A system for the simultaneous application of pressure and microwaves to a thick mat of curable assemblies. As the curable assemblies are conveyed through a belt press, microwaves are applied to them through an adjacent, rapidly expanding applicator horn. A microwave-transparent ceramic dam or window across the outlet of the horn blocks the compressed assemblies from entering the horn. To minimize any heat cracking of the window it is formed of a number of pieces. These pieces are held in place at the horn outlet by one or more fins secured within the horn and extending into the window. The fins extend across the interior of the horn and divide it into a number of different microwave paths. The ceramic window pieces at the ends of the paths are carefully shaped, with a cylindrical rear surface, to act as lenses and to act on the microwave energy from each of the different paths so that the microwaves from all of the paths are in phase at the product interface. Air is pumped through a serpentine path in the window to cool it and help prevent cracking thereof. Applicator horns having different heating patterns can be advantageously used at different locations along the press bed.

The present invention relates to systems for continuously manufacturing composite, adhesively bonded products in which pressure and microwave heat are applied simultaneously to curable assemblies. The adhesive bonding agent is thereby cured or set while the product is pressed and/or maintained at the desired dimensions and density. The invention further relates to microwave methods for curing resins used as binders or adhesives for materials, such as wood particles, wood chips, wood wafers, wood strips, wood fibers and wood veneers, used in the production of chip board, hard board, particle board, wafer board, plywood and other composite products.
Wood products of this type have been subjected in the past to heat and pressure in hot presses. Wood, however, is a relatively poor conductor of heat, and the heat from the platens of the hot press can only be directed against the outer surfaces of the wood product being formed. Consequently, considerable time was required for the necessary heat to penetrate to the center of the wood product and to cure the resin therein. If the temperature was increased beyond a certain amount to reduce the curing time required, scorching or charring of the outer surfaces of the wood product resulted. These higher temperatures also were difficult and expensive to attain since they required greater steam pressure and additional equipment. Additionally, at higher temperatures, water which may be entrapped can result in steam explosion in the product.
Numerous attempts have been made to use radio frequency (R.F.) energy, that is, dielectric heating, to cure the resin. Where R.F. heating techniques were used and especially where the phenolic resin layer was thick, arcing and tracking in the resin resulted. This undesirable phenomena appears to be due to the relatively high activity of some resins which leads to breakdowns when subjected to R.F. fields of the necessary field strength. Although the arcing and tracking problem can be reduced significantly if the R.F. field is applied transverse to the glue line, transverse application reduces the efficiency of the process.
Application of microwave energy has been used in recent years to cure, in composite masses, adhesives which have cure rates which are accelerated by the application of heat. Microwave heating can be more rapid, that is, it can provide a shorter cure time, than conventional heating or hot press processes, and therefore allows for a continuous production technique as compared to batch processes. Arcing and tracking common with the R.F. technique are also not a problem. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,018,642 and 4,020,311 disclose techniques for simultaneously applying microwaves and pressure to curable assemblies.
An improved microwave applicator for continuous presses is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,498 ('498), and the present invention is an improvement thereon. (The '498 patent was also cited in recent U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,609,417, 4,879,444 and 4,906,309.) The '498 patent shows a pair of endless belts forming a nip region, a press chamber defined by the belts in the nip region and by two side walls, a means for applying microwaves to the curable assemblies through a waveguide which forms an interface with the press chamber located in an opening in the side wall, and a window or dam at the interface between the waveguide and the press chamber and having sufficient strength to withstand the lateral pressures exerted thereon by the curable assemblies as they are being pressed and to thereby block the entry of the assemblies into the waveguide. This window was constructed of a material which is strong, rigid, abrasion resistant, impermeable to adhesives and transparent to microwave energy. Ceramic materials are examples of such materials, and a preferred ceramic material is aluminum oxide (alumina). The applicator system as disclosed in the '498 patent works well on product depths of four inches or less.
An example of a more recent applicator is shown in FIG. 1 generally at 100. (This applicator is prior art for U.S. patent practice, since it has been in secret commercial use for more than one year.) Referring thereto, it is seen that the applicator waveguide 102 is shaped with a fifteen degree angle as shown by reference numeral 104 in a rapidly expanding horn to define an opening 106 having a depth or height of 7.6 inches as shown by dimension 108. The location of the quarter wave trap of this waveguide is shown at 109. The inlet to the horn or waveguide 102 as shown by dimension 110 is 2.17 inches. Positioned behind the ceramic window 112 is a piece of Teflon 114 which is about two inches thick and 9.75 inches wide. The front face of the ceramic window 112 is ten inches wide and has a rectangular configuration. This design for a 7.6 inch depth product worked relatively well and did not generally present any tremendous heating pattern problems. Some degree of uneven heating and occasional product browning was experienced with the 7.5 inch depth product using the applicator or waveguide 102 of FIG. 1, but when the size of this applicator was increased for an 11.4 inches opening, to produce a desirably larger product, the uneven heating patterns worsened and became unacceptable.
FIG. 2 shows generally at 120 a temperature profile using a rapidly expanding horn similar to that of FIG. 1 and for a product depth or window opening of 11.4 inches. This is a temperature profile for dielectric conditions of epsilon prime equaling three and epsilon double prime equaling 0.3. The temperature profile in the product 122 shows the extremes of upwards of 170.degree. C. at the edge of the ceramic window 112 and window 112a (of a similar microwave system on the other belt side) and a low temperature of 67.degree. in the center. The profile thus comprises one massive low in the center of the product and two significant highs on the edges, with significant distances between them. Since the product 122 is fourteen inches wide, there is approximately seven inches from one edge or hot center to the middle or colder center. This means for the heating temperature in the microwave product 122 to even out that there must be a steam transport of approximately seven inches from the higher temperature to the lower temperature, and this is too great a transport distance. In other words, in the hot areas of the compressed mat or product 122 a considerable amount of the steam is generated due to the boiling of the water in the mat. Since boiling is an expansion process, a large volume of gas is created from the small volume of liquid which then tends to flow under pressure gradients to smooth out the low and high temperature spots. A significant evening of the high and low temperatures can only take place, however, if the highs and lows are not spaced too far apart, which is not the case with the "prior art" of FIG. 2. In fact, if the product of FIG. 2 were allowed to sit for ten or fifteen minutes, a chain saw cut then made through it and a thermograph (not shown) taken of the resulting cross-section, the temperatures in the cross-section would vary from thirty to forty degrees.
The main effect of an inconsistent temperature profile 120 is the resulting inconsistent normalization of the product 122. If the product has been heated to about 100.degree., for example, and then wetted, it will later spring back to the remembered prior size. On the other hand, if it is heated above 120.degree., not only has the glue been cured but the lignin has also softened and actually melted and the wood fibers caused to slide internally.
Similar problems have been experienced in other work and corrected using a steam post treatment of wafer board. Some times wafer board is hot pressed too quickly in order to speed the press cycle and the center of the board does not reach a sufficient temperature but rather only a point where it cures enough to hold itself together. Consequently, if the wafer board is later wetted it can spring up to approximately double its thickness, which is unacceptable for most end uses.
The present composite wood product (122) as described, for example, in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 07/555,000 ('000), filed Jul. 23, 1990, and entitled "System for Oriented Strand Layup," (and in Canadian application Serial No. 2,022,900-4), if cured correctly, has only about a two or three percent retained spring back in the compression direction after wetting and drying and in the other directions behaves similar to natural wood. In other words, if the present product is wetted and dried it will return to its original dimensions except in the compression dimension where after drying it will be two to three percent thicker than it originally was. If the higher temperatures are not obtained consistently, then a five or even ten percent increase in thickness after drying is experienced.
This swelling is undesirable for nearly every application since wood that is dimensionally stable is easier to engineer and to service and better able to survive a change in the elements. Often during construction, wood becomes quite wet and only by the fact that it has been placed inside a building that is eventually enclosed does natural evaporation dry the wood to an equilibrium of from about six to sixteen percent.
The (wood) product 122 resulting from the temperature profile 120 of FIG. 2 would most likely be a non-functioning beam. A temperature of 100.degree. C. is needed to cure the glue. It is unlikely that the 120.degree. area and the 140.degree. area would have enough energy to bring the 67.degree. center area to a full 100.degree. temperature before the outside, currently at 170.degree., overheats to the point of browning the wood, which destroys the lignin cellulose matrix. In other words, under cured centers and edge browning result from the FIG. 1 applicator 100 when adapted and used on thicker products. A more even energy flow through this thick product is accordingly needed.
As previously mentioned, a microwave transparent dam 112 has been secured in a microwave curing system 100, such as that of FIG. 1 or of the '498 patent, to the outlet end of the waveguide to prevent the mat, as it is being conveyed and compressed thereagainst and therepast, from entering the waveguide. The dam thus must be strong enough to resist pressures of many hundreds of pounds per square inch. As the dam or window is made larger, for example ten inches across and 11.4 inches in depth to accommodate the larger or thicker product, thermal cracking thereof often occurs.
Another problem in the past has been that the final structural wood products from microwave curing presses of ten have uneven density profiles. If the temperature or moisture contents of the incoming mats are not consistent within a few degrees, instabilities in the change of temperature development, that is uneven heating occur in the microwave press for two reasons. First, the dielectric constant epsilon, both its real and imaginary parts, increases as temperature increases, which means that more energy is deposited into areas that are already warmer. This has a multiplier effect; that is, the warmer these areas get, the move they attract energy, and so forth. A second factor is that these layups are comprised of wood fiber, and wood is compressed as it is microwave heated. The wood is softer when it is warmer, and the warmer part is more easily compressed in the microwave field. As it compresses, the warmer areas take up more of the compression, soften and compress to a higher density sooner, which again increases their dielectric absorption. That is, more energy focuses into those areas, and as this happens they become softer and compress more readily and instability again results. Both of these factors work against even heating and even final product density in wood composite products.
For example, in a wood product with an 11.4 inch by 14.75 inch cross-section, the top and the bottom of the mat can be about 25.degree. to 30.degree. C., while the center two-thirds of the mat can be about 35.degree. to 50.degree. C., due to the natural progression of the water uptake. The center heats up since the water chemically binding to the cellulose lignin structure in the mat is an exothermic activity. As the mat progresses through the press, the top and bottom of the mat can have specific gravities of 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, while that of the center two-thirds can be 0.6 to 0.65 gram per cc. Further, the moisture content of the 0.5 gram per cc top and bottom areas is about 12 to 13% of the dry basis of wood, while the 0.6 to 0.65 gram per cc has about 9 to 10% moisture content. The density gradient is important to these parameters, since whenever there is a density gradient there is also a strength parameter gradient. Accordingly, there is a different thermal normalizing effect on the compressed mat and thus a different moisture response. The cooler areas tend to expand more rapidly, more readily and more permanently on wetting, which can lead to bowing or splaying of the final product. The resulting density gradient thus has been found to be due to two factors. One is the uneven temperature and moisture profile of the mat as it enters the microwave press, and the other is the uneven microwave deposition pattern of the microwave applicator(s).
A prior art attempt to remedy this density gradient problem has been to raise the temperature of the entire mat. The temperature was raised by insulating the top and the bottom of the mat and then providing an oil heating system around the conveyor itself. More particularly, oil heating lines were positioned along the sides of the trough and heating devices underneath the bottom and insulation covers placed on top of the mat as soon as the last strands were deposited. The mat was thereby lifted out of the very sensitive operating range where these control parameters have their biggest effect. A mat that is entering the press with a 50.degree. to 60.degree. C. temperature has already experienced the bulk of its softening. Thus, even though it still has a temperature gradient of five to ten degrees, this gradient has less of an effect on the final product.
When the temperature of the entire mat is raised sufficiently, the mat behaves reasonably consistently in the microwave heating process. It does not compensate for inadequacies in the evenness of the microwave heating, however. The prior art system of heating the entire layup to make it hotter was thus not an attempt to control either the moisture or temperature beyond an even mat nor did it achieve an even mat temperature. A benefit of raising the temperature of the entire mat is that the effects of the ambient temperature are reduced but not eliminated. In other words, on hot summer days there is a different mat self-heating profile than on cold winter days, and these effects are reduced to a certain extent by heating the entire mat.
A significant disadvantage of this "whole mat" heating technique, however, is that if the temperature gets too high, for example to 60.degree. or 70.degree. C., then the glue in the mat can be precured, making the product useless. The product may still look good, consolidated and strong but if the glue was even partially cured before the final compression and microwave heating, there is little left to hold the wood strands or composite assemblies together. Aside from the precuring problem, there is also the problem that the entire mat as a practical matter is difficult to heat evenly since there are differential chemical reactions occurring with this water uptake. The mat is simply not stable enough to be totally heated to an even, higher temperature.
A prior art technology in the board industry for reducing press curing times is to radio frequency (RF) preheat the mat before it reaches the press. That is, an RF field is applied to the uncompressed mat to raise the temperature thereof to 50.degree. to 70.degree. C. or even higher before final compression and heating with a hot press. This board forming technique is usually a batch and not a continuous process, however, and the purpose of the RF preheating is to shorten the pressing time in the hot press. This mat is also formed very thin so that there is no significant steam transport within it. Further, this prior art board forming process does not involve any significant or positive compression of the mat. Thus, any small irregularities in preheating will not magnify during the process. When a mat is to be simultaneously heated and compressed (such as in the present processes described in detail below) compressibility during heating is very important and any instabilities tend to magnify.

Trus Joist MacMillan, a Limited Partnership


The present invention provides a means of greatly reducing interferences from mercury vapor, UV-absorbing compounds and water vapor in the measurement of ozone by UV absorbance. A heated graphite scrubber destroys greater than 99% of ozone passing through it while reducing biases from typical atmospheric UV-absorbing interferents by large factors compared to conventional ozone scrubbers. Substitution of a heated graphite scrubber in place of traditional ozone scrubbers such as hopcalite, metal oxides and heated silver scrubbers, results in a more accurate measurement of ozone by reducing the responses to UV-absorbing interferences and water vapor. The heated graphite scrubber also may be used in combination with other ozone sensors, such as electrochemical and HMOS sensors, to provide a reference measurement with ozone selectively removed and thus greatly reduce contributions from interfering species in those measurement devices as well.

Ozone is a toxic gas produced in photochemical air pollution as a result of a complex sequence of reactions involving oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and sunlight. The Clean Air Act in the U.S. and similar laws in other countries set limits on ozone concentrations in ambient air. Enforcement of compliance with the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standard requires continuous monitoring of ozone concentrations at hundreds of locations, especially during summer months. Compliance monitoring currently is done almost exclusively by the method of UV absorbance of the Hg emission line at 254 nm. Low pressure mercury lamps provide an intense, stable and inexpensive source of radiation at a wavelength very near the maximum in the ozone absorption spectrum.
It is well known that ozone monitors based on UV absorbance suffer from interferences from other species that absorb at 254 nm. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that interfere are generally aromatic compounds. Some VOCs have a larger response at 254 nm than ozone itself. For example, Kleindienst et al. (1993) reported that the response of 2-methyl-4-nitrophenol is about 40% higher than ozone.
Mercury provides a particularly strong interference because the electronic energy levels of Hg atoms are resonant with the Hg emission line of the low pressure Hg lamp used in ozone monitors. The relative response to Hg as compared to ozone depends on the temperature and pressure of the lamp and on the efficiency with which the instrument's internal ozone scrubber removes mercury, but is usually in the range 100-1000. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 1999) reported that at a baseline ozone concentration of approximately 75 parts per billion (ppb), the action of 0.04 ppb Hg (300 ng/m3 at room temperature) caused an increase in measured ozone concentration of 12.8% at low humidity (RH=20-30%) and 6.4% at high humidity (RH=70-80%) using a UV photometric ozone monitor. For dry air, Li et al. (2006) found that 1 ppb of mercury gave a response equal to approximately 875 ppb of ozone in the same model of Thermo Electron Corporation photometric ozone monitor used in the EPA study. This mercury interference can be quite large inside buildings where mercury vapor may be present as a result of past mercury spills (broken thermometers, fluorescent light fixtures, electrical switches, etc.), near mining operations and near various industrial facilities.
Another way in which UV-absorbing compounds and mercury interfere in the measurement of ozone using ozone photometers is by adsorption and desorption from the instrument's internal ozone scrubber. These scrubbers are typically composed of manganese dioxide, charcoal, hopcalite, metal oxide screens or heated silver wool. UV-absorbing species will adsorb to and accumulate on the surfaces of the scrubber material. If the temperature of the scrubber increases, or if the humidity changes, these species may be released from the scrubber and enter the gas stream. While removal of a UV-absorbing compound from the sample stream by the scrubber will cause a positive interference, subsequent release of UV-absorbing species from the scrubber will cause a negative interference. Because UV-absorbing compounds and mercury are present at some level in all outdoor and indoor air, this interference may be responsible for much of the baseline drift that occurs in photometric ozone monitors.
Water vapor is known to be a significant interference in the measurement of ozone by UV absorbance (Meyer et al., 1991; Kleindienst et al., 1993; Kleindienst et al., 1997; Leston and Ollison, 1993; Leston et al., 2005; Hudgens et al., 1994; Maddy, 1998; Maddy, 1998; Wilson and Birks, 2006). The cause of this interference has been attributed to a difference in the transmission of light through the UV absorbance cell during measurements of light intensity of sample air while bypassing or passing through an ozone scrubber (Wilson and Birks, 2006). The ozone scrubber alters the concentration of water vapor within the detection cell by either removing or adding water to the air stream, depending on the recent history of exposure to water vapor. It has been shown that the water vapor interference can be eliminated by use of a DewLine™, which consists of a short length of Nafion® tubing (or multiple tubes in parallel) attached to the inlet of the detection cell (Wilson and Birks, 2006). Nafion® has the property of rapidly and selectively transporting water molecules. Matching the humidity levels of ozone-scrubbed and unscrubbed air by passing through a DewLine™ just prior to entering the absorbance cell effectively eliminates the humidity interference in UV absorbance measurements (Wilson and Birks, 2006). However, Nafion® tubes are restrictive to air flow and become contaminated over time when sampling ambient air and are expensive to replace. For these reasons, it would be desirable to solve the humidity interference problem in UV absorbance measurements of ozone without the use of Nafion® tubes.
The use of a gas-phase scrubber was recently introduced as a means of eliminating interferences from both UV-absorbing species and water vapor (Birks et al., 2013). In this approach, the solid-phase scrubber is replaced with a gas phase scrubber such as nitric oxide. The disadvantage of this approach is that a source gas is required, reducing the portability of the instrument. For applications requiring highly portable instruments or where use of a gas scrubber is prohibitive, a solid phase scrubber that effectively destroys ozone (≥99% destruction) but efficiently passes UV-absorbing compounds and water vapor is highly desirable.

Heated graphite scrubber to reduce interferences in ozone monitors


An article transport vehicle includes a transport vehicle main body, a first travel portion, a second travel portion, and power-receiving portions for receiving driving electric power without contact from one or more electricity supply lines. The first travel portion rotatably supports a transport vehicle main body. The second travel portion rotatably supports the transport vehicle main body. The power-receiving portions include a first power-receiving portion which is configured to be rotated integrally with the first travel portion, and a second power-receiving portion which is configured to be rotated integrally with the second travel portion.

An example of article transport facilities such as one described above is disclosed in JP Publication of Application No. 2011-116313 (Patent Document 1). In an article transport facility of Patent Document 1, an article transport vehicle includes a pair of travel portions, namely, a first travel portion and a second travel portion. Each portion of the pair of travel portions supports a transport vehicle main body such that each can be rotated independently about a corresponding vertical axis. The reason that each portion of the pair of travel portions supports the transport vehicle main body for independent rotation about a vertical axis is to allow the article transport vehicle to smoothly travel through curved portions of the travel path in addition to straight portions of the travel path.
In addition, in the article transport facility of Patent Document 1, a power-receiving portion of the article transport vehicle is supported by the transport vehicle main body at a location between the first travel portion and the second travel portion. Thus, with the power-receiving portion located between the first travel portion and the second travel portion, when the article transport vehicle travels through a curved portion, the power-receiving portion becomes displaced radially inward during the travel through the curved portion of the travel path, which reduces the efficiency with which the power-receiving portion receives power from electricity supply lines. This can cause the article transport vehicle to not receive sufficient electric power necessary for it to continue traveling.
Thus, in the conventional article transport facility described above, the power-receiving portion of the article transport vehicle is supported by the vehicle main body for sliding movement along a vehicle body lateral direction which is perpendicular in plan view to a vehicle body fore and aft direction which is the direction of travel of the article transport vehicle. The first travel portion and the power-receiving portion are operatively connected to each other by an operatively connecting mechanism such that the power-receiving portion slides radially outward when in the curved portion and in synchronization with the rotation of the first travel portion about its vertical axis.


A Pressure Sensitive Alarm Component is provided and includes a pressure plate and a base plate. Within the base plate are the pressure plate truss assemblies, the weight transfer assembly, and the sliding switch assembly. The weight transfer assembly includes a load transfer arm which moves back and forth as weight is placed on or removed from the pressure plate and a dial to adjust the position of the load transfer arm. The sliding switch assembly includes a sliding contact support arm which is rigidly linked to the load transfer arm. The sliding switch assembly further includes a plurality of stationary contacts incorporated into a base plate, and two sliding contacts mounted on the sliding contact support arm. The sliding contacts may move along the stationary contacts and open and close the control circuit as they come in out of contact with different pairs of stationary contacts. Once an object is place on the pressure, if the sliding contacts are not in contact with a pair of stationary contacts, the sliding contacts may be repositioned to bring them into contact with a pair of stationary contacts by turning the dial to move the load transfer arm and the sliding contact support arm. Once contact is made, an LED will light up and the alarm may be activated. If the object is thereafter removed, the alarm will sound.

For centuries, theft and burglary have plagued homeowners and business people. Sophisticated electronic equipment, such as motion detectors, door and window alarms, and video cameras, may be purchased and installed in a person's home or business to protect against the theft of valuable goods. This equipment is typically very expensive, but it is not fool proof. For example, video cameras cannot monitor every nook and cranny of a warehouse or storage room and video tapes may be stolen. Additionally, motion detectors, window alarms and door alarms must be turned off during a business' hours of operation.
As a result, many object specific alarm components have been invented.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,827, which issued in 1993 to Allen et al. for an invention entitled "Alarm Apparatus For Handgun Security" (the "'827 patent"), discloses an alarm component for detecting the removal of a handgun from a plate where the handgun is kept for quick accessibility.
The device of the '827 patent includes one or more force sensors which are embedded between an upper plate and a lower plate. After placing a handgun on the upper plate, the owner must adjust two variable resistors to define a zone which encompasses the force exerted by the mass of the handgun. When the handgun is removed, the alarm is sounded. This alarm component is effective, but includes excessive electronics and is difficult to adjust to account for handguns of different weights. Moreover, the '827 patent is unable to account for incremental shifts in weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,316, which issued in 1992 to Lazzara for an invention entitled "Capacitance Change Article Removal Alarm" (the "'316 patent"), discloses an alarm component For detecting the removal of an object from a location where the object is to be protected. The device of the '316 patent includes a compressible detection pad composed of an upper conducting plate, a lower conducting plate, and a dielectric layer separating these plates.
When an object is placed on the compressible detection pad of the '316 patent, a portion of the dielectric layer is compressed and the alarm is set. When the object is removed from the device of the '316 patent, the dielectric layer expands and the capacitance between the two conducting plates changes. The alarm circuitry detects this change in capacitance and an alarm is sounded. Unfortunately, the device of the '316 patent may be easily defeated. Additionally, the '316 patent includes excessive electronics, but may not account for incremental shifts in weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,088, which issued in 1981 to Pierson et al. for an invention entitled "Portable Alarm System" (the "'088 patent"), discloses an alarm component for detecting the removal of an object, such as a sculpture, from a pedestal where it is kept for display purposes. The device of the '088 patent includes an alarm system having a base member with a top spring-loaded plunger extending from the upper surface of the base member and a bottom spring-loaded plunger extending from the lower surface of the base member. The bottom plunger is depressed by placing the base member on a table or pedestal and the top plunger is depressed by placing an object on top of the base member over the top plunger.
If the protected object is removed from the base member of the '088 patent or the base member is removed from the table or pedestal, an alarm is triggered. This alarm component is effective, but not fool-proof. The plunger switches may be defeated by slipping a thin object between the top-plunger and the protected object or the bottom plunger and the table or pedestal. Additionally, the '088 patent does not include a means for adjusting the spring-loaded plungers to account for objects with different weight. The '088 patent also does not include a means which would account for incremental shifts in weight.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may be used to protect specific valuables from being stolen. It is another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may be easily adjusted to account for objects of different weights. It is another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may be adjusted to account for incremental shifts in weight. It is another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may not be easily defeated. It is another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may be easily incorporated into existing alarm systems. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which is relatively easy to manufacture, relatively easy to install, and is comparatively cost effective.


A material formed by the reaction of (1) a poly-2-hydroxyalkyl derivative of a polyol having at least five hydroxyl groups, with at least three, and preferably nearly all, of said hydroxyl groups being substituted with one or more 2-hydroxyalkyl groups and (2) a polyglycidyl ether of a polyol, preferably a di- or triglycidyl ether of a polyoxyalkylene diol or triol. These materials have surfactant and defoaming abilities, and are useful in hard surface cleaning, textile and paper applications, and as defoaming agents. The compounds are especially useful as defoaming agent for glycol based antifreeze mixtures, and such antifreeze mixtures are also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to surfactants made by the reaction of polyoxyalkylene polyols and polyglycidyl ethers, and to glycol-based antifreeze compositions including same as a foam suppressing agent.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Surfactants using sugar groups as the hydrophilic group are known. In general, these surfactants utilize a long chain aliphatic group for the hydrophobic group. U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,426 discloses an adduct made by adding alkylene oxide to glycoside derived from starch at a plurality of sites and then reacting this product with a long chain aliphatic 1,2-epoxide. However, the use of a polyoxyalkylene polyglycidyl ether as the hydrophobe moiety is not suggested. In addition, the epoxide coupling suggested by the patentee terminates the chain on which it attaches.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,282 discloses a surfactant made from sucrose. In the first step sucrose is reacted with an alkylene oxide using an acid catalyst, and then the reaction product is reacted with a long chain fatty acid chloride to provide an ester addition of a long chain fatty acid. There is no showing of the addition of a polyfunctional group in either patent. In addition, there is no suggestion of the use of such products as a defoaming agent in antifreeze compositions.
Glycol-based antifreeze formulations containing corrosion inhibitors such as borates, silicates, phosphates, caustic, mercaptobenzothiazole, tolyltriazole, nitrates, nitrites and other inhibitors listed in the patent literature do not, by themselves, exhibit excessive foaming tendencies. However, when these glycol-based antifreezes containing the above-mentioned inhibitors are diluted with water for use in internal combustion engine cooling systems, excessive foaming occurs. This foaming causes a loss of coolant from the system and possible subsequent damage to the engine.
It is common practice to include in the glycol-based antifreeze formulations an agent or combination of agents to reduce the foaming of the water-diluted base antifreeze solution. The most commonly used defoaming agents are silicones and polymers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or ethylene oxide and propylene oxide copolymers commonly referred to as polyols. The latter type of defoaming agent has been used extensively, and certain modifications thereof have also been used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,923,686 teaches the adduct of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide on glycerol, with each hydroxyl group of the glycerol nucleus being provided with an adduct. These compounds generally have a very low water solubility, but the solubility is sufficient to form a unitary phase in the very low concentrations used.
Certain desirable corrosion inhibitor systems are particularly likely to increase the foaming problem when placed in automobile cooling systems. For example, an excellent corrosion inhibitor is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,029. In this patent, a polymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is suggested as a defoaming agent.
Antifreeze normally is formulated with 0.03 to 0.05% of defoaming agent. This concentration is necessary to maintain adequate defoaming action for the life of the permanent type antifreeze. A defoaming agent such as the polyol of U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,029 is normally used in the above concentration range. If added to the radiator within a relatively short period of time after it has been formulated, no problem exists, but frequently large scale users, such as the large automobile companies, store the antifreeze in large tanks that contain many thousands of gallons. Upon standing for several days to several months, the defoaming agent rises, forming an upper liquid layer. As a result, when antifreeze is drawn from the base of the tank it is deficient in defoamer and, if the tank is emptied completely, the last portion will be only defoamer, which is completely unsatisfactory as an antifreeze stock. This has been a very serious problem to antifreeze consumers as well as to antifreeze producers.

Surfactants derived from the reaction product of polyoxyalkylene polyols and polyglycidyl ethers and glycol-based antifreeze using same


A valve for maintaining a given level of liquid in a tank, reservoir, or other container having a liquid-gas interface. Said valve being actuated by a float that rises and falls along with the liquid in the container. Said valve float actuates a series of valves in sequence wherein the higher the float rises, the more valve ports are opened allowing a higher flow rate through the valve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the use of a float actuated valve to maintain a given gas or liquid level.
2. Description of Prior Art
Float valves have been used for many years to control the liquid level in tanks and vessels and other liquid containing devices. The float valve typically consists of a containment vessel, an inlet port, a discharge port, a float attached to a valve fitting via an actuator arm, and a valve seat. The valve is actuated when the liquid level rises, forces the float up and opens the valve through movement of the actuator arm. These valves work by using the hydrostatic force of the float. The valves are limited in their pressure range since the force needed to actuate the valve becomes more than that available from the float as the pressure increases. The force required using a conventional float valve configuration for high pressure service would result in an excessively large, heavy containment vessel along with a large float and actuator arm.


A technique for enhancing performance for code transitions of floating point and packed data modes, in which a tag incorrect (TINC) bit is used to indicate a potential fault condition when transitioning between the modes. When tags of a floating point/packed data registers are not at the expected value for the mode transition, the TINC bit is used to a substitute condition which prevents the generation of the fault condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of computer systems and more specifically to enhancing performance when performing code transitions of data operating modes.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a computer system, a processor typically operates on data which is in one of several data modes, having different formats. For example, an execution unit of a processor may operate on integer data or it may operate on a floating point data. Generally, floating point operations are utilized when higher precision results are desired. Floating point data is represented in a different format than integer data.
Since integer and floating point operations utilize different data representations, in many state of the art processors, separate structures are allocated to execute integer and floating point instructions. This difference includes the use of separate registers for integer and floating point data. The operation of separate integer and floating units within a processor, as well as the execution of the floating point and integer instructions to operate on these types of data formats, are known in the art.
More recently, processors are designed to execute instructions which operate on another type of data format. This new type of data format is termed packed data. Instead of performing scalar operations, packed data operations are designed to operate on packed data. Although separate structures can be designed within a processor to perform the packed data operations, a more common practice is to alias packed data registers on floating point registers. That is, the floating point instructions and the packed data instructions at least appear to software to be executed on the same set of logical registers within a processor. A variety of techniques can be used to implement this aliasing scheme of floating point and packed data, and one such example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,748.
An example of a processor which implements aliasing of floating point and packed data is a processor within the Intel Architecture Family of Processors, which includes the Pentium(copyright) processor, manufactured by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. In one particular approach, the floating point operating registers of the processor is also utilized to perform packed data operations. The same logical registers are utilized to perform both scalar floating point and packed data operations. The instructions that manipulate the two types of data in these registers are significantly different. The floating point instructions perform floating point scalar operations and packed data instructions perform packed data operations.
With the Intel Architecture Family described above, the aliasing requires the use of a special set of tags which correspond to data stored within the data registers. In the floating point mode, the tags are used to identify which of the registers contain a valid floating point word. When a floating point operation is to be executed, the processor enters into a floating point operative state in which the registers are treated as floating point registers for executing the instruction. However, when the processor operates in the packed data operative state, the data stored in the floating point registers must now conform to the operating parameters established for executing a packed data instruction. Since the data formats are different for packed data and floating point data formats, a typical practice is to implement a data flush and load new data when the operating mode switches between floating point and packed data operations.
This may not be a significant concern if the processor operates for an extended period of time in a given mode of operation before transitioning to the other mode. However, when a substantial amount of mixed mode operation is to be performed, the processor is forced to flush the data pipeline to switch from one format mode to another. This constant switching between modes results in significant processor time being wasted in continually reinitiating the registers to execute the different instruction set. The present invention describes one scheme in which performance is enhanced when such mixed mode operations are desired.

Performance enhancement for code transitions of floating point and packed data modes


A system for changing the display characteristics of a drawing has one model style, a top graphics table memory for storing a top graphics table, a chart table memory for storing a chart table, a default box graphics table memory for storing a default box graphics table, and a level table memory for storing level tables, display routines for displaying the drawing on a display device, and model routines for changing the model style of a drawing. The model routines, when changing the model style, retrieve a model style from a model style library. The model routines re-configure the chart table, the default box graphics table, and the level tables according to the retrieved model style. The system includes a set of filters that control the application of a model style. As the model routines re-configure the chart table, the default box graphics table, and the level tables, the model routines analyze the filters. The model routines do not modify certain selected visual characteristics of a drawing if the filters are set. Finally, the model routines and display routines re-configure the top graphics table for the display of the drawing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to systems for creating, modifying, and manipulating charts and diagrams using computers. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and methods for manipulating and modifying the display of charts and diagrams. The present invention also relates to systems and methods for modifying the display of charts and diagrams.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of personal computers has become widespread for a variety of functions and applications in business and education. One such application of computers is their use for producing, printing, and displaying graphical images. Still more particularly, a variety of application programs have been developed for creating flowcharts, organizational charts, and various other diagrams. Such existing systems provide for the creation of various drawing elements and their interconnection. For example, there are a variety of very complex computer aided design or drafting programs for creating any type of mechanical, electrical, and architectural drawings. There are also more simplistic drawing programs for creating only flowcharts or only organizational charts. Many of these programs include settings for how each element of a flowchart or diagram is displayed. A setting is a pre-defined set of characteristics for the element of the flowchart or diagram. The setting defines how the element will be displayed. The settings include text, the shape of elements, the thickness of lines, and other characteristics. The settings are on an elemental level; they do not apply to the drawing as a whole.
One major problem with the existing flowcharting and drawing programs is that they are very difficult to use. The complex computer aided design programs usually require a significant amount of training to be used and are typically only used by skilled draftspersons. Even the more simplistic drawing programs with reduced functionality are cumbersome and difficult to use. For example, existing systems require a number of key strokes or inputs from a mouse type controller to change a setting used in a diagram. A means to modify the setting must first be activated. The element is then selected and a new setting indicated. The system then must change the setting and display the element in the new setting form. To change more than one characteristic of an element, each setting of the element must be individually changed. It is a cumbersome and time consuming process to change a setting of each element of an entire flowchart or diagram. Thus, there is a need for a system to change the characteristics of elements of a drawing on a drawing level so that characteristics of all elements may be changed quickly, efficiently, and consistently.
A number of drawing programs allow all elements of a flowchart or diagram to be selected and modified simultaneously. These systems, however, change the characteristics of each element in the same way; they do not allow for different treatment for the corresponding characteristics of different elements. For example, such a system can change the font of the text within all the elements of a flowchart. Such a system cannot, however, change the font of the text within diamond elements to a first font and the font of the text within rectangle elements to a second font. These systems can be used to select all similar elements, such as diamond elements, to modify the selected elements, and then to repeat the process for other groups of similar elements. As can be seen, this approach is repetitious and time consuming.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and methods providing for the simple and efficient application of visual characteristics to flowcharts and diagrams.

Computer system and method for manipulating the display of drawings


A method and apparatus for providing a texture mapped perspective view for digital map systems. The system includes apparatus for storing elevation data, apparatus for storing texture data, apparatus for scanning a projected view volume from the elevation data storing apparatus, apparatus for processing, apparatus for generating a plurality of planar polygons and apparatus for rendering images. The processing apparatus further includes apparatus for receiving the scanned projected view volume from the scanning apparatus, transforming the scanned projected view volume from object space to screen space, and computing surface normals at each vertex of each polygon so as to modulate texture space pixel intensity. The generating apparatus generates the plurality of planar polygons from the transformed vertices and supplies them to the rendering apparatus which then shades each of the planar polygons. In one alternate embodiment of the invention, the polygons are shaded by apparatus of the rendering apparatus assigning one color across the surface of each polygon. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, the rendering apparatus interpolates the intensities between the vertices of each polygon in a linear fashion as in Gouraud shading.

Texture mapping is a computer graphics technique which comprises a process of overlaying aerial reconnaissance photographs onto computer generated three dimensional terrain images. It enhances the visual reality of raster scan images substantially while incurring a relatively small increase in computational expense. A frequent criticism of known computer-generated synthesized imagery has been directed to the extreme smoothness of the image. Prior art methods of generating images provide no texture, bumps, outcroppings, or natural abnormalities in the display of digital terrain elevation data (DTED).
In general, texture mapping maps a multidimensional image to a multidimensional space. A texture may be thought of in the usual sense such as sandpaper, a plowed field, a roadbed, a lake, woodgrain and so forth or as the pattern of pixels (picture elements) on a sheet of paper or photographic film. The pixels may be arranged in a regular pattern such as a checkerboard or may exhibit high frequencies as in a detailed photograph of high resolution LandSat imagery. Texture may also be three dimensional in nature as in marble or woodgrain surfaces. For the purposes of the invention, texture mapping is defined to be the mapping of a texture onto a surface in three dimensional object space. As is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1, a texture space object T is mapped to a display screen by means of a perspective transformation.
The implementation of the method of the invention comprises two processes. The first process is geometric warping and the second process is filtering. FIG. 2 illustrates graphically the geometric warping process of the invention for applying texture onto a surface. This process applies the texture onto an object to be mapped analogously to a rubber sheet being stretched over a surface. In a digital map system application, the texture typically comprises an aerial reconnaissance photograph and the object mapped is the surface of the digital terrain data base as shown in FIG. 2. After the geometric warping has been completed, the second process of filtering is performed. In the second process, the image is resampled on the screen grid.
The invention provides a texture mapped perspective view architecture which addresses the need for increased aircraft crew effectiveness, consequently reducing workload, in low altitude flight regimes characterized by the simultaneous requirement to avoid certain terrain and threats. The particular emphasis of the invention is to increase crew situational awareness. Crew situational awareness has been increased to some degree through the addition of a perspective view map display to a plan view capability which already exists in digital map systems. See, for example, assignee's copending application Ser. No. 07/192,798, for a DIGITAL MAP SYSTEM, filed May 11, 1988, issued Oct. 24, 1989 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,651 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present invention improves the digital map system capability by providing a means for overlaying aerial reconnaissance photographs over the computer generated three dimensional terrain image resulting in a one-to-one correspondence from the digital map image to the real world. In this way the invention provides visually realistic cues which augment the informational display of such a computer generated terrain image. Using these cues an aircraft crew can rapidly make a correlation between the display and the real world.
The architectural challenge presented by texture mapping is that of distributing the processing load to achieve high data throughput using parallel pipelines and then recombining the parallel pixel flow into a single memory module known as a frame buffer. The resulting contention for access to the frame buffer reduces the effective throughput of the pipelines in addition to requiring increased hardware and board space to implement the additional pipelines. The method and apparatus of the invention addresses this challenge by effectively combining the low contention attributes of a single high speed pipeline with the increased processing throughput of parallel pipelines.

Method and apparatus for generating a texture mapped perspective view


An improved pressure relief system for a turbine engine (10). The pressure relief system includes a pressure relief door (12) attached to the engine shroud (16) at its forward edge. The aft edge of the door (12) is free to pivot outward in the occurrence of a bleed duct failure. The door (12) is mounted within a cutout (26) in the engine shroud (16). The cutout (26) is sized so that the width of the forward edge of the cutout is greater than the width of the aft edge of the cutout. Opposing walls (42) on either side of the door (12) extend from the forward edge of the door at least partially to the aft edge of the door. The walls (42) extend inward approximately normal to the surface of the door (12). The walls (42) prevent hot engine gases (36) from flowing out of the sides of the cutout. Preventing hot engine gases (36) from flowing out the sides of the cutout helps to alter the air flow around the door (12) to obtain greater mixing of cool bypass air with the hot engine gases. The resulting cooler air flow decreases engine shroud (16) temperatures aft of the pressure relief door (12). The decreased temperatures on the engine shroud (16) during a bleed duct failure help to eliminate the structural requirements for high temperature materials or insulating blankets.

Gas turbine engines are widely used in commercial aircraft throughout the world. These engines include a forward stage of fan blades that are rotatably mounted to the front of a turbine engine and are driven at high speeds by the engine. The turbine engine is generally surrounded by an aerodynamically shaped engine shroud that provides a protective cover for the engine and also increases aerodynamic efficiency. In order to further increase damage tolerance and aerodynamic efficiency, the fan blades, engine and engine shroud may be surrounded by a ducted nacelle. The inner diameter of the nacelle is sized to encompass and form a duct around the fan blades and engine shroud. The nacelle forces the high velocity air stream produced by the fan blades to flow between the inner surface of the nacelle and the outer surface of the engine shroud. The flow of air produced by the fan blades is generally referred to as the fan or bypass air flow and contributes to the propulsive force produced by the engine.
The compression and turbine stages of the turbine engine also produce a high velocity air flow that contributes to overall engine propulsion. The high velocity air flow produced by the turbine engine flows out the aft end of the engine rearward of the nacelle. Unlike the bypass air flow, however, the flow produced by the turbine engine is at a mix of air and combusted fuel byproducts at a highly elevated temperature.
During an engine failure, such as a bleed duct failure, explosion, or overpressurization failure, it is possible for the high temperature flow of gases within the turbine engine to vent into the space between the engine and the engine shroud or other compartment in the installation. During a bleed duct or other failure, a significant volume of high-temperature air flow into the space between the engine and engine shroud or other installation. This flow of gases pressurizes and heats the space between the turbine engine and engine shroud. If left to its own course, the high temperatures and pressures caused by a bleed duct or other failure can cause a structural failure of the engine shroud or other installation.
Federal aircraft regulations, FAR 25.1103, requires that engine installations safely withstand the effects of an engine bleed duct failure. In order to comply with FAR 25.1103 and prevent failure of the engine structure during a bleed duct or other failure, it is common to locate a series of pressure relief doors around the exterior of the engine shroud aft of the nacelle, on the inlet of the nacelle and on the engine pylon. The pressure relief or "blowout doors" are rectangularly shaped to fit rectangularly shaped contents. The pressure relief doors are mechanically mounted to the shroud or other structure so that they automatically open in case of excessive compartment pressurization. During a bleed duct or other failure, the pressure relief doors open and allow the high temperature gases to flow out of the shroud thus preventing overpressurization and subsequent structural failure.
Although the pressure relief doors prevent structural failures due to overpressurization, the structure downstream of the doors must still be able to withstand contact with the high temperature gases escaping through the pressure relief doors. After hot engine gases escape through the pressure relief doors, they flow rearward along the exterior surface of the structure. The hot engine gases can remain in contact with the exterior surface of the structure for a sufficient amount of time to elevate the temperature of the surrounding structure. Under some conditions, it is possible for the surrounding structure to be elevated to a sufficiently high temperature to cause structural failure due to overheating.
To prevent such structural failures, the structure aft of the pressure relief doors has traditionally been protected by thermal insulating blankets. Alternatively, the structure has been fabricated of a material capable of withstanding the high temperatures produced by the escaping engine gases, for example, titanium. The use of either thermal insulating blankets or high temperature materials present a number of disadvantages. Using insulating blankets complicates the fabrication and maintenance of the engine installation and adds to the overall cost and weight. The use of titanium and other high temperature materials can also add weight to the overstructure and also add to fabrication complexity, difficulty, and cost. In addition, coefficient of expansion differences between a titanium or steel structure and the surrounding aluminum or composite structure can add to the complexity of the overall installation.
As seen from the above discussion, there exists a need in the aircraft industry for a pressure relief system to safely address the problems created by an engine bleed duct or other failure while reducing the disadvantages of prior art solutions. The present invention is directed to such a system.

Flow control apparatus for gas turbine engine installation pressure relief doors


A handsaw is provided having uniform repetitive groups of teeth with the tips thereof disposed in a straight line and with the depth and pitch diminishing in the forward direction. Each group of teeth in the illustrated embodiment is composed of four teeth of different pitch of 6, 8, 10 and 12 points. Although each tooth per group is of different length, the set of each tooth is equal with only a portion of each tooth being bent. Other critical angular relations are maintained.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in handsaws and more particularly to saws which have a combination of saw teeth to adapt to rip and crosscut sawing of wood.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous attempts have been made to provide a combination rip and crosscut saw which provides a smooth, easy cut in wood and which also has an efficient cutting speed. Applicant is unaware of any such attempt which has proven completely satisfactory.
An example of such a combination rip and crosscut saw for sawing wood is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,298. Also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,568,870; 2,579,728; 3,005,478 and 817,361 are illustrative of attempts to improve cutting efficiency by various tooth arrangements.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 29,688; 85,417; 1,850,478; 2,227,864 and 3,171,457 are illustrative of tooth modifications dealing mainly with cutting of metal, i.e., hacksaw blade constructions.
The tremendous number of prior art patents is in itself proof that the attempt to provide a combination rip and crosscut saw for sawing wood has been unsuccessful.


Compounds are provided which have the structure wherein Q is C or N; R2a, R2b, R2c, X1 to X7, R1, R2, R3, R3a, R4, A, Y, m, and n are as defined herein, which compounds are useful as antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antiobesity agents. The present invention further provides a method for treating obesity and dyslipidemia in mammals including humans through simultaneous inhibition of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and stimulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα).

In mammals, including humans, adipocytes (fat cells) store excess energy in the form of triglycerides at times of nutritional excess (see Lowell, Cell, 99: 239-242, 1999). During starvation, stored triglycerides are degraded to fatty acids in adipocytes in order to supplement nutritional and energy requirements. Conditions in which excess adipose tissue accumulation, achieved either through recruitment of progenitor cells (pre-adipocytes) to become adipocytes (differentiation) and/or through expansion of the pre-existing adipocytes (hyperplasia and hypertrophy), leads to obesity and insulin resistance (see Lowell, Cell, 99: 239-242, 1999). Because, hypertrophied adipocytes (which are considered relatively less metabolically active) produce excessive amounts of fatty acids and cytokines which in turn act to reduce insulin signaling and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and adipocytes, two major glucose utilizing tissues (see Hotamisligil, et al., Science, 259: 87-90, 1993; Lowell, Cell, 99: 239-242, 1999). Obese individuals frequently suffer from inadequate energy expenditure, high fat content in skeletal muscle, liver and plasma, insulin resistance, hypertension, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (see Rosenbaum et al., New. Eng. J. Med. 337: 396-407, 1997, see Friedman, Nature, 404: 632-634, 2000). Conditions such as seen in lipodystrophic syndrome patients with severely depleted fat depot leads to reduced body weight, increased lipid content in plasma, liver and skeletal muscle which in turn pre-dispose the patients to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes (see Arioglu et. al., Annals of Int. Med, 2000,133:263-274). The primary cause of these abnormalities appears to be due to relatively small amounts of adipose tissue available for safe storage of lipids.
Obesity is a common clinical problem in most developed nations and is also rapidly becoming a major health concern in developing nations. Overweight individuals frequently suffer from several metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. These individuals also frequently suffer from hypertension, atherosclerosis and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (see Friedman, Nature, 404: 632-634, 2000).
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor family of ligand regulated transcription factors (see Willson, et al., J. Med. Chem., 43: 527-550, 2000, Kersten et al., Nature, 405: 421424, 2000). Three PPAR isoforms, PPARγ, PPARα, and PPARδ have been isolated from various mammalian species including humans. These receptors, as a class, form obligate heterodimers with their binding partner RXRα, and are activated by diet derived long chain fatty acids, fatty acid metabolites and by synthetic agents (see Willson, et al., J. Med. Chem., 43: 527-550, 2000). It is now well documented that PPARs, through regulation of genes in glucose and lipid metabolism pathways, play a major role in maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis in mammals including human.
PPARγ is a principal regulator of pre-adipocyte recruitment and differentiation into mature adipocytes and lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes (see Tontonoz et al., Current Biology, 571-576, 1995). Activators of PPARγ promote pre-adipocyte differentiation, lipid storage in mature adipocytes and act as insulin sensitizing anti-diabetic agents (see Tontonoz et al., Current Biology, 571-576, 1995; Lehmann et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270: 12953-12956, 1995; Nolan et al. New. Eng. J. Med., 331: 1188-1193; Inzucchi et al., New Eng. J. Med., 338: 867-872, 1998, Willson, et al., J. Med. Chem.: 43: 527-550, 2000, Kersten et al., Nature, 405: 421-424, 2000). The PPARγ induced anti-diabetic activity is however, frequently accompanied by some body weight gain in animal models and in humans. PPARγ expression is significantly elevated in the adipose tissue of obese individuals (see Vidal-Puig et al., J. Clinical Investigation, 99: 2416-2422, 1997), and a mutation which generated constitutively active PPARγ is associated with severe obesity (see Ristow et al., New England J. Med., 339:953-959, 1998). Partial loss of PPARγ expression leads to resistance to diet induced obesity in heterozygous PPARγ knock-out mice (see Kubota et al. Mol. Cell; 4:597-609, 1999) and lower body mass index in human with a proline to alanine change at amino acid position 12 (see Deeb et al Nature Genetics, 20:284-287, 1998). Relatively more severe loss of human PPARγ activity through dominant negative mutations, which abolish ligand binding to the receptor, leads to hyperlipidemia, fatty and liver insulin resistance, (see Barroso et al. Nature, 402, 860-861, 1999). The major cause of the abnormalities appears to be due to relatively small amounts of adipose tissue available for safe storage of lipids. These mouse and human findings show therefore, a role for PPARγ in the induction and or progression of obesity and suggest that inhibition of PPARγ will lead to a reduction in adiposity and obesity. These findings also suggest that such a reduction is likely to lead to higher plasma free fatty acids and hyperlipidemia and development fatty liver and insulin resistance
The PPARα isoform regulates genes in the fatty acid synthesis, fatty acid oxidation and lipid metabolism pathways (see Isseman and Green, Nature, 347: 645-649, 1990; Torra et al., Current Opinion in Lipidology, 10: 151-159, 1999; Kersten et al., Nature, 405: 421424, 2000). PPARα agonist (such as fenofibrate, gemfibrozil) treatment enhance fatty acid oxidation in the liver and muscle, reduce fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis in the liver and reduce plasma triglyceride levels (see Kersten et al., Nature, 405: 421424, 2000). In patients with high triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol treatment with PPARα agonists lead to an increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol, decrease in plasma triglycerides and reduction in both primary and secondary cardiac events (see Balfour et al., Drugs. 40: 260-290, 1990; Rubins et al., New Eng. J. Med., 341: 410-418, 1999).
Therefore, by combining PPARγ antagonist activity and PPARα agonist activity in a single dual acting compound or in a formulation, it is possible to inhibit PPARγ and treat obesity without causing hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and insulin resistance. The present invention shows a novel method of treatment of obesity by combining two different activities, the PPARγ antagonist activity and PPARα agonist activity, to reduce adiposity and body weight without causing hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. The invention proposes that the obese, hyperlipidemic and insulin resistant Type 2 diabetic patients can be treated with a dual PPARγ antagonist/PPARα agonist or a PPARγ antagonist and a PPARα agonist in combination with a lipid lowering agent and an anti-diabetic agent. The invention also provides a list of target genes wherein their expression is altered in adipose (fat) tissue through PPARγ antagonist activity to achieve anti-obesity, insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular disease benefits.
In accordance with the present invention, substituted acid derivatives are provided which have the structure I wherein
m is 0, 1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or 2;
Q is C or N
A is (CH2)x where x is 1 to 5; or A is (CH2)x1, where x1 is 2 to 5, with an alkenyl bond or an alkynyl bond embedded anywhere in the chain; or A is —(CH2)x2—O—(CH2)x3— where x2 is 0 to 5 and x3 is 0 to 5, provided that at least one of x2 and x3 is other than 0,
X1 is CH or N
X2 is C, N, O or S;
X3 is C, N, O or S;
X4 is C, N, O or S, provided that at least one of X2, X3 and X4 is N;
X5 is C, N, O or S;
X6 is C or N;
X7 is C, N, O or S, provided that at least one of X5, X6 or X7 is N.
In each of X1 through X7, as defined above, C may include CH.
R1 is H or alkyl;
R2 is H, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, amino or substituted amino;
R2a, R2b and R2c may be the same or different and are selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, amino or substituted amino;
R3 and R3a are the same or different and are independently selected from H, alkyl, arylalkyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, alkynyloxycarbonyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heteroaryl-heteroarylalkyl, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, heteroaryloxycarbonylamino, heteroaryl-heteroarylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkenylsulfonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, cycloheteroalkyloxycarbonyl, heteroarylalkyl, aminocarbonyl, substituted aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylalkenyl, cycloheteroalkyl-heteroarylalkyl; hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyaryloxycarbonyl, arylalkyloxycarbonyl, alkylaryloxycarbonyl, arylheteroarylalkyl, arylalkylarylalkyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, haloalkoxyaryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylaryloxycarbonyl, aryloxyaryloxycarbonyl, arylsulfinylarylcarbonyl, arylthioarylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylaryloxycarbonyl, arylalkenyloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxyarylalkyl, aryloxyarylcarbonyl, aryloxyarylalkyloxycarbonyl, arylalkenyloxycarbonyl, arylalkylcarbonyl, aryloxyalkyloxycarbonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylthiocarbonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxyarylalkyl, heteroarylalkoxycarbonyl, arylheteroarylalkyl, alkoxyarylcarbonyl, aryloxyheteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkyloxyarylalkyl, arylarylalkyl, arylalkenylarylalkyl, arylalkoxyarylalkyl, arylcarbonylarylalkyl, alkylaryloxyarylalkyl, arylalkoxycarbonylheteroarylalkyl, heteroarylarylalkyl, arylcarbonylheteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyarylalkyl, arylalkenylheteroarylalkyl, arylaminoarylalkyl, aminocarbonylarylarylalkyl;
Y is CO2R4 (where R4 is H or alkyl, or a prodrug ester) or Y is a C-linked 1-tetrazole, a phosphinic acid of the structure P(O)(OR4a)R5, (where R4a is H or a prodrug ester, R5 is alkyl or aryl) or a phosphonic acid of the structure P(O)(OR4a)2;
(CH2)x, (CH2)x1, (CH2)x1, (CH2)x3, (CH2)m, and (CH2)n may be optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents;
including all stereoisomers thereof, prodrug esters thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
Preferred are compounds of formula I of the invention having the structure IA
More preferred are compounds of formula I of the invention having the structures IB
In the above compounds, it is most preferred that R2a, R2b and R2c are each H; R1 is alkyl, preferably CH3; x2 is 1 to 3 and x3 is 0; R2 is H; m is 0 or (CH2)m is CH2 or CHOH or CH-alkyl, X2, X3, and X4 represent a total of 1, 2 or 3 nitrogens; (CH2)n is a bond or CH2; R3 is aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl such as thiophene or thiazole, most preferably phenyl or phenyl substituted with alkyl, polyhaloalkyl, halo, alkoxy, preferably CF3 and CH3, R3a is preferably H or alkyl.
Preferred compounds of the invention include the following:
The present invention describes the discovery of dual PPARγ antagonist/PPARα agonist activity in a single molecule. The invention shows that administration of a dual PPARγ antagonist/PPARα agonist to severely diabetic, hyperlipidemic and obese db/db mice leads to a reduction in plasma triglycerides and free fatty acid levels, without a change in glucose levels. The present invention shows that administration of a dual PPARγ antagonist/PPARα agonist to a diet-induced obese mice leads to reduced body fat content and reduced fat in liver without inducing hyperlipidemia and or insulin resistance. The invention provides a list of target genes wherein their expression is altered in adipose (fat) tissue through PPARγ antagonist activity to achieve anti-obesity, insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular disease benefits.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for treating obesity in a mammal, including human, comprising administering to the mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a single compound or combination of compounds that simultaneously inhibits PPARγ and activates PPARα.
Another object of the present invention provides a method for treating metabolic syndrome (obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia) in a mammal, including a human, comprising administering to the mammal in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of any combination of two or more of the following compounds: a compound or combination of compounds that antagonize PPARγ, activates PPARα activity, an anti-diabetic compound such as but not limited to insulin, metformin, insulin sensitizers, sulfonylureas, aP2 inhibitor, SGLT-2 inhibitor, a lipid-lowering agent such as but not limited to statins, fibrates, niacin ACAT inhibitors, LCAT activators, bile acid sequestering agents and a weight reduction agent such as but not limited to orlistat, sibutramine, aP2 inhibitor, adiponectin.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a list of target genes (such as HMGic, glycerol-3-PO4-dehydrogenase, G-protein coupled receptor 26, fatty acid transport protein, adipophilin and keratinocyte fatty acid binding protein) whose expression can be altered to obtain anti-obesity effects through administration of a PPARγ antagonist and dual PPARγ antagonist/PPARα agonist or through other methods.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a list of target genes (such as PAI-1, Renin, angiotensinogen precursor) whose expression can be altered to obtain beneficial effects against cardiovascular diseases through administration of a PPARγ antagonist and dual PPARγ antagonist/PPARα agonist or through other methods.
Another object of the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of obesity comprising: a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or combination of compounds that simultaneously inhibits PPARγ and activates PPARα.
Another object of the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of obesity, insulin resistance and/or dyslipidemia, comprising: a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or combination of compounds that simultaneously inhibits PPARγ and activates PPARα and an anti-diabetic compound, a lipid-lowering agent and a weight reduction agent.
In addition, in accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, and related diseases such as insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, elevated blood levels of fatty acids or glycerol, hyperlipidemia, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, inflammation, Syndrome X, diabetic complications, dysmetabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, and related diseases wherein a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of structure I is administered to a patient in need of treatment.
In addition, in accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating early malignant lesions (such as ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast and lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast), premalignant lesions (such as fibroadenoma of the breast and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), liposarcomas and various other epithelial tumors (including breast, prostate, colon, ovarian, gastric and lung), irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, gastric ulceritis, and osteoporosis and proliferative diseases such as psoriasis, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of structure I is administered to a patient in need of treatment.
In addition, in accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating diabetes and related diseases as defined above and hereinafter, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of a compound of structure I and another type antidiabetic agent and/or a hypolipidemic agent, and/or lipid modulating agent and/or other type of therapeutic agent, is administered to a human patient in need of treatment.
In the above method of the invention, the compound of structure I will be employed in a weight ratio to the antidiabetic agent (depending upon its mode of operation) within the range from about 0.01:1 to about 100:1, preferably from about 0.5:1 to about 10:1.
The conditions, diseases, and maladies collectively referenced to as "Syndrome X" or Dysmetabolic Syndrome (as detailed in Johanson, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 1997, 82, 727-734, and other publications) include hyperglycemia and/or prediabetic insulin resistance syndrome, and is characterized by an initial insulin resistant state generating hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose tolerance, which can progress to Type II diabetes, characterized by hyperglycemia, which can progress to diabetic complications.
The term "diabetes and related diseases" refers to Type II diabetes, Type I diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, obesity, hyperglycemia, Syndrome X, dysmetabolic syndrome, diabetic complications and hyperinsulinemia.
The conditions, diseases and maladies collectively referred to as "diabetic complications" include retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy, and other known complications of diabetes.
The term "other type(s) of therapeutic agents" as employed herein refers to one or more antidiabetic agents (other than compounds of formula I), one or more anti-obesity agents, and/or one or more lipid-lowering agents, one or more lipid modulating agents (including anti-atherosclerosis agents), and/or one or more antiplatelet agents, one or more agents for treating hypertension, one or more anti-cancer drugs, one or more agents for treating arthritis, one or more anti-osteoporosis agents, one or more anti-obesity agents, one or more agents for treating immunomodulatory diseases, and/or one or more agents for treating anorexia nervosa.
The term "lipid-modulating" agent as employed herein refers to agents which lower LDL and/or raise HDL and/or lower triglycerides and/or lower total cholesterol and/or other known mechanisms for therapeutically treating lipid disorders.

Substituted azole acid derivatives useful as antidiabetic and antiobesity agents and method


Chamfer cutting devices are described. The chamfer cutting devices include a mounting bracket, an electromagnet rigidly attached to the mounting bracket, a hold/release arm magnetically coupled to the electromagnet, a chamfer former rigidly attached to the hold/release arm, wherein the chamfer cutter comprises two bending beams, each terminating in a chamfer point, and a blade rigidly connected to the mounting bracket and positioned between the chamfer points. Dispensers incorporating such chamfer cutting devices and methods of chamfer cutting are also described.

There are many applications where it is desirable to have access to numerous parts, each comprised of the same materials and having the same dimensions. There are also many applications where it is desirable to have access to numerous parts, each comprised of the same materials but having different sizes or shapes. In either case, one common approach is to have a supply of pre-cut parts; however, in some applications, it may be more efficient to have a continuous supply (e.g., a roll) of the material and cut individual parts from the roll as needed. This is particularly advantageous in applications where the size of the desired part is determined just prior to its application, and/or when there is a continuous distribution of desired sizes rather than a discrete number of part sizes.
In some applications, the precise dimensions of a cut part may be critical. For example, a lead-free wheel weight system is available from 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.), which combines a lead-free wheel balancing material with an adhesive tape. The wheel weight system is available in rolls of various lengths, widths, and heights. Based on the particular density, width, and height of the material, parts having a desired weight can be produced by cutting a precise length from the roll stock. In some applications, e.g., wheel balancing, the length of the part (i.e., the lead-free wheel weight system) is determined shortly before the part is needed for assembly.
In many cut and dispense applications, a straight cut across the width and through height of the material is adequate. However, with thicker materials intended to be applied by hand the shape of the cut-edge may affect the ergonomics of the product and its intended use. For example, the repeated hand application of parts having sharp corners or edges may result in discomfort as a finger or thumb is pressed on or slid over the edge as the cut part is pressed into place.
The creation of a chamfered edge of a part to create a desired edge profile is known. As illustrated in FIG. 1, first chamfered corner 21 is the profiled portion of first cut edge 11 connecting top surface 30 and first cut side wall 31 of part 40. In some embodiments, second chamfered corner 22 forms part of second cut edge 12, and again connects to both top surface 30 and second cut side wall 32.
As used herein, a "chamfered corner" includes beveled corners and rounded corners. First chamfer 21 illustrates a beveled corner, i.e., a substantially planar corner intersecting the top surface and the cut side wall at angles other than 90 degrees. The term "substantially planar" is meant to encompass the normal variations typical in any manufacturing process including, e.g., some rounding at the intersection of the beveled corner and the top surface and at the intersection of the beveled corner and the side wall.
Referring to FIG. 1, the angle between the beveled corner and the cut side wall, A1, and the angle between the beveled corner and the top surface, A2, sum to 90 degrees. In some embodiments, angle A1 is at least 10 degrees, e.g., at least 20 degrees, or even at least 30 degrees. In some embodiments, angle A1 is no greater than 80 degrees, e.g., no greater than 70 degrees, or even no greater than 60 degrees. In some embodiments, angle A1 is between 30 and 60 degrees, inclusive, e.g., between 40 and 50 degrees, inclusive.
Second chamfered corner 22 illustrates a rounded corner. As used herein, a "rounded corner" consists essentially of a continuous, arcuate corner connecting the top surface to the cut side wall. The rounded corner may be convex or concave. The term "consists essentially of a continuous, arcuate corner" is meant to encompass the normal variations typical in any manufacturing process, particularly variations that can occur at the intersection of the chamfered edge and one or both of the top surface and the cut side edge.
Often, a chamfered corner is formed after a part is cut. Commonly, the chamfered is formed by removing (e.g., cutting or abrading) material near the intersection of the top surface and the cut edge until the desired profile is obtained. However, in rare applications (e.g., the creation of precision wheel weight segments) the removal of material would result in an undesirable decrease in the mass of the part. This problem could be overcome by molding parts with the desired profile; however, such an approach is not practical for on-demand application or applications requiring a continuous distribution of part sizes.
Therefore, it some applications, it may be desirable to provide a device capable of cutting a part to a desired length and creating a chamfered edge in the same step. It may also be desirable to create the chamfered edge without removing material.


The present invention aims at realizing a real-time call process by performing a timesaving operation in retrieving personal information in a personal communications system for establishing communications based on a unique personal number assigned to each subscriber. In addition to a unique personal number, each subscriber can be assigned a group number identifying a group to which the subscriber belongs and a local number of the group. For example, if a source subscriber specifies as a destination number the group number+local number of subscriber B, a service control point 11 broadcasts over a network a packet addressed with the group number+local number of subscriber B. Each of the service control points in the network determines whether or not a data base connected to it stores a group number which matches the destination address of the packet. If yes, the packet is received. Then, the associated data base retrieves the personal information associated with the destination address of the received packet, that is, the personal information on subscriber B, and returns to the service control point 11 the packet provided with the personal information on subscriber B. The service control point 11 performs a routing process according to the location information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a personal communication method and system for establishing communications based on a unique personal number assigned to each subscriber.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, personal communications have been more and more popular for their noticeable utility. Personal communications can be established by assigning a unique personal number to each subscriber and specifying by a source subscriber the personal number of a destination subscriber wherever the destination subscriber is when he or she is called.
The personal communications enable a source subscriber to communicate with any destination subscriber wherever the destination subscriber is when he or she is called, thereby guaranteeing personal mobility and realizing communications with any subscriber regardless of the type of network.
To successfully establish personal communications, unique personal numbers and the related location information, etc. should be stored in a data base. However, if personal information is centrally managed in one data base, it takes much time to retrieve target personal information, thus causing difficulty in establishing real-time communications.
Then, a plurality of data bases are assumed to store personal information separately. In this case, target personal information must be easily accessed and retrieved from the right data base. To attain this, a new data base accessing method has been developed by providing a directory server for informing which data base contains the target personal information so that the address of the data base can be retrieved from the directory server.
FIG. 1 shows the access sequence according to which the above described data base accessing method is carried out.
When a subscriber specifies a source identifier (ID) (a personal number of a source subscriber) and a destination ID (a personal number of a destination subscriber), a switching unit first retrieves from a directory server the address of the personal information data base (DB) storing the personal information on the source according to the source ID, and gets information from the data base whether or not the source is registered as a subscriber. Then, it retrieves from the directory server the address of the personal information data base storing the personal information on the destination subscriber according to the destination ID, gets the destination location information from the corresponding data base, and performs a routing process according to the location information.
However, a method of retrieving a data base storing target personal information in the above described directory server requires time for retrieving necessary information in a directory server and a data base. Therefore, with the increasing subscribers and total retrieval time in a directory server, it becomes very difficult to perform real-time call processes.
On the other hand, the noticeable utility pertaining to the personal communications that the communications can be established wherever a destination subscriber is may be the problem for the destination subscriber that the privacy of the destination subscriber can be violated by a call when he or she does not want to accept it, or that the subscriber is subject to a malicious call. Therefore, a countermeasure is demanded to realize call reception control performed by a destination subscriber so that the destination subscriber's undesirable call can be rejected.
Furthermore, with the conventional personal communications, a unique personal number must be assigned to each subscriber in the world. Accordingly, a personal number is represented by not a few digits, and subscribers often get into trouble of memorizing and entering all the digits in making a call.

Personal communication method and system


Corrosion resistance is provided to metal substrates by the application of a hydrophobic resinous substance containing slightly alkaline particles in suspension. When applied to the metal substrate surface the cured resin provides a controlled diffusion barrier to the particles contained therein. Upon exposure to a liquid medium containing dissolved acid salts the alkaline substance leaches through the coating to neutralize the solution. The corrosion resistant coating is especially effective as an automotive finish primer and an autobody undercoat.

The increasing usage of chemical salts as melting agents in combination with sand to promote traction upon winter roads causes increased damage to the metal undercarriage of vehicles using the roads. The splashing of surface water containing salts results in a chemical reaction between the metal undercarriage and the particular chemicals involved. A common road treating chemical such as calcium chloride in the presence of water can form a dilute hydrochloric acid substance which attacks the metal on contact.
The application of protective coating compositions such as that described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,635 delays the deterioration process to a certain extent but is not completely effective. The use of sand with the salt material causes the protective coating composition to become mechanically abraded to such an extent that the salt-containing liquid permeates through to the metal. In some instances, particularly when the vehicles are stored in overnight heated garages, severe metal erosion exists under an otherwise intact coating of undercoat material. The liquid diffuses through the undercoat carrying the corrosive salts in solution for reacting at the temperatures provided within the heated garage enclosure. Removing intact layers of undercoat material reveals badly eroded metal substrates which remain undetected until holes appear in the opposite metal surface.
The erosion of the metal undercarriages is especially severe in northern regions of the United States where hundreds of thousands of tons of salt and sand are applied in the course of a particularly severe winter season. Otherwise operable vehicles are discarded in most instances since the rusting is not discovered until such a state of deterioration has occurred that replacement and repair becomes prohibitively expensive.
The purpose of this invention is to provide methods and materials for providing long-term protection to metal surfaces exposed to heavy concentrations of acid materials.


A video camera system for recording an image of an subject. The video camera system includes; a video camera body for recording the image of the subject; a supporting base for supporting a coupling member; the coupling member for coupling the video camera with the supporting base so that the video camera is mounted on the supporting base, and for releasing the video camera from the supporting base; and a controller for setting functions of the video camera, such as the exposure level, the focusing point adjustment mode, the angle of view, the white balance, and the automatic gain control level, to record the image of the subject within a predetermined focal range when the video camera is mounted on the supporting base.

The present invention relates to a method for use of a stationary compact video camera which is used for a visual telephone or the like.
Recently, the size of a video camera has been remarkably reduced and its cost has been remarkably lowered, in addition to the increase of functions and performance, and the video camera has been spreading and used in various fields as an image transmission and recording means.
Among various video cameras, a stationary compact type video camera has remarkably wide fields for use in the near future as a means for photographing a human image in a visual telephone, a means for information transmission for industry or traffic, or an observation and recording means of ecology of animals and plants.
An object of the stationary type video camera is, intrinsically, to take a photograph of a subject positioned at a specified distance. Accordingly, in many cases, an exclusive base for the video camera is provided, and the video camera is used under the condition that it is fixed to the base.
However, recently, even in the stationary type video camera, it has highly advanced functions in which photographing for a distant view and a close-range view, and further, even close-up photographing can be carried out, and the video camera can be widely used for general purposes in addition to the foregoing uses.
However, in the case where this type of video camera is used for close-up photographing, or out-door photographing, when it is fixed to the base, it is inconvenient because a photographing attitude can not be freely taken for this type of video camera as compared with a general purpose handy type video camera and its functions can not be fully used.
Inversely, in the handy type video camera, it is not its object that it is provided on a mount or a table, and accordingly, it is not suitable for the field of use of the present invention.
Further, in the video camera for general purpose use, only two types of control functions of automatic and manual controls are provided for various control functions such as an exposure level of an image pick-up element, focusing point control of a picture taking lens, an image magnification ratio of a picture taking lens, white balance, an AGC level or the like (hereinafter, called various control functions).
Automatic control has the limit to its own corresponding performance. Although manual control can conduct fine control, it is necessary to adjust its setting every time when a position of the video camera is changed.
The object of the present invention is to solve the foregoing problems and to provide a stationary type video camera which can be easily operated and used for general purpose photographing in the same manner as the handy type video camera, and can easily provide optimum settings for various control functions and which can be easily operated, for each camera position in the field of use as described above.

Video camera system for use in fixed and free modes in which, when coupled to a base in the fixed mode, video functions are automatically set by a control