The present invention concerns the use of inhibitors for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which are the consequence of increased receptor tyrosine kinase activity, particularly cancer. The use is particularly directed towards inhibition or lowering of the overexpression and/or altered activity of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). In particular, this altered activity of receptor tyrosine kinase can be triggered by a mutation of FGFR-4, wherein this mutation is in particular a point mutation in the transmembrane domain of FGFR-4 and leads to an exchange of a hydrophobic amino acid for a hydrophilic amino acid. The invention further concerns the use of an inhibitor directed against FGFR-4, for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cancer. Furthermore, the invention concerns a mutated FGFR-4, which leads to overexpression and/or altered activity in cells. Finally, the invention concerns a DNA and RNA sequence of a mutated FGFR-4 molecule. Finally, in addition the invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition, containing the inhibitor as described above and further a diagnostic and screening procedure.

The present invention concerns the use of inhibitors for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which are the consequence of increased receptor tyrosine kinase activity, particularly cancer. The use is particularly directed towards inhibition or lowering of the overexpression and/or altered activity of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). In particular, this altered activity of receptor tyrosine kinase can be triggered by a mutation of FGFR-4, wherein this mutation is in particular a point mutation in the transmembrane domain of FGFR-4 and leads to the exchange of a hydrophobic amino acid for a hydrophilic amino acid. The invention further concerns the use of the inhibitors of FGFR kinases, particularly for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cancer. Furthermore, the invention concerns a mutated FGFR-4, which leads to overexpression and/or altered activity in cells. Finally, the invention concerns a DNA and RNA sequence of a mutated FGFR-4 molecule. Finally, in addition the invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition, containing the inhibitor as described above and, further, a diagnostic and screening procedure.
Cell growth is a carefully regulated process dependent on the specific needs of an organism. In a young organism, the cell division rate exceeds the cell death rate, which leads to an increase in the size of the organism. In an adult organism, the new formation of cells and cell death are balanced so that a xe2x80x9csteady statexe2x80x9d arises. In rare cases, however, the control of cell multiplication breaks down and the cells begin to grow and to divide, although no specific need for a higher number of cells of this type exists in the organism. This uncontrolled cell growth is the cause of cancer. Factors that can provoke the uncontrolled cell growth, sometimes associated with metastasis formation, are often of a chemical nature, but can also be of a physical nature, such as for example radioactive radiation. Another cause of the triggering of cancer are genetic peculiarities or mutations in a certain organism, which sooner or later lead to the cells degenerating.
Up to now, it has still not been possible satisfactorily to elucidate the processes which control normal growth and differentiation, for example in the breast. In addition to hormonal control, there is also a complex network of different, locally generated growth factors which intervene in the development of the mammary cells. The precise causes of the occurrence of cancer in mammary cells are as unclear and unknown as they are diverse, as is also the case with other cells. Alterations in oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes appear to play an important part in breast cancer carcinogenesis. In addition, reinforced stimulation by regulatory factors which arise in genetically altered cells can lead to increased progression of cell growth
At present, essentially two alternatives are available for the treatment of cancer. Either the cancer cells are successfully removed from the diseased organism completely by a surgical intervention, or attempts are made to render the degenerated cells in the organism harmless, for example by administration of medicaments (chemotherapy) or by physical therapeutic procedures, such as irradiation.
In chemotherapy, medicaments are often used which in some form intervene in the DNA metabolism and damage rapidly growing cells, which have to produce higher DNA metabolic capacity, more strongly than cells which are dividing slowly or not at all. However, a severe disadvantage of many chemotherapeutic drugs is the low specificity of the active substance used, as a result of which healthy cells are also damaged during the chemotherapy. This low specificity of the active substances further requires that their dosage must in each case be such that as few as possible healthy cells are damaged, with simultaneous killing of the cancer cells. This is often not possible, and the cancer patient dies because of the ever further spreading cancer cells, which in the final stages cause the failure of vital functions.
It is assumed that the overexpression and/or altered activity of certain growth factor receptors contribute to the intensified growth of many neoplasms, including breast cancer. For example, the overexpression of EGFR, i.e. epidermal factor receptor, or ERB B-2 receptor in breast tumours has been linked with a poor prognosis. FGF (historically: fibroblast growth factor) proteins could also be involved in the development of cancer in breast glands or of other cancer; however the results in this regard are contradictory or are inconclusive.
The FGFs constitute a large family of peptide regulatory factors, of which 9 members are so far known. Eight of these have been well characterised in man (Basilico and Moscatelli, 1992; Coulier et al., 1993). The FGFs operate via high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors, which are coded for by at least four different genes. Further, the FGFs are multifunctional, regulatory peptides which could have an effect not only on tumorigenesis but could also play a major part in cardiovascular diseases, reconstruction after tissue injury, neurobiology and embryonic development. The acidic and basic FGFs (aFGF and bFGF) were the first and are the best characterised members of the family. In vivo it could for example be shown that FGFs are involved in mesodermal induction in embryogenesis (Slack et al., 1987; Kimelman et al., 1988), and also involvement in angiogenesis (Thomas et al., 1985; Thompson et al., 1989; Folkmann and Klagsbrun, 1987).
For the corresponding receptors (FGFRs), four similar genes coding for them have been identified. These genes code for structurally related proteins with an extracellular domain which consists of three immunoglobulin loops and an acid portion, a hydrophobic trans-membrane domain and an intracellular domain, which incorporates a tyrosine kinase activity. For two of these genes, FGFR-1 and FGFR-2, it could be shown that they have multiple transcripts, which arise by alternative splicing (Givol and Yayon, 1992 and Johnson and Williams, 1993). Splice variants which arise from these genes differ with respect to the number of inmmunoglobulin-like domains in the extracellular region of the receptor and in the sequence for the second half of the third immunoglobulin domain, which can arise from alternative exons. In addition, transmembrane and juxtamembrane shortenings or deletions can arise, which can generate secreted or kinase-inactive protein products.
For FGFR-3, it was possible to find alternative transcripts and corresponding isoforms, but for FGFR-4 there is only a single known protein product. Because of the large number of FGFR genes and transcripts and the lack in many protein products of a specificity for defined FGFs, it is difficult to determine the action of a specific ligand on a specific receptor. Hence, correlations between specific FGF receptors and defined diseases can only be established with great difficulty, let alone a correlation of a particular mechanism of action of a defined receptor with a disease. Accordingly, it is difficult effectively to treat diseases, especially the complex disease picture cancer, utilising the FGFRs.
Hence it is an objection of the present invention to specify a possible treatment and/or prophyl-axis of somatic disorders, in the development of which receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are involved, particularly cancer. In particular, it is an objection of the present invention to inhibit and/or to lower overexpression and/or altered, for example constitutive activity of receptor tyrosine kinases.
It is further an objection of the present invention to inhibit and/or to lower the altered activity of the receptor tyrosine kinase of a mutated FGFR-4.
It is a further an objection of the present invention to specify a further RTK which is involved in carcinogenesis and/or metastasis formation. Further, it is an objection of the present invention to specify a DNA sequence or corresponding RNA sequence of the RTK.
It is a further an objection of the present invention to specify improved diagnostic or differential diagnostic and screening procedures.
Finally it is an objection of the present invention to specify a pharmaceutical composition, with which in particular cancer can be treated.
These objections are achieved by the objects of the independent claims. The dependent claims specify preferred developments of the invention.
For the better understanding of the present invention, the terms used herein are explained in more detail.
By xe2x80x9cinhibitorxe2x80x9d is understood any substance which inhibits the RTK or lowers their activity. This can be a low-molecular weight substance directed against the RTK, a kinase-inactive receptor or an anti-receptor antibody.
By xe2x80x9ckinase inactive receptorxe2x80x9d is understood any receptor which no longer has any tyrosine kinase activity.
By xe2x80x9creceptor tyrosine kinasexe2x80x9d [sic] is understood any receptor which has tyrosine kinase activity. The expression includes growth factor receptors which have tyrosine kinase activity, and also HER2 or the met-receptors.
By xe2x80x9cRTK-Hyperfunctionxe2x80x9d is understood overexpression (see below) and/or altered activity (see below).
xe2x80x9cDefective signal transfer activitiesxe2x80x9d means that a mutated receptor is no longer capable of converting an extracellular growth signal or another signal into an intracellular signal, in the sense that this defective signal generation no longer depends on the presence of a ligand, for example the growth factor.
xe2x80x9cGrowth factorxe2x80x9d means any mitogenic chemical, usually a polypeptide, which inter alia is secreted by normal and/or transformed mammalian cells, and which plays a significant part in the regulation of cell growth, in particular in the stimulation of the proliferation of the cells and the maintenance of their viability. The term xe2x80x9cgrowth factorxe2x80x9d for example includes epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), and also FGF, namely fibroblast growth factor.
By xe2x80x9cmutated receptor tyrosine kinasexe2x80x9d is understood a receptor tyrosine kinase which by comparison with the wild type receptor contains a structural alteration, so that the receptor has a different, e.g. no longer regulable, tyrosine kinase activity from the wild type receptor. One class of mutations leads to altered activity of the RTK.
By xe2x80x9cwild type growth factor receptorxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cwild typexe2x80x9d receptor is understood a naturally occurring growth factor receptor or receptor that bears the non-mutated amino acid sequence. The xe2x80x9cwild typexe2x80x9d corresponds to the receptor variant most commonly occurring in the population.
By xe2x80x9cextracellular domainxe2x80x9d of the growth factor receptor or receptor is understood the part of the receptor which normally projects out of the cell into the extracellular surroundings. The extracellular domain for example includes the part of the receptor to which a growth factor or another molecule (ligand) binds.
By xe2x80x9ctransmembrane regionxe2x80x9d of the growth factor receptor or receptor is understood the hydrophobic portion of the receptor, which is normally located in the cell membrane of the cell which expresses the receptor.
By xe2x80x9ctyrosine kinase domainxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ccytoplasmic domainxe2x80x9d of the growth factor receptor or receptor is understood the portion of the receptor which is normally situated inside the cell, and brings about the transphosphorylation of tyrosine residues.
By xe2x80x9can effective quantityxe2x80x9d is understood a quantity of the composition according to the invention which can achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
By xe2x80x9cfibroblast growth factor (FGF)xe2x80x9d is understood a mitogenic polypeptide which influences the growth and other properties of cells, inter alia of fibroblasts.
By xe2x80x9coverexpressionxe2x80x9d is understood increased production of RTK protein by a cell as compared to the wild type. This can for example be triggered by gene amplification of the RTK gene and lead to excessive, uncontrolled cell division activity.
By xe2x80x9caltered activityxe2x80x9d is understood permanent activity of a signal transfer route mediated by growth factor receptors. Thus with an altered RTK the kinase activity is also present when no ligand is present.
According to the present invention, it could be shown that a mutated FGFR-4 can lead to overexpression and/or altered activity of the corresponding receptor tyrosine kinase in cells and hence lead to cancer.
Growth factor receptors play a decisive part in the development and multiplication of human cancer cells. In healthy cells, the growth factor receptors are inter alia involved in the control of cell growth, but also in differentiation, cell migration, etc. The actual signal for the cell division is the growth factor, which is formed depending on the needs of the organism. The receptor undertakes the function of signal transfer, i.e. it is involved in the conversion of the extracellular growth signal into cell division activity in the inside of the cell. With many growth factor receptors, their ability, after binding of the growth factor to the extracellular domain, to transfer phosphate residues onto tyrosine residues in proteins plays a decisive part. These receptors are also described as receptor tyrosine kinases. A review of receptor tyrosine kinases is to be found in Yarden Y and Ullrich A, Rev. Biochem. 1988, 57, 443-78. The dimerisation of these growth factor receptors after binding of the growth factor is a further important event in the process of signal transfer. The conversion of an extracellular signal into an intracellular signal mediated by growth factor receptors with tyrosine kinase activity can be broken down into the following five steps:
1. The binding of the growth factor (also described as ligand) to the extracellular domain of the receptor induces a conformational change; this causes
2. dimerisation of receptors with altered conformation; with
3. simultaneous induction of kinase activity;
4. transphosphorylation of tyrosine residues in the receptor dimer, which once again creates and stabilises an activated receptor conformation; and
5. phosphorylation of polypeptide substrates and interaction with cellular factors.
Uncontrolled hyperfunction of this signal transfer chain for example because of the overexpression or altered activity of the receptor can inter alia lead to increased division activity of the relevant cells and in the extreme case to a degenerated cancer cell. A review concern-ing growth factor receptors and their function in signal transfer from the extracellular to the intracellular milieu, and the possible influence of abnormally expressed receptors on carcino-genesis, is given in Ullrich A and Schlessinger J (1990) Cell 61, 203-212.
It has now surprisingly been found that in the five-stage signal transfer chain explained above, a mutated FGFR-4 results in increased signal transfer activity, in the development of which the altered activity of mutated RTK is decisively involved.
Hence according to claim 1 of the present invention at least one inhibitor of a receptor tyrosine kinase is used for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of RTK-hyperfunction-induced disorders, particularly cancer. Furthermore, according to the invention diseases or somatic disorders which are the consequence of a hyperproliferation of tissues and/or increased invasivity of tissues attributable to increased signal transfer can also be eliminated or alleviated.
As inhibitor, as well as low-molecular weight substances, for example at least one kinase-inactive receptor can be used. Through the use of the inhibitor, e.g. of the kinase-inactive receptor, the altered activity of the receptor tyrosine kinase can be inhibited and/or lowered. As has already previously been stated, the overexpression and/or altered activity of growth factor receptors is an important factor in the triggering or the progression of cancer. The overexpression of EGFR or the Erb B-2 receptor in breast tumours has for example been associated with a poor prognosis (see above). Hence inhibition of this overexpression and/or altered activity is an important component in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cancer. FGFR-4 is tissue-specifically switched off during embryogenesis. However, it is present in 30% of breast cancer patients; it is not detectable in the tissue of healthy subjects. The use of inhibitors for receptor tyrosine kinase leads to a lowering or complete inhibition of the overexpression and/or altered activity. Likewise, the use of kinase-inactive receptors leads to a lowering and/or complete inhibition of the activity of the receptor tyrosine kinases, since the kinase function of the heterodimer is no longer capable of signal transfer. The action of kinase-inactive receptors is based on the fact that non-functional heterodimers are formed (dilution effect). A lack of signal transfer leads to prevention of the transmission of the overexpressed and/or altered active signal, as a result of which the signal is prevented from conversion into a biological response of the cell. As a result, through this inhibition of the receptor tyrosine kinase or through these kinase-inactive receptors, it is possible effectively and positively to intervene in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cancer.
It has surprisingly been found that the FGFR-4 mutation also occurs in the germ line of healthy persons. It is assumed that the germ line mutation leads to a genetic predisposition, which renders the persons concerned susceptible to the outbreak of various diseases. In connection with carcinogenesis, it is assumed that the increase expression of the mutated receptor in the tumour tissue is involved in the carcinogenesis. The germ line mutation is further regarded as a predisposition inter alia for the following diseases: arteriosclerosis, leukaemia, lymphoma, hepatic cell carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.
Consequently, the present invention makes a further genetic marker available, which is found to be extremely helpful in the diagnosis and early recognition of various diseases and susceptibility to these.
The present invention therefore also concerns a procedure for the detection of a nucleic acid which codes for FGFR-4 in case material, whereby in particular mutations of the receptor-coding nucleic acid are detected. This can for example be effected by hybridisation with oligonucleotide probes, which can specifically indicate the presence or absence of a mutation, in particular a point mutation. In this, for example a xe2x80x9cmismatchxe2x80x9d between mutated nucleic acid and oligonucleotide is utilised such that if a xe2x80x9cmismatchxe2x80x9d is present a hybridisation does not take place and hence there is no signal. Alternatively, mutations can also be detected by amplification of the nucleic acid with specific FGFR-4 PCR primers and subsequent cleavage with suitable restriction endonucleases. If for example a mutation affects the recognition sequence of a restriction endonuclease, such that for example the mutated recognition sequence is no longer recognised as a cleavage site by the restriction endonuclease, this leads to a different restriction fragment than in the non-mutated wild type. By means of the PCR, restriction fragments can be specifically detected, so that in the stated case for example a larger restriction fragment is present in the mutant compared to the wild type. Alternatively, however, a mutation can also lead to the creation of a new restriction cleavage site, as a result of which a xe2x80x9cwild-type fragmentxe2x80x9d after cleavage with the appropriate enzyme becomes smaller in the mutant. The mutation in the transmembrane domain of FGFR-4, at position 388 of the sequence, as deposited in the EMBL Gene Bank/DDBJ under X57205, which leads to an exchange of Gly in the wild type for Arg in the mutant (SEQ ID NO: 1), concerns the recognition sequence GGWCC of the restriction endonuclease BstN1. As a result, two new restriction fragments of 80 and 29 b.p. are formed, which can inter alia be detected by restriction analysis.
According to the present invention, it could further be shown that overexpression and in particular altered activity of the RTK leads to increased invasivity, i.e. to intensified metastasis formation. Since metastasis formation is one of the main problems of cancer, this means that the inhibition or lowering of the overexpression and/or altered activity will lead to an effective agent in the combating of cancer, by which in particular metastasis formation is inhibited.
Possible inhibitors are for example described in Mohammadi et al. (1997).
Preferably according to the invention an intervention is made into an overexpression and/or altered activity of the receptor tyrosine kinase, which is triggered by a mutation of FGFR-4. This mutation can be one or several point mutations. In particular, the mutation/mutations occur in the transmembrane domain of FGFR-4, as a result of which in particular a hydrophobic amino acid is exchanged for a hydrophilic amino acid.
It is already known that point mutations which have led to an exchange of hydrophobic for hydrophilic amino acids in FGFR-3 are associated with certain diseases. Thus for example, an altered activity of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 due to a point mutation in the transmembrane domain has been found in achondroplasia. Achondroplasia, which is the most commonly occurring genetic form of dwarfism, is an autosomal dominant disorder, which is essentially based on a defect in the maturation process of certain bones. It could be shown that achondroplasia is triggered by a Gly to Arg substitution in the transmembrane domain of FGFR-3. It could further be shown that that the Arg mutation in FGFR-3 activates the kinase function of the dimeric receptor. The Arg point mutation also leads to a ligand-independent stimulation of the tyrosine kinase activity of FGFR-3 itself and to strongly increased altered levels of phosphotyrosine on the receptor. These results suggest that the molecular basis of achondroplasia is unregulated signal transfer by FGFR-3.
A further mutation in the transmembrane domain of FGFR-3 is an exchange alanine for glutamine. This amino acid exchange leads to another disease, namely to Crouzon""s disease with acanthosis nigricans.
According to the present invention, it was established that mutations in FGFR-4, especially point mutations in the transmembrane domain, which lead to an exchange of a hydrophobic for a hydrophilic amino acid, are involved in the triggering and poor prognosis for cancer, on account of which inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinases or the use of kinase-inactive receptors are suitable for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cancer, wherein the receptor tyrosine kinases are overexpressed or active in an altered way owing to a mutation.
In particular, for the point mutation at position 388, which leads to an exchange of glycine for arginine, it could be shown that as a result of this the receptor tyrosine kinases become active in an altered way, and this homo- and heterozygotically results in signal transfer without ligand stimulation, as a result of which in turn an uncontrollable growth of cells can be triggered. In the worst case, this uncontrolled growth leads to cancer. The transmembrane domain then has the sequence (ID No.1):
RYTDIILYASGSLALAVLLLLARLY,
while the non-mutated domain has the following sequence (ID No.2):
RYTDIILYASGSLALAVLLLLAGLY.
Without being bound to one theory, it is assumed that the activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase which bears one of the aforesaid point mutations and in particular the point mutation at position 388, which leads to an exchange of glycine for arginine, is based on a stabilisation of the receptor in a dimeric conformation, which occurs because of interactions through which changes in the transmembrane domain were made possible. The intensified formation of a ligand-independent dimer leads to increased receptor tyrosine kinase activity and cellular transformation. Other possibilities for the effect of the point mutations on the triggering of cancer may for example have a basis in that the mutation acts on the signal transfer by FGFR-4, in that the receptor migration through the membrane is prevented, the receptor dimerisation with itself or with other FGFRs is disturbed, or in that the tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor is affected.
According to the present invention, it could be shown that 56% of patients from St Petersburg with breast tumours (study of biopsies) carried the mutation at position 388, which is linked with an exchange of glycine for arginine. Of these, 45% were heterozygotic and 11% homozygotic. This significantly high proportion suggests a link between the point mutation at position 388 and the occurrence of breast cancer.
In a further study, in which German patients with breast tumours were studied, only 43% of the patient showed the point mutations at position 388. From the study with normal tissues of cancer patients and DNA from the tissue of normal individuals, it can be inferred that the mutation is a germ line mutation.
Furthermore, genomic DNA and cDNA from cell lines was also studied, in order to determine the proportion of point mutations at position 388. The cell lines studied derived from breast tumours, normal breast epithelial cell lines as a comparison, squamous cell carcinoma, glioblastomas, neuroblastomas and uterine cancer. With all cell lines, except for the normal breast epithelial cell lines, a significant percentage of the point mutation at position 388 in the FGFR-4 molecule could be found. Hence the above-mentioned use of inhibitors or kinase-inactive receptors is especially suitable for the treatment of carcinomas. Here the treatment of neuroblastomas, uterine cancer and pancreatic cancer, but also other types of cancer, seems especially promising.
Particularly preferred is the use of inhibitors which inhibit a mutated FGFR-4, especially with the mutation Glyxe2x86x92Arg at position 388 in the transmembrane domain.
Further, the present invention concerns a mutated FGFR-4, which leads to overexpression and/or altered activity of the receptor in cells. Preferably, this mutated FGFR-4 is characterised in that a hydrophobic amino acid in the wild type receptor has been exchanged for a hydrophilic amino acid in the mutated receptor. Especially preferred is a mutation which is a point mutation and occurs in the transmembrane domain. Still more preferably, the point mutation occurs at position 388, as a result of which preferably a glycine is replaced by arginine.
Hitherto, it was assumed among experts that only one FGFR-4 occurs, which is not mutated. Mutated FGFR-4 was unknown. It was therefore surprising that it could be shown according to the present invention that a mutated FGFR-4 exists. In particular, according to the present invention a connection between the mutations, in particular the point mutation at position 388, and the occurrence of cancer could be demonstrated. Furthermore, the germ line mutation in healthy persons has been connected with the genetic predisposition for the occurrence inter alia of arteriosclerosis.
The invention further concerns a DNA molecule containing a sequence which codes for a mutated FGFR-4. The invention also includes an RNA molecule, containing an RNA sequence which codes for a mutated FGFR-4. The above sequences can be used for diagnosis of cancer. In this, the sequences can specifically recognise the mutations in the FGFR-4. The presence of the mutation in the FGFR-4 is linked with a poor prognosis for the treatment of the cancer. The reason for this could be aggressive growth behaviour of the corresponding tumour.
Apart from this, the invention concerns a procedure for the differential diagnosis of breast cancer, wherein the patient""s nucleic acid is brought into contact with one of the DNAs and/or RNAs described above, so that a signal is obtained, which indicates the presence and/or absence of mutated FGFR-4. Finally, the present invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition, containing the inhibitor or the kinase-inactive receptor, as described above. Apart from this, the invention concerns a screening procedure for the identification of inhibitors of tyrosine kinase activity, wherein the receptor according to the invention is brought into contact with potential inhibitors and the tyrosine kinase activity in the presence and/or absence of the inhibitor is determined.
Further, the detection of the presence of a mutation can also be performed by PCR and subsequent restriction enzyme cleavage, as already described in more detail above.
Finally, other molecular biological diagnostic procedures are also a possibility.
Further, the object of the invention is an antibody which specifically reacts with a mutated FGFR-4 according to the invention. xe2x80x9cSpecificxe2x80x9d in the sense of the invention means that the antibody according to the invention binds to the mutated, but not to the non-mutated, receptor.
Below, the invention is described in detail by the figures and examples.

Use of inhibitors for the treatment of disorders related to RTK hyperfunction, especially cancer

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Fxc3x6rderung der Wissenschaften E.V.


A wear bushing (10) and a running tool (32) are provided for a subsea wellhead assembly including a wellhead housing and a casing hanger. The wear bushing is landed on the casing hanger, and a connector (16) axially connects the wear bushing and the wellhead housing. The running tool is actuated to connect the wear bushing, such that at least a portion of the connector is received within a corresponding recess in an interior wall of the wellhead housing. A bushing/casing hanger latch (18) axially connects the wear bushing and the casing hanger.

When drilling a subsea wellhead, a wellhead housing will typically be located on the sea floor and a casing lowered into the well and cemented into place. A casing hanger is supported in the wellhead housing and is secured to the upper end of the casing. A drill bit and a drill string from a drilling vessel pass downward through the wellhead housing and casing hanger for further drilling operations.
Various types of wear bushings have been devised to land on the casing hanger and limit wear to the wellhead housing, the hanger, and the casing suspended from the hanger. Some prior art wear bushings are interconnected with the casing hanger, which is conventionally supported in place by the wellhead. Other wear bushings are connected to the casing hanger seal, which in turn is supported on the casing hanger. In some applications, the casing hanger may migrate upward in response to high fluid pressure below the hanger. Axial movement of the casing hanger and the wear bushing in response to fluid pressure in the well is detrimental to the overall purpose of the wear bushing, which is to reliably limit wear on the hanger and casing by the rotating drill pipe.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,495 discloses a split wear bushing which is supported on the casing hanger. U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,864 discloses a wear bushing that connects to the seal for the casing hanger. U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,063 discloses another type of wear bushing which is supported on the casing hanger. Other patents of interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,362,210, 4,978,147, and 4,340,259.
The disadvantages of prior art overcome by the present invention, and improved wear bushing and running tool are hereinafter disclosed for connecting the wear bushing to the wellhead.


A method for influencing lateral web spreading in a printing unit in a rotary printing press, the printing unit having first and second transfer cylinders contacting each other along a contact zone for receiving a web to be printed on therebetween and undergoing a deflection during operation, and at least one plate cylinder which is respectively settable against one of the first and second transfer cylinders for printing on at least one side of the web receivable in the contact zone. The method includes passing the web between the first and second transfer cylinders through the contact zone; and applying a bending moment to at least one of the first and second blanket cylinders counter to a direction of the deflection of the at least one of the first and second blanket cylinders to reduce the deflection, the bending moment being effected by a variable force applied to a cylinder axle of the at least one of the first and second blanket cylinders by a bending apparatus, so that a pressure in a center region of the contact zone along a length of the contact zone is increased thereby increasing the effective radius of at least one rubber blanket clamped onto one of the first and second transfer cylinders from the center region of the contact zone outward so that a concave velocity profile is produced on the web passing through the contact zone between the first and second transfer cylinders, the velocity at the outer sides of the concave velocity profile being greater than the velocity at the center of the velocity profile.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for influencing lateral web spreading in a printing unit in a rotary printing press.
2. Description of the Related Art
When two cylinders of a rotary press are rolling on one another, line loads or else individual bending forces which cause the cylinders to deflect between their two bearings on the machine frame act on the cylinders along the common line of contact perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the cylinders. This has a disadvantageous effect on the paper-web run and the printing result. In slim cylinders having small diameters and great web widths, web-run problems in the form of wave or fold formation occur in the rubber-rubber nip on account of non-constant contact conditions across the width. In particular, the abovementioned web-run problems occur when the paper web is moved here with an irregular velocity profile because of the previously described positional change or non-constant contact conditions across the width, the center of the paper web being moved more quickly than the outer side of the web, which leads to fold formation. However, the web-transport behavior in web-fed offset presses is influenced critically by the conveying characteristics of the rubber blankets. In particular in printing presses having a slim cylinder geometry, fold formation can occur across the web width, which folds have a negative influence on the lateral-register quality.
To eliminate this problem, rubber-blanket sleeves have already been configured with a variable surface geometry across the web width, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,027, that is to say a thickness profile varied by the circumferential surface assuming a shape in the axial direction of the cylinder which reduces deflection of the blanket cylinder.

Method for influencing lateral web spreading in a printing unit in a rotary printing press


The unit comprises an assembly for clasping-escaping and a receptacle-terminal assembly. The assembly for clasping-escaping includes an L-shape subassembly having a vertical wall provided with backwards projecting, vertically spaced and inverted at 90″ T-beams for connecting the L-shape subassembly to a parallelepipedic open box subassembly of a receptacle-terminal assembly. A bottom plate, located at the lowest part of the vertical wall extends outwardly. A passage above the bottom plate has a base terminating in a pair of serrations. The clasping-escaping includes a flat bar that after folding itself extends into a diverging strip provided with a multitude of serrations for meshing with the pair of serrations when a component is clasped. The parallelepipedic open box subassembly incorporates a plurality of T profile protrusions for connecting with the backwards projecting, vertically spaced and inverted at 90″ T-beams.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to enclosures and receptacles assemblies for wiring and distribution and, more particularly, to an unit for attaching and distribution multimedia peripherals, destined especially for apartments in multi-dwelling buildings and residential, single-family homes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are known various enclosures for terminating wires from outlets and for distribution in residences wires for voice, data and video. Such enclosures are used in new installations and retrofits and can be surface-mounted or recessed. The disadvantages of the aforementioned enclosures reside in the limited positioning possibilities for the electric/electronic components, in the limited reliability of the attachments of components and in no secure closure of the enclosures.
Attempts have been made to eliminate or at least to alleviate the foregoing shortcomings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,680,407, granted on Mar. 25, 2014 to Chan for a "Modular Enclosure Assembly for Terminals Wiring and Distribution" discloses an upper and a lower enclosure subassemblies interconnected by a partial interpenetration. That assembly is designed to enable extensions by combining adjacent subassemblies and is intended for use in large companies and offices, in multi-apartments buildings and in factories.

Unit for attaching and distribution of multimedia peripherals


A method of validating parameters of a request from a Web client to a Web application. The validation rules are sent to a Web client, together with a response to a Web client. The parameters in a response are updated by the Web client. The updated parameters are sent in a subsequent request to the Web client, along with the validation rules. The updated parameters are validated using the validation rules in the request, thus achieving stateless validation. The validation rules are preferably digitally signed.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
The Internet is by far the largest, most extensive publicly available network of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using a standardized Internet Protocol (IP) and many other protocols. The Internet has become an extremely popular source of virtually all kinds of information. Increasingly sophisticated computers, software, and networking technology have made Internet access relatively straightforward for end users. Applications such as electronic mail, online chat and Web client allow the users to access and exchange information almost instantaneously.
The World Wide Web (WWW) is one of the most popular means used for retrieving information over the Internet. The WWW can cope with many types of data which may be stored on computers, and is used with an Internet connection and a Web client. The WWW is made up of millions of interconnected pages or documents which can be displayed on a computer or other interface. Each page may have connections to other pages which may be stored on any computer connected to the Internet. Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI) is an identifying system in WWW, and typically consists of three parts: the transfer format (also known as the protocol type), the host name of the machine which holds the file (may also be referred to as the Web server name) and the path name to the file. URIs are also referred as Universal Resource Locators (URLs). The transfer format for standard Web pages is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) is a method of encoding the information so it can be displayed on a variety of devices.
Web applications are engines that create Web pages from application logic, stored data, and user input. Web applications often preserve user state across sessions. Web applications do not require software to be installed in the client environment. Web applications make use of standard Web browser components to view server-side built pages. Web application can also deliver services through programmatic interface like Software Development Kits (SDKs).
HTTP is generally the underlying transactional protocol for transferring files (text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files) between Web clients and servers. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what actions Web servers and Web client browsers should take in response to various commands. A Web browser as an HTTP client, typically initiates a request by establishing a TCP/IP connection to a particular port on a remote host. An HTTP server monitoring that port waits for the client to send a request string. Upon receiving the request string (and message, if any), the server may complete the protocol by sending back a response string, and a message of its own, in the form of the requested file, an error message, or any other information. The HTTP server can take the form of a Web server with gateway components to process requests. A gateway is a custom Web server module or plug-in created to process requests, and generally is the first point of contact for a Web application. The term "gateway" is intended to include any gateways known to a person skilled in the art, for example, CGI; ISAPI for the Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Web server; Apache Web server module, or a Java servlet.
Web pages regularly refer to pages on other servers, whose selection will elicit additional transfer requests. When the browser user enters file requests by either "opening" a Web file by typing in a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), or clicking on a hypertext link, the browser builds an HTTP request. In actual applications, Web clients may need to be distinguished and authenticated, or a session which holds a state across a plurality of HTTP protocols may need to be maintained by using "state" called cookie.
Web applications incur a security risk by accepting user input in their application logic. A common strategy for protecting Web applications against malicious data is for Web applications to verify the data they receive prior to processing it. The act of checking data entering a Web application for processing is called input validation. Web application entry point, for example, a Web application firewall typically examine incoming request, apply generic security rules, and reject requests that fail to comply with these rules. Input validation includes accepting only data deemed acceptable to a Web application, or rejecting data that could be offensive to the Web application. So as to not reject legitimate data, the input validation process requires a great deal of knowledge about the Web application behavior. Failure in doing so may impair the Web application's functionality. Further, when an entry point is shared by multiple Web applications, the validation logic implementation is required to account for applications having different validation logics for data in the same context. Similar requirement exists for an application composed of multiple components.
A method and system to build rich and yet simple to define rules applied by a validation engine has been described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/187,268, titled "Rich Web Application Input Validation", the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The capabilities of the rules allow tight validation of complex Web application data without the need for customized validation code. The syntax of the rules is adapted for human handling, either by using human readable rule definitions, or by manipulating a tool. The syntax of the rules helps to write, to verify correctness, to ensure completeness, and to facilitate updates of the rules.
Validation rules may be numbered in thousands for a large business Web application. One approach to simplify the rule set of the large Web applications is the dynamic generation of rules. For example, a Web application constructing a page with integer parameters can specify that the values for these parameters should be of type integer. The disadvantage of this approach is that the size of the validation rules may become an issue for applications with memory constraints. In other words, in extreme case it is not practical for the entry point to have knowledge of all the validation rules. Another limitation for the management of dynamically generated rules is the distributed nature of many applications. To handle large load of requests, entry points can be distributed onto several hosts. Maintaining the list of all validation rules on each entry point of a distributed system may not be optimal.
It is therefore desirable to provide stateless validation rules. Stateless is intended to indicate that the validation rules are sent to the client in a response then back to the server in a request, i.e., in a round trip instead of being stored server-side, for example at an entry point. The validation rule for data part of a request is also part of the request being validated. Impromptu components added to installed Web applications can also benefit from stateless validation. With a proper framework in place, the Web application can have an entry point validate their data without registering their rules to the entry point.
US Application 20030037236 teaches a technology for automated input validation filters generation to allow a user external to the Web application to easily define validation filters.
US Application 20030037236 does not teach the broadening of the validation capabilities of the input engine to perform validation based on the validation rules in the request. In addition, the relations used in defining assumptions on parameters follow the traditional input validation model as described by the list of validation types in the STRUTS framework. The inclusion of conjunctions and disjunctions is not sufficient to create the validation rules. Capabilities to ease manual writing of rules are introduced as manual writing of rules is undesirable. US Application 20030037236 does not give the rule writers with intimate knowledge of the Web application who seek to achieve the most secure validation the capabilities to address complex Web applications validation requirements as encountered in Business Intelligence Web applications.
US Application 20040189708 teaches a system and method for validating entry of data into a structured data file in real-time. The system and method also described a real-time validation tool that enables a developer to create custom validation rules. These custom validation rules can include preset validation rules. The system and method validates data as to be safely stored in hierarchical structures thus easing the user experience by not generating misleading errors. However, US Application 20040189708 does not introduce new validation capabilities to validate input data against malicious users trying to exploit security vulnerabilities, it only provides a list of preset validation rules matching a sub-set of the STRUTs framework list. These preset validation rules and the custom rules failed to address the validation requirements of complex Web Applications like business intelligence Web applications. More specifically, US Application 20040189708 does not validate input data against malicious users based on the validation rules embedded in the requests.
One of the benefits of embedding the validation rules in the response and the subsequent requests is the flexibility the Web applications have to validate a request. An application firewall can be used to process the embedded rules but a component can choose to bypass the application firewall and invoke the validation itself. As long as the data is validated before being processed, security is not compromised. Because data can go through transformations while being dispatched within an application, it may be easier to implement validation rules for data before being processed by a component of the application, because data ready to be processed is often in a simpler form.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and system that provide a stateless validation of the request. As the validation rules in a stateless validation are sent to an untrusted client, and used by the Web application upon return, the method and system need to ensure the authenticity, and the integrity of the validation rules. The term untrusted client is intended to include a client who may submit malicious requests to exploit an application security vulnerability. The authenticity check will enforce that the received validation rules come from a trusted server. The integrity check will verify that the validation rules have not been modified by the untrusted client.

Method and system for stateless validation

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods to identify inter-carrier telephone calls in a telephone system that are being mis-routed in such a way as to violate existing regulatory tariffs and/or established inter-carrier contracts. The common name for this manipulation is “arbitrage”, and the intent of the perpetrators is to take advantage of lower rates associated with the delivery of telephone traffic via other routes. Through the processes of collecting call detail records and their correlation in representative embodiments, various call “legs” associated with the same call can be identified, and a more accurate “compound” call record can be made that incorporates call routing information obtained from the individual call legs. A statistical analysis can then be performed to more clearly illuminate any arbitrage.

1. Introductory Remarks
In the telephone system post-divestiture environment, complex regulatory tariffs have been mandated and/or inter-carrier contracts have been negotiated between carriers which (a) regulate the way in which traffic is to be routed between them and (b) specify the rates at which various types of traffic are to be charged. It is often of financial advantage to mis-route calls in violation of these existing regulatory tariffs and/or established inter-carrier contracts. The common name for this manipulation is "arbitrage". The intent of those perpetrating this mis-routing is to take advantage of lower rates associated with the delivery of telephone traffic via other than the proper routes. Confirming the presence of arbitrage and proper billing is often difficult due to the fact that call routing information is often missing or incomplete.
2. Definitions
In general, the following definitions are common in the telephone industry, but are included herein for completeness and clarity of explanation. They define the meanings of these terms as used in the Present Patent Document.
Access Traffic
A compensation mechanism governed by tariffs and/or contracts for message traffic carried by interexchange carriers (IXC) and exchanged between the IXC's and local exchange carriers (LEC's), independent local exchange carrier (ILEC's), and competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC's). This type of traffic is generally carried over a type of telephone trunk called a Feature Group D trunk or FG-D trunk, and typically carries the highest per-minute charge. Under access traffic, IXC's pay the other carriers for each Minute of Use (MOU) of traffic destined to the IXC or originating from the IXC.
ACM Timestamp
The time at which the telephone being called began alerting the user (e.g. ringing).
Address Complete Message (ACM)
The Address Complete Message (ACM) is used to acknowledge receipt of an initial address message (IAM) and to indicate that the called party is being alerted (e.g. via ringing).
ANM Timestamp
The time the operator of the telephone being called answered the telephone.
Answer Message (ANM)
The Answer Message (ANM) is used to indicate that the user called has answered, end to end connection is established, and a conversation takes place.
Arbitrage
As used herein and as commonly used in the telephone industry, it is the mis-routing of inter-carrier telephone calls in such a way as to violate existing regulatory tariffs and/or established inter-carrier contracts. The purpose of such mis-routing is typically to take advantage of lower rates associated with the delivery of telephone traffic via routes other than those established and required by such tariffs and contracts and as such may be fraudulent. Arbitrage typically occurs via the following techniques: (1) interexchange carrier (IXC) access traffic delivered via competitive local exchange carriers (CLEC's) and (2) transit traffic delivered via non-transit trunks
Backward Interwork Parameter
An indicator as to whether Signaling System 7 (SS7) and non-SS7 inter-working was encountered ahead of this point in the call.
Call Detail Record (CDR)
A collection of messages comprising parameters and time-stamps associated with each call which provide detail regarding the call origin, destination, and other details.
Called Number
The telephone number dialed by the calling user.
Calling Number
The telephone number of the user making the call.
Carrier Identification Code (CIC)
Parameters contained within the Signaling System 7 (SS7) Initial Address Message (IAM) message which can be used to identify the requested interexchange carrier (IXC).
Carrier Identification Code Parameter
The number identifying the interexchange carrier (IXC) selected by the Local Exchange Carrier.
Charge Number
The telephone number to which the call is charged. Typically it is the telephone number of the calling telephone.
Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC)
A local exchange carrier (LEC) but specifically referring to one that competes with the incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC).
Destination Point Code (DPC)
The Signaling System 7 (SS7) node [e.g switching office or Signaling Transfer Point (STP)] that the message is being sent to.
eo
A switching office normally referred to as an end office or "eo" to which telephones (from homes or businesses) are connected via wires called "loops".
Feature Group D Trunk (FG-D Trunk)
A type of telephone trunk. See Access Traffic.
Forward Interwork Parameter
An indicator as to whether Signaling System 7 (SS7) and non-SS7 inter-working was encountered prior to the point in the call where the parameter is observed.
IAM Timestamp
The time the trunk was seized for transmission of an SS7 message.
Independent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC)
Generally refers to a local exchange carrier (LEC) which co-existed with a local exchange carrier owned by the Regional Bell Operating Companies.
Initial Address Message (IAM)
The Initial Address Message (IAM) is used to indicate the desire to set up a call. A trunk is seized and "reserved" for use in the call.
Interconnect Carrier
Any carrier that interconnects with the local exchange carrier (LEC).
Interexchange Carriers (IXC)
An interexchange carrier (IXC) transports calls from one local exchange carrier (LEC) to another, or possibly the same LEC, throughout the IXC's serving area. The IXC's serving area would typically span more than one local access transport area (LATA), and the IXC receives messages from and delivers messages to local exchange carriers (LEC's, CLEC's, and ILEC's) and other interchange carriers (IXC's). Calls that span local area transport areas (LATA's—geographical regions defined at divestiture) typically must use an IXC.
IXC Trunk
A trunk that comes from an interexchange carrier to a local exchange carrier.
Jurisdiction Indicator Parameter
A parameter contained in SS7 messages which, if available, indicates the geographic origin of a call.
Link Monitoring System (LMS)
A system that can be used to collect Call Detail Records (CDR's) by monitoring SS7 links.
Local Access Transport Area (LATA)
The geographic area within which a local exchange carrier (LEC) provides service is typically divided into various areas referred to as local access transport areas (LATA's).
Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)
A local exchange carrier (LEC) is a telephone service provider that provides telephone service to its customers in a specific geographical serving area. A local exchange carrier (LEC) would typically be a local telephone company.
Local Exchange Routing Guide (LERG)
A document defining the specific local access transport area (LATA) within which a given telephone number is located.
Location Routing Number (LRN)
A number obtained from the database at the service control point (SCP). The SCP converts the called number into the LRN which is the number used by the network to get the call to its final destination.
Loop
Telephones are connected (from homes or businesses) via wires called "loops" to a switching office normally referred to as an end office or "eo".
Meet-Point Billing
Traffic exchanged between interexchange carriers (IXC's) and independent local exchange carriers (ILEC's) destined for local exchange carrier (LEC) customers (in cases where the IXC does not directly interconnect with the LEC) is governed by tariffs and/or contracts, using a compensation mechanism referred to as meet-point billing. Under meet-point billing, IXC's pay the ILEC a fee, part of which is subsequently paid by the ILEC to the LEC for each Minute of Use (MOU) of traffic between the IXC and the LEC.
Minute of Use (MOU)
For billing purposes a measure of the time which a given carrier's resources are consumed providing a given service.
Numbering Plan Address (NPA)
More commonly known as the area code of the telephone number.
NPANXX
The numbering plan address (i.e., the area code) plus the next three digits of the telephone number.
Originating Point Code (OPC)
The Signaling System 7 (SS7) node [e.g. switching office or Signaling Transfer Point (STP)] that is sending the message.
Reciprocal Compensation
Under reciprocal compensation, carriers pay each other a usage fee for each Minute of Use (MOU) of traffic delivered from their network to the other carrier's network. This message traffic is typically traffic exchanged between various local exchange carriers (LEC's) and their competitive local exchange carriers (CLEC's) and independent local exchange carriers (LEC's). This type of traffic is generally carried over a type of telephone trunk called a local trunk.
Release Complete Message (RLC)
The Release Complete Message (RLC) is sent when the second of the two connected parties hangs up. At that point the trunk is released.
Release Message (REL)
The Release Message (REL) indicates that the first of the two connected parties has hung up.
REL Timestamp
The time the operator of the first telephone to hang up did so.
Remote Site Processors
A device used to consolidate partial Call Detail Records (CDR's) into complete CDR's.
RLC Timestamp
The time the operator of the second telephone to hang up did so.
Service Control Point (SCP)
A network database used to translate called numbers into local routing number which translates the called number in the location routing number (LRN).
Signaling Transfer Points (STP's)
At the heart of the SS7 network are packet switches known as Signaling Transfer Points (STP's). STP's are deployed in pairs in the North American SS7 network to provide communication path redundancy. Different carriers own a portion of the SS7 network and interconnect their end offices (eo's) and tandem's to the overall SS7 network so as to enable end-to-end communication between carriers.
SS7 Links
The communication links over which Signaling System 7 (SS7) traffic is carried.
SS7 Network
The Signaling System 7 (SS7) messages are transported over a secure data network referred to as the "SS7 network". The SS7 network comprises various SS7 Links along with Signaling Transfer Points (STP's).
SS7 Protocol
To perform the task of call setup and tear down when multiple end offices (eo's) are involved, switching offices communicate with each other using a signaling protocol referred to as Signaling System 7 (SS7), carried over SS7 links. SS7 messages are used in specific sequences to perform various tasks required to establish telephone connections. Telephone calls between two customers connected to the same eo will be handled by the application logic contained in the eo, and will not require the use of the SS7 protocol.
Tandem
In certain cases, for example two towns that are somewhat far apart, a type of switching center called a "tandem" is involved in establishing connectivity between two customers.
TCIC
Trunk Circuit Identification Code. Between any two telephone switches there may a trunk group which comprises several trunks. These trunks are identified via the TCIC.
Transit Network Selection (TNS)
Parameters contained within the Signaling System 7 (SS7) Initial Address Message (IAM) message which can be used to identify the requested interexchange carrier (IXC).
Transit Traffic
Traffic that goes thru a LEC network but does not originate or terminate in that LEC and uses trunks other than those specifically designated for such traffic.
Trunk
When telephones are served from different eo's (e.g. in different towns), they are interconnected via wires called "trunks" between the eo's.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A communication network serving a large geographical area of interest.
4. Discussion
Previous methods for the determination of telephone traffic routing have been based upon a single call sample, e.g. a call record obtained at the point where the call originates or at the point where the call terminates. The information available within a single call record has limitations due to the fact that critical routing information may be (a) missing or (b) incorrect. These techniques have proven to be ineffective at determining the presence of arbitrage. Since in typical arbitrage situations, the local exchange carrier is under billing the interexchange carriers, there is a great financial incentive for the local exchange carrier to detect and stop arbitrage, and since previous methods are both unreliable and labor intensive, there is a great need for improved means for detecting arbitrage.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Detection of carrier mis-routing in telephone systems


Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor wafer processing method that allow device regions to be selectively annealed following back end of the line (BEOL) metal wiring formation without degrading wiring layer reliability. In the embodiments, a semiconductor device is formed adjacent to the top surface of a wafer such that it incorporates a selectively placed infrared absorbing layer (IAL). Then, following BEOL metal wiring formation, the bottom surface of the wafer is exposed to an infrared light having a wavelength that is transparent to the wafer. The infrared light is absorbed by and, thereby heats up the IAL to a first predetermined temperature (e.g., a dopant activation temperature, a temperature required for a state change, etc.). The resulting heat is transferred from the IAL to an adjacent region of the semiconductor device without raising the temperature of the metal wiring above a second predetermined temperature (e.g., a temperature that could degrade the metal wiring) that is lower than the first predetermined temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor wafer processing and, more specifically, to embodiments of a semiconductor wafer processing method that allow device regions to be selectively annealed following back end of the line (BEOL) metal wiring layer formation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thermal anneals are often performed during middle of the line (MOL) semiconductor wafer processing in order to repair damage caused by the implantation of dopants (e.g., source/drain dopants), to diffuse dopants, to activate those dopants, to change the state of semiconductor material (e.g., to crystallize or recrystallize semiconductor material), etc. Thermal anneals can also be used to passivate an interface between different materials (e.g., an interface between a semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer) when performed in the presence of a gas, such as hydrogen. It would be advantageous to be able to perform a thermal anneal following back end of the line (BEOL) metal wiring layer formation; however, the temperature and processing time typically required for such thermal anneals can degrade the reliability of the metal wiring and, thereby impact performance.

Semiconductor wafer processing method that allows device regions to be selectively annealed following back end of the line (BEOL) metal wiring layer formation


It is the object of the invention to provide an optical signal receiving apparatus, which is used in a narrow band WDM optical transmission system, and never misguidedly receives an adjacent optical signal, when an optical signal to be received is down. An optical signal to be received is extracted from plural WDM optical signals by an optical BPF, a central wavelength of which coincides with the wavelength of the optical signal to be received, and converted into an electrical signal by the O/E converter. A tone-signal extracting circuit extracts the frequency component of the tone-signal, which is superposed on the optical signal with the wavelength equal to the central wavelength of the optical BPF. If the extracted signal level of the tone signal is lower than that of a predetermined standard voltage, a comparator supplies a reset signal to an electrical signal decision circuit. If the optical signal with a desired wavelength is down, the output level of a tone-signal extracting circuit becomes low, and the electrical signal decision circuit is reset. Then, even if the clock signal of the adjacent optical signal is extracted, the adjacent optical signals is not misguidedly discriminated and regenerated by the electrical signal decision circuit.

In an optical communication system, plural optical signals with different wavelengths, but belonging to the same wavelength-band, such as the 1.3 .mu.m-band or 1.5 .mu.m-band, are multiplexed and transmitted through an optical fiber, in order to remarkably improve efficiency of transmission. According to this method of transmission, information of multi-channels can be transmitted through a single optical fiber. An optical communication system in which optical signals are multiplexed in the narrow band of wavelength as mentioned above, is called a narrow-band WDM optical transmission system.
The narrow band WDM optical transmission system is now universally admitted as the most promising system to meet increasing requirements for transmitting extensive information with extremely high bit-rates.
However, in the above mentioned optical transmission system, the spacing of the wavelengths of the adjacent optical signals is so narrow that it is very difficult to prevent interference from the adjacent optical signals, because the adjacent optical signals cannot be satisfactorily attenuated by optical filters at present. For example, if an optical signal is to be received is attenuated, there arises possibility that the adjacent optical signals are received, discriminated, and regenerated by a circuit provided for the optical signal to be received.


A projection screen comprising; a substrate having a generally flat forward surface; a diffusion layer formed of a plurality of generally equally spaced apart concave features forming micro lenses; a layer of reflective material deposited on a rearward facing surface of the diffusion layer; the diffusion layer laminated to the forward facing surface of the substrate so that the layer of reflective material is sandwiched therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to reflection-type projection screens. More particularly, the invention relates to reflection-type projection screens having excellent reflection directivity in the horizontal and vertical directions yet which produce a reflected image having superior gain contrast.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The desirability of producing reflection-type projection screens having a wide angle of reflectivity with suitable contrast is well known. In settings such as movie theaters and home viewing areas, the viewer is often times positioned at a significant angle with respect to the direction of the projected image from the projector, i.e. the direction of incident projected light. Therefore, the screen must have an effective viewing angle greater than would be producible if a reflective medium were used alone.
Numerous attempts have been made to remedy this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,740 to Ogura (xe2x80x9c""740 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a projection screen having a double rolled aluminum foil sheet attached to a support member, and a brushed resin film covering the foil as a protective coating against scratching, fingerprints, etc. No mention is made of the brushing techniques used or of the resulting surface characteristic of the resin film after it is brushed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,491 to Orikasa (xe2x80x9c""491 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a reflection-type projection screen having a substrate, a light reflecting layer made from a transparent resin in which flakes of a light-reflective material are dispersed, and a transparent light-diffusing layer made from a transparent resin in which fine crystalline particles of calcite and a pigment are dispersed. The films of ""491 Patent are complicated, expensive and particularly difficult to achieve.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,941 to Miwa (xe2x80x9c""941 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a reflection-type projection screen having a light-reflecting substrate laminated to a light-transmitting polymer layer having light absorptive slits or xe2x80x9ccrazesxe2x80x9d of regular directionality disposed therein. The slits are filled with a light-absorbing substance such as a black pigment or dye.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,095 B1 to Niwa (xe2x80x9c""095 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a reflex-type screen comprised of a first layer formed integrally with an inner reflex layer on a surface of a substrate, and a second layer formed of a deflection film bonded to a surface of the first layer. The screen of the ""095 Patent was developed to facilitate the use of screens which can be deflected, e.g. rolled up when not in use. Beads such as acrylic or silicon beads are applied to the substrate surface prior to deposition of a metal reflective layer, rendering the process of attaching the metal reflective layer all the more complicated.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,967 to Nezu (xe2x80x9c""967 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a reflection-type screen of the type that can be wound up in a roll form and unwound as needed and comprises a substrate sheet to which is laminated a high-density light diffusion-reflection layer and a translucent light diffusion layer including a soft vinyl chloride sheet, the translucent light diffusion layer having a surface provided with a light-diffusing fine uneven pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,163 to Matsuda (xe2x80x9c""163 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a reflection-type projection screen comprising a dark plastic substrate, a fibrous sheet of glass fibers, a white, opaque base material sheet and a light diffusing layer of a translucent plastic onto which a lustrous pigment or calcite powder is incorporated. An emboss is formed on the outer surface of the light diffusion layer. Light absorbing strips are provided each at a position corresponding to a concave portion of the emboss on the surface of the base material sheet adjoining the light diffusing layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,309 to Yamada (xe2x80x9c""309 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a reflective type screen comprising a reflective surface layer, a polarizing plate layer in position in front of the reflective surface layer, and a diffusion layer located in front of the polarized plate layer, wherein the reflective surface layer, the polarizing plate layer and the diffusion layer are laminated together using an adhesive to form an integral structure. Additional embodiments are disclosed in the ""309 Patent, all of which require a polarizing layer, perhaps to accommodate exotic applications of projection images onto a screen.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,939 to Kikuchi (xe2x80x9c""939 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a transparent base plate to which is attached on one side an aluminum mirror surface and on the other side a diffusing specular layer of low diffusing performance. The diffusing performance of the diffusing specular layer can be adjusted as desired while the reflection performance of the mirror surface is constant. The diffusing specular layer is formed with a plurality of elongated columnar lenticles having convex surfaces facing the viewer. The curvature of the lenticles is determined by the distance between the screen and the viewers. The outer convex surface of the lenticles is treated by sandblasting. The lenticles are arranged in a vertically elongated pattern, which sacrifices vertical directivity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,449 to Campion (xe2x80x9c""449 Patentxe2x80x9d) teaches a front projection screen having a substrate, a reflective aluminum ink coating applied to a surface of a substrate, and a protective coating, preferably of a clear acrylic having a gloss finish for the purpose of protecting the reflective film. The disclosure specifies that the coating reduces somewhat the reflective efficiency of the screen. Therefore, the directionality of such a screen is likely to be extremely narrow.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,320 to Ferro (xe2x80x9c""320 Patentxe2x80x9d) teaches a front projection screen having two reflecting layers separated by a light transmissive layer, and a light-diffusing surface coating provided on the frontmost reflecting layer. The screen forms an embossed pattern across its front surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,587 to Schudel (xe2x80x9c""587 Patentxe2x80x9d) discloses a projection screen having a film which is constructed of a partially deformable, resilient material. One surface of the film has in combination a random matte texture and a substantially unidirectional striated, i.e. grooved, texture. A layer of reflective material is deposited on the above-mentioned surface of the film to provide a high gain, damage resistant reflective surface. The screen of the ""587 Patent is intended to be of the double-coverture type, i.e. curved about at least two axes so as to focus the reflected image in a confined area. Another embodiment of the ""587 Patent discloses a flat screen. Striations are provided, usually vertically aligned to disburse the light reflected off of the reflective film. The arrangement of the striations or lenticles as vertical grooves limits the directionality to nearly a side by side viewing field and not top to bottom or diagonal.
It is therefore, an object of this invention to provide a front projection screen which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and shortcomings.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a front projection screen which provides the same directionality, i.e. directivity, along vertical as well as horizontal axes relative to a normal line passing perpendicularly through the center of the projection screen.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a projection screen which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and light weight yet which provides directivity characteristics not heretofore experienced.
In accordance with these and other objects, the invention is directed to a projection screen comprised of a reflective film laminated, as by the use of adhesive, metal deposition, or otherwise as will occur to those of skill in the art, to a light diffusing layer on one side and, on another side, as by adhesive, metal deposition, or other techniques known to those of skill in the art, to a substrate. The substrate may be rigid or flexible, flat or curved.
The reflective film may be vacuum metalized silver or vacuum metalized aluminum or any other film exhibiting a high coefficient of reflectivity. The characteristics of the light diffusing layer can be adjusted depending upon the desired effect, intensity of projected image light, ambient conditions, etc. One form of the diffusing layer is an embossed film. One form of such embossed film contains a plurality of concavities embossed in the film which act as micro lenses. The surface characteristics, e.g. concavities, associated with the light diffusing layer can be formed by techniques such as hot roll stamping, ultra etching or the like.
The reflective layer may be adhered to the substrate or to the substrate-facing inner surface of the light diffusing layer.
It can therefore be appreciated that one embodiment of the invention is to a projection screen comprising a substrate having a generally flat forward surface; a diffusion layer formed of a plurality of generally equally spaced apart concave features forming micro lenses; a layer of reflective material deposited on a rearward facing surface of the diffusion layer; the diffusion layer laminated to the forward facing surface of the substrate so that the layer of reflective material is sandwiched there between.
These and other objects and features of the invention will be more readily understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding numerals.


Disclosed is a lottery-type game which involves providing a plurality of playing cards, each of which having one or more game symbols displayed thereon, and a master game card. The game further involves distributing at least a portion of the playing cards to a plurality of individual players and selecting one or more of the individual players having playing cards displaying predetermined selected ones of the game symbols. The game further includes determining whether one or more of the selected individual players are winners of primary prizes associated with an initial and a subsequent level of play. If none of the selected individual players are determined to be winners of the primary prize value associated with the initial level of play, at least a portion of the primary prize value associated with the initial level of play is rolled over into a primary prize value associated with the subsequent level of play.

1. Field
The present invention relates generally to lottery-type game systems.
2. Background
One type of lottery-type game system which has proven quite popular with players are the so-called break-open or jar ticket games. In this type of game, players purchase playing cards or tickets for a monetary sum. Each playing card displays game symbols, selected ones of which correspond to prize values. In a typical configuration, each playing card comprises a lamination of an upper ply and a lower ply of material, such as paper, with the game symbols printed on the inside surface of the lower ply. The game symbols are thus initially sealed and hidden from view by the upper ply and are revealed only by "breaking open" one or more flap-like portions die-cut into the upper ply. Game symbols may also be hidden by other concealing means, including scratch-off, optical and other covering methods commonly known in the art. In addition to the entertainment value such games provide for players, these types of games may also provide a source of revenue for the operator, be it a municipality, a charity, or business establishment.
As will be appreciated, affording players an opportunity to win prizes in different ways enhances the entertainment value of a game. One form of game provides for selected players to become eligible for a prize, with at least one of these players, in turn, having an opportunity to win the prize. Providing game players the opportunity to win prizes enhances the entertainment value of the game. Implementation of such prizes is often accomplished through the use of a master game card that is associated with the particular set or sets of playing cards. Examples of such game systems are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,046,737 and 5,407,200. By enhancing the entertainment value of such a game, player interest in the game and, in turn, the potential revenues generated from the sale of game tickets to such players, is also enhanced.


Provided is a method for manufacturing a high-quality porous film. Here, while the porous film is being manufactured through forming micropores by stretching, a raw film is prevented from slipping on the surfaces of the respective rolls as much as possible even though the raw film includes oil or liquid paraffin as a solvent. The method is for manufacturing a porous film through forming micropores by successive biaxial stretching. A tensile force applied to the raw film F transferring from the longitudinal stretching machine (10) to the transverse stretching machine (50) is set not less than a stretching force necessary for the longitudinal stretching, and thus the raw film is prevented from slipping on a contact surface between the raw film and each roll of the longitudinal stretching machine (10).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a porous film manufacturing method and a successive biaxial stretching apparatus for manufacturing a porous film. Particularly, the present invention relates to a porous film manufacturing method in which micropores are formed by stretching by use of phase separation in a binary system, and to the successive biaxial stretching apparatus for manufacturing the porous film.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a method for manufacturing a porous film having micropores, which is used for a battery separator, a hemodialysis membrane, an air-permeable film, a filter or the like. The method includes: thermally melting polyethylene (polyolefin) powder by using oil or liquid paraffin as a solvent; performing phase separation; and thereafter forming micropores by stretching (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-103626, for example).
A raw film includes oil or liquid paraffin as a solvent, and is thermally stretched. For these reasons, a large amount of oil is precipitated on the surfaces of the raw film. A general longitudinal stretching machine is not capable of stably stretching the raw film during its roll stretching (longitudinal stretching) operation, because the raw film slips on the surfaces of the respective rolls. In addition, bubbles occur to be involved in an interstice between each roll and the raw film, thereby causing unevenness in heating. This also makes it impossible to perform stable stretching.

Porous film manufacturing method and successive biaxial stretching apparatus for manufacturing porous film


A peel-away endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography catheter and a method for using the same is provided. An endoscope having a passage therethrough is introduced into the mouth of a patient and is guided through the patent's gastroentral tract until an opening at the distal end of the endoscope is in close proximity with the papilla of vater leading to the common bile and pancreatic ducts. A peel-away ERCP catheter is provided which may be guided through the lumen of the endoscope until the distal tip of the catheter emerges from the opening at the distal end of the endoscope. The distal end of the catheter may be guided through the sphincter of oddi and into the common bile or pancreatic duct. A radiopaque dye may be injected through the catheter, into the duct. Additionally, a guide wire may be guided into the common bile or pancreatic duct through the catheter. Thereafter, the catheter may be easily removed without disturbing the placement of the guide wire by pulling on knobs attached to tabs at the proximal end of the catheter while the proximal end of the guide wire is held in place. The force applied to the catheter tabs causes the catheter to split longitudinally along two longitudinal grooves cut into the body of the catheter. Thus, the catheter peels-away from the guide wire without displacing the guide wire. Simultaneously, the pulling force on the tabs splits the catheter away from the guide wire while pulling the catheter up the guide wire. Additionally, a biliary stent can be pushed into the duct using a second peel-away catheter which may then be removed in accordance with the method of the present invention.

This invention relates to a splittable or peel-away ERCP catheter and more particularly to a method of using a peel-away ERCP catheter the distal end of which has been inserted into the common bile or pancreatic duct via an endoscope which has been guided through the esophagus and stomach and into the duodenum of a patient.
In certain medical applications it is useful to provide a sheath or catheter that is longitudinally splittable for ease of removal from the human body. For example, the use of a splittable catheter permits the removal of a catheter after a guide wire or other material has been placed therethrough without disturbing the guide wire. Various splittable sheaths and catheters exist which have been designed to split longitudinally along the body to peel-away from a catheter, guide wire or other inserted material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,846 to Wells discloses an apparatus and method for preparing a catheter tube which has a longitudinal line of weakness extending axially therealong is a place for preferential splitting. The method includes co-extruding two materials into the tubular cross-sectional shape. One of the materials forms a surface line along the other which extends readily to a level where the thickness of the tubing cross-section thereat is less. When the co-extruded extra material is removed, a grove is in the surface of the tube, which groove permits easy tearing there along.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,168 to Moorehead discloses a layered peel-away hollow sheath, for temporarily creating a passageway into a desired body site of a medical patient for placement of one end of an indwelling device at the body site the sheath. The sheath wall comprise at least two layers, the inside layer being cylindrical and the outside layer comprising two semi-cylindrical segments defining opposed axially directed slits or slots therebetween which comprises tear lines such that the sheath manually tears axially along the single layer tear lines into two pieces for removal of the sheath from around the indwelling device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,294 to Okada discloses a catheter for nasogastric intubation comprising a plastic sheath tube and a fixing means of said tube at nose, said tube having a longitudinal tear-off line over the full length thereof and having elasticity and rigidity slightly larger than those of said catheter, said catheter being inserted in said plastic sheath tube slidably.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,591 to McGregor discloses an intravenous catheter unit which provides a needle which can be separated from the catheter after the end of the catheter positioned inside the vein to prevent the needle from tearing or damaging the catheter. The hollow needle is provided with a slit which extends along its entire length. In addition the needle is provided with means of the causing the needle to hinge open to widen the slit enough to pass the catheter therethrough. In this way the needle may be separated from the catheter after the catheter is placed inside the vein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,690 to Oshada, et al. discloses a guiding tube for introducing rodlike medical instruments such as a catheter, which can be easily split and removed. The guiding tube comprises a main body provided with a longitudinal slit and formed of a mixture of first and second materials and a stripe detachably embedded liquid-tight in the slit of the main body and formed of the third material which exhibits a good bonding for the second material but a poor bonding for the first material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,833 to Kousai, et al. discloses a medical instrument-guiding tube for guiding a catheter or other rod-like medical instrument into a blood vessel. This guiding tube comprises a hollow-tube body and at least one linear body integrally joined to the tube body along the longitudinal direction of the tube body. The plastic resin forming the tube body has a poor compatibility with that of the linear body. Tube body and the linear body are engaged together through complimentary concave convex arrangement which can be disengaged with reasonable force.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,468 to Kousai, et al. discloses a medical instrument introduction cannula which is useful as a guide means for introducing and indwelling a rod-like material instrument such as a catheter and a guide wire. This cannula is removed after use from the medical instrument by being split. This cannula is formed of a hollow tubular body having a strip member consisting of material different from the other portion of the tubular body, which extends over almost the entire length of the tubular body. The strip member has a weld line along the length of the strip member, or consists of a resin which exhibits a good bonding property only to one of the other components forming the tubular body. The tubular body can be split by way of the weld line or the removal of the strip member having such a bonding property. The method of manufacturing the medical instrument introduction cannula by a two-color extruder is also disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,424 to Little relates to an introducer slitter for slitting an introducer tube portion having, for example, a catheter extending therethrough and into a body vessel while the introducer tube is moved rearwardly relative to the catheter to facilitate separating the introducer from the catheter without having to slide the introducer tube portion over the proximal end of the catheter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,978 to Schiffer discloses a rapid exchange over-the-wire catheter which is provided with one or more breakaway elements for progressively exposing the guide wire from the proximal end toward the distal end of the catheter in a simple and efficient manner. The breakaway element may be formed as a longitudinally aligned pull strip provided in the catheter guide wire lumen or as one or more linearly arrayed tubular breakaway segments in the catheter shaft or as a combination of both features.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,929 to Semrad discloses a method and assembly of components for effecting closed chest thoracostomy. A guide wire is removed and a chest tube is introduced through a pleural access catheter, which is split off and removed from the chest tube. FIGS. 5 and 6 of the Semrad reference show a splittable access catheter having knobs that when grasped and pulled in a direction away from the body of the catheter will cause the catheter to split.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,050 and 4,345,606 to Littleford disclose an apparatus and related method for implanting pacemaker electrodes and similar devices within a patient including an introducer with a tapered end adapted to extend into the patient's body, and a hollow, tubular sleeve. The sleeve is perforated to form a weakened line. The sleeve may be peeled slightly away at the flange to form tabs which may be used to grasp and peel away the sleeve while removing the same from the vein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,469 to Littleford discloses an apparatus and method for inserting an electrode within a patient with a minimal amount of incision which includes the use of an introducer sleeve which is severed or severable along the length thereof. The introducer sleeve is withdrawn from the patient while the electrode is moving through, severing the sleeve wall along the entire length thereof to enable the removal of the sleeve over the connector plug of the electrode.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,562 to Osborne discloses a flexible cannula comprising material which tears readily in a longitudinal direction and thus can be easily removed by pulling tabs on opposite sides of the cannula apart from the catheter or other device that has been inserted into the body. The Osborne cannula readily tears in a longitudinal direction along the length of the structure due to the longitudinal orientation of the material from which it is constructed.
Additionally, it is possible to introduce a standard, non-splittable catheter into the gastroentral tract, via an endoscope, until it is adjacent to the bile duct. However, after a guide wire has been introduced through the catheter, difficulties arise when attempting to remove the catheter. For example, the catheter must be pulled over the entire length of the guide wire by a health care provider, while a second health care provider attempts to maintain the guide wire in the bile duct. This results in a tug-of-war caused by the alternating of the pulling of small increments of the catheter out of the channel of the endoscope and the pushing of the guide wire back into the bile duct after a catheter has been pulled.
None of the above disclosed references disclose a peel-away ERCP catheter or a method of using the same for gaining access to the pancreatic or common bile duct. Additionally, none of the above listed references disclose the use of an endoscope having a lumen, the peel-away catheter being inserted therethrough, for introducing a contrast media or a guide wire into the common bile or pancreatic ducts. Further, none of the above disclosed references teach a method for easily removing a long-line catheter from the common bile or pancreatic duct without disturbing the placement of a guide wire therein. There is a need for a method of introducing a dye, guide wire or stent into the common bile or pancreatic duct through a peel-away ERCP catheter introduced into the human body via an endoscope. There is additionally a need for a method of easily removing a catheter inserted into the common bile or pancreatic duct without disturbing the placement of a guide wire therein.

Peel-away endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography catheter and a method for using the same


A driving control method and system for a fuel cell vehicle are provided. The driving control method includes monitoring, by a vehicle controller, information regarding vehicle conditions and entering a minimum driving mode when the monitored vehicle conditions meet minimum-driving-mode entry conditions. A temperature of a fuel cell stack detected and then adjusted when the determined temperature of the fuel cell stack is different from a preset target stack temperature value, to match the temperature of the fuel cell stack with the preset target stack temperature.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving control method and system for fuel cell vehicles control a minimum driving mode of a fuel cell vehicle and minimum-driving-mode entry and release conditions to improve the durability and drivability of the vehicle.
Description of the Related Art
A fuel cell is a power generation device that converts chemical energy of fuel into electric energy by an electrochemical reaction in a fuel cell stack rather than converting the chemical energy into heat by combustion. Such a fuel cell can be applied to the supply of electric power for small-sized electrical/electronic devices such as portable devices, as well as to the supply of electric power for industrial use, home use or driving vehicles. Recently, research has been conducted regarding fuel cell vehicles operated using energy generated by the combination of hydrogen and oxygen. Particularly, research has been conducted regarding an idle stop function, which interrupts generation of a fuel cell as required during the operation of a fuel cell vehicle to enhance the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and then restart the fuel cell.
Further, there is a difference between the idle stop function and shutting down the fuel cell system after the operation of the vehicle has been completed. Thus, a control process for idle stop of the fuel cell is also differentiated from a control process for shutting down the system. Accordingly, various control methods for such an idle stop function have been proposed. As a representative example, a method in which when entering an idle stop mode a fuel cell may be maintained at the optimum conditions to enhance the durability of the fuel cell. However, although the control process for the idle stop function is differentiated from the control process for shutting down the fuel cell system, reduction in drivability of the vehicle still remains since the voltage and temperature of the stack are reduced when the fuel cell stops.
The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

Driving control method and system of fuel cell vehicle