This application relates to tricyclic compounds of Formula I:

Serotonin has been implicated in a number of conditions, disorders and diseases that originate in the central nervous system. These include conditions, disorders and diseases related to mood, cognitive function, sleeping, eating, pain, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and other bodily states. Serotonin also plays an important role in peripheral systems, such as the gastrointestinal system where it has been found to mediate a variety of contractile, secretory, and electrophysiologic effects.
The superfamily of serotonin receptors (5-HT) includes 7 classes (5-HT1-5-HT7) encompassing 14 human subclasses which modulate the effects of the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin). The 5-HT6 receptor is the latest serotonin receptor to be identified by molecular cloning both in rats and in humans. Mol. Pharmacol. 1993, 43, 320-327; J Neurochem, 1996, 66, 47-56. The human 5-HT6 receptor is a 440 amino acid polypeptide with seven transmembrane spanning domains which is consistent with the structure of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). There is about 89% sequence homology between 5-HT6 receptors in human and rat and the relative distribution of 5-HT6 receptor mRNA in the brain also appears to be similar. Together, these observations suggest that the rat is an appropriate model for predicting the pharmacology of 5-HT6 receptor ligands in humans.
The 5-HT6 receptor is primarily present in the central nervous system and is involved in glutamatergic and cholinergic neuronal activity. Curr Drug Targets CNS Neurol Disord, 2004, 3, 59-79. Blocking the function of 5-HT6 receptors has been found to increase acetylcholine (ACh) and glutamate-mediated neurotransmission, and enhance cognitive processes. Several antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics have also been shown to bind to the 5-HT6 receptor with high affinity. This binding may be a contributing factor in the therapeutic profile of these drugs. 5-HT6 receptor activity has also been linked to generalized states of stress and anxiety. Life Sciences, 1998, 62, 1473-1477. Taken together, these studies and observations suggest that compounds with 5-HT6 receptor affinity may be useful for the treatment of various conditions, disorders or diseases related to the central nervous system (CNS) such as cognitive diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. Other CNS-related conditions, disorders or diseases that may be affected by modulating 5-HT6 receptor activity include sleep/wakefulness disorders as well as nociception, i.e., the neural processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli.
The 5-HT6 receptor has also been shown to play a role in conditions, disorders or diseases that relate to food ingestion or food intake, such as, for example, anorexia, cachexia, and obesity. See, for example, Drug Discovery Today, 2006, 11, 283-299. The 5-HT6 receptor is also thought to be involved in conditions, disorders or diseases related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional bowel disorder.
Given the broad spectrum of physiologic effects that are mediated by serotonin there is a tremendous amount of interest in identifying and developing compounds that affect serotonergic systems, including those conditions, disorders or diseases that are directly or indirectly mediated, effected, controlled, or influenced by the 5-HT6 receptor. Compounds that have affinity for, interact with, stimulate, or inhibit the 5-HT6 receptor are commonly referred to as 5-HT6 ligands.
This application relates to new compounds with affinity for the 5-HT6 receptor, i.e., 5-HT6 ligands, which may be useful as active ingredients in pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of certain conditions, disorders or diseases related to the central nervous system (CNS) such as memory disorders, anxiety, epilepsy, migraine, panic attacks, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorders, cognition/cognitive disorders, mild cognitive impairment (MCl), senile dementia, psychosis, schizophrenia, ADHD/ADD; or for the treatment of pain including neuropathic pain and chronic pain; head trauma or injury; or for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, disorders or diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis; or for the treatment of conditions, disorders or diseases related to addiction and/or withdrawal from substances such as narcotics, ethanol (alcoholism), nicotine, and/or benzodiazepines; sleep/wakefulness disorders; or for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, disorders or diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional bowel disorder; or for the treatment of conditions, disorders or diseases related to feeding behaviors or food intake such as anorexia, cachexia, and obesity.
These compounds may also be useful for the improvement of cognition (cognitive enhancement) and/or improvement of memory in otherwise healthy subjects.

Tricyclic derivatives and their pharmaceutical use and compositions

Abstract: including all stereoisomers, mixtures of stereoisomers, and salts thereof. This application also relates to compositions comprising compounds of Formula I and uses therefore.


A braking system for an elevator includes an electromagnetic brake operably connected to an elevator car. A control circuit is operably connected to the electromagnetic brake and includes a switching mechanism to selectively modify a rate of engagement of the electromagnetic brake to selectively modify deceleration of the elevator car. A method of engaging an electromagnetic brake for an elevator system includes detecting one or more operational characteristics of the elevator system and selecting a first position or a second position of a switching mechanism disposed at a brake control circuit depending on the sensed operational characteristics. Electrical current is directed through one or more components of the brake control circuit, depending on the position of the switching mechanism, to determine a rate of engagement of the electromagnetic brake. A flow of electrical current through the brake control circuit is stopped, thereby causing engagement of the electromagnetic brake.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to elevator systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to elevator systems equipped with electromagnetic brake systems.
The use of electromagnetic brake systems is increasing in popularity in elevator systems. In emergency stop operation of these devices, such as during power interruptions or faults in the elevator system safety chain, the engagement of the brakes may result in a harsh feeling for passengers in the elevator car due to the abrupt deceleration of the elevator car. This is especially true in a downward travelling elevator car, when the brake forces and gravitational forces are acting in the same direction. Code bodies worldwide have restricted the performance of the electromagnetic brakes to address potential risks to passengers in these conditions.
In conventional roped elevator systems, due to heavier cars and counterweights and larger drive machine inertia, the rate of deceleration was relatively low. In newer elevator systems, elevator cars are much lighter, overall system inertia is lower, and the many systems are driven by traction belts, all which contribute to higher rates of deceleration during an emergency stop event. Further, the high rate of deceleration may result in belt slippage, which is unacceptable to certain code authorities.

Electromagnetic brake system for an elevator with variable rate of engagement


An electrically erasable and programmable memory (EEPROM) includes a memory array containing memory cells connected to word lines arranged in rows and to bit lines arranged in columns. The memory array includes a first special zone for storing special bits of a first type, and a second special zone for storing special bits of a second type. The first special zone includes a first row of memory cells connected to a first word line, wherein N1 memory cells are connected to N1 bit lines of a determined column of the memory array. The second special zone includes a second row of memory cells connected to a second word line, wherein N2 memory cells are connected to N2 other bit lines of the determined column. The N1 bit lines are not connected to the second row of memory cells, and the N2 bit lines are not connected to the first row of memory cells.

The present invention relates to electrically erasable and programmable memories (EEPROMS), and in particular, to a EEPROM series memory (i.e., a memory with a series input/output or with a series input). The present invention more particularly relates to reading and storing in an EEPROM special bits, such as condition bits and configuration bits.
FIG. 1 represents a conventional series memory MEM1 comprising a memory array MA1 of electrically erasable and programmable memory cells CEL connected to word lines WLi and to bit lines BLj. The memory array MA1 comprises m word lines WL0 to WLmxe2x88x921 and n columns COL0 to COLnxe2x88x921, with each column comprising M bit lines BL0 to BLMxe2x88x921. Selection of the memory cells for reading or writing is carried out by a decoder WLDEC1 connected to the word lines WLi, and a decoder COLDEC1 connected to the bit lines. The writing of data is performed by programming latches LTB1 connected to the columns via the decoder COLDEC1, while the data is read by a reading circuit RC1. The circuit RC1 comprises M sense amplifiers SA0 to SAMxe2x88x921 enabling simultaneous reading of M memory cells belonging to a column selected by the decoder COLDEC1 and to a line selected by the decoder WLDEC1.
These diverse elements are driven by a sequencer SEQ1 connected by a data bus DTB to the outputs of the circuit RC1 and to the inputs of the latches LTB1. An address bus ABD connects these elements to the decoders COLDEC1 and WLDEC1. The sequencer SEQ1 is connected to terminals T1, T2, T3 and T4 for receiving or transmitting signals described below.
The memory MEM1 also comprises two registers STREG1 and CFREG1, which are volatile type registers. The register STREG1 contains special bits of a first type, for example, protection bits of the memory array. These bits are to be preserved outside the periods of utilization of the memory, and a special zone A1 is provided in the memory array to store them in a non-volatile fashion. The special zone A1 of the memory array is, for example, connected to an additional word line WLm added to the m word lines of the memory array.
The register CFREG1 contains special bits of a second type, for example, configuration bits acting on certain elements of the memory. This register is used by the manufacturer to set up the memory during a test and adjustment phase before marketing. The parameters that can be adjusted due to the configuration bits are quite varied and include the following: the level of a program erasing high voltage Vpp; the level of a gate control voltage during the reading phases; the number of current generators activated in the sense amplifiers; current adjustment in the current generators; and the durations of certain internal delays, for example.
Since the configuration bits may also be preserved when the memory is switched off, a special zone A2 is dedicated to them in the memory array. The zone A2 is, for example, connected to a second additional word line WLm+1.
Conventionally, the register STREG1 is read accessible and the memory zone A1 is write accessible by applying to the memory special instructions in the form of operating codes. The memory zone A2 is moreover read and write accessible by applying to the memory operating codes that are generally not communicated to the user and remain exclusive to the manufacturer. The user is not supposed to be aware of the existence of configuration bits.
Such a memory should be suitably equipped to read the zone A2 before performing a first instruction. This is because the configuration bits define the operation of the memory, and must be loaded into the register CFREG1 for the configuration to be effective before performing the first instruction. For reasons explained below, the zone A1 must also be read before performing a first instruction, and the condition bits must be loaded into the register STREG1.
With respect to FIGS. 2A to 2D, the execution of a first instruction after activation of the memory, for example, an instruction for reading the memory array, will now be considered. FIG. 2A represents a selection signal CS (chip select) applied to the terminal T1. FIG. 2B represents clock signals applied to the terminal T2. FIG. 2C represents data DTIN applied to the terminal T3. FIG. 2D represents data DTOUT delivered by the sequencer on the terminal T4, either data read in the memory array or in the registers. The signal CS is set to 0 to activate the memory and the clock signal CK is then applied to the terminal T2. As of the first clock cycle, data DTIN is applied to the terminal T3. This data comprises an operating code COP, containing generally 8 bits, such as a code relating to a reading operation, then address bits ADD.
After having received the operating code and the address bits, the sequencer SEQ1 can read the memory zone affected and deliver the data DTOUT. During the reception of the address bits, the sequencer has enough time to decode the operating code. However, if the first operating code received is an instruction for reading the register STREG1, this code is not provided with address bits. If it is expected that all the code bits are received to execute the instruction, i.e., in this case the eighth clock cycle, the content of the zone A1 must be read into the memory array, loaded in the register STREG1, then delivered to the terminal T4 within a very short time. This is typically equal to 0.5 or 1.5 clock cycles according to the series communication protocol used.
Reading the zone A1 before the execution of the first instruction enables the condition bits to be loaded into the register STREG1, and to deliver them on the series output of the memory if the first instruction received is an instruction for reading the register STREG1. Thus, the condition bits and the configuration bits must be read in the zones A1, A2 and loaded in their respective registers before the execution of a first instruction, i.e., during the reception of the first clock signals.
The time conferred upon the sequencer for both these successive reading operations corresponds in theory to eight clock cycles. The first clock cycles are necessary for the stabilization of reference circuits intervening in the reading of the memory array, and the effective time available to the sequencer is greatly reduced. This time is sufficient with slow clock frequencies, but is currently becoming critical due to the increase in the clock frequencies, notably with clock frequencies equal to or greater than 20 MHz.
In view of the foregoing background, the present invention is based upon the practical observation that the sum of the bits of the first type and of the second type is generally smaller than or equal to M, with M being the number of bit lines per column, so that M sense amplifiers provided in a memory to read the M memory cells of a selected column may be enabled to read simultaneously the condition bits and the configuration bits.
For example, diverse memories marketed by the current assignee of the present invention comprise 3 condition bits and 5 configuration bits. The three condition bits comprise a bit for write-protection of the memory array (bit Write Enable) and two additional bits forming a code determining the fraction of the write-enable memory array (25, 50, 75 or 100% of the memory array). The five configuration bits form a configuration code offering 25 possibilities for setting up a memory.
The present invention includes reading simultaneously the bits of the first type and of the second type. The bits of the first type and of the second type cannot be arranged on the same word line, since erasing bits of the first type would erase bits of the second type and vice-versa.
The present invention thus relates to enabling a simultaneously reading of at least two special zones in which are recorded special bits of two distinct types that cannot be erased simultaneously. To obtain this feature, the present invention also provides two special zones that are connected to two distinct word lines, but whose connections to bit lines are such that they enable a simultaneous reading of certain memory cells present in each of the zones.
More particularly, the present invention provides an electrically erasable and programmable memory comprising a memory array comprising memory cells connected to word lines and to bit lines, with the bit lines being arranged in columns. The memory array comprises at least a first special zone for storing special bits of a first type, and at least a second special zone for storing special bits of a second type.
The first special zone comprises at least a first row of memory cells connected to a first word line, wherein N1 memory cells are connected to N1 bit lines of at least a set column of the memory array comprising M bit lines. The second special zone comprises at least a second row of memory cells connected to a second word line, wherein N2 memory cells are connected to N2 other bit lines of the set column of the memory array. The N1 bit lines of the set column that are connected to the N1 memory cells of the first row are not connected to the memory cells of the second row, and the N2 bit lines of the set column that are connected to the N2 memory cells of the second row are not connected to memory cells of the first row.
According to one embodiment, N2=Mxe2x88x92N1. The first row may comprise M memory cells connected to the first word line, and the second row may comprise M memory cells connected to the second word line. The memory may also comprise means for simultaneously applying a reading voltage to the first and second rows of memory cells when reading special bits.
The memory may comprise at least M sense amplifiers for simultaneously reading N1 memory cells of the first row and N2 memory cells of the second row. The memory may further comprise a first register for temporary storage of the special bits of the first type read in the memory cells of the first row, and a second register for temporary storage of the special bits of the second type read in memory cells of the second row.
The memory may further comprise a sequencer to automatically trigger a simultaneous reading of special bits of the first and second types during the reception of first clock signals. The special bits of the first type may be condition bits whose value determines the write-accessibility of the memory array, in whole or in part. The special bits of the second type may be configuration bits whose value determines the hardware configuration of certain elements of the memory.
The present invention is also directed to a process for storing and reading special bits of a first type and of a second type in an electrically erasable and programmable memory. The memory comprises a memory array comprising memory cells connected to word lines and to bit lines, with the bit lines being arranged in columns.
The process comprises operations that provide in the memory array at least a first special zone comprising at least a first row of memory cells connected to at least a first word line, wherein N1 memory cells are connected to N1 bit lines of at least a set column of the memory array comprising M bit lines. At least a second special zone is provided in the memory array comprising at least a second row of memory cells connected to at least a second word line, wherein N2 memory cells are connected to N2 other bit lines of the set column of the memory array. The N1 bit lines of the set column that are connected to the N1 memory cells of the first row are not connected to memory cells of the second row, and the N2 bit lines of the set column that are connected to the N2 memory cells of the second row are not connected to memory cells of the first row.
According to one embodiment, N2=Mxe2x88x92N1. The first row may comprise M memory cells connected to the first word line, and the second row may comprise M memory cells connected to the second word line. Both rows of cells can be read simultaneously. The special bits of the first type may be condition bits whose value determines the write-accessibility of the memory array. The special bits of the second type may be configuration bits whose value determines the hardware configuration of certain elements of the memory.

EEPROM memory comprising means for simultaneous reading of special bits of a first and second type


A method and system for providing and utilizing a magnetic memory are described. The magnetic memory includes a plurality of magnetic storage cells. Each magnetic storage cell includes magnetic element(s) programmable due to spin transfer when a write current is passed through the magnetic element(s) and selection device(s). The method and system include driving a first current in proximity to but not through the magnetic element(s) of a portion of the magnetic storage cells. The first current generates a magnetic field. The method and system also include driving a second current through the magnetic element(s) of the portion of the magnetic storage cells. The first and second currents are preferably both driven through bit line(s) coupled with the magnetic element(s). The first and second currents are turned on at a start time. The second current and the magnetic field are sufficient to program the magnetic element(s).

FIG. 1 depicts a typical conventional magnetic element 10. The conventional magnetic element 10 can be used in non-volatile memories, such as a magnetic random access memory (MRAM). The magnetic element 10 typically includes a reference layer 14, a spacer layer 16, and a free layer 18. The free layer 18 has a magnetization having an equilibrium position along an easy axis 19. The easy axis can be inside the film plane or out of the film plane. Other layers, such as antiferromagnetic pinning layers 12 might also be provided. Moreover, other similar structures, such as dual magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs) and MTJ-Spin Valve dual structures with spacer and/or barrier layers at both sides of the free layer, might be used. For clarity only single reference layer 14, spacer layer 16 and free layer 18 are plotted. The reference layer 14 and free layer 18 are typically ferromagnetic, but may be multilayers including both ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic layers. The spacer layer 16 is nonmagnetic and may be insulating (for example in a magnetic tunneling junction) or conductive (for example in a spin valve). The difference in orientations of the magnetizations of the free layer 18 and the reference layer 14 determines the resistance of the conventional magnetic element 10 and thus the state of the conventional magnetic element 10. When the free layer and the reference layer are substantially parallel the magnetic element 10 has a resistance R, when the free layer and the reference layer magnetization are substantially antiparallel the magnetic element 10 has a resistance R+ΔR. The resistance difference, ΔR, can be positive or negative depending on the materials chosen for the different layers of the magnetic element 10. The state of the magnetic element can be determined by measuring its resistance.
The conventional magnetic element 10 may be programmed either using a magnetic field or a current driven through the magnetic element (e.g. using the spin transfer effect). FIG. 2 depicts the conventional magnetic storage cell 20 that is used in a memory and programmed using a conventional magnetic field switching method. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic element 10 is part of a conventional magnetic storage cell 20 that also includes a selection transistor 22. Also depicted are a corresponding bit line 24 connected to the conventional magnetic element 10, a read word line 26 connected to the selection transistor 22, a source line 28 connected to the selection transistor 22 and a write word line 30. In field switching, the bit line 24 and the word line 30 are activated, currents ib and iw are driven through the bit line 24 and the write word line 30, respectively. Typically, the bit line 24 and the write word line 30 are mutually perpendicular, as shown in FIG. 2. During such a write operation, the selection transistor 22 is disabled to preclude current from being driven through the conventional magnetic element 10. The currents ib and iw produce two magnetic fields, HB and HW, respectively. The conventional magnetic element 10 of the storage cell 20 in the region where the bit line 24 and write word line 30 cross (the "crosspoint") experiences both magnetic fields. Consequently, the magnetization of the free layer 18 of the conventional magnetic element 10 may switch directions. The conventional magnetic element 10 is, therefore, programmed. Other conventional magnetic elements (not shown) for other magnetic storage cells (not shown) in a memory array only experience the field from at most one of the active bit line 24 and the active write word line 30. Consequently, other magnetic storage cells should not be switched.
Although the conventional magnetic element 10 can be programmed as depicted in FIG. 2, programming utilizing field switching has significant drawbacks. These drawbacks may be particularly severe for higher memory densities. For example, the field switching mechanism in a high density memory array suffers from a half selection problem. In particular, a conventional magnetic element 10 that only experiences the magnetic field HB or HW from either the bit line 24 or the write word line 30, but not both, may be accidentally switched. Undesired writing may thus occur. Furthermore field writing may not be easily scaled to higher densities due to the complicated cell structure. When the conventional magnetic element 10 is reduced in size, larger magnetic fields may be required to write to the conventional magnetic element 10. Consequently, larger currents ib and iw may be needed to program the conventional magnetic element 10. The operation current is typically greater than ten milliamps, which is significantly larger than desired.
In another method, the magnetization state of the magnetic elements 10 may also be switched using the spin transfer effect. Spin transfer based switching is desirable because spin transfer is a localized phenomenon that may be used to write to a cell without inadvertently writing to neighboring cells. Consequently, it would be desirable to use the conventional magnetic elements 10 in a magnetic memory, such as MRAM, that employs spin transfer switching.
FIG. 3 depicts a conventional magnetic storage cell 40 including the conventional magnetic element 10 and residing in a memory that uses spin transfer based programming. The conventional storage cell 40 includes a conventional magnetic element 10 that is typically an MTJ and a selection transistor 42. Also depicted are a conventional bit line 44, a conventional word line 46, and a conventional source line 48. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, this switching mechanism for the conventional magnetic storage cell 40 uses a current im passing perpendicular to the planes (in the z-direction in FIG. 1) of the layers of the conventional magnetic element 10. When the selection transistor 42 is activated by the conventional word line 46 and a current is passed through the magnetic element 10, the electrons carrying the current become spin-polarized by the local magnetization. The polarized electrons exert a torque on the magnetization of the free layer 18. This spin transfer torque may generate spin waves and/or complete switching of the magnetization of the free layer 18 when the current im reaches a critical value ic. When the current is driven from the free layer 18 to the reference layer 14, the spin transfer torque can switch the free layer magnetization to be parallel to the conventional reference layer 14 magnetization. When the current is driven in the opposite direction, the spin transfer torque is also in the opposite direction and can switch the magnetization of the free layer 18 to be anti-parallel to that of the conventional reference layer 14. Thus the magnetic element 10 can be programmed. During reading a read current is passed through the magnetic element 10 to sense the resistance of the magnetic element 10 that depends on the relative orientation of the magnetizations of the free layer 10 and of the reference layer 14. Note that the read current should be less than the current used in writing in order to avoid in advertently writing to the magnetic element 10.
Programming the magnetic storage cell 40 using the spin transfer effect has benefits. In particular, the spin transfer effect is a more localized phenomenon. Thus, the conventional magnetic storage cell 40 may not suffer from the half selection problem. In addition, such technology is characterized by good scalability. Stated differently, a magnetic memory using the magnetic storage cell 40 is easier to scale to higher densities. Moreover, the switching current required to program the magnetic element is relatively small. For example, in some applications, the write current needed for switching the free layer of the magnetic element 10, or the critical current ic, is less than approximately one milliamp.
Although use of the spin transfer effect has significant benefits, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are also drawbacks. For the sizes of the magnetic element 10 at which spin transfer switching becomes important, even the low critical current of approximately one milliamp corresponds to a current density of approximately 106˜107A/cm2. Such a large current density passing through the conventional magnetic element 10, particularly when an insulating spacer layer 16 is used, may adversely affect the reliability of the magnetic storage cell 40. For example, the large current density may damage or break down the insulating spacer layer 16. Moreover, such a large current density requires a large selection transistor 42. The large selection transistor 42 required to provide this large current density may limit the density of a memory array formed using the magnetic storage cell 40.
To address problems in the spin transfer based switching scheme, magnetic field assisted current switching has been proposed. In one such scheme, referring to FIG. 3, the bit line can be arranged so that the current in the bit line 44, ib, which is also driven through the magnetic element 10, generates a magnetic field Hb that assists in switching the magnetic element 10. The use of the magnetic field Hb reduces the critical current. However, the bit line current is relatively small ib=im, on the order of one milliamp or less. Consequently, the strength of the field used in assisting switching is small, providing very little assistance in switching the magnetic element 10.
FIG. 4 depicts a magnetic storage cell 40′ in another such conventional magnetic field assisted current switching scheme. The components depicted in FIG. 4 that are analogous to those depicted in FIG. 3 are labeled similarly. Consequently, storage cell 40′, a selection transistor 42′, a bit line 44′, a word line 46′ and a source line 48′ are shown. In addition, a conventional field line 50 is depicted. A current, iA, is driven through the conventional field line 50 that generates a field, HA, that assists in switching the state of the conventional magnetic element 10. In similar schemes, the conventional field line 50 may be perpendicular to the conventional bit line 44′ and/or below the magnetic element 10. In such scheme a large magnetic field could be generated. However, the extra, conventional field line 50 is used. The fabrication of the conventional field line 50 increases the manufacturing complexity and may adversely affect the density of a memory using such lines 50.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for providing a magnetic memory element that can be switched using a lower current density. The present invention addresses such a need.

Method and system for using a pulsed field to assist spin transfer induced switching of magnetic memory elements


Power control circuitry, power systems, and related methods are disclosed. A power system includes power control circuitry including a first power switch configured to couple a supplemental grid-synchronized power generator to a main grid power source, and a second power switch configured to couple the supplemental grid-synchronized power generator to a distribution unit configured to distribute electrical power to loads. The power control circuitry also includes time delay circuitry configured to control the first power switch and the second power switch. A method includes maintaining a supplemental grid-synchronized power generator coupled to a main grid power source while main electrical power is provided thereby, and decoupling the supplemental grid-synchronized power generator therefrom responsive to a cease in the main electrical power. The method also includes coupling the supplemental grid-synchronized power generator to a distribution unit a delayed period of time following a cease in the main electrical power.

Current alternating current (AC) solar photo voltaic (PV) and other grid connected generation or energy storage systems (e.g., wind generators, energy storage, etc.) utilize common grid procedures such as those described in Underwriter Laboratories (UL) 1741 standard, or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1547.1 standard, which specify in great detail the times, methods, and conditions under which these devices may synchronize with, and deliver energy to, a reference AC source, such as the typical power grid. These devices are designed for safety, and are used widely in gigawatts' worth of electric generation systems today.
One characteristic of existing standards is that when voltage or frequency outside of a defined range is detected, the system deactivates any power provision to the AC reference it is connected to, but maintains a measurement of the AC reference to trigger a resynchronization and reconnection when the system reactivates.
Furthermore, generation systems interacting with a battery-based system typically utilize direct current (DC) based charge controllers that connect directly to the DC battery bank. Such configurations do not directly connect the solar to an inverter, but rather connect the solar to a battery bank from which the grid tied inverter then draws energy to deliver to either the grid or onsite loads.

Method for safe isolation and reconnect of grid generation devices to energy storage or alternate generation reference


A lower electrode is formed on a silica glass substrate or a stainless substrate. Through a sputtering process, a thin film of aluminum nitride and/or zinc oxide is formed on the lower substrate so that the degree of dipole-orientation becomes 55% or more, and thereby a piezoelectric thin film is formed. And an upper electrode is formed on the piezoelectric thin film.

Conventionally, in order to sense abnormality of a structure that generates atmosphere of high temperature, such as a conduit or a valve of a plant (e.g. a nuclear power plant), or an internal combustion engine, a sensor is put inside the structure. Examples of the sensor are as follows; an acoustic emission sensor for sensing an acoustic emission that is an elastic wave generated when a crack or a crevice is made, and a piezoelectric vibration sensor for sensing information of an abnormal vibration or acceleration. As the examples of these sensors, a compressed type, a cantilevered type, a diaphragm type, and a shearing type are known.
Out of these sensors, a thin-filmed piezoelectric sensor (compressed type) includes a laminated body in which a pedestal, an electrode on the pedestal, a piezoelectric device, an electrode on a load substance, and the load substance are laminated successively, is used so that a bottom side of the pedestal is firmly installed on a target of measurement. When the target of measurement vibrates, the vibration is conducted to the pedestal of the sensor. The pedestal of the sensor vibrates with the target of measurement, but a vibration of the load substance gets behind due to an inertial power of the load substance, and a compressive stress or a tensile stress is generated in the piezoelectric device in proportion to the vibration acceleration. And an electric charge or voltage in proportion to the stress is generated on both sides of the piezoelectric device, and an electric current flows between the two electrodes located on both sides of the piezoelectric device, and by sensing the amount of the electric current, the amount of a vibration and acceleration of the target of measurement can be sensed.
Usually, this kind of piezoelectric sensors uses a piezoelectric device made of a piezoelectric material such as lead titanate zirconate and polyvinylidene fluoride, but the piezoelectric device made of such a piezoelectric material has low Curie temperature at which polarization vanishes, and maximum temperature at which the device can be used is about 300° C. at most. Therefore, in order to keep a piezoelectric device at suitable temperature, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 203665/1993 (Tokukaihei 5-203665) discloses an arrangement for cooling a piezoelectric device by use of a Peltier element. But the function of a Peltier element is limited to generating local temperature gradient, so that the sensor cannot be applied to a place where a cooling device cannot be installed on the outside and temperature rises high on the whole.
Further, in the case of a vibration such as acoustic emission, the vibration may attenuate due to characteristics of a vibration-transmitting material on the way, or an unnecessary vibration may mix from the outside while the vibration is transmitted, and therefore it is desirable to measure the vibration as near as possible to the place where the vibration has been generated. However, as for a structure with its temperature rising high, as shown above, a usual thin-filmed piezoelectric sensor is inferior in heat-resistance, and so the vibration is to be induced to a distant place at low temperature by a vibration-transmitting stick and measured there. But in this case, due to reasons such as attenuation of a vibration or mixture of a noise, the vibration of the target of measurement cannot be measured accurately.
Therefore, in order to make a thin-filmed piezoelectric sensor that has heat-resistance, the use of, for a piezoelectric layer, a piezoelectric material with high Curie temperature such as lithium niobate is disclosed, for example, on Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 34230/1993 (Tokukaihei 5-34230). The Curie temperature of lithium niobate is about 1140° C. and measurement at high temperature is possible without cooling means. But lithium niobate has several faults; it is difficult to be formed as a thin film, it cannot gain piezoelectric characteristics unless it is single crystal, and it is difficult to be fabricated or processed and costs a lot.
Further, in a case of a thin-filmed vibration sensor for high temperature, disclosed on Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 122948/1998 (Tokukaihei 10-122948), in order to solve the problems, zinc oxide or aluminum nitride is used as piezoelectric ceramic without Curie temperature, and a thin film made by orientating zinc oxide or aluminum nitride in parallel to a c-axis is used as a piezoelectric device. A thin film made of aluminum nitride or zinc oxide is a hopeful material for downsizing a piezoelectric device.
However, in order to use aluminum nitride or zinc oxide as a piezoelectric device, a thin film in which aluminum nitride or zinc oxide is dipole-orientated is needed, and in order to improve the piezoelectric characteristics of the piezoelectric device, the degree of its dipole-orientation needs to be increased. However, though thin films made of aluminum nitride or zinc oxide have been made in many processes until now, studies on the degree of dipole-orientation of a thin film made of aluminum nitride or zinc oxide have been hardly done, and therefore there is a problem that it is difficult to fabricate a thin film in which the degree of the dipole-orientation is controlled.
Further, the thin film made of aluminum nitride or zinc oxide has a very large internal stress created in a film forming process, and therefore, for example, in the case of forming the thin film on an electrode made on a substrate, there is a problem that a crack appears in the electrode or the thin film peels off from the substrate, accompanied by the electrode.
The present invention is proposed to solve the problem, and its purpose is to provide an efficient piezoelectric device that uses a thin film with a high degree of dipole-orientation and is made of aluminum nitride or zinc oxide, and to provide a method for fabricating the efficient piezoelectric device, with easiness and in a low price.

Piezoelectric element and method for manufacturing

Abstract: A piezoelectric device has a piezoelectric layer made of aluminum nitride and/or zinc oxide. Aluminum nitride and zinc oxide with a crystal structure have inborn piezoelectric characteristics because their crystal structures are not symmetrical, they do not have Curie temperature unlike ferroelectrics, and in aluminum nitride and zinc oxide, magnetic transition does not occur even at high temperature, so that they never lose piezoelectric characteristics until crystal melts or sublimates.

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology


A method and system for providing a progressive web app (PWA) having a plurality of display modes. The method comprises providing a single code base hosted on a server, the single code base having a shell index file and a plurality of index files corresponding to the plurality of display modes. Each display mode has corresponding display mode content, the display mode content of one display mode performing different functions and operations compared to the display mode content of any of the other display modes. When the PWA is accessed, the shell index file detects whether the PWA was accessed by a browser, a bookmarked PWA standalone web app or other access point, determines the corresponding display mode, and displays the corresponding display mode content.

Devices having the capability of connecting to the Internet have become increasingly mobile and pervasive. Devices including smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers are used for performing various functions. Web development has provided increasing functionality, enabling websites that provide portals and services for consumers, ranging from online shopping, banking and investing, conducting business and education, social media and research, amongst other functions.
Although many such services may be provided on a website, accessed by a web browser program installed on the device, it may be desired to access those same services when the device is not connected to the internet. It may also be convenient for end users to access services through a separate application, or "native app", that is installed on the device. Native apps often provide desirable additional functionality to the end user that is not available on a corresponding website, may store files locally on a memory of the device so that the native app may be used even when the device is not connected to the internet, and may offer ease of access to the end user by allowing the end user to open the native app through an icon displayed on the home page of the device's user interface.
However, a known issue with deploying and maintaining native apps is that it is necessary to produce different versions of the native app capable of operating on different operating systems in order to make the native app available to users of different devices; examples of popular operating systems include Apple™ iOS™ used on Apple™ smartphones, tablets and desktop computers; Windows™ used on tablets and desktop computers of various different manufacturers; and Android™ used on smartphones of various different manufacturers. Thus, if a software developer wishes to offer a native app to users of the three different operating systems mentioned above, it is necessary for the software developer to code and then maintain three different versions of the native app having three different code bases. Furthermore, because operating systems are often upgraded, the developer of a native app for these three different operating systems may also find it necessary to support the native app for two or more versions of each operating system. Developing and supporting native apps across different platforms increases the overall cost and complexity of providing the native app to a user base. For this reason, native apps may only be available to users of one or two different operating systems.
Presently, native apps are made available for download through app stores. Presently, a small number of app stores, including Apple App Store™, Microsoft Windows Apps™ and Google Play™, have captured most of the available market share. The proprietors of each respective app store serve as gatekeepers, performing an assessment of a proposed native app before it is made available in that app store. The app stores collect a commission for the native app downloaded from the app store.
If a developer wishes to update a native app, they must make the update available to the end user through the app store. The end user may or may not receive a push notification from the native app, informing the end user that an updated version of the app is available. However, the end user must visit the app store to download and then install the native app update. If the native app does not notify the end user when a new update is available, the end user may need to frequently access the app store to proactively check for the availability of app updates, or otherwise forego using the most updated version of the native app.
Progressive web apps ("PWA") provide most of the functions of a native app, but are delivered in the form of a web app that is accessed through the web browser program installed on the end user device. Unlike a web app, which can only be accessed through a web browser, a PWA may be bookmarked to the user interface of an end user's device (also referred to herein as the "client device"). The user interface of the client device may include, but is not limited to, a graphical user interface, a home screen, a desktop and/or a system tray. When a PWA is bookmarked on the end user's device, a program called a service worker, along with the PWA content, is downloaded onto the end user's device, and the end user may access the PWA either through, for example, an icon saved onto the home screen of the device's user interface, or through the web browser. When the PWA is accessed from the end user device, the service worker retrieves the PWA content, either from a server accessed over the internet, or if the device is not connected to the internet, the service worker retrieves the PWA content stored locally on the end user's device. Thus, the PWA may be used when the device is not connected to the internet. However, the content and functionality of the PWA is the same, regardless of whether the end user accesses the PWA through the web browser or directly from the PWA icon bookmarked on the end user's device. When the PWA is accessed through an icon saved on the home screen of the device, the PWA is displayed in a window that looks like a native app in appearance, rather than being displayed within a web browser frame.

Method and system for providing a website and a standalone application on a client device using a single code base


An animal dragging method for the purpose of dragging or carrying game animal carcasses from one point to another. The method consists of one strap weaved through two holes on each end of a cylinder pipe. This pipe serves as a handle opposite the knotted strap convenient for holstering game animals. The pendulum-looking device allows for simple maneuvering when hooked onto the ankle(s) or neck(s) of a game animal(s). The knotted strap weaved through the cylinder pipe also allows for adjustment; depending on the size of the game animal it can hold up to several game animals.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention presented relates to the mounting and dragging of game animal.
2. Description of Related Art
For the purpose of hunting and game dragging a device is needed for mounting and dragging game animal from one location to another. Prior inventions have simply allowed for basic transporting of game animal, most commonly from the antlers or by the neck. There is still a need for a more methodical approach to mount game by the legs, or the body and to cut the distance between the carcass and dragger to allow for better maneuvering of the carcass. Moreover, previous inventions lack an effective way to drag game animal through rough terrain and or difficult environments such as brushes or debris.
These issues are the main reasons why an invention is needed to improve efficiency of mounting, and to improve smooth transport of game dragging.


The present invention involves a metal structure which has provisions for mounting a common hand held electric circular saw while supporting the wood being cut. Using the same tool, a woodworker may make accurate crosscuts, miter cuts, compound cuts, and rip cuts in a wide variety of wood components. Adjustable support wings can be employed to support long pieces of wood, particularly during the ripping process. Integrally mounted wheels provide means for easily moving the invention from one place to another. The invention""s small size and light weight allow it to be stored when not in use.

This invention relates to a portable woodworking device, particularly related to adapting a hand saw for a variety of applications.
Powered woodworking equipment such as radial arm saws and table saws are very expensive, require a lot of room to operate and store, are not very portable, and are able to do only one task well.
The present invention adapts a common hand held electric circular saw to a lightweight, portable structure, enabling the woodworker to do a variety of jobs. When the work is done, the structure and saw may easily be moved and stored, requiring a minimum of space. Since most home woodworkers already own a circular saw, the only cost involved is that of the structure itself, saving the woodworker the price of two large expensive units. The present invention is a distinct improvement over past attempts to adapt hand tools for jobs usually performed by single-purpose power tools.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,556,137, U.S. Pat. No. 2,630,146, U.S. Pat. No. 3,331,406, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,057 all disclose radial arm type sawing devices. The concepts disclosed in those patents all employ heavy, complicated components. They are not self-contained, nor do they lend themselves to ease of portability. In addition, they limit themselves to one purpose: that of a radial arm saw.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,151,642 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,496 are designed to saw large panels such as sheets of particleboard or plywood. They are not easily portable and are not adaptable to fulfill another function, such as that of a table saw.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,770,265 discloses a combination guide and portable support for power saws. U.S. Pat. No. 2,911,017 discloses a miter guide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,102 discloses a compound miter saw stand. These concepts s are intended to perform the function of a miter saw to make cuts at various angles on dimensional lumber such as 2xc3x974 s. There are no provisions for ripping plywood sheets or the like, nor do they have provisions for supporting large workpieces or for ease of portability.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,271 discloses a combination table and miter guide for portable power saws. While this concept allows the user to perform functions associated with miter or radial arm saws and table saws, the portable saw must be dismounted, moved, and remounted to achieve this. In addition, the concept incorporates a large heavy table which is not easy to transport or to store in a small space.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,678 discloses a portable power tool accessory table. This invention allows use of various power tools such as sabre saws, routers, and circular saws. With respect to sawing wood, this concept is limited to crosscut type work, as it is impossible to fix the position of the power tool with respect to the tracks on which it travels. In addition, there is no provision for supporting long workpieces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,152 discloses a versitile precision woodworking apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,736 discloses a saw mount for use on a conventional workshop table. Neither concept has any provision for rip cuts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,055 discloses a portable workshop. This concept combines the features of numerous separate power tools, but contains a plurality of removable parts and is quite complicated to configure for the different tools.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,506 discloses a portable saw table. This concept, while employing folding legs, is difficult to move and bulky to store.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,781 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,298 disclose concepts which are similar in nature to the present invention, but are very unduly complicated.
A. Objects of the Invention
One object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive alternative to expensive shop equipment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a means for a woodworker to make precision compound, crosscut, and rip cuts in wood, using the same tool.
Another object of the invention is to provide a means to support the wood being cut without using permanent tables or movable stands.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for moving and storing the invention when not in use.
Another object of the invention is to offer increased safety to the user inasmuch as the saw blade points down away from the user, and is difficult to reach by hand.
Another object of the invention is to be easily manufactured from as few different parts as possible, and using some components which are commercially available.
Other objects will be apparent from the following Descriptions and Drawings.
B. Summary
The present invention comprises a metal structure which has provisions for mounting a common hand held electric circular saw while supporting the wood being cut. Using the same tool, a woodworker may make accurate crosscuts, miter cuts, compound cuts, and rip cuts in a wide variety of wood components. Adjustable support wings can be employed to support long pieces of wood, particularly during the ripping process. Integrally mounted wheels provide means for easily moving the invention from one place to another. The invention""s small size and light weight allow it to be stored when not in use.


A method of enabling wireless data transfer to an electronic device having a first transceiver structured to interact with a first wireless network and a second transceiver structured to interact with a second wireless network including repeatedly powering up the second transceiver to await receipt of a second beacon signal through the second wireless network, receiving an instance of the second beacon signal with an indication of availability of data to be transferred to the electronic device through the first wireless network, and in response to the receiving of the instance of the second beacon signal with the indication of availability of the data, powering up the first transceiver to receive the data through the first wireless network.

1. Field
The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to electronic devices interacting with a wireless network and, more particularly, to a system and method for enabling greater power conservation for a wireless handheld device interacting with a wireless network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless networks enabling communications between electronic devices are widely known and have become commonplace. Most widely used are wireless networks based on various recently issued IEEE standards, including and not limited to, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.16e. Much of the focus in the design of these wireless networks has been providing the convenience of being able to set up a network without the hassles of installing cables (e.g., Ethernet and coax cables). Considerable focus has also been given the use of portable computer systems with these wireless networks where such portable computer systems may actually be in motion and perhaps physically entering and/or exiting a location covered by a wireless network at various times. In response to these considerations, protocols have been developed to repeatedly convey status and other information between devices communicating with each other across a wireless network to, in part, detect the entry and exit of devices into and out of an area covered by the wireless network.
As part of these protocols, it has become commonplace for at least one device engaging in communications in a wireless network, and usually serving as an access point between that wireless network and another network, to repeatedly transmit a beacon or other signal to all of the other devices engaging in communications in that same network. The beacon signal serves multiple purposes, including providing an indication to each of the other wireless devices that the wireless network is still accessible to them, and providing indications of any data to be conveyed to any of the other wireless devices. If one of the other devices suddenly ceases to receive this beacon signal, then it may be an indication to that other device that it has been moved out of the location covered by that particular wireless network and that a search may need to be done to locate another network. If a beacon signal indicates that there is data to be conveyed to one of the other devices, then that other device responds to the beacon signal to cause the data to be transmitted to that other device.
As part of serving the function of enabling wireless devices to determine if a given wireless network is still accessible to them, the specifications followed by many implementations of wireless network require that the beacon signal be transmitted at a relatively short interval of between 100 ms and 400 ms, though it is commonplace to encounter beacon signals being transmitted every 100 ms to 200 ms. Also, these same specifications also require that each wireless device monitor every transmission of the beacon signal, since any given transmission of a beacon signal may provide an indication of there being data to be conveyed to that wireless device, and if a beacon providing such an indication is not responded to by the wireless device, then the data may be discarded and never conveyed to the wireless device.
Although these relatively short intervals may speed detection by a device of its loss of connection to the wireless network, such short intervals result in a relatively high consumption of power that may not be sustainable by relatively small portable devices for a long period of time with correspondingly small batteries. Such short intervals impair the ability of such portable devices to conserve power by preventing the powering down the RF receiver and processing logic that receives and processes the beacon signal for periods of time long enough to achieve significant power savings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for enabling wireless data transfer


The present invention provides therapeutic methods for treatment of conditions including the neutralization of the anti-coagulant activity of heparin, inhibition of angiogenesis, tumor and endothelial cell proliferation, and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases by administration of bactericidal/permeability-increasing (BPI) protein products.

The present invention relates to therapeutic uses of bactericidal/permeability increasing (BPI) protein products for the treatment of conditions not directly associated with gram negative bacterial infection including neutralization of the anti-coagulant properties of heparin, inhibition of angiogenesis, tumor and endothelial cell proliferation and treatment of chronic inflammatory disease states such as arthritis.

Therapeutic uses of bactericidal/permeability increasing protein products


Anionic, hydrophobic polysaccharides useful as soil release agents in detergent compositions are graft copolymers of a polysaccharide having anionic substituents with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the copolymer having a polysaccharide backbone carrying grafted hydrophobic vinyl polymeric groups derived from the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and anionic substituents. The polymers exhibit enhanced release of both oily and particulate soil from both polyester and cotton.

The present invention relates to novel soil release polymers for detergent formulations capable of enhancing soil removal from cotton or polyester fabric or their blends and a process for the preparation of the same.
The washing of soiled fabrics with a laundry detergent is essentially a two step process. In the first stage, the detergent must remove the soil particles from the fabric and suspend them in the soil solution. In the second stage the detergent must prevent soil particles and other insolubles from re-depositing on the cloth before and after the fabric is removed from the soil solution or the rinse solution. Polymers are known to aid both processesxe2x80x94soil release polymers enhance soil removal from the fabric whilst anti-redeposition polymers prevent the deterged soil from depositing on the fabric.
The thrust in recent times has been the development of soil release polymers (SRPs), which can be incorporated into detergent formulations, to enhance the removal of soil from the fabric. SRPs adsorb on the fabric surface, modifying properties like the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the fabric and its surface energy. Consequent soil removal is greater than what is possible with a conventional detergent formulation.
Soil release polymers disclosed in the literature address the problem of removal of oily or fatty soils from polyester. Polyester is a hydrophobic fabric and removal of hydrophobic, oily soils from the fabric has historically been a problem. The problem has been circumvented in part by using soil release polymers which combine hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. The polymers adsorb strongly on the fabric, are easily dispersed or dissolved in a surfactant and are compatible with the components of the detergent formulation. When incorporated in a detergent formulation, they aid oily soil removal.
Various soil release polymers have been disclosed in the prior art for removal of oily soils from polyester. A vast majority are polyesters that have been hydrophilically modified. U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,230 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,885 disclose modified polyesters as soil release agents for detergent formulations.
GB2322137 discloses the hydrophobic modification of starch (starch is the hydrophilic segment) and its use as a soil release polymer, in particular for detergency of oily soil from polyester fabric. Hydrophobic modification was carried out by graft copolymerising starch with hydrophobic monomers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,446 discloses a polysaccharide modified with a) a monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid/anhydride/alkali metal salt, b) monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid/alkali metal salt and c) monomer containing two or more ethylenically unsaturated, non-conjugated double bonds in the molecule.
SRPs for removal of oily soil from cotton have also been disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,838 discloses the use of copolymers of hydrophobic acrylic monomers and water soluble monomers like acrylic acid, as oily soil release agents for cotton fabrics.
Hence, polymers are known in the prior art for removal of oily soil from cotton or polyester. However, polymers that can aid removal of oily and particulate soil or their mixtures from cotton and polyester have not been disclosed.
Thus according to the present invention, novel soil release polymers that are anionic, hydrophobic graft copolymers of polysaccharides are provided. The soil release polymers can be incorporated in detergent formulations and aid the removal of oily and particulate soil from cotton, polyester or their blends. The polymers can also be used in rinse conditioners. A process for making these soil release polymers comprising the steps of anionic modification and graft copolymerisation is also provided.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anionic, hydrophobic polysaccharide which is a graft copolymer of a polysaccharide having anionic substituents with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the copolymer having a polysaccharide backbone carrying grafted hydrophobic vinyl polymeric groups derived from the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and anionic substituents, preferably a group which possesses a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid head group or a salt thereof.
More specifically the invention provides an anionic, hydrophobic polysaccharide having the general formula I:
wherein R is a hydrophobic vinyl polymer, Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 which may or may not be the same represents a group which possesses a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid head group or a salt thereof and G is a monosaccharide or substituted monosaccharide.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the preparation of an anionic, hydrophobic polysaccharide as previously defined, comprising the steps of graft copolymerisation and anionic modification of a polysaccharide.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a fabric treatment composition comprising a fabric treatment agent and from 0.01 to 10 wt % of a anionic, hydrophobic polysaccharide as previously defined.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a detergent composition comprising from 5 to 60 wt % of a detersive surfactant and from 0.01 to 10 wt % of an anionic, hydrophobic polysaccharide as previously defined.
The Anionic, Hydrophobic Polysaccharide
The anionic, hydrophobic graft copolymer of polysaccharide of the current invention has the general structure given below:
wherein R is a hydrophobic vinyl polymer, Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 which may or may not be the same, represent a group which possesses a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid head group or a salt thereof and G is a monosaccharide or substituted monosaccharide.
It is preferable that G is a monosaccharide.
In a first preferred embodiment, Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 are polymeric vinyl sulphonate groups such as xe2x80x94(CH2xe2x80x94CHSO3H)n and xe2x80x94(CH2xe2x80x94CHSO3xe2x88x92M+)n, wherein M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal and n has a value of from 5 to 100. In a second preferred embodiment, Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 are alkylene carboxylates of the general form xe2x80x94R3xe2x80x94COOH and xe2x80x94R3xe2x80x94COOxe2x88x92M+, wherein R3 is a C1 to C4 alkylene group, C1 being especially preferred, and M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal.
The hydrophobic vinyl polymer can be attached to the polysaccharide backbone through the hydroxyl group or through any of the carbon atoms on the sugar. The polymer chains can be present at irregular intervals on the polysaccharide chain and it is not critical that they be present at regular intervals. Up to 50% homopolymer may be present without impairing soil release performance. The anionic group is attached to the polysaccharide backbone through the hydroxyl group, either primary or secondary. It is not essential that anionic substituents be present on each of the sugar rings.
It is not essential to remove any unreacted polysaccharide that may be present in the final product obtained by graft copolymerisation and anionic modification of the polysaccharide.
The polysaccharide, which is the hydrophilic part of the molecule, is preferably chosen from cellulose, guar gum, starch and tamarind kernel powder but is not limited by the same. More preferably the polysaccharide is starch. The starch can be any native starch and includes those derived from wheat, rice, oat, tapioca, maize, potato, sorghum, arrowroot or their mixtures thereof. Alternatively, acid or enzymatically degraded starch or oxidised starch or their mixtures or their mixtures thereof with the native starches can also be used.
When starch is the preferred polysaccharide, it may be in the native form or gelatinised form. The term gelatinisation refers to rupture of the starch granule at elevated temperatures in presence of water.
The hydrophobic modification is provided by a hydrophobic vinyl polymer (R in Formula I) grafted onto the polysaccharide backbone. The polymers of vinyl monomers like acrylic monomers, vinyl acetate, styrene and substituted styrenes are especially preferred. The molecular weight of each of the hydrophobic vinyl polymer chains is preferably 500-5,000,000, more preferably from 2000-500,000 and most preferably from 5000-100,000.
The amount of the hydrophobic vinyl polymer is preferably 0.1-10% by weight of the polysaccharide, more preferably from 1-5% by weight of the polysaccharide.
Preferably, acrylic monomers are used for graft copolymerisation. The hydrophobic acrylic polymers especially suitable for the present invention are shown below having the general formula II:
wherein R1 and R1xe2x80x2 may or may not be the same and represent xe2x80x94H, xe2x80x94CH3, xe2x80x94C2H5.
and wherein R2 and R2xe2x80x2 may or may not be the same and represent xe2x80x94COOCH3, xe2x80x94COOC2H5, xe2x80x94COOC3H7.
Particularly preferred is poly (methyl acrylate) wherein R1=R1xe2x80x2=H and R2=R2xe2x80x2=xe2x80x94COOCH3.
The anionic group, which may be a group which possesses a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid head group or a salt thereof, is distributed along the backbone of the polysaccharide. The compounds of the invention may contain both groups with carboxylic acid or sulphonic acid head groups (or their salts) as anionic substituents.
The amount of the anionic substituent is preferably 0.1-10% by weight of the polysaccharide, more preferably from 0.1-5% by weight of the polysaccharide.
Preferred examples of anionic reagents for effecting anionic modification of the polysaccharide are halocarboxylic acids or their salts and vinyl sulphonic acid or their salts or their mixtures thereof. More preferably the halocarboxylic acids are used as anionic reagents. Chloroacetic acid is especially preferred.
The following formulae are representative examples of anionic, hydrophobic polysaccharides of the invention (formula I).
In the figures,
R represents
R1=H and R2=xe2x80x94COOCH3
and Rxe2x80x2=xe2x80x94CH2COOH.
Preparation of the Anionic, Hydrophobic Polysaccharides
The soil release polymers of the invention are prepared by a) graft copolymerisation and b) anionic modification of the polysaccharide. It is not particularly relevant for the present invention as to which step is carried out first. Preferably, the step of graft copolymerisation of the polysaccharide is carried out first, followed by anionic modification.
Both graft copolymerisation and anionic modification of the polysaccharide can take place through the primary and/or the secondary hydroxyl groups on the polysaccharide backbone. Graft copolymerisation can also be initiated by H abstraction from the monosaccharide residue.
Graft copolymerisation is carried out by contacting the redox initiator, such as ferrous ammonium sulphate and hydrogen peroxide or ceric ammonium nitrate and dilute nitric acid, with the polysaccharide in an aqueous medium. A preferred temperature range is 20-60xc2x0 C., more preferably from 30-40xc2x0 C. It is preferable to add an entrainer, an example of which is urea. When the ferrous ammonium sulphate and hydrogen peroxide system is used as the redox initiatior, it is preferable to also add ascorbic acid. The hydrophobic monomer is added and subsequent polymerisation takes place to yield the polymer of the invention.
The hydrophobic graft copolymer so prepared is preferably reacted with a carboxylating or sulphonating reagent selected from halocarboxylic acid, an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of a halocarboxylic acid, vinyl sulphonic acid or the alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of the vinyl sulphonic acid. It is preferable to use haloacetic acid, more preferably chloroacetic acid, to provide anionic groups on the polysaccharide. The process of anionic modification may be carried out in presence of a solvent such as water/isopropanol mixtures or as a dry process.
When the soil release polymer of the invention is prepared from native starch, it is preferred to subject the same to a temperature of 70-90xc2x0 C. in presence of water, to make the soil release polymer water soluble.
Fabric Treatment and Detergent Compositions
The soil release polymer of the invention may be used to treat fabric by incorporating it into detergent compositions, rinse conditioners or other fabric treatment compositions. It can also be used simply as an aqueous solution which can be applied to the fabric to enhance soil removal from the fabric.
The polymers of the invention are suitably incorporated at the level of 0.01-10 wt %, preferably 0.5-5 wt %, of the detergent or fabric treatment composition.
The soil release polymers may advantageously be incorporated into built laundry detergent compositions suitable for heavy duty use. A preferred detergent composition in accordance with the invention may contain from 5 to 40 wt % of detersive surfactant (detergent-active material), from 5 to 80 wt % of detergency builder, and from 0.01 to 10 wt %, preferably from 0.5 to 5 wt %, of the soil release polymer of the invention.
Apart from the polymers of the invention, the detergent formulations also contain as in conventional formulations, detergent actives (surfactants) and builders and auxiliaries. Auxiliaries include sequestrants, dye-transfer inhibitors, perfumes, bleaches, enzymes, flourescers, optical brighteners, fungicides, germicides, hydrotropes etc.
The detergent composition may be in any physical form, for example, powder, tablet, bar, paste or liquid.
The detergent active material is generally chosen from anionic, nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic detergent active compounds and mixtures thereof.
Anionic surfactants which can be used in the compositions of the invention are both soap and non-soap detergents compounds. Especially suitable anionic detergent active compounds are water soluble salts of organic sulphuric reaction products having in the molecular structure an alkyl radical containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a radical chosen from sulphonic acid or sulphur acid ester radicals and mixtures thereof.
The preferred water-soluble synthetic anionic detergent active compounds are the alkali metal (such as sodium and potassium) and alkaline earth metal (such as calcium and magnesium) salts of higher alkyl benzene sulphonates and mixtures with olefin sulphonates and higher alkyl sulphates, and the higher fatty acid monoglyceride sulphates. The most preferred anionic detergent active compounds are higher alkyl aromatic sulphonates such as higher alkyl benzene sulphonates containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group in a straight or branched chain, particular examples of which are sodium salts of higher alkyl benzene sulphonates or of higher-alkyl toluene, xylene or phenol sulphonates, alkyl naphthalene sulphonates, ammonium diamyl naphthalene sulphonate, and sodium dinonyl naphthalene sulphonate.
Suitable nonionic detergent active compounds can be broadly described as compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups, which are hydrophilic in nature, with an organic hydrophobic compound which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature. The length of the hydrophilic or polyoxyalkylene radical which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.
Particular examples include the condensation product of aliphatic alcohols having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms in either straight or branched chain configuration with ethylene oxide, such as a coconut oil ethylene oxide condensate having from 2 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol; condensates of alkylphenols whose alkyl group contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms with 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkylphenol; condensates of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and propylene oxide with ethylene oxide, the condensate containing from 40 to 80% of polyoxyethylene radicals by weight and having a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 11,000; tertiary amine oxides of structure R3NO, where one group R is an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the others are each methyl, ethyl or hydroxyethyl groups, for instance dimethyldodecylamine oxide; tertiary phosphine oxides of structure R3PO, where one group R is an alkyl group of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, and the others are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for instance dimethyldodecylphosphine oxide; and dialkyl sulphoxides of structure R2SO where the group R is an alkyl group of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and the other is methyl or ethyl, for instance methyltetradecyl sulphoxide; fatty acid alkylolamides; alkylene oxide condensates of fatty acid alkylolamides and alkyl mercaptans.
Suitable amphoteric detergent-active compounds that optionally can be employed are derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines containing an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an aliphatic radical substituted by an anionic water-solubilizing group, for instance sodium 3-dodecylamino-propionate, sodium 3-dodecylaminopropane sulphonate and sodium N-2-hydroxydodecyl-N-methyltaurate. Suitable cationic detergent-active compounds are quaternary ammonium salts having an aliphatic radical of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, for instance cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide.
Suitable zwitterionic detergent-active compounds that optionally can be employed are derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, sulphonium and phosphonium compounds having an aliphatic radical of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an aliphatic radical substituted by an anionic water-solubilising group, for instance 3-(N-N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium), propane-1-sulphonate betaine, 3-(dodecylmethyl sulphonium) propane-1-sulphonate betaine and 3-(cetylmethylphosphonium) ethane sulphonate betaine.
Further examples of suitable detergent-active compounds are compounds commonly used as surface-active agents given in the well-known textbooks xe2x80x9cSurface Active Agentsxe2x80x9d, Volume I by Schwartz and Perry and xe2x80x9cSurface Active Agents and Detergentsxe2x80x9d, Volume II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.
The detergency builders used in the formulation are preferably inorganic and suitable builders include alkali metal aluminosilicates (zeolites), alkali metal carbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP), citrates, sodium nitrilotriacetate (NTA) and combinations of these. Builders may suitably be used in amounts ranging from 5 to 80 wt %, preferably from 10 to 60 wt %.
The detergent compositions of the invention may also contain any other suitable ingredients. These may be selected from, but are not limited to, bleaches, bleach precursors, bleach stabilisers (heavy metal sequestrants), photobleaches, enzymes, other polymers, foam boosters, foam controllers, fluorescers, fillers, flow aids, fabric conditioning agents, perfumes, colourants, and coloured speckles.
The polymers of the invention may also be used as part of a fabric washing kit, as part of a sachet or can be microencapsulated.
A fabric washing kit may comprise two enclosures separated from each other. It is preferred that one enclosure is big and the other small. The big enclosure contains the detergent formulation and the small enclosure the polymer. An instruction sheet contains directions for the use of the two components including the proportions and conditions under which these are to be used. The kit may also contain a dispensing means to aid the washing using the two components in the desired proportions.
A preferred kit according to the invention is a plastic container having two separate chambers. A first bigger chamber holds the detergent composition. The second small chamber has a volume capacity not greater than about 10% of the big chamber and holds the soil release polymer of the invention.
The polymer/detergent composition may also be packaged in single dose sachet having a compartment in which the two components are housed in a manner such that they come into contact when the contents are discharged from the sachet. It is also possible to microencapsulate the polymer and provide the product in a premixed form. Other forms of packagings are also included within the scope of invention.

Soil release polymers and laundry detergent compositions containing them

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.


The invention provides a method for producing high-quality lard or beef tallow with low cholesterol content. The method of the invention uses enzyme hydrolysis, centrifugation separation and homogenization-assisted embedding technique to obtain high-quality lard or beef tallow with low cholesterol levels. The method uses aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) techniques to separate lard or beef tallow from the raw material of pork or beef fat, and uses the homogenization-assisted embedding technique to remove cholesterol from the lard and beef tallow products. The method of the invention produces high quality lard with good oxidative stability at a high yield and can meet the Chinese national standard for first grade lard. The lard of the invention needs no further degumming process, eliminating the tedious refinery steps.

Field of the Invention
The invention belongs to the field of food processing technology and, especially to the field of animal oil processing technology. Particularly, it relates to a method for producing high-quality lard or beef tallow with low cholesterol levels.
Background of the Invention
The self-sufficiency degree of China's edible oil is less than 40%, resulted in China's high dependency on foreign trade for edible oil. Finding new edible oil sources is an important way to alleviate China's oil supply security issues. China has abundant animal oil resources. According to statistics, China is the largest pork-producing country and the lard production is also No. 1 in the world. The production of beef tallow in China is one of the largest in the world as well. Therefore, the full development of animal oil resources like lard and beef tallow has great significance in solving the problem of insufficient self-supply of edible oil in China.
Lard is rich in nutrition, containing abundant saturated fatty acids and polyene alcohol, which are the main sources for human essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. It is also an important source for α-lipoprotein and arachidonic acid. Lard has unique flavor and can send out mouthwatering smell in the process of cooking. It can improve the smoothness of food texture when it is covered on the surface of the food during cooking. Moreover, lard is also an essential heat-transfer medium, which can increase cooking temperature, shorten cooking time and disperse unpleasant odor.
As an anther animal oil source, beef tallow has white color, abundant fatty acids and no undesirable flavor. Beef tallow is widely used in the food industry, such as bakery products (bread, biscuit, cake, etc.), shortening, margarine, frying oil, instant noodle, frozen foods, flavorings, etc.
Currently, dry method and wet method are the two main ways to produce animal oil, such as lard or beef tallow. In the dry method, lard or beef tallow is decocted from fat issue by high temperature, and is then squeezed and filtered to remove scraps. Because of the difficulty to control the temperature or long time of heating, the lard made of the dry method has problems such as darker color, increased acidity, higher degree of oxidation, and increased levels of malonaldehyde. The quality of lard and beef tallow made from this method is very low, needs refinery steps to obtain edible oil, and has very low yield. The wet method is to heat the fat tissue in the presence of water. The lard and beef tallow made of the wet method has large amount of moisture, poor flavor, easy to rancidity and high cholesterol levels (e.g. unrefined lard has an average cholesterol level of 100-150 mg/100 g, and refined lard still has an average cholesterol level of 50-70 mg/100 g). The above-mentioned disadvantages of the traditional processing methods have been a long-time problem that has limited the development and application of the animal oils.
Aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) is a new oil extraction technology that has been widely studied in recent years. The aqueous enzymatic method has many advantages, including high oil yields, white color of the final product, low energy consumption and low pollution. AEE has been applied in the extraction of many plant oils. However, there is no report about using AEE for the extraction of lard or beef tallow. There is a need to develop an AEE-based method for extracting animal oils. This invention satisfies this need and provides other benefits as well.

Method for producing high quality animal oil with low cholesterol levels


A protective cover for particulate material consisting of a plurality of panels, with each of a desired number of panels including an attachment strip attached to and extending along a portion of the length of the panel. A segment of the attachment strip is detached from the underlying panel to form an attachment loop for attachment of a ballast weight. As the size and shape of the pile changes, an additional segment of the attachment strip may be separated from the underlying panel to form another attachment loop to alter the altitude at which the weight is attached to the cover. A number of the panels include ripstops spaced at desired intervals along the panel to halt the propagation of rips which may form in the panel when the cover is subjected to stress forces.

Various types of protective covers have been developed for covering piles or mounds of particulate material, such as salt, sand, grain and the like, from the effects of the weather while the material is in outside storage. An example of a cover for protecting a large quantity of particulate material from the elements when stored outside in an otherwise unprotected condition is disclosed in Handwerker U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,029. Alternately, covers comprising all porous or all non-porous materials can be utilized.
While the cover disclosed in the Handwerker patent is capable of protecting the pile or mound of material covered thereby, it possessed a number of shortcomings. For example, in order to counteract the effects of aerodynamic lift exerted on the cover by the wind, a large number of ballast weights, such as automobile tires, were attached to the cover at fixed attachment points so that the ballast weights rested on the cover between the top or apex and the lower margin of the pile. However, if the pile had an atypical size or shape or as particulate matter was removed from the pile and the height of the pile diminished, the fixed attachment points ended up so close to the ground that the ballast weights rested on the ground which reduced or eliminated the effectiveness of the weights in maintaining the cover on the pile.
The wind may also enter beneath the cover through a removal opening or otherwise get beneath the cover and exert tensile forces on the cover. The prior Handwerker cover included canvas panels which were porous to gas which allowed the cover to breathe and reduce the stress exerted by the wind on the cover. In addition, the canvas material would form rips if the stress became too great. However, once a canvas panel formed a rip, the rip had a tendency to propagate and extend the entire length of the panel, resulting in a substantial cost to repair the rip. Such ripping may also occur in polyethylene panels of a cover under certain stress conditions.
Thus there is a need for a cover for a pile of particulate material which protects the pile from the elements and resists the effects of wind on the cover. A related need is for a cover which allows for the attachment of ballast weights at desired locations on the cover and also allows for each ballast attachment point to be shifted to compensate for changes in the shape and height of the pile.
There is a further need for a cover for a pile of particulate material which prevents rips which may form in the panels compromising the cover from propagating for more than a desired short length that is easy to repair.


A light source structure of a backlight module includes a casing, a heat sink, a plurality of light source generators, a first reflecting element and a second reflecting element. If a light emitting component of the light source generator is lit, a spot light source of the light emitting component is passed through an optical lens in a light pipe and converted into a linear light source to be projected onto an oblique surface of the first reflecting element. The oblique surface converts the linear light source into a planar light source to be projected from an opening of a casing to an oblique surface of the second reflecting element. The oblique surface of the second reflecting element guides the planar light source into the light guide plate, such that the light in the light guide plate is diffused uniformly to provide sufficient brightness to the light guide plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a backlight module, and more particular to a backlight module that reflects a light source to a light guide plate by a multiple reflection.
2. Description of Prior Art
Since light crystal display (LCD) is not a self-emitting display device, an external light source is mandatory for achieving the display effect. Most liquid crystal displays adopt a backlight module to provide a uniform liquid crystal display panel and a high-brightness light source. The basic principle of the LCD adopts a spot light source or a linear light source, and effectively converts the spot or linear light source into a planar light source to provide a product emitting a planar light source with high brightness and uniform luminance.
In general, a backlight module can be divided into two types: a front light type and a back light type, and the back light type can be classified and developed into the following structures by their specifications and the positions of the lamps:
1. An edge lighting structure as shown in FIG. 1 sets a cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1a on a lateral side of a light guide plate 2a, and the light guide plate 2a adopts an injection molding printless design and the edge lighting structure is generally used in small or mid-size backlight modules below 18 inches, and an edge lighting light source design comes with a lightweight, thin, narrow-framed, and low power consumption features, and thus it can be used as a light source for mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and notebook computers.
2. A bottom light structure as shown in FIG. 2 installs a cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1a at the back of the light guide plate 2a. Due to the super large backlight module, the edge lighting structure no longer maintains its advantages on weight, power consumption and brightness anymore, and thus the bottom light structure that installs the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1a at the back of the light guide plate 2an is developed. The bottom light structure is applicable for portable LCD monitors and LCD TVs with relaxing requirements.
In recent years, light emitting diode (LED) becomes increasingly popular due to its compact size, low power consumption and long life expectancy, and it gradually takes over the traditional light bulb. For instance, LED is used extensively in traffic lights, automobile signal lights, flashlights, mobile phones, lamps and large outdoor billboards. Some light sources of the present backlight modules also adopt LED as a light source, and the LED 3 is usually installed on a lateral side or a backside of the light guide plate 2a as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
In fact, the heat source produced by an electrically connected LED 3a will affect the light emitting efficiency of the LED, and insufficient heat dissipation will cause the LED 3a unable to meet its specifications. To solve the aforementioned problem, some manufacturers reduce the input current (which is known as load reduction) to 60% of the specified value, so that the brightness of each LED 3a will fall below 60% of the specified value. More light emitting diodes are added to satisfy the brightness requirement, but such arrangement makes the manufacture more complicated and incurs a higher cost.

Light source structure of backlight module


Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to recreational self-propelled watercraft. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a self-propelled watercraft including a hull, a deck comprising a first seat receiver configured to support a seat at a higher position and a second seat receiver configured to support the seat at a lower position, and a seat securing mechanism configured to be operable by a user to selectively secure the seat to the deck.

Recreational self-propelled watercraft, such as kayaks, are used for many different activities, such as touring, camping, fishing, and river running. As such, kayaks may have various design features configured to enhance various activity-specific performance characteristics. For example, a whitewater kayak may have a hull designed to enhance maneuverability, whereas a fishing kayak may have a hull configured to enhance stability. In some circumstances such specialized design features may impose limits on other aspects of performance.


A digital dubbing device that compresses and stores music data for each sound unit includes a music data counter that counts the number of samples of music data when the music data is to be compressed, and detects a music data stream located in the end part of the sound unit from the music data based on TOC information of the music data and the number of samples of the music data counted; a data storage unit that stores the music data stream detected; a music data comparator that detects a music data stream identical to the music data stream stored from the music data when dubbing of the music data is interrupted; and a controller that causes the dubbing of the music data to be restarted from music data following the music data stream detected.

As a dubbing system of dubbing a digital audio signal of music recorded on a music CD (Compact Disc), there is a method of reproducing the music on the music CD track by track, compressing the music, and then storing (recording) the music compressed in a recording medium.
When the music is dubbed for each track, however, a lot of time is required for controlling a CD drive for reproducing the music CD. Therefore, unnecessary silent data is recorded in the front part (start portion) of a track and the end part (end portion) of the track, and this does not allow faithful dubbing. Furthermore, when dubbing is performed track by track, pose/play is performed for each track. Therefore, time-based overhead occurs in a dubbing process.
As the dubbing system, there is also a method of reproducing the all tracks on the music CD at a time to compress and recording them as a whole in a recording medium, and then dividing the whole into tracks.
A digital dubbing device described in Patent document 1 detects elapsed-time information (subcode data) in a program from a digital signal sent from a digital-signal reproducing unit, and determines that a track is started when it is continuously detected predetermined times or more that the elapsed-time information is within a predetermined time range including the start time of the program. When it is determined that the track is started, then the digital signal is started to be recorded.
Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-162558