various pictures with a uniform brightness or color may be projected all over the screen instead of the white picture with about 100 % luminance level . in the embodiment , the operation of the projector is changed in response to the operations of the switches 20a , 20b , 20c , . . . , but the present invention may be applied to a case where the operation of the projector is changed to respond to actuators of a remote commander . although in the embodiment , the case where a television broadcast or a video tape recorder is monitored is described , the present invention may be applied to various projectors which display various pictures .

7Electricity

in order to derive an accurate measurement of the moisture content of non - aqueous liquids , the responses from complementary sensors are combined . the specific choice of constituent sensors is based on performance characteristics , durability , cost , and other practical considerations . in general , multiple sensors are required to measure properties that depend on multiple factors . in the simplest case of a non - aqueous liquid of a predetermined composition , a single sensor sensitive to the presence of dissolved water may be used for the measurement of dissolved water content . however , if the composition of the non - aqueous liquid is unknown or variable , additional sensors are required to produce an accurate measurement of dissolved water content . a temperature sensor may also be used to increase the accuracy of the measurement if sensor responses vary with temperature . the apparatus of the invention may therefore consist of a sensor array , sensor transduction circuitry , a processing unit , and electronic output for transmission to a display device . the sensor array is a combination of sensors which detect moisture , physical chemical properties , and temperature . the moisture sensor may be of many types including , but not limited to , polymer film resistive and capacitive sensors , infrared absorption sensors , and light refractive sensors . the chemical property sensor may be of many types including , but not limited to , capacitors of various geometries ( e . g ., a parallel - plate capacitor ), interdigitated electrodes with or without film coatings , and sensors based on light refraction or absorption . the temperature sensor may also be of many types ( e . g ., mercury thermometers , thermistors , thermocouples ). the following sensors and sensor combinations are suitable for use in the invention : moisture sensors , dielectric property sensors and temperature sensors ; moisture sensors and dielectric property sensors ; moisture sensors and temperature sensors ; moisture sensors ; dielectric property sensors and temperature sensors ; and dielectric property sensors . as one example of the application of the invention , a system for the measurement of water content within petroleum fuels is described below . the capacity of petroleum fuels to dissolve water depends on the content of oxygenating chemicals in the fuel ( such as alcohols and ethers ), the relative amounts of aromatic and paraffin hydrocarbons , and the temperature of the fuel . thus , sensors sensitive to moisture , oxygenating chemicals , aromatic / paraffin hydrocarbons , and temperature are combined algorithmically to determine the moisture content of petroleum fuels . petroleum fuels and solvents ( e . g ., gasoline , diesel , fuel oil , stoddard solvent , and mineral spirits ) may dissolve water until their saturation limits are reached , at which point the water will begin to form a separate layer , or phase . the method comprises the collection of moisture , physical chemical properties , and temperature measurements and determining the dissolved water content or the likelihood that the petroleum fuel or solvent might undergo a phase separation from water . the water content can be determined as a mass concentration or as the solvent relative humidity ( amount of water dissolved / maximum possible dissolvable amount × 100 %). a “ letter grade ” can then be assigned to the fuel based on the measurement . the letter grade which is assigned ( indicative of the likelihood of phase separation ) may be , for example , “ a ” through “ e ”, where “ a ” would indicate very little danger of phase separation and “ e ” would indicate a high risk of phase separation . analysis of regular unleaded gasoline is an example of one application of the invention . piano ( paraffins , isoparaffins , aromatics , naphthenes , and olefins ) analysis ( astm d 5443 ) of the fuel investigated showed the absence of oxygenating chemicals ( e . g ., alcohols and ethers ). in order to re - create commercially available gasoline , oxygenating chemicals were blended into the gasoline . methyl t - butyl ether ( mtbe ) was blended to simulate ether - containing gasoline . ethanol was blended to simulate alcohol - containing gasoline . all reagents were dried thoroughly with zeolite molecular sieves . water was introduced into the gasoline types by two different methods . for the unoxygenated gasoline and the mtbe - containing gasoline , dry portions of gasoline were mixed with portions of gasoline that were saturated with water . for the ethanol containing gasoline , aliquots of water were added to the gasoline . commercially available humidity sensors ( emd3000 and emd4000 , general eastern ) were used as moisture sensors . electrical resistance of the gasoline samples was measured using these sensors when immersed in unoxygenated gasoline , mtbe - containing gasoline , and ethanol - containing gasoline . fig1 , 2 , and 3 depict the relationship between the sample electrical resistance determined by the humidity sensor and the solvent relative humidity of non - oxygenated , 11 % mtbe containing , and 10 % ethanol containing gasoline , respectively , at a series of temperatures . these measurements are also listed in tables 1 , 2 , and 3 , respectively : in general , moisture measurements determined by the humidity sensor may be improved by correcting for the effects of temperature and chemical content such as oxygnating chemicals . by measuring the temperature and physical chemical properties , the relationship between the eletrical resistance determined by the humidity sensor and the solvent relative humidity of the gasoline may be described by mathematical correlations . these correlations may be of any form . one form of correlation that describes the data is : where r is the electrical resistance of the humidity sensor ( ω ) and both a and b may be functions of temperature and chemical content . these functions may be of any form . when ethanol ( 1 - 10 vol %) is the oxygenating chemical present , a good fit to data can be found with : where etoh % is the amount of ethanol blended with the gasoline ( vol %). when mtbe is the oxygenating chemical present , a good fit to data can be found with : this method of water content measurement can also be applied to the measurement of water dissolved in ethyl alcohol . fig6 depicts the relationship between the electrical resistance of the humidity sensor and the solvent relative humidity of ethyl alcohol . these measurements are listed in table 4 : the electrical properties of the gasoline were measured with a capacitor immersed within the gasoline . fig4 depicts the relationship between the oxygenate content in gasoline and the dielectric constant measured from the capacitor at 20 ° c . ( 1 khz frequency of excitation ). table 5 lists these measurements . for ethanol containing gasoline this relationship has been modeled as : oxygenate percentage = a × dc 2 + b × dc + c , where dc is the dielectric constant of the gasoline . a good fit to the data from ethanol - containing gasoline is possible when the following formulas for a , b , and c are used : a =− 0 . 0518 t − 10 . 22 , b = 0 . 2711 t + 62 . 946 , and c =− 0 . 3244 t − 86 . 643 , where t is the temperature (° c .). for mtbe containing gasoline , a good fit to the data can be achieved with the following formulas for a , b , and c : a = 0 , b = 0 . 3452 t + 46 . 977 , and c =− 0 . 6520 t − 98 . 125 , where t is the temperature (° c .). other mathematical relationships are possible . for greater accuracy , the effect of solvent relative humidity may be factored into the model of oxygenate content . a capacitor was also used to measure the bulk electrical resistance ( or conductance , equivalently ) of the gasoline ( 20 hz frequency or excitation ). fig5 depicts the relationship between the electrical resistance of the gasoline and the solvent relativity humidity for non - oxygenated gasoline , as well as 1 %, 3 % and 10 % ethanol - containing gasoline . for a given oxygenate content , the electrical resistance of the gasoline decreases as the solvent relative humidity of the gasoline increases ; table 6 lists these measurements : thus , the electrical resistance of the gasoline may provide water content information . one combination of measurements which yields the solvent relative humidity for ethanol containing gasoline is : solvent relative humidity =( a × log ( rc ))+ b , wherein a =( 35 . 243 × log ( etoh %))− 135 . 87 , and b =(− 458 . 16 × log ( etoh %))+ 1208 . 1 where rc is the electrical resistance ( ω ) of the capacitor immersed in gasoline and etoh % is the amount of ethanol present in the gasoline ( vol %). the concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons also influences the electrical properties of gasoline , including the dielectric constant and the conductivity of gasoline . higher concentrations may yield larger dielectric constants and greater conductivities . the resistance and capacitance measurements from a capacitor immersed in gasoline may provide oxygenate content and water content information . these measurements are considered duplicative to electrical impedance measurements ( e . g ., resistance and reactance ) of a test cell containing the sample . pairing a dielectric constant measurement with a phase angle difference from a measurement circuit may yield oxygenate content and water content information . equivalent representations of the measurements may include , but are not limited to , susceptance capacitance , dielectric constant , complex permitivity , resistance , conductance , admittance , reactance and impedance . furthermore , parameters derived from these property representations are considered to be equivalent representations of the measurement information . water tolerance is the amount of water that a non - aqueous liquid can dissolve before phase separation will occur with the formation of distinct non - aqueous and aqueous phases ( the aqueous phase will also contain alcohols initially present in the solvent phase ). water tolerance is related to liquid relative humidity in that the water tolerance of a non - aqueous liquid is the concentration of water in the non - aqueous liquid at 100 % relative humidity . in the case of petroleum fuels , water tolerance depends on factors such as temperature , type of distillate , content of blending components such as oxygenates , and aromatic hydrocarbon content . with knowledge of how the water tolerance of a non - aqueous liquid varies with temperature , it is possible to predict its relative humidity ( or the likelihood of phase separation occurring ) at different temperatures . for example , if the relative humidity of a non - aqueous liquid was determined to be 50 % at 30 ° c . and the water tolerance of the liquid were known to be 1 vol % at 30 ° c ., then the water concentration would be estimated at 0 . 5 vol %. if the solvent were to cool to 10 ° c ., and if the water tolerance of the liquid was 0 . 5 vol % at 10 ° c ., then the relative humidity would be predicted to be at or near 100 % and phase separation would be likely to occur . such determinations are useful when a fuel is to be transported , stored and / or used at different conditions from those of the initial measurement . the temperature dependence of the water tolerance of conventional gasoline is estimated by the following correlation : water tolerance , wt %= 6 . 97 e − 4 t + 1 . 48 e − 2 where t is the temperature in ° c . the temperature dependence of the water tolerance of gasoline containing 15 vol % mtbe is estimated by the following correlation : water tolerance , wt %= 1 . 33 e − 3 t + 5 . 96 e − 2 where t is the temperature in ° c . the water tolerance of gasoline is greatly increased by blending with ethanol . the water tolerance of gasoline blended with ethanol can be estimated by the following correlation : a =(− 8 . 052 e − 8 (% etoh ) 2 )+( 4 . 545 e − 6 ×(% etoh ))+ 3 . 513 e − 6 , b = 2 . 919 e − 5 (% etoh ) 2 + 2 . 530 e − 4 ×(% etoh )+ 6 . 736 e − 4 , c = 1 . 704 e − 3 (% etoh ) 2 + 3 . 415 e − 2 ×(% etoh )+ 1 . 220 e − 2 , where % etoh is the amount of ethanol blended into the gasoline in vol % and t is the temperature in ° c .

6Physics