First and second input/output line groups are provided. A plurality of first bit line groups are connected to the first input/output line group through corresponding column selecting circuits, respectively. A plurality of second bit line groups are connected to the second input/output line group through corresponding column selecting circuits, respectively. A column decoder activates one of the column selecting circuits corresponding to the first bit line group and one of the column selecting circuits corresponding to the second bit line group at the same time or with a predetermined time difference.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and in particular, to an improvement of a column selecting system.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of a dynamic random access memory will be referred to as "DRAM" hereinafter) in the prior art. FIG. 25 specifically shows a structure of a major part of the DRAM shown in FIG. 24.
Four memory blocks are provided on a semiconductor chip CH. However, FIG. 24 shows only one memory block B1 among them.
A memory array 1 includes a plurality of bit line pairs, a plurality of word lines crossing the bit line pairs, and a plurality of memory cells disposed at crossings of the bit line pairs and the word lines. In FIG. 25, there are shown bit line pairs BL1-BL8, a plurality of word lines WL crossing the bit line pairs BL1-BL8, and a plurality of memory cells MC disposed at the crossings of the bit line pairs BL1-BL8 and word lines WL. The bit line pairs are divided into a plurality of bit line groups BG1 and BG2, each of which includes four bit line pairs. In FIG. 25, the bit line pairs BL1-BL4 form the bit line group BG1, and the bit line pairs BL5-BL8 form the bit line group BG2.
The word lines WL are connected to a row decoder 2 shown in FIG. 24. The row decoder 2 selects any one of the word lines WL to activate the selected word line WL. The row decoder 2 sets the potential of the selected word line at a high level, and sets the potential of the unselected word lines at a low level.
A sense amplifier group 3 shown in FIG. 24 includes a plurality of sense amplifiers SA (FIG. 25) which are connected to the bit line pairs, respectively. Each sense amplifier SA senses and amplifies a potential difference on the corresponding bit line pair.
A column selecting circuit group 4 shown in FIG. 24 includes a plurality of column selecting circuits which are provided corresponding to the bit line groups, respectively. In FIG. 25, there are shown a column selecting circuit SL1 provided corresponding to the bit line group BG1, and a column selecting circuit SL2 provided corresponding to the bit line group BG2.
Each column selecting circuit includes four sets of transfer gates TG which correspond to the four bit line pairs in each bit line group, respectively. The four bit line pairs in each bit line group are connected through four sets of the transfer gates TG to four input/output line pairs IO1-IO4, respectively.
A column decoder 5 selects any one of the bit line groups, and renders four sets of the transfer gates TG in the corresponding column selecting circuit conductive simultaneously. In FIG. 25, the column decoder 5 generates a column selecting signal CSL1, which is applied to four sets of the transfer gates TG in the column selecting circuit SL1, and also generates a column selecting signal CSL2, which is applied to four sets of the transfer gates TG in the column selecting circuit SL2.
In FIG. 24, the memory block B1 further includes an input buffer 6, a 4-bit serial/parallel converter circuit 7, a write buffer 8, a preamplifier 9, a 4-bit parallel/serial converter circuit 10 and an output buffer 11. The input buffer 6, serial/parallel converter circuit 7 and write buffer 8 operate in a data write operation. The preamplifier 9, parallel/serial converter circuit 10 and output buffer 11 operate in a data read operation.
On the semiconductor chip CH, there are further provided a row address buffer 12, a column address buffer 13, a control signal buffer 14, a CLK buffer 15, an address counter 16 and a timing generator 17.
The row address buffer 12 applies an externally applied address signal ADD to the row decoder 2 as a row address signal at a predetermined timing. The column address buffer 13 applies an externally applied address signal ADD to the address counter 16 as a column address signal at a predetermined timing.
The control signal buffer 14 receives an external row address strobe signal /RAS, an external column address strobe signal /CAS, an external write enable signal /WE and an external output enable signal /OE, and applies the same to the timing generator 17. The CLK buffer 15 receives an externally applied clock signal CLK, and applies the same to respective circuits in the chip.
The address counter 16 receives the column address signal-applied from the column address buffer 13 as the start address, and sequentially changes the start address in response to the clock signal CLK. The address counter 16 generates the column address signal which includes two bits A0 and A1, which are applied to the serial/parallel converter circuit 7 and parallel/serial converter circuit 10. Other bits A2-An in this column address signal are applied to the column decoder 5. The timing generator 17 generates various control signals for controlling respective circuits in the chip.
An operation in a random access mode of the DRAM shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 will be described below.
The row decoder 2 selects one of the word lines WL in the memory array 1 in response to the row address signal, and raises its potential to high. Thereby, data are read from the memory cells MC connected to the selected word line WL onto the corresponding bit lines. The read data are sensed and amplified by sense amplifiers SA contained in the sense amplifier group 3, and are held therein.
Thereafter, the column decoder 5 selects one of the bit line groups to activate the corresponding column selecting circuit in response to the bits A2-An in the column address signal, which is applied thereto through the address counter 16. Thereby, the four bit line pairs in the selected bit line group are connected through the column selecting circuit to the four input/output line pairs IO1-IO4, respectively.
In data reading operation, four bits of data on the four bit line pairs in the selected bit line group are applied through the four input/output line pairs IO1-IO4 to the preamplifier 9 for amplification. The four bits of data amplified by the preamplifier 9 are applied to read data buses RDB1-RDB4, respectively. The parallel/serial converter circuit 10 is responsive to the two bits A0 and A1 in the column address signal to apply one of the four bits of data on the read data buses RDB1-RDB4 to the output buffer 11. Consequently, the data is supplied from the output buffer 11 to the input/output terminal I/O.
In data writing operation, the input/output terminal I/O sequentially receives external data. The data are sequentially applied through the input buffer 6 to the serial/parallel converter circuit 7. The serial/parallel converter circuit 7 converts the data into parallel data and applies the same to the write buffer 8. Thereby, the data is applied to each of the four input/output line pairs IO1-IO4. The four data on the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4 are applied through the activated column selecting circuit to the four bit line pairs in the selected bit line group, and are written into the four memory cells MC.
Meanwhile, after the activation of one word line WL, the data held by the sense amplifiers SA contained in the sense amplifier group 3 can be continuously read onto the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4 by sequentially activating the column selecting circuits.
A mode, in which the column selecting circuits are randomly activated in accordance with the externally applied address signals is referred to as a page mode. A mode, in which only the address signal designating the start address is set in the address counter 16, and thereafter, the column selecting circuits are sequentially activated by the address signals generated from the address counter 16, is referred to as a serial mode. Since the sense amplifier group 3 generally holds the data of thousands of bits, the page mode and serial mode enable access at a high speed.
Particularly, in the serial mode, a plurality of data, which are obtained by the activation of one column selecting circuit, may be subjected to the parallel/serial conversion, or a time sharing operation (pipeline control) may be carried out, whereby the speed of serial access is further increased.
FIG. 26 shows a major part of the DRAM shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. In FIG. 25, the bit line group BG1 includes the bit line pairs BL1-BL4, and the bit line group BG2 includes the bit line pairs BL5-BL8. A bit line group BG3 includes bit line pairs BL9-BL12, and a bit line group BG4 includes bit line pairs BL13-BL16.
The column addresses allocated to the bit line pairs BL1-BL16 are designated by Y1, Y2, . . . , Y16, respectively.
The bit line pairs BL1-BL4 in the bit line group BG1 are connected through the column selecting circuit SL1 to the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4, respectively. The bit line pairs BL5-BL8 in the bit line group BG2 are connected through the column selecting circuit SL2 to the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4, respectively. The bit line pairs BL9-BL12 in the bit line group BG3 are connected through the column selecting circuit SL3 to the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4, respectively. The bit line pairs BL13-BL16 in the bit line group BG4 are connected through the column selecting circuit SL4 to the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4, respectively,
As described above, the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4 are common to all the bit line groups. Therefore, simultaneous activation of the multiple column selecting circuits is impossible.
In the serial mode, the start address is set in the address counter 16, and one column selecting circuit corresponding to the start address is activated.
As shown in FIG. 27, if the start address is set at any of Y1-Y4, the column selecting circuit SL1 is first activated. If the start address is set at Y1, the column addresses Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 are sequentially accessed, upon activation of the column selecting circuit SL1. If the start address is set at Y2, the column addresses Y2, Y3 and Y4 and are sequentially accessed, upon activation of the column selecting circuit SL1. If the start address is set at Y3, the column addresses Y3 and Y4 are sequentially accessed, upon activation of the column selecting circuit SL1. If the start address is set at Y4, only the column address Y4 is accessed, upon activation of the column selecting circuit SL1.
As described above, the extent which can be accessed without requiring the activation of another column selecting circuit, depends on the start address. In particular, if the start address is set, for instance, at Y4, it is necessary to activate another column selecting circuit in order to access the next column address. This results in a problem that a time period from the activation of the column selecting circuit to the operation of the preamplifier determines the bit rate.
This problem will be described below with reference to waveform diagrams of FIGS. 28 and 29.
FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing an operation when the start address is set at Y1 in the serial mode. FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing an operation when the start address is set at Y4 in the serial mode.
In FIGS. 28 and 29, D1-D12 designate data read onto the bit line pairs BL1-BL12 (see FIGS. 25 and 26), respectively.
When the external row address strobe signal /RAS falls to low, an externally applied address signal ADD is applied to the row decoder 2 as a row address signal AX. Thereby, one of the word lines WL is activated. Thereafter, when the external column address strobe signal /CAS falls to low, an externally applied address signal ADD is applied to the address counter 16 as a column address signal AY. The address counter 16 applies the two bits A0 and A1 in the column address signal AY to the parallel/serial converter circuit 10, and applies the other bits A2-An to the column decoder 5.
As shown in FIG. 28, if the column address signal AY designates the column address Y1, the start address is set at Y1. First, the column decoder 5 raises the column selecting signal CSL1 to high and activates the column selecting circuit SL1. Thereby, the data D1-D4 on the bit line pairs BL1-BL4 are read onto the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4, respectively.
The data D1-D4 are applied through the preamplifier 9 to the read data buses RDB1-RDB4. The address counter 16 sequentially counts up the column address signal AY in response to the clock signal CLK applied from the CLK buffer 15. The parallel/serial converter circuit 10 sequentially selects the data D1-D4 and applies the same to the output buffer 11 in response to the two bits A0 and A1 in the column address signals AY. In this manner, the data D1-D4 are serially supplied from the input/output terminal I/O as output data Dout.
When the column decoder 5 raises the column selecting signal CSL2 to high, the data D5-D8 are read onto the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4 in a similar manner, respectively. The data D5-D8 are applied through the preamplifier 9 to the read data buses RDB1-RDB4, respectively. The address counter 16 sequentially counts up the column address signal AY in response to the clock signal CLK applied from the CLK buffer 15. The parallel/serial converter circuit 10 by sequentially selects the data D5-D8 and applies the same to the output buffer 11 in response to the two bits A0 and A1 in the column address signal AY. Thereby, the data D5-D8 are sent in serial from the input/output terminal I/O as the output data Dout.
In this manner, the data are read in serial from the input/output terminal I/O.
As shown in FIG. 29, if the column address signal AY designates the column address Y4, the start address is set at Y4. Also in this case, the column decoder 5 first raises the column selecting signal CSL1 to high and activates the column selecting circuit SL1. Thereby, the data D1-D4 on the bit Line pairs BL1-BL4 are read onto the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4, respectively.
The data D1-D4 are applied through the preamplifier 9 to the read data buses RDB1-RDB4, in response to the two bits A0 and A1 in the column address signal respectively. The parallel/serial converter circuit 10 AY selects the data D4 and applies the same to the output buffer 11 in response to the two bits A0 and A1 in the column address signal. Thereby, the data D4 is supplied from the input/output terminal I/O as the output data Dout.
When the column decoder 5 raises the column selecting signal CSL2 to high, the data D5-D8 are read onto the input/output line pairs IO1-IO4 in a similar manner, respectively. The data D5-D8 are applied through the preamplifier 9 to the read data buses RDB1-RDB4, respectively. The address counter 16 sequentially counts up the column address signal AY in response to the clock signal CLK applied from the CLK buffer 15. The parallel/serial converter circuit 10 sequentially selects the data D5-D8 to apply the same to the output buffer 11 in response to the two bits A0 and A1 in the column address signal AY. Thereby, the data D5-D8 are sent in serial from the input/output terminal I/O as the output data Dout.
In this case, the column selecting signal CSL2 can be raised to high only after the column selecting signal CSL1 falls to low. In order to prevent simultaneous change of two column selecting signals to the on-state, a margin is required between the fall of the column selecting signal CSL1 and the rise of the column selecting signal CSL2.
As shown in FIG. 28, if the column address signal AY designates the column address Y1, there is no gap between the output data, and thus the bit rate does not decrease. As shown in FIG. 29, however, if the column address signal AY designates the column address Y4, a gap is generated between the data D4 and D5 supplied from the input/output terminal I/O. Thus, there is a data gap when one bit line pair in a certain bit line group and one bit line pair in another bit line group are continuously selected. This causes reduction of the access speed and bit rate.

Semiconductor memory device and an operating method of the same


In a rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation process employing olefin reactants having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms to produce products rich in normal aldehydes, the efficiency of the catalyst in producing such products is substantially uneffected and propionaldehyde is also produced by employing ethylene as a coreactant along with the olefin.

Processes for forming an aldehyde by the reaction of an olefin with carbon monoxide and hydrogen are known as hydroformylation processes or oxo processes. For many years, all commercial hydroformylation reactions employed cobalt carbonyl catalysts which required relatively high pressures (often on the order of 100 atmospheres of higher) to maintain catalyst stability. Such processes are described, for example, in British Patent Specification No. 1,120,277 which, inter alia, discloses the coreaction of ethylene and propylene. The data in this British Patent Specification indicates that the presence of ethylene negatively influences the production of butyraldehydes from the propylene in terms of the weight of aldehydes produced in a given time using a given quantity of catalyst.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,809 discloses a significantly improved hydroformylation process whereby alpha-olefins are hydroformylated with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to produce aldehydes in high yields at low temperature and pressures. The normal to iso-(or branched-chain) aldehyde isomer ratio of the product aldehydes is high. This process employs certain rhodium complex catalysts and operates under defined reaction conditions to accomplish the olefin hydroformylation. Since this process operates at significantly lower pressures than required theretofore in the prior art as typified by the aforementioned British Patent Specification, substantial advantages are realized including lower initial capital investment and lower operating costs. Further, the more desirable normal aldehyde isomer can be produced in high yields. The rhodium catalyzed process of U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,809 is at times referred to as the "low pressure oxo process" and is so referred to herein.
Several patents and patent applications disclose improvements in the low pressure oxo process. These includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,661, U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,830, U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,075, Belgium Pat. No. 856,542, Belgium Pat. No. 853,377, Belgium Pat. No. 863,267, Belgium Pat. No. 863,268, U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 051,189, filed June 22, 1979, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 079,884, filed Sept. 28, 1979, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 040,913 filed May 21, 1979, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 090,140, filed Nov. 1, 1979. Other patents relating to the low pressure oxo process include Belgium Pat. No. 821,637.
However, none of the above-mentioned patents or applications relating to the low pressure oxo process specifically disclose the use of ethylene and a higher olefin in combination in that process or suggest that the use of such coreactants in that process would be free of the production limitations implied by the data in British Patent Specification No. 1,120,277.

Hydroformylation of ethylene with higher olefins


A golf ball having a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester elastomer formed from a polytetramethylene glycol with a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1400 g/mol is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an inner core sphere is the core layer and has a diameter ranging from 0.875 inch to 1.4 inches. The core comprises the inner core, an intermediate core and an outer core. The mantle component comprises an inner mantle and an outer mantle. The cover layer is preferably composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to golf ball core materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to thermoplastic polyester elastomer golf ball cores.
2. Description of the Related Art
When used in golf balls, injection moldable thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) offer significant economic advantages over thermoset polymer systems. This is especially true for golf ball cores where compression molded polybutadiene thermoset systems are typically used. Relatively low conversion costs make TPEs very attractive alternatives to thermoset systems.
Thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE) in particular are well suited for use in golf ball cores. Relative to thermoplastic polyamide elastomers and most thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, they exhibit high levels of rebound resilience. Relative to ionomers they have a high density reducing the need for modification with high density fillers. Common trade names for these materials include Hytrel from DuPont and Arnitel from DSM.
While TPEEs typically have high rebound resilience, they aren't resilient enough for use in some higher compression golf ball core applications. In addition, they don't quite match the rebound resilience of ionomeric thermoplastic elastomers. This is especially true for higher modulus formulations.
Sullivan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,451, for a Golf Ball Cover Of Neutralized Poly(ethylene-acrylic acid) Copolymer, discloses in Table One a golf ball having a compression of below 50 and a cover composed of ionomers having various Shore D hardness values ranging from 50 to 61.
Sullivan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,545, for a Golf Ball discloses a golf ball having a Rhiele compression below 50 and a cover having Shore C values as low as 82.
Egashira et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,652, for a Solid Golf Ball, discloses the use of a zinc pentachlorothiophenol in a core of a golf ball.
Pasqua, U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,304, for a Golf Ball Composition, discloses a golf ball with a core having a low compression and the core comprising calcium oxide.
Sullivan, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,924, for a Golf Ball discloses a golf ball having a PGA compression below 70 and a COR ranging from 0.780 to 0.825.
Sullivan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,886, for a Golf Ball And Method Of Manufacture discloses a golf ball having a PGA compression below 70, a cover Shore D hardness of 57, and a COR as high as 0.794.
Tzivanis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,870, for a Golf Ball, discloses a golf ball having a core compression less than 50, a cover Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and a COR greater than 0.80.
The prior art fails to disclose a multiple layer golf ball with a multiple layer core that have high rebound resilience.

Thermoplastic polyester elastomer golf ball cores


A method and an apparatus for controlling a smart mobile device are disclosed. The method for controlling a smart mobile device includes: determining, when enabling a control of the smart mobile device by using body induction, a standing wave ratio (SWR) of the smart mobile device on the body induction according to a detected parameter of a body closing to the smart mobile device; and selecting a control instruction according to the determined SWR of the smart mobile device on the body induction and a preset corresponding relationship between the SWR of the smart mobile device on the body induction and the control instruction, and controlling the smart mobile device based on the selected control instruction.

Smart mobile devices have developed in two opposite directions: miniaturization and interface large-sizing. For miniaturized devices such as smart wristbands and smart watches, there is the case where the screen interface is too small or has no interface, which brings inconvenience to the user in operating the device. For large-size mobile phones, such as smart phones or portable android device (PADs) having larger than 5 inches or more, there is the case where the interface is too large and the user's hands are too small so that the interface cannot be handled with one hand, and also it brings inconvenience to the user in operating the device.
Furthermore, there is a case that in the process of driving or eating, people may not be able to release their hands to operate smart mobile devices, or the hands with oil fail to operate smart mobile devices. Or, there is a case that a person with a disabling finger cannot operate a smart mobile device. Or, for some cases, it is inconvenient to operate the smart mobile device with two hands or a single hand, so that it brings inconvenience to the user in using the smart mobile device.
Nowadays, the operation on smart mobile devices, such as gesture recognition and unlocking, mainly include: a mobile phone unlocking scheme and a mobile phone control scheme.
The mobile phone unlocking scheme is generally used to activate the mobile phone interface. The unlocking of the mobile terminal and the smart wearable device is generally realized through a password, a slide to unlock, a long press to unlock, a fingerprint to unlock, a drawing to unlock and the like. The above unlocking method requires the finger to directly touch the screen, but has no way to perform the unlocking based on contact-free operation (i.e., space-free operation). Further, the available subject is mainly limited to a finger or a touch pen, but cannot be unlocked in contact-free way based on other parts of the human body.
The mobile phone control scheme is generally used to control the function of the mobile phone after the mobile phone interface is activated. The mobile phone is manipulated based on a direct touch on resistance screen or a capacitive screen, or an entity button is provided to achieve the corresponding operation. As for the mobile terminal, it is generally manipulated through direct manipulation by fingers, voice operations, and the like. The above operation of the mobile phone is directly performed through physical buttons, or the UI interface button of the mobile phone screen is touched by the finger, but contact-free manipulation cannot be performed.
There is also another method that the structured light is projected to the front surface of the human body through a laser emitter, and an infrared sensor is used to receive the structured light pattern reflected by the human body. Or, the processing chip calculates the spatial information of the human body of the object according to the position and the deformation degree of the received pattern on the camera, that is, the functions such as gesture recognition are provided based on the screen and graphic captures. The above method requires additional use of infrared sensors or cameras, requires a specific lattice model and is also limited to finger manipulation. Still, the functions can also not be operated in contact-free way by other parts of the human body.

Method and apparatus for controlling smart mobile device


A sustained release diltiazem formulation for oral administration comprising a pellet having a central sugar sphere a plurality of alternating first and second layers surrounding the sphere to form a core, the first layer comprising a water soluble pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric material and the second layer comprising diltiazem or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an outer membrane surrounding the plurality of layers. The outer membrane comprises first inner membrane layers of ethylcellulose. The outer membrane also comprises an outer membrane coating of a water insoluble pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric material, a plasticizer and a lubricant, in from one to five or more layers. The number of layers and the coating of the two outer membrane layers are effective to permit the release of the diltiazem from the pellet at a rate allowing controlled absorption thereof over a twelve or twenty four hour period following oral administration, the rate being measured in vitro as a dissolution rate of the pellet, which when measured in an aqueous solution in a paddle apparatus according to U.S. Pharmacopeia XXII, substantially corresponds to the following dissolution pattern: from 15 to 40% of the total diltiazem is released after 4 hours of measurement; from 40 to 70% of the total diltiazem is released after 8 hours of measurement; from 50 to 85% of the total diltiazem is released after 12 hours of measurement; and from 70 to 100% of the total diltiazem is released after 24 hours of measurement.

Diltiazem-cis-(+)-3-(acetyloxy)-5-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2,3-dihydro-2-)4 -methoxyphenyl)-1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one hydrochloride, is a benzothiazine derivative which is a calcium ion influx inhibitor, i.e., a slow channel blocker or calcium antagonist. Diltiazem hydrochloride has a molecular weight of 450.98 and is a white to off-white crystalline powder, which is soluble in water, methanol, and chloroform.
Diltiazem hydrochloride has been shown to be useful in alleviating symptoms of chronic heart disease, particularly angina pectoris and myocardial ischemia, while displaying a low incidence of side effects. Diltiazem is conventionally administered orally as diltiazem hydrochloride.
Diltiazem is extensively metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys and in bile. Although precise mechanisms of its anti-anginal actions are still being delineated, diltiazem is believed to act in the following ways. Diltiazem has been shown to produce increases in exercise tolerance, probably due to its ability to reduce myocardial oxygen demand. This is accomplished in reductions in heart rate and systemic blood pressure at submaximal and maximal exercise work loads. In animal models, diltiazem interferes with the slow inward (depolarizing) current in excitable tissue. It causes excitation-contraction uncoupling in various myocardial tissues without changes in the configuration of the action potential. Diltiazem produces relaxation of coronary vascular smooth muscle and dilation of both large and small coronary arteries at drug levels which cause little or no negative inotropic effect. The resultant increases in coronary blood flow (epicardial and subendocardial) occur in ischemic and non-ischemic models and are accompanied by dose-dependent decreases in systemic blood pressure and decreases in peripheral resistance.
Like other calcium antagonists, diltiazem decreases sinoatrial and atrioventricular conduction in isolated tissues and has a negative inotropic effect in isolated preparations. In the intact animal, prolongation of the AH interval can be seen at higher doses.
In humans, diltiazem prevents spontaneous and ergonovine-provoked coronary artery spasm. It causes a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and a modest fall in blood pressure, and in exercise tolerance studies in patients with ischemic heart disease, reduces the heart rate-blood pressure product for any given work load.
Diltiazem is absorbed from the tablet formulation to about 80% of a reference capsule and is subject to an extensive first-pass effect, giving an absolute bioavailability (compared to intravenous dosing) of about 40%.
Various types of sustained release diltiazem formulations have been described in the literature ("The Use of Diltiazem Hydrochloride in Cardiovascular Disorders", McAuley and Schroeder, Pharmacotherapy, Vol. 2, No. 3, p. 121, May/June 1982) and in the following United States patents, the disclosures of materials used (to the extent pertinent) and manufacturing techniques (to the extent properly disclosed) which are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,002,776, 4,960,596, 4,917,899, 4,894,240, 4,891,230, and 4,721,619. However, all but one of these (4,960,596) involve the use of organic acid which may have an irritating effect.
Accordingly, a need exists for a sustained release diltiazem formulation for twice daily administration which does not have an irritating effect and which has a satisfactory dissolution rate or pattern.


Novel glutarylamino acid derivative dual inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin converting enzyme of the formula ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are independently hydroxy, lower alkoxy, aryllower alkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino and di-(lower alkyl)amino;. R.sup.2 is H or hydroxy; PA0 R.sup.4 is aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl or substituted heteroaryl; PA0 R.sup.6 is H or R.sup.7 --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --, wherein R.sup.7 is amino or (aryllower alkoxy)carbonylamino; PA0 Q is --C(O)-- or --SO.sub.2 --; PA0 Y is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, aryllower alkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino, di-(lower alkyl)amino, or a group of the formula ##STR2## wherein A is a bond, --N(R.sup.5)--, or --O--; and R.sup.5 is H or lower alkyl; PA0 B is H or Z--(CH.sub.2).sub.m -- PA0 Z is amino, lower alkylamino, di-(lower alkyl)amino, (aryllower alkoxy)carbonylamino, 1-pyrrolidino or 1-piperidino; PA0 m=1,2,3,4 or 5; and n=1,2 or 3; or. or a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt thereof; useful in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, are disclosed.

The present invention relates to N-(acylaminomethyl)glutaryl amino acids which are dual inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin converting enzyme, useful in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
Cardiovascular disorders which may be treated with compounds of the present invention include hypertension, congestive heart failure and renal insufficiency.
The renin-angiotensin system is a complex hormonal system comprised of a large molecular weight precursor, angiotensinogen, two processing enzymes, renin and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and a vasoactive mediator, angiotensin II (A II). The enzyme renin catalyzes the cleavage of angiotensinogen into the decapeptide angiotensin I (A I), which has minimal biological activity on its own and is converted into the active octapeptide A II by ACE. A II has multiple biological actions on the cardiovascular system, including vasoconstriction, activation of the sympathetic nervous system, stimulation of aldosterone production, antinatriuresis, stimulation of vascular growth and stimulation of cardiac growth. A II functions as a pressor hormone and is involved in the pathophysiology of several forms of hypertension.
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc-metalloprotease which converts A I to A II. Inhibitors of this enzyme, which have been widely studied, include the drugs captopril, enalapril, lisinopril and spirapril. Although a major mode of action of ACE inhibitors involves prevention of formation of the vasoconstrictor peptide A II, it has been reported in Hypertension, 16, 4(1990) p. 363-370 that ACE cleaves a variety of peptide substrates, including the vasoactive peptides bradykinin and substance P. Prevention of the degradation of bradykinin by ACE inhibitors has been demonstrated, and the activity of the ACE inhibitors in some conditions has been reported in Circ. Res., 66, 1 (1990) p. 242-248 to be mediated by elevation of bradykinin levels rather than inhibition of A II formation.
Neutral endopeptidase (EC 184.108.40.206; enkephalinase; atriopeptidase; NEP) is a zinc-containing metalloprotease which cleaves a variety of peptide substrates on the amino terminal side of aromatic amino acids. Substrates for this enzyme include, but are not limited to, atrial natriuretic factors (ANF), brain natriuretic peptide, met and leu enkephalin, bradykinin, neurokinin A, and substance P.
Inhibitors of NEP lower blood pressure and exert ANF-like effects such as diuresis and increased cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) excretion in some forms of experimental hypertension. The antihypertensive action of NEP inhibitors is mediated through ANF since antibodies to ANF will neutralize the reduction in blood pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,688 established the antihypertensive action of NEP inhibitors and that co-administration of an ACE inhibitor and a NEP inhibitor results in a greater reduction of blood pressure than observed with either agent alone. The antihypertensive effect is best manifested under conditions in which the renin-angiotensin system is suppressed, as reported by Sybertz et al in J. Parmacol. Exp. Ther., 250, 2 (1989) pp. 624-631 and in Hypertension, 15, 2 (1990) pp. 152-161. For example, NEP inhibitors reduce blood pressure effectively in the desoxycorticosterone salt (DOCA) hypertensive rat, a volume-dependent, renin-suppressed model of hypertension, but are less effective under conditions in which the renin-angiotensin system is activated, such as in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and in the two kidney Goldblatt hypertension model. Studies in the SHR and in the two-kidney Goldblatt hypertension model using a prodrug of the NEP inhibitor N-[2(S)-mercaptomethyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)propionyl]-methionine in combination with the ACE inhibitor spirapril demonstrated the greater efficacy of the combination compared to either drug alone. However, this interaction was inhibited in SHR which had been nephrectomized, a manipulation which markedly suppresses renin levels.
An explanation of this interactive effect of ACE inhibitors and NEP inhibitors on blood pressure is that suppression of the renin angiotensin system allows for full expression of the ANF-like antihypertensive effect of the NEP inhibitor. A II and ANF exert opposite effects on the cardiovascular system and it has been proposed by Johnston et al in Am. J. Med., 87, (Suppl 6) (1990) p. 24S-28S that these two hormonal systems act to counterbalance one another.
Compounds possessing dual activity as NEP-ACE inhibitors have been reported. European Patent Publication EP 0358398 discloses cycloalkyl-substituted glutaramides of the formula ##STR3## wherein: A completes a 5 or 6 membered carbocyclic ring; R.sup.1 is H or alkyl; R and R.sup.4 are H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, benzyl or an alternative biolabile ester-forming group; Y is a bond or an alkylene group; R.sup.2 is H, aryl, heterocyclyl, or a carboxamido, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl or sulfonamido group; and R.sup.3 is a group of the formula ##STR4## wherein the benzene ring of said group is optionally substituted;
European Patent Publication EP 0474553 discloses actinoin derivatives of the formula ##STR5## wherein R.sup.1 is sulfoxymethyl, carboxyl, carboxamido, hydroxyaminocarbonyl or alkoxycarbonyl; and R.sup.2 is hydroxy, alkoxy, hydroxyamino or sulfoxyamino;
European Patent Publication EP 0481522 discloses compounds of the formula ##STR6## wherein: A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are independently H or --COOR.sub.4 ; provided that where A.sub.1 is H, A.sub.2 is --COOR.sub.4, and where A.sub.1 is --COOR.sub.4, A.sub.2 is H;
B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 are independently H, OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, aryl or aryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl); or, where B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 are attached to adjacent carbon atoms, B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 together with the carbons to which they are attached comprise a benzene or methylenedioxy ring; PA1 R.sub.2 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, --CH.sub.2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--CH.sub.3, aryl or aryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl); PA1 R.sub.3 is H, acetyl, --CH.sub.2 --O--C(O)--CCH.sub.3, or benzoyl; PA1 R.sub.4 is H, --CH.sub.2 --O--C(O)--CCH.sub.3, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, diphenylmethyl, aryl or aryl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl); and PA1 n is 0 or 1; PA1 R.sup.2 is H or hydroxy; PA1 R.sup.4 is aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl or substituted heteroaryl; PA1 R.sup.6 is H or R.sup.7 --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --, wherein R.sup.7 is amino or (aryllower alkoxy)carbonylamino; PA1 Q is --C(O)-- or --SO.sub.2 --; PA1 Y is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, aryllower alkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino, di-(lower alkyl)amino, or a group of the formula ##STR9## wherein A is a bond, --N(R.sup.5)--, or --O--; p and r are independently 2 or 3; and wherein R.sup.5 is H or lower alkyl; PA1 B is H or Z--(CH.sub.2).sub.m -- PA1 Z is amino, lower alkylamino, di-(lower alkyl)amino, (aryllower alkoxy)carbonylamino, (lower alkoxy)carbonylamino, ##STR10## m=1,2,3,4 or 5; and n=1,2 or 3; or
having activity as inhibitors of both neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin converting enzyme; and
Gros, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88, (1991) pp 4210-4214, discloses dual inhibitors of ACE and NEP of the formula ##STR7## wherein R is H or CH.sub.3 C(O)--, R.sup.1 is H or benzyl, and R.sup.2 is H or methyl.

N-(acylaminomethyl)glutaryl amino acids and use


A modular electrical wiring system (10) is shown including a hanger (12) and an electrical connection block (26) independently and adjustably held from the hanger (12) by four adjustment screws (106). The electrical connection block (26) is formed from three control boxes (28, 30, 32) and a receptacle box (34) which sandwiches bus bars (50) therebetween. Each bus bar (50) includes a connecting portion (56) located in one of three depressions (38-40) and which are accessible at different depths through slots (88, 90, 104) formed in the second, third, and receptacle boxes (30, 32, 34). The connecting straps (122) of electrical devices such as an outlet (110) or a switch (190) are sandwiched between a cover plate (182) and the receptacle box (34). The switch (190) includes bus bars (196, 198) having first ears (204, 220) sandwiched between the casings (192, 194) and second ears (206, 222) having the electrical contacts (212, 228), with the ears (204, 206, 220, 222) being bent from legs (202, 218) extending through slots (213, 230) in the casing (192). The outlet (110) includes a T-shaped ground conductor (118) having end portions (154) extending from the head (152) for slideable receipt on the outer faces of pedestals (158) located inside of a cavity (156) formed in the casing (112) and having a leg (150) also extending from the head (152) through a slot (162) formed in the casing (112).

The present invention generally relates to electrical wiring systems for buildings of all types including but not limited to residential, commercial, industrial, etc., particularly to modular electrical wiring systems, and specifically to modular electrical wiring systems allowing substantial prewiring before the installation of the wall on the framing members and allowing ease of installation of the electrical devices after installation of the wall.
In the typical installation of electrical service in buildings, hand-wiring of the electrical devices by a skilled electrician is often performed after the installation of the wall on the framing members. This is typically performed through a small access hole through the wall of a size corresponding to the junction box, and especially for outlets requires the electrician to kneel during installation. Thus, a need has been long recognized to allow as much prewiring as possible before the installation of the walls and to remove as much hand-wiring as possible especially after the installation of the walls. Although several prior systems have been previously devised, such prior systems have not gained wide acceptance in the field. It is believed that some of the reasons that acceptance has not been forthcoming include the costs of such systems in comparison to conventional systems, with the costs being increased because of the large number of different components requiring extensive assembly, the ease at which misconnection of wiring can occur (including the comfort of electricians to continue with existing systems while not having to learn new standards for different systems), the unconventional appearance and shapes of the new systems, and like factors.


The superconductor structure has a metallic, biaxially textured mount, an intermediate layer system deposited on the mount and including at least two intermediate layers composed of different oxidic materials and, on this, a high-Tc superconducting layer of the M2Cu3Ox type (RE=rare earth; M=alkaline-earth metal). The intermediate layer which faces the mount is composed of Y2O3, and the relatively thinner intermediate layer which faces the superconducting layer is composed of CeO2. The layers are preferably grown heteroepitaxially.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an elongated superconductor structure for carrying an electric current in a predetermined direction. The structure is intended to have the following parts: a biaxially textured mount composed of metallic material, an intermediate layer system which is deposited on the mount and has at least two intermediate layers composed of different oxide materials, and a superconducting layer which is deposited on the intermediate layer system and is composed of a high-Tc superconductor material of the (RE)M2Cu3Ox type. The RE component contains at least one rare earth metal (including yttrium) and the M component contains at least one alkaline-earth metal. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a superconductor structure. A corresponding superconductor structure and a method for producing it can be found in Applied Superconductivity, 1996, Vol. 4, Nos. 10-11, pages 403 to 427.
Superconducting metal-oxide compounds having high critical temperatures Tc of above 77 K are known. They are therefore also referred to as high-Tc superconductor materials or HTS materials. Their particular advantage is that they allow a liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling technique. Metal-oxide compounds such as these include, in particular, cuprates based on specific material systems such as that of the (RE)-Mxe2x80x94Cuxe2x80x94O type with the RE components containing at least one rare earth metal (including Y), and the M component containing at least one alkaline-earth metal. The main representative of this type is the material YBa2Cu3Ox (referred to as xe2x80x9cYBCOxe2x80x9d).
Attempts are being made to deposit these known HTS materials on different mounts (substrates) for different application purposes. The aim is, in general, to produce a textured superconductor material with as high a phase purity as possible, in order to achieve a high current carrying capacity. The term texturing in this case means the alignment of the crystallite of a polycrystalline structure. In particular, elongated metallic mounts are intended for conductor applications. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,833 (corresponding European EP 0 292 959 A2) to Takano.
In the case of a corresponding superconductor structure for conductor applications, the HTS material is generally not deposited directly on a metallic mount strip used as a substrate; instead, this mount strip is first of all covered by at least one thin intermediate layer, which is also referred to as a buffer layer. This intermediate layer has a thickness in the order of magnitude of about 1 xcexcm and is intended to prevent metal atoms from diffusing out of the mount material into the HTS material, in order to prevent the superconducting characteristics from being adversely affected as a result of this. At the same time, such an intermediate layer, which is used as a diffusion barrier, allows the surface to be smoothed and the adhesion of the HTS material to be improved. Appropriate intermediate layers are composed in particular of oxides of metals such as zirconium, cerium, yttrium, aluminum, strontium or magnesium, or of alloys with these metals, and are thus in general dielectrics.
In addition to the characteristic as a diffusion barrier, this at least one intermediate layer is, furthermore, intended to satisfy the requirements of allowing textured growth of the HTS material to be applied to it. In consequence, the intermediate layer must itself have a corresponding texture. The transfer of the crystallographic orientation during the growth of a layer on a substrate of a chemically different type is known by the term heteroepitaxy. In that case, the unit cells in the intermediate layer must have dimensions which are matched as well as possible to the lattice constants of the HTS material. Furthermore, it should have a thermal coefficient of expansion which at least approximately matches that of the HTS material in order in this way to avoid undesirable mechanical stresses during the temperature cycles, which are unavoidable for applications relating to superconducting technology and for layer preparation, and possible damage such as exfoliation resulting from this.
The choice of the xe2x80x9cmount-intermediate layerxe2x80x9d system is subject to similar requirements. In that case as well, good adhesion characteristics are desirable, and, at the same time, the desired heteroepitaxy between the intermediate layer and the HTS layer which is growing on it must not be adversely affected.
For the reasons mentioned above, the literature reference cited initially provides for a metal strip whose surface is biaxially textured by means of a rolling process and which is composed of copper or nickel to be used as the mount strip, on which an intermediate layer in the form of a CeO2 layer (as the first buffer layer) and a thicker layer composed of ZrO2 stabilized with Y (Zr(Y)O2 as the second buffer layer) are deposited. This combination was chosen since CeO2 can be deposited heteroepitaxially in a reducing atmosphere on textured nickel in order to avoid oxidation of the metal surface. However, the oxygen deficit which results in this case in the CeO2 and the enlargement of the lattice constants associated with this mean that there is a tendency for the layer to form cracks. CeO2 layers with a maximum thickness of only 100 nm are therefore used, in order to restrict the surface density at corresponding cracks. This is because thicker CeO2 layers tend to form cracks more easily than thin layers. This makes it necessary to use a second layer composed of Zr(Y)O2 in order to allow any cracks or other mechanical damage to be covered. This second layer must be made sufficiently thick, for example up to 1 xcexcm, that it represents the actual diffusion barrier. A corresponding intermediate is layer system is described, inter alia, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,086 and in 5,741,377.
Such a conductor structure is thus subject to the requirement for deposition of crack-free intermediate layers, which are resistant to diffusion, on metal strips. Furthermore, a biaxially textured metal strip must be assumed in order to achieve the heteroepitaxy which is important for high critical current densities Jc, in order in this way to allow the texture of the strip to be transferred to the superconducting material. The aim of this is to allow the production of conductors in the form of strips and having a long length that are coated with superconducting YBCO material or a corresponding HTS material.
High critical current densities Jc in the YBCO layer of at least 1xc3x97105 A/cm2 and with the YBCO material having a layer thickness of, for example, 0.8 xcexcm are required for the applications which have been conceived of so far for loss-free transmission of high currents, for example in the form of wound strips in solenoid coils or transformers, which are then subject to high magnetic fields. This could be achieved only by aligning the crystallites of the YBCO layer in the same way in the crystalline a-b plane since then, as is known, small angle grain boundaries result in a high current carrying capacity. This is also referred to as a biaxial texture. This leads to the necessity for the biaxial structure which already exists in the mount to be transferred through the intermediate layers to the YBCO. What is referred to as the full width at half maximum (FWHM) in an x-ray xe2x80x9cPhi scanxe2x80x9d is used as a measure of the quality of the biaxial texture; this should not significantly exceed 10xc2x0 for the intermediate layer system. Corresponding experiments are described in the Journal of Materials Research, Volume 7, No. 7, July 1992, pages 1641-51, in particular pages 1644-1645.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a high-temperature superconductor structure and a corresponding production method, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which specifies an intermediate layer system that satisfies the requirements mentioned so that even relatively long pieces of mount, in particular of more than 1 m and preferably of more than 100 m, can be coated with a constant quality. The specific technological object is to prevent diffusion of metal atoms from the mount material into the YBCO layer in the same way as diffusion of oxygen, which is required during the deposition and formation of the YBCO, to the metal surface. This is because such oxygen diffusion would lead to metal oxidation at the normal deposition and heat-treatment temperatures for the YBCO material in the range from about 600 to 800xc2x0 C., and would thus decrease the adhesion strength of the intermediate layer. For this reason, intermediate layer thicknesses of between about 0.5 and 2 xcexcm are generally required, with these thicknesses being dependent on the chosen intermediate layer material.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an elongated superconductor structure for carrying an electric current in a predetermined direction, comprising:
a biaxially textured mount composed of metallic material;
an intermediate layer system including a first, relatively thicker, intermediate layer of yttrium oxide deposited on the mount and a second, relatively thinner, intermediate layer of cerium oxide above the first intermediate layer; and
a superconductor layer deposited on the second intermediate layer and composed of a high-Tc superconductor material of the (RE)M2Cu3Ox type, with an RE component containing at least one rare earth metal, and an M component containing at least one alkaline-earth metal.
In other words, the above objects are satisfied, in the context of the above-mentioned superconductor structures, with an intermediate layer system having an intermediate layer which faces the mount and is composed of yttrium oxide and a relatively thinner intermediate layer which faces the superconductor material and is composed of a cerium oxide. The main representatives of these oxides are Y2O3 and CeO2. Minor impurities or additives, in particular of other metal oxides, up to a proportion of 5% by weight should, however, in each case also be included.
The advantages associated with this configuration of the intermediate layer system are, in particular, as follows:
The (first) intermediate layer, which faces the mount, can be grown heteroepitaxially on the metallic mount; this can be ensured by the prevention of oxide formation on the metal surface. To this end, the metal oxide in the first intermediate layer must be deposited in a reducing or low-oxygen atmosphere, and must have a considerably higher bonding energy than the metal oxide in the mount material. These requirements can be satisfied by the chosen Y2O3.
The (second) intermediate layer, which faces the superconductor material, has a lattice constant which is very well matched to the chosen superconductor material. The corresponding error (referred to as the lattice mismatch) is, specifically, less than 1.6% when using CeO2, while the equivalent error for Y-stabilized ZrO2 is 5.5%.
The overall intermediate layer system prevents chemical reactions between the metal of the mount material and the superconductor material during the necessary processes for coating the mount. This is because it has a low diffusion rate for the elements involved. Furthermore, it can be configured such that it is reproducible even over great lengths, with no macroscopic defects such as cracks occurring. The chosen combination of intermediate layer materials is, in consequence, particularly suitable for producing an elongated conductor structure with a great length using the materials for its mount and its superconductor.
Advantageous refinements of the superconductor structure according to the invention can be found in the dependent claims relating.
In accordance with an advantageous feature of the invention, a mount composed of nickel or a nickel alloy is chosen. Firstly, this is because mounts composed of materials such as these have a thermal coefficient of expansion which is in the same order of magnitude as that of Y2O3. Secondly, the required biaxial texture can be produced in a manner known per se (see the literature reference cited initially) and relatively easily on the mount surface to be coated.
In a corresponding way, the mount is preferably provided with a rolled texture on its surface facing the intermediate layer system.
The superconductor material is AD2Cu3Ox preferably of the YBa2Cu3Ox (YBCO) type.
It is just as possible to use a material in which, based on YBCO, the Y component and/or the Ba component are/is at least partially replaced by an element from the respectively corresponding group. In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the A component represents yttrium and other elements of its group, and the D component represents barium and other elements of its group. This means, at least one of the yttrium and barium components may be at least partially replaced by an element from their respective group.
The CeO2 intermediate layer advantageously has a thickness of less 200 nm, preferably of 100 nm, and of at least 10 nm. This layer thickness allows good heteroepitaxy to be ensured. Furthermore, it prevents the formation of cracks.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, it is found to be advantageous for the Y2O3 intermediate layer to have a thickness of between 200 nm and 2 xcexcm. Such a relatively thick intermediate layer ensures the denseness of the entire intermediate layer system, even over great superconductor structure lengths.
It is particularly advantageous for at least largely heteroepitaxial growth of the intermediate layers and of the superconducting layer to be ensured for production of the superconductor structure. The full width half maximum (FWHM) in the X-ray phi scan should in this case be less than 20xc2x0 and preferably less than 15xc2x0. This is because it allows a high critical current density Jc to be achieved in the superconducting layer.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an elongated superconductor structure with a high-Tc superconductor material and a metallic mount, and a method for producing this structure, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Elongated superconductor structure with a high-Tc superconductor material and a metallic mount, and method for producing the structure


Provided are organic solvent free methods for obtaining compositions comprising one or more rhamnolipids as well as compositions obtainable from said methods.

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are interface-active glycolipids produced by various bacterial species. RLs consist of one (monorhamnosylipids or mono-rhamnolipids) or two rhamnose units (dirhamnosylipids or di-rhamnolipids) and one or two (predominantly two) 3-hydroxy fatty acid residues. Rhamnolipids have particular surface-active properties such as, for example, a strong foaming ability, and are of interest for highly diverse technical applications, particularly as surfactants (reviewed in Randhawa et al. (2014) "Rhamnolipid biosurfactants—past, present, and future scenario of global market", Frontiers in Microbiology 5:1-7; Muller et al. (2012) "Rhamnolipids—Next generation surfactants?", J Biotechnol 162(4):366-80; Banat et al. (2010) "Microbial biosurfactants production, applications and future potential" Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 87:427-444). Examples of potential applications include: (1) bioremediation and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) since they efficiently remove crude oil and heavy metals from contaminated soil and facilitate bioremediation of oil spills due to their emulsification properties; (2) cosmetics: including cosmeceuticals for example for wound healing, burns, psoriasis and wrinkles; (3) detergents and cleaners: particularly for laundry products, shampoos and soaps given their surface active and emulsification properties and (4) agriculture. Rhamnolipids are currently available in an agricultural anti-fungal product marketed as ZONIX™ (Proptera LLC).
Interest in RLs has increased since they can be prepared by means of fermentation based on renewable raw materials. However, rhamnolipids have only been available on the market in small amounts and at high prices partially due to cumbersome downstream processing methods. Various methods have been disclosed for producing rhamnolipids (reviewed in, for example, Heyd et al. (2008) "Development and trends of biosurfactant analysis and purification using rhamnolipids as an example", Anal Bioanal Chem 391:1579-1590 and Smyth et al. (2010) "Isolation and Analysis of Low Molecular Weight Microbial Glycolipids", in Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology, K. N. Timmis (ed.), Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 3705-3724; Desai et al. (1997) "Microbial Production of Surfactants and Their Commercial Potential", Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 61: 47-64 and also disclosed in for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,747, U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,030, US20140148588, CN102796781, CN102766172, CN101787057, CN101845468, CN102432643, CN1908180, KR1020060018783).
Currently, the most common isolation procedure for rhamnolipids involves autoclaving fermentation broth right after fermentation is complete, followed by acidifying to precipitate rhamnolipids out. The solid rhamnolipids that result are contaminated with solid cellular material from the organism used in the fermentation. RLs are isolated from these cellular solids by extracting them into an organic solvent such as ethyl acetate. After stripping the ethyl acetate, a concentrated oily form of the product results. However, the solvent extraction process brings along any hydrophobic impurities with it, potentially including unconsumed triacyl glyceride oil and antifoam from the fermentation process. Examples of other methods disclosed include (1) aluminum sulphate precipitation of fermentation broth followed by extraction with organic solvent; (2) continuous ultrafiltration; (3) column chromatography (see, for example, Lebrón-Paler A (2008) "Solution and interfacial characterization of rhamnolipid biosurfactant from P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027" PhD Dissertation University of Arizona, CN101787057, CN101407831, CN1908180) using either adsorption, ion exchange, reversed phase or normal phase columns which may be performed in combination with the precipitation step; (4) countercurrent chromatography (Zhang et al. "Separation and purification of six biosurfactant rhamnolipids by high-speed countercurrent chromatography utilizing novel solvent selection method", Separation Science and Technology, in press (posted Nov. 24, 2015)); (5) selective crystallization followed by extraction or (6) foam fractionation/adsorption (see, for example, US 2015/0011741; Sarachat et al., (2010) "Purification and concentration of a rhamnolipid biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa SP4 using foam fractionation", Bioresource Technology 101: 324-330). However, all of these methods have various disadvantages as well (e.g., expensive, do not scale well, resource intensive, etc.).


An imaging panel includes a light source, a reflective image-forming array, and a freeform-prism eyepiece. The light source includes a light emitter and a waveguide having a grating. The waveguide is configured to confine the light from the light emitter and to release the light through the grating. The reflective image-forming array is configured to form a display image using light from the light source and to reflect the display image back through the waveguide. The freeform-prism eyepiece configured to receive the display image and to present the display image for viewing, together with an external image transmitted through the eyepiece.

A head-mounted display (HMD) device is a mobile, wearable, computer or video monitor that presents display imagery privately to its wearer. An HMD device may include an eyepiece for guiding a virtual display image into the wearer's field of view. Typically, the display image is formed on an emissive array, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) array, or on a backlit, transmissive liquid-crystal display (LCD) array. In the current state of the art, transmissive LCD arrays exhibit significant radiant-energy losses, which may reduce battery life in an HMD device. OLED arrays are more efficient, but may not provide suitable output luminance, especially when the HMD device is used in an augmented-reality (AR) mode, where computer-generated virtual imagery is combined with real imagery from the outside world.

Freeform-prism eyepiece with illumination waveguide


A portable, non-electronic hearing enhancement system collects sound from the front of the user and directs it towards the user""s ears through the use of a pair of sound reflectors mounted on support bands. The sound reflectors are positioned behind a user""s ears by adjusting the positions of the support bands on the headrest of a seat. The support bands are held in place on the seat by the weight of the support bands and by friction. Thus, the hearing enhancement system can be used without marring the fabric or other surface material of the headrest.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sound enhancement devices, and more particularly to portable acoustic or non-electronic hearing enhancement devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are numerous portable acoustic xe2x80x9cheadphone stylexe2x80x9d listening enhancement devices in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,965,850 and 6,082,486, and the references described therein. These xe2x80x9cheadphone stylexe2x80x9d devices have cups or scoops designed to capture and funnel sound waves directly into a user""s ear. One disadvantage of these prior designs is user discomfort. Although the weight and rigidity of the materials employed by these devices may be the cause of some discomfort, the primary discomfort results from the lack of aesthetic appeal. A user is forced to wear a hat or large band that limits or compresses a user""s hair style, to support a pair of large xe2x80x9cearsxe2x80x9d that are often uncomfortably pressed against the wearer""s ears.
Devices that integrate listening enhancement devices into stationary objects, such as seats, also exist in the prior art. Earlier inventions, such as the king""s throne described by Kenneth Berger in THE HEARING AID: IT""s OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT, page 22 (1974), were typically too bulky and expensive for ordinary use. More recent inventions, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,908,766 and 3,512,605, incorporate electrical hearing enhancement devices into seats, but these modem developments do not do much to alleviate the earlier problems. Electrically powered listening enhancement devices are costly to operate and typically cost more to construct than acoustic hearing enhancement devices. Building the listening enhancement device directly into the structure of the seat limits portability and increases the overall investment necessary to obtain the device. The relatively high cost and bulkiness of the prior art xe2x80x9ccombinationxe2x80x9d listening enhancement devices continues to limit their usefulness.
A continuing need exists for a relatively cheap and portable acoustic hearing enhancement device which is not uncomfortable for the user. The present invention substantially fulfills this need by providing an acoustical hearing enhancement device which does not require the use of electricity to operate, which is portable and versatile, which is not prohibitively expensive or difficult to manufacture and repair, which is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for the user, and which does not require any permanent structural modifications to be made for each individual user.
To attain these ends, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of cup-shaped sound reflecting devices, which are positionable behind a user""s ears on the front surface of a seat""s headrest through the use of flexible support bands that are attached to the outer shell of the sound reflecting devices. The sound reflecting devices are constructed with an opening to the front of the user which collects sound from the direction the user is facing and directs the sound towards the user""s ears. The cup-shaped sound reflecting devices are held in position near the user""s ears through the use of the flexible support bands that are attached to the outer shell of the sound reflecting devices. The flexible support bands are designed to lay over the top of a seat""s headrest and to maintain their positions through the weight of the support bands and the friction between the support bands and the top of the headrest. In the preferred embodiment, the sound reflecting devices maintain their relative positions on each side of the user through the use of a positioning band, which maintains separation between and connects the support bands attached to the sound reflecting devices on each side of the user. Adding a buckle to the positioning band permits users to adjust the distance between the sound deflecting devices in this embodiment of the invention to accommodate varying head sizes, or to accommodate preferences for the proximity of the sound reflecting devices to the ears.
One aspect of the present invention is an acoustic sound collector positionable proximate to an ear of a user seated in a seat having a headrest to receive sound and to direct the sound towards the user""s ear. The headrest has a front portion, a top portion, and a back portion. The sound collector comprises a sound reflecting device that has an outer shell. A support band is attached to the outer shell of the sound reflecting device. The support band comprises a flexible material that is conformable to a shape of the top of the headrest of the seat, to enable a user to adjust the position of the sound reflecting device on the front portion of the headrest. Preferably, the support band comprises a cloth web. The cloth web has sufficient weight such that the support band maintains the position of the sound reflecting device with respect to the top of the headrest using only weight and friction. Alternatively, the support band comprises a malleable material that is covered with a cushioning material. The malleable material maintains its shape to hold the position of the sound reflecting device with respect to the top of the headrest. Preferably, two sound collectors are provided, with a respective sound collector positioned near each ear of the user. A positioning band advantageously aligns the sound collectors with respect to the ears of the user. Preferably, the positioning band is adjustable for positioning the sound collectors horizontally to accommodate varying head sizes or preferences for the proximity of the sound reflecting devices to the ears.
Another aspect of the present invention is a passive hearing enhancement system for a person seated in a chair having a headrest. The hearing enhancement system comprises a support band positionable over the top of the headrest of the chair. The support band has a first portion that extends behind the headrest of the chair and has a second portion that extends in front of the headrest of the chair. A sound reflecting device is attached to the second portion of the support band. The position of the sound reflecting device with respect to the top of the headrest is adjustable by moving the support band to vary the length of the first portion of the support band extending behind the headrest and to vary the length of the second portion of the headband extending in front of the headrest.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of enhancing the hearing of a person seated in a chair having a headrest. The method comprises placing a support band over the top of the headrest of the chair. The support band has a first portion that extends behind the headrest of the chair and has a second portion that extends in front of the headrest of the chair. The second portion of the support band has a sound reflecting device attached thereto. The method further comprises adjusting the length of the first portion of the support band extending behind the headrest and the length of the second portion of the headband extending in front of the headrest to establish a vertical position of the sound reflecting device with respect to an ear of a person seated in the chair.
The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are portable, easy to implement and construct, comfortable for the user, and more aesthetically acceptable because they are not worn by the user. The flexible bands and sound reflecting devices may be compacted into a highly portable configuration. The materials used in the preferred embodiment are inexpensive and easy to maintain. Further, the headrest of the seat does not have to be modified in any manner to accommodate the hearing enhancement device. Placing the acoustic sound collectors on a stationary device such as a seat""s headrest, rather than on the user, reduces the user""s physical discomfort and is also less objectionable aesthetically.

Portable acoustic hearing enhancement device


A programmable insertion tool is provided for inserting the contact pins of a pin header connector into plated through holes in a printed circuit board. The tool utilizes push pins of differing lengths to position selected contact pins to selected different depths thereby providing a make first, break last capability for these contact pins when connecting or disconnecting to a mating connector half.

With the use of integrated circuits and other similar sensitive electronic components with protective networks, steps must be taken to prevent exposure of these sensitive elements to extraneous static charges during installation and removal of interface connections. Elaborate schemes have been developed to assure such protection by grounding all potential carriers of a static charge including the worker who is assembling or repairing the electronic equipment. Such static charges are typically 4 to 30 kilovolts and if permitted to discharge through a microprocessor chip, could cause substantial damage. To solve this problem, connectors have been developed whereby selected contacts, typically ground and power contacts, mate prior to the mating of the signal contacts. This is accomplished by making the ground and power pins longer than the other pins so that they mate first. This assures that any static charge that is on the connector being mated to the electronic equipment will be discharged through ground rather than through the signal pins. Another advantage of such a structure is that by applying ground and power first, signal levels within the circuitry are permitted to stabilize prior to connection of the signal leads, thereby preventing transients on the data pins.
To manufacture connectors having certain pins longer than the others, however, requires a special process involving pins of two different lengths. Because users of such connectors often have differing needs, the manufacturer of the connector must make a variety of connectors, all being similar except as to which pins are longer. This results in higher manufacturing costs for these connectors, and should a user change his design he may have an inventory of connectors of the old design that is now of no use.
What is needed is an apparatus and method for inserting the pins of single standardized pin header connector that can be programmed to insert standard length pins so that selected pins mate prior to the other pins of the connector.

Programmable insertion tool for a pin header


A vibration preventive rubber device for automobiles comprising a pair of cylindrical rubber bodies each of which has a low spring constant and is provided at its center with a circumferentially extending annular groove and provided at least one side of the annular groove with an annular laminated body having a high rigidity and including a canvas layer and a rubber body.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a vibration preventive rubber device for automobiles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A tension rod which is a constructional member of a front suspension for automobiles has one end secured through a bracket to an automobile body side member and the other end secured to a transverse link of the front suspension. Between the tension rod and the bracket are sandwiched a vibration preventive rubber device comprising a pair of rubber bodies for the purpose of cushioning shocks and vibrations subjected to the automobile body and hence improving a comfortable ride ability of the automobile without degrading the steering ability and stability during driving of the automobile.
As such vibration preventive rubber device as shown in FIG. 2A, it has heretofore been proposed to provide a device comprising two cylindrical rubber bodies 7, 7' arranged in the front and in the rear of a bracket 5 and extended through by a tension rod 6, the two rubber bodies 7, 7' being sandwiched between washers 8, 8' and firmly secured to the bracket 5 by means of lock nuts 9, 9' threadedly engaged with the tension rod 6.
Such rubber bodies 7, 7' function to exhibit compression deformation only so that their spring constant slowly changes as a function of the amount of deflection as shown by a curve C in FIG. 5. The amount of deflection becomes excessively large when the load subjected to the rubber bodies 7, 7' exceeds a given value, thereby inducing a mutual interference between suspension links.
In order to eliminate such drawback, it has also been proposed to insert synthetic resin blocks A, A' into the rubber bodies 7, 7' as shown in FIG. 2B. Such conventional device has a deflection-load characteristic shown by a curve A in FIG. 5. As can be seen from the curve A, such conventional device suddenly changes its deflection at a point P, thereby inducing a premature damage failure at the boundary edge portion between the rubber bodies 7, 7' and the synthetic resin blocks A, A'.
In order to eliminate such disadvantage, it has further been proposed to provide a vibration preventive rubber device comprising a pair of hand drum-shaped rubber bodies 10, 10' sandwiched between washers 11, 11' as shown in FIG. 3. In such conventional device, if water, oil or the like is penetrated into a gap formed between the rubber bodies 10, 10' and the washers 11, 11', the frictional coefficient therebetween becomes remarkably decreased. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, a pressure receiving surface 10a of the rubber bodies 10, 10' tends to easily slide over a supporting surface 11a of the washer 11 so that the pressure receiving surface 10a is not stopped by a flange 12 of the washer 11, but rides thereon. If the load subjected to the rubber bodies 10, 10' is increased, the pressure receiving surface 10a springs the flange 12 and hence is removed out of it, thereby losing the spring ability inherent to the vibration preventive rubber. In addition, the pressure receiving surface 10a of the rubber bodies 10, 10' is damaged by the flange 12 to induce a premature damage failure of the vibration preventive rubber device and degrade the durability thereof. Concerning its spring constant, the vibration preventive rubber device shown in FIG. 3 has a deflection-load characteristic shown by a curve D in FIG. 5. The curve D is of slowly rising up non-linear one so that it is impossible to exhibit an excellent stopper effect which is important for the automobiles.

Vibration preventive rubber device for automobiles


A hanger for supporting a toilet tank chemical dispensing apparatus which attaches to the top edge of the tank and which incorporates a tilt compensating feature to accommodate non-vertical toilet tank walls. The dispenser is preferably so mounted on the inner leg of a generally U-shaped hanger which contacts the innermost surface of the toilet tank wall as to be vertically adjustable. The outer leg of the hanger contacts the outermost surface of the toilet tank wall at a pivot point. Resilient means, which direct a force between the inner leg and the inside surface of the toilet tank wall at a point above the pivot point, coact with the pivot point to produce a coupled force system. The coupled force system causes the hanger and dispenser adjustably secured thereto to rotate about the pivot point into a position in which the lowermost end of the dispenser is held adjacent the tank wall, thereby maintaining the dispenser as close to vertical as is feasible despite the tilt inherent in the toilet tank wall.

Hangers which support dispensers from the toilet bowl rim are well known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,254, issued to Brownstein on July 11, 1972, discloses a hanger consisting of a hook-shaped arm which clips onto the top edge of a toilet bowl rim. Attached to the arm is a base portion secured to the upper end of an elongated member. The member extends downwardly through a central opening in a block of material composed of the benefit to be dispensed. The block is disposed within the toilet bowl when the arm is clipped onto the rim of the bowl. U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,520, issued Leavitt on Nov. 10, 1970, in a preferred embodiment, provides a holder which consists of a bowl-engaging portion and a lower trough-like solid sanitizing material supporting portion. The bowl-engaging portion, which has a generally U-shaped cross section, is adapted to clip over the top edge of the toilet bowl rim. The trough-like portion, which is disposed within the toilet bowl, contains the benefit to be dispensed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,070, issued to Leland on Apr. 13, 1965, provides a supporting and dispensing attachment for an aerosol deodorant container. The attachment, which is U-shaped, consists of an inner vertical wall, an outer vertical wall and a horizontal top wall which are integrally joined and have curved top corners conforming with similarly curved top corner portions of the toilet bowl rim. The aerosol container is attached to the outer vertical wall and is exterior to the toilet bowl when the clip is attached to the rim of the toilet bowl.
Unlike the requirements for hangers typically utilized to support materials within a toilet tank bowl, a major requirement for a hanger designed to suspend a dispenser from the inside of a toilet tank is that the dispenser be supported in as near a vertical position as possible with the lower end of the dispenser securely held against the toilet tank wall. If this design requirement is not met, then (for reasons which will be fully discussed hereinafter) the lower end of the dispenser can project into the flushing apparatus, thereby causing the commode to malfunction. In addition, some dispensers must be supported in a vertical position with at least the lowermost end submerged in the toilet tank water in order to properly function.
If the dispenser is merely clipped onto the top edge of the toilet tank wall in accordance with the teachings of the prior art toilet bowl rim hangers, the requirement for vertical alignment is not likely to be realized. A major reason for this is that toilet tank fabrication, which is normally a molding process, leaves the toilet tank walls with an outward sloping primary flare of typically about 3.degree. from the vertical. Toilet tanks can also have a secondary flare near the top of the toilet tank wall which is also typically about 3.degree. as measured from the primary flare. Toilet tanks can have both a primary and a secondary flare to produce a combined outward flare in the top edge of the toilet tank wall of about 6.degree. from the vertical. Therefore, if the dispenser is merely clipped to the top edge of the wall, the bottom of the dispenser will project toward the center of the tank and away from the innermost surface of the toilet tank wall. To further complicate matters, the tank itself, which is often used as a back rest while the commode is in use, tends to settle rearwardly. In most commodes it is particularly advantageous to support the dispenser from the rear wall because the linkage for the flushing apparatus is attached to the front wall. Therefore, this latter problem of settlement compounds the problem of flare. In addition to the foregoing, some dispensers are buoyant, and their buoyancy increases as the benefit is used up. Thus, if the dispenser is simply clipped to the top edge of the tank, its buoyancy tends to cause the lower end of the dispenser to float away from the toilet tank wall.
Accordingly, it is primary object of the present invention to provide a hanger which supports a toilet tank dispenser from a toilet tank wall in as near a vertical position as possible by providing a feature to compensate for the outward flare of the toilet tank wall and the rearward settlement of the toilet tank.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hanger which prevents the lower end of the dispenser from floating into the flushing apparatus.
Still further objects of the present invention include provision of a hanger for a toilet tank dispenser which is reliable and which can easily be manufactured at low cost.

Tilt compensating hanger for toilet tank dispensing apparatus


An articulating handle for an item of cookware is provided. The articulating handle is configured for connection with the cookware through a hinge assembly. The handle may be locked into substantially horizontal position such as for use of the cookware, or a substantially vertical position for storage. As such, cookware including such a handle can be stacked in a space-saving manner. A method for stacking cookware and a stack of cookware incorporating such a handle are also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an articulating handle for space-saving cookware and, more particularly, to an articulated handle for cookware that is configured to save space by rotating between and locking into multiple positions, and methods for using the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Consumers have been frustrated for many years by the inability to neatly and efficiently store cookware, e.g., a variety of sizes of pans, pots, etc., in cabinets, particularly a variety of sized pieces of cookware. Conventional cookware generally includes a handle that is fixed to a side of the cookware and protrudes outwardly from the side. This protruding handle generally occupies shelf space within the cabinet, preventing another piece of cookware from being positioned in a side-to-side manner adjacent the first piece of cookware. Such a conventional handle design creates wasted space within the cabinet.
Moreover, although conventional cookware pieces may nest within one another, there has always been a problem with conventional cookware nesting in a level stacked arrangement due to the attached handles. Inevitably, the end result of any effort to nest cookware pieces (e.g., pans with handles) for storage is an unstable, un-level arrangement that does not make the best use of available storage space due to the acute angle of the nested cookware. This acute angle is caused by the handle of an inner, smaller piece of cookware resting on a sidewall of an outer, larger piece of cookware.
Generally, cookware designed to address this problem includes either collapsible or removable handles. However, these types of handles create separate problems of their own, such as adding complexity to the cookware's design and manufacture as well as demands on the consumer. In addition, the removable handles also require the consumers to remove and store the handles separately, which adds the potential risk of the consumer misplacing the handles. Thus, there is still a need for an improved handle for cookware.

Articulating handle for space-saving cookware and method for using same


Digital pictures are taken by a digital camera. The digital camera provides picture data with a large dynamic range of, for example, 10 bit. Data processing and display devices operate with 8 bit only, i.e. do not take advantage of the high dynamic range of the camera. This is important in traffic monitoring installations, where, on one hand, the driver in a relatively dark passenger compartment of a vehicle and, on the other hand, the bright license plate have to be recognized to provide evidence in court. For this reason, a dark picture and a bright picture are derived from the picture data provided by the camera. This is done by reading, on one hand, the eight least significant digits and, on the other hand, the eight most significant digits of the camera output to provide the dark and bright pictures, respectively. The dark and bright pictures thus obtained are balanced against color, gray, contrast or brightness values of histograms derived from previous pictures. Then the picture data of the dark and bright pictures are mixed to provide a composed picture, in which the dark and bright pictures arc superimposed. This picture permits recognition of both the driver and the license plate.

The invention relates to a device for detecting and storing digital pictures comprising an image detector for the generation of digital picture data and a picture processing device with a picture data memory.
Furthermore the invention relates to a method of detecting, processing and storing digital pictures with a digital camera.
It is known to take pictures with a digital camera, whereby digital picture data are generated, to process these digital picture data and to store the picture data in a data memory. Such digital cameras usually have a CCD image detector. CCD (charge coupled device) image detectors are well known in the literature, and, for example, described in the books "Laserspektroskopie" by Wolfgang Demtröder, 3rd Edition, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York or Bergmann Schaefer "Lehrbuch der Experinmentalphysik", Festkörper (solid state bodies), Volume 6, de Gruiter Verlag.
Such CCD image detectors consist of a plurality of CCD sensors assembled in a matrix. Each CCD sensor provides color or gray value information for one picture element (pixel). This information is read as digital number. Good CCD sensors have a dynamic range of 10 bit or more. In principle, at least 210 color or gray values can be represented with such a system. Current picture display systems usually operate with only 8 bit gray values. Therefore, the 256 gray values which can be displayed with such a system are not sufficient to make full use of the complete dynamic range of the CCD sensors.
Such image detecting and picture processing systems are used in traffic monitoring installations operating with a digital camera. Traffic monitoring installations serve to detect violations of traffic regulations, such as speeding or passing a red traffic light, by a vehicle driver. Such traffic monitoring installations would provide an optimal picture for prosecution of the violation, if both the driver in the comparatively dark passenger compartment of the vehicle and the bright license plate could be well recognized. This is not possible with the presently available image detecting systems. Either the dark portions of the pictures are too dark, if the picture of the license plate is optimally visible, or the bright portions of the pictures are too bright, if the driver is optimally visible in the dark passenger compartment. Thus, when a vehicle is photographed with a digital camera, either the driver in the dark passenger compartment cannot be recognized clearly, or the bright license plate is subject to blanketing and cannot be read, depending on the utilized partial brightness range of the whole dynamic range of the CCD image detector. This results often in considerable problems in particular with the subsequent picture processing. The pictures have to be unambiguously identified both with respect to the driver and to the license plate, in order to serve as evidence in court.

System for detecting and storing digital pictures


An method and device for inspecting for surface defects, internal defects, and surface-adhered foreign matter on semitransparent materials. An illuminating device transmits light, that is then collimated through a collimating lens unit, through an object to be inspected. The light then transmits through the object to be inspected an eventually is detected by a detector. Any defects in the object to be inspected will be detected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and device for inspecting for surface defects, internal defects, and surface-adhered foreign matter on semitransparent materials. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and device for inspecting for surface defects, internal defects, and surface-adhered foreign matter on semitransparent hard disk substrates, liquid crystal display panels, lenses and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, inspection methods and inspection devices for detecting surface defects (scratches, pits), internal defects (air bubbles, contaminants), surface-adhered foreign matter (adhered small particles) (hereinafter referred to collectively as "defects") and the like in hard disk substrates, liquid crystal display panels, lenses and the like formed of semitransparent material can be separated into: inspection methods and inspection devices of the reflection type, which inspect for defects from information included in light reflected by the surface of the object being inspected (hereinafter referred to as "inspection object"); and inspection methods and inspection devices of the transmission type, which inspect for defects from information included in light transmitted through the inspection object.
In inspection methods and inspection devices of the reflection type, disadvantages arise in that the inadequate contrast between the scattered light from a defect area and the reflected light from the non-defect area due to low light reflectivity of the transparent or semitransparent inspection object prevents satisfactory defect inspection from being attained. Furthermore, the reflected light from the inspection object includes not only reflected light from the surface of the inspection object on the light source side (surface reflected light), but also includes reflected light from the surface of the inspection object on the side opposite the light source (back surface reflected light), which presents the disadvantage of eliminating the effects of this back surface reflected light from the inspection results.
In inspection methods and inspection devices of the transmission-type, on the other hand, while they do not have the disadvantages typical of the inspection methods and devices of the reflection type, they are subject to dispersion of the scattered light in all directions because they use a construction which condenses (collects) the light from a light source at the inspection position of the inspection object, i.e., they use a construction which causes light to enter the inspection position from various angles. This type of construction is disadvantageous in that there is insufficient contrast between the scattered light from a defect area and the transmitted light from the non-defect area, such that defect inspection cannot be readily accomplished.