A method for processing interface messages, such as SCSI messages, using an indexed jump table. Two single-dimensional tables are implemented by the method described. The first table stores index values for all valid sequence instruction locations for which an ATN signal can be detected. The second table stores index values for all valid interface messages. The index values of these two tables are used as entry points to the indexed jump table whose elements contain addresses to message handling functions.

A parallel I/O bus provides a peer-to-peer interface among a network of computers and peripheral devices, such as disk drives and CD-POM drives. One such parallel I/O bus, the Small Computer Standard Interface (SCSI), became an ANSI standard in 1986 under the title X3.131-1986. SCSI-1, the subject of this ANSI standard has been enhanced by the introduction of SCSI-2.
A SCSI system consists of one or more initiators, which are able to issue commands on the SCSI bus, and one or more targets, which perform commands received from an initiator. For example, an initiator could be a CPU of a computer system. This initiator might issue commands via the SCSI bus to a disk drive. The disk drive would be the target Activity by initiators and targets on the SCSI bus is accomplished by an eight-phase transaction cycle, consisting of the phases named: BUS FREE, ARBITRATION, SELECTION, RESELECTION, COMMAND, DATA, STATUS, and MESSAGE.
A SCSI bus cycle begins in the BUS FREE phase. In the ARBITRATION phase, the devices needing access to the bus vie to gain control it. The device with the highest SCSI ID is given control. Then in the SELECTION phase, an initiator which has been given control, chooses its target device. Alternatively, in the RESELECTION phase, a target which has been given control and which needs to reconnect to an initiator, chooses the initiator device.
The lag four phases (COMMAND, DATA, STATUS and MESSAGE) are collectively known as the information transfer phase. In the COMMAND phase, a target device requests a command from an initiator device. Data is transferred in the set of DATA phases. In the STATUS phase, a single status byte is sent by the target to the initiator. This status byte indicates whether or not the SCSI command has been successfully completed. In the final phase of a SCSI command, a "command complete" message is sent from the target to the initiator to indicate that the SCSI command has completed. Messages are also used by an initiator to indicate some abnormal event on the SCSI bus. An initiator may assert the ATN signal during SCSI information transfer phases to indicate a desire to send a SCSI message to the target. This may occur during any information transfer phase.
In some sequencer-based implementations of a SCSI system, once a message is received in the MESSAGE phase, a subroutine is called in order to provide further processing. The subroutine called is based upon the location of the sequencer instruction in the sequencer code area (hereafter referred to as sequencer instruction location) which was being executed when the ATN signal was detected and the message that was received by the target in response to the AIN signal. The subroutine calls can be implemented in various ways. One implementation used to decide which subroutine should be called involves a series of checks For example, nested IF-statements could branch to a subroutine based on the results of several compound IF-statements, such as:
______________________________________ IF SEQUENCER.sub.-- INSTRUCTION.sub.-- LOCATION.sub.-- 1 THEN IF MESSAGE.sub.-- 1 THEN GOSUB SUBROUTINE.sub.-- 1 ELSE IF MESSAGE.sub.-- 2 THEN GOSUB SUBROUTINE.sub.-- 2 ELSE IF MESSAGE.sub.-- 3 THEN GOSUB SUBROUTINE.sub.-- 3 END.sub.-- IF END.sub.-- IF ELSE IF SEQUENCER.sub.-- INSTRUCTION.sub.-- LOCATION.sub.-- 2 THEN IF MESSAGE.sub.-- 1 THEN GOSUB SUBROUTINE.sub.-- 4 ELSE IF MESSAGE.sub.-- 2 THEN GOSUB SUBROUTINE.sub.-- 5 END.sub.-- IF END.sub.-- IF ______________________________________
An alternative implementation of supporting these subroutine calls is by using a jump table. Jump tables are two dimensional arrays by which a jump to a subroutine is determined by the array's coordinates. In the preceding example, the x-coordinate of an array could correspond to the sequencer instruction location and the y-coordinate could represent the message. The contents of any element in the array, referenced by an x-axis sequencer instruction location and a y-axis message, is the appropriate subroutine call.
However, jump tables have disadvantages. A primary disadvantage is memory usage. A jump table whose dimensions are referenced by the set of sequencer instruction locations and the set of messages wastes memory if not all sequencer instruction locations are paired with messages, if not all messages are supported as valid messages, or if the actions to be taken for different messages is identical. In these situations, the jump table is a sparse table. The table entries which do not provide an address of a subroutine function are superfluous. What is needed in the art is a way to decrease the memory consumption of such a sparse jump table. The enhanced jump table should require a minimum amount of memory and yet offer ease of implementation without significant degradation in performance.

Method for implementing an indexed jump table


An anti-vibration device (1) of the present invention includes a cylindrical first attaching member (11) and a second attaching member (12), an elastic body (13), and a partition member (17) which is configured to partition a liquid chamber (14) in the first attaching member into a main liquid chamber (15) and an auxiliary liquid chamber (16). The partition member includes a membrane (31) that forms a part of the partition wall of the main liquid chamber, and an intermediate chamber (35) which is located on a side opposite to the main liquid chamber with the membrane therebetween and has a membrane as a part of a partition wall of the main liquid chamber. In the partition member, a first orifice (21) through which the main liquid chamber and the auxiliary liquid chamber communicate with each other, and a second orifice (22) through which the intermediate chamber and the auxiliary liquid chamber communicate with each other, and a common opening (16a) which forms an opening on the auxiliary liquid chamber side of each of the first orifice (21) and the second orifice (22) are formed.

An anti-vibration device, as disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, is known from the related art. The anti-vibration device includes a cylindrical first attaching member connected to one of a vibration generation unit and a vibration reception unit, a second attaching member connected to the other thereof, an elastic body that connects the first attaching member and the second attaching member, and a partition member that partitions a liquid chamber in the first attaching member into a main liquid chamber having the elastic body as a part of a partition wall and an auxiliary liquid chamber. The partition member is provided with a membrane which forms a part of the partition wall of the main liquid chamber, and an intermediate chamber located on a side opposite to the main liquid chamber with the membrane sandwiched therebetween and having the membrane as a part of the partition wall. Further, in the partition member, a first orifice through which the main liquid chamber and the auxiliary liquid chamber communicate with each other, and a second orifice through which the intermediate chamber and the auxiliary liquid chamber communicate with each other are formed.
In the anti-vibration device, at the time of vibration input, the two attaching members are displaced relative to each other, while elastically deforming the elastic body, and the liquid pressure in the main liquid chamber varies which causes the liquid to flow through the first orifice and the second orifice, thereby absorbing and damping the vibration.


An insert panel assembly for the IDU cards at the hub of a point-to-multipoint millimeter wave wireless communication system. Generic cards with terminations for the selective connection of remote transceivers are provided with an apertured faceplate over which an insert panel may be placed to selectively block access to the card terminations. In one embodiment, the insert carries adaptors and another embodiment the connector on the conductor from the transceiver is configured to attach to the faceplate. In both embodiments the weight of the connector and conductor is supported by the chassis and not by the card. The connector is angled downwardly to avoid stress on the conductor and reduce the likelihood of kinking.

The present invention relates generally to the attachment of remote peripherals to chassis mounted cards, and more specifically to the attachment of remote transceivers to the printed circuit cards at the hub of a millimeter wave point-to-multipoint communication systems.
Point-to-multipoint millimeter wave wireless communication systems are well know and are described, e.g., in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,313, entitled "System and Method for Broadband Millimeter Wave Data Communication." Such systems generally consist of one or more hubs each servicing a plurality of remote nodes. The antennae of such systems are highly directional and it is critical to the successful operation of the communication system that the signals received at the hub be correctly routed to an antenna correctly aimed in both azimuth and elevation. It is typical that a hub contain multiple antennae and thus multiple cards in the hub equipment.
Point-to-multipoint communication systems are generally modular with reconfiguration of the coverage of the antennae required, e.g., as the number of subscribers increases within a sector, as subscribers come on line in sectors previously not serviced, as the communication traffic increases within a sector, etc. It is thus important that the hub equipment include a chassis capable of supporting multiple cards usable with various transducers, and that the access to the terminations on those cards be selectively restricted to avoid erroneous connections. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for selectively connecting peripherals such as transducers to printed circuit cards.
Printed circuit cards are generally electrically attached by frictional connectors to the back plane or mother board mounted in a metal chassis, but the cards are not generally expected to be exposed to movement inducing forces once installed. The terminations of printed circuit cards are often the male or female halves of a multiple pin connector and are accessible through the faceplate of the card. Such terminations are secured to the card but are not expected to subject to movement inducing forces once the card is installed into the protective chassis. Any force on the terminations may result in damage to the connection to the card and/or cause movement of the card relative to the chassis and disrupt the connection of the card to the back plane.
The connector on the conductor from the remote peripheral is generally plugged directly into the card termination. The weight of the connector on the peripheral conductor as well as the weight of the conductor itself has long been a problem in the connection of remote peripherals, as this weight is supported by the termination on the card and tends to cause unwanted movement under the influence of gravity and/or the movement of the peripheral conductor. It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a novel card connector and method in which the connector is supported by the chassis rather than the card.
The angle of insertion of the connector from the peripheral is generally normal to the card faceplate and parallel to the surface of the card to which the termination is mounted. It is not unusual for the conductors to transition from the horizontal to the vertical and/or laterally to one side of the chassis within an inch or two of the chassis The sharpness of this bend is increased where the conductor is long and the weight of the conductor substantial. The sharp radius of the curve induces stress in the conductor itself and on the card to which connected. It is accordingly a further object of the present invention to provide a novel card connecting system and method in which the sharpness of the bend in the conductor is significantly reduced
These and other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.


Missing covers on pipes of a pool circulation system can create a hair and limb entrapment hazard for swimmers. The present invention provides pipe insert with a cylindrical body having a plurality of fins that extend into the cylindrical body to prevent the entrapment of limbs in the pipes of the pool circulation system. The fins further comprise a geometry that easily sheds hair strands to prevent hair from getting trapped in the pipe.

This invention relates to drain constructions located in the bottom or along the sides of a pool or hot tub through which water flows under the action of gravity or a pump that acts to suck water out of the pool.
The dangers inherent in pools and hot tubs having circulating water systems are well known and documented. For example, suction or vacuum forces frequently occur near the water drains sufficient to hold a swimmer or user in life threatening situations. Entanglement or knotting of hair on or through a sump, suction line or a drain grate can also cause injuries and possibly drowning.
Limbs can be inserted into suction lines, such as PVC pipes, when the suction fittings or covers are removed or missing from a sump. Suction can draw the limbs into the pipes fitted to the sumps; here the limbs can be trapped by suction, friction, swelling of the limb, etc.
A homemade remedy for the limb entrapment hazard is to insert a couple of cross bolts in a simple pattern at the entrance to the pipe. Bathtub drains and slop sink drains adopt this concept. Some drain lines use manufactured perforated covers. These concepts generally introduce a hair entrapment hazard. They can also give rise to a mechanical finger entrapment hazard. Furthermore, they allow a hand to seal off a small pipe (2″ to 3″ diameter) and instantly develop close to the theoretical vacuum limit (14.7 psi). A three inch PVC pipe can develop nearly 100 lbs of holding force on a bather.


An energy recovery system for a pipe manufacturing process is shown. A compression or injection molding operation is used to form a sealing gasket which is used in the subsequent pipe manufacturing operation. A Stirling engine cycle is used to recover heat during the gasket manufacture. The Stirling engine is driven by waste heat from the mold members or other associated parts of the injection or compression molding apparatus. The recovered waste heat is used to subsequently heat the female pipe end which is being belled in the pipe manufacturing process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the manufacture of plastic pipe of the type used in municipal water and sewer systems, more specifically, to the injection and compression molding processes used to form the sealing gaskets which are installed in such systems, and to a process for recovering and further utilizing waste energy from such processes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An almost unlimited variety of articles are produced from rubber, synthetic elastomers and plastics using compression and injection molding equipment. As one example, many kinds of equipment, ducting, piping, castings, and other parts are joined together in gasketed joints in order to form gas, liquid, electrical, chemical, or sound isolation seals at the joints.
For example, a variety of piping systems are known for the conveyance of fluids which employ elastomeric type sealing rings or gaskets. The pipes used in such systems may be formed of PVC, polyolefins such as PE and PP, ductile iron, concrete, clay, fiberglass, steel, cast iron, fiberglass/cement reinforced pipes and such metals as aluminum and copper. Pipes formed from thermoplastic materials including polyethylene and PVC are used in a variety of industries but are particularly useful in municipal water and sewage systems. It is well known in the art to extrude such plastic pipes in an elongated cylindrical configuration of a desired diameter and to then cut the extruded product into individual lengths of convenient size suitable for handling, shipping and installing. Each length of pipe is enlarged or "belled" at one end sufficiently to join the next adjacent pipe section by receiving in the female, belled end the unenlarged or "spigot" male end of the next adjacent length of pipe. The inside diameter of the bell is formed sufficiently large to receive the spigot end of the next section of pipe with sufficient clearance to allow the application of packing, caulking, elastomeric gaskets or other sealing devices designed to prevent leakage at pipe joints when a plurality of pipe lengths are joined to form a pipeline.
In the early 1970's, a new sealing gasket technology for PVC pipes was developed by Rieber & Son of Bergen, Norway, referred to in the industry as the "Rieber Joint." The Rieber system provided an integral sealing mechanism within the belled or female pipe end for sealing with the spigot end of a mating pipe formed from thermoplastic material. In the Rieber process, the elastomeric gasket was inserted within an internal groove in the socket end of the female pipe as the female or belled end was simultaneously being formed. The provision of a prestressed and anchored elastomeric gasket during the belling process at the pipe factory provided an improved socket end for a pipe joint with a sealing gasket which would not twist or flip or otherwise allow impurities to enter the sealing zones of the joint, thus increasing the reliability of the joint and decreasing the risk of leaks or possible failure due to abrasion. The Rieber process is described in the following issued United States patents, among others: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,120,521; 4,061,459; 4,030,872; 3,965,715; 3,929,958; 3,887,992; 3,884,612; and 3,776,682.
The elastomeric rings or gaskets used in the above type of sealing applications are typically formed from natural or synthetic rubbers or synthetic elastomers in compression or injection molding machines. Either type of molding machine produces excess, waste heat in the manufacturing environment. Heat is also utilized in the Rieber pipe manufacturing process where the female pipe end is heated and forced over the forming mandrel and sealing gasket to form the belled pipe end. Despite the many advances which have occurred in injection and compression molding technologies, and in plastic pipe manufacturing techniques, a need exists to continue to improve the manufacturing efficiency and economy in such processes. A specific area in which the overall efficiency and economy of the processes can be improved is in the area of energy utilization and recovery.
Both profits and environmental quality can be improved by more carefully using energy in industrial processes such as the compression and injection molding processes and plastic pipe manufacturing processes described. Discharging any heated fluid (air, water, etc.) into the environment is a waste of money and resources. Hot waste streams are paid for with money that could have been profit. Energy has always been a significant component of industrial operations, but only rarely has efficient energy use been a priority when factories were being expanded. As long as a factory or product line was profitable, very little attention was usually paid to efficient energy use. Today, however, increasing attention is being focused on maximizing energy use and minimizing pollution in the modern industrial setting.

Energy recovery method for plastic pipe manufacturing systems


An ice cube restraining device for restraining ice cubes in the bottom of a drink container. The device includes a plurality of contact patches for engaging the interior surface of the drink container, and flexible circumferential web pieces which extend between adjacent pairs of the contact patches to support the contact patches in a circumferential direction. The device further includes a central hoop member and a plurality of flexible web pieces which extend radially inwardly from the contact patches to the central hoop member to thereby support the contact patches in a radial direction.

A long recognized need for glasses or drink containers containing solid objects, such as ice cubes or the like relates to the ability to provide a mechanism for restraining the objects in the container while permitting sufficient flow of the drink from the container. Various devices have been proposed to accomplish this task with varying results.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,173,374 to Nolda discloses a device for retaining ice in a glass wherein the device comprises a resilient outer ring supporting inwardly extending prongs. The device is formed with a conical shaped outer wall for frictional engagement with the inner surface of a glass, and therefore is limited to use in combination with drinking vessels having walls angled similar to the angle of the outer wall of the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,320 to Biro discloses a device for holding ice in a glass wherein the disclosed device is a molded plastic unit forming a screen, and a U-shaped portion at a center portion of the device acts as a spring to bias the device against the sides of the drinking glass. This device is limited in its range of use by the range of travel of the U-shaped spring member, such that the device may be used only with a limited range of drinking glass diameters.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,375 to Fantacone discloses a drinking receptacle and ice trap for use in combination with one another wherein the trap includes a side section for engaging the sides of a glass and a bottom section, the side and bottom sections are formed with concentrically arranged openings. The drink receptacle is specifically formed with an internal annular lip for cooperating with a rim on the trap such that the trap is not designed for use with a wide range of drink vessels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,157 to Stone-Parker et al. attempts to address the shortcomings of the previously mentioned prior art and provides a retainer device for insertion in a drinking container wherein the device includes a solid central portion with S-shaped arms extending radially outwardly for engagement with the interior of a drink container. The arms are preferably provided with a rubber tip on the ends thereof for engaging glass and plastic drink containers. While this device provides an advantage over prior art devices in increasing the range of drink containers that the device may be used in, it is still limited in that the S-shaped or double curved arms, which are formed of plastic, will only be adapted to flex to a certain degree for insertion into smaller diameter drink containers, as limited by the dimensions and stiffness of the plastic material forming the arms.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a device for restraining ice in a drink container wherein the device is adapted to be used in a wide range of drink container sizes and which is of simple construction formed of a single homogeneous material, and not requiring a specially designed container to hold the device in place.


A first Policy and Charging Rules Function “PCRF” server for recovery of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” system. The PCC system also has a second PCRF server previously in charge of controlling an Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network “IP-CAN” session previously established with a UE, and a PCRF-client. The first PCRF server includes a network interface unit of the first PCRF server arranged for receiving a modification request of the IP-CAN session from the PCRF-client after failure of the second PCRF server which was in active mode. The first PCRF server has a PCRF identifier which is shared with the second PCRF server that has failed. The first PCRF server now in active mode. The modification request requesting new rules for the IP-CAN session, including modification data and excluding access data and supported features for the IP-CAN session. The first PCRF server includes a processing unit of the first PCRF server arranged for determining that the IP-CAN session is unknown, and arranged for submitting a request from the network interface unit of the first PCRF server to the PCRF-client to provide all information that the PCRF-client has regarding the IP-CAN session. The information includes all data required to be sent for the IP-CAN session establishment and synchronization data. A Policy and Charging Rules Function “PCRF”-client for recovery of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” system. Methods for recovery of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” system with a first Policy and Charging Rules Function “PCRF” server in standby mode, a second PCRF server in active mode, and a PCRF-client, wherein an IP-CAN session is already established with a UE and controlled by the second PCRF server. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for recovery of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” system.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention. The following discussion is intended to provide information to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that statements in the following discussion are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
PCC Architecture in 3GPP
The architecture that supports Policy and Charging Control functionality is depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 has been taken from TS 23.203 (V.9.5.0) that specifies the PCC functionality for Evolved 3GPP Packet Switched domain, including both 3GPP accesses (GERAN/UTRAN/E-UTRAN) and Non-3GPP accesses. The nodes that would receive any impact from this invention have diagonal lines.
The Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) is a functional element that encompasses policy control decision and flow based charging control functionalities. The PCRF provides network control regarding the service data flow detection, gating, QoS and flow based charging (except credit management) towards a Policy Control and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF). The PCRF receives session and media related information from an Application Function (AF) and informs the AF of traffic plane events. The PCRF shall provision Policy Control and Charging (PCC) rules to the PCEF via a so-called Gx reference point. The PCRF shall inform the PCEF through the use of PCC rules on the treatment of each service data flow that is under PCC control, in accordance with the PCRF policy decision(s).
The Application Function (AF) is an element offering applications in which service is delivered in a different layer (i.e. transport layer) from the one the service has been requested (i.e. signaling layer), the control of IP bearer resources according to what has been negotiated. One example of an AF is the Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) of the IM CN subsystem. The AF shall communicate with the PCRF to transfer dynamic session information (i.e. description of the media to be delivered in the transport layer). This communication is performed using a so-called Rx interface.
The PCEF encompasses service data flow detection (based on filters definitions included in the PCC rules), as well as online and offline charging interactions (not described here) and policy enforcement. Since the PCEF is the one handling the bearers, the PCEF is where the QoS is being enforced for the bearer according to the QoS information coming from the PCRF. This functional entity, namely the PCEF, is located at the Gateway (e.g. GGSN in the GPRS case, and PDG in the WLAN case). For the cases where there is a Proxy Mobile IP (PMIP) instead of a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) between a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF) and the PCEF, the bearer control is done in the BBERF instead. For the purpose of the present invention, the BBERF behaves as the PCEF.
When multiple addressable PCRFs have been deployed in a Diameter realm, an optional logical Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) function is enabled in the PCC architecture. This entity ensures that all Diameter sessions for Gx, Gxx, S9 and Rx interfaces, find the same PCRF. See FIG. 2.
PCRF Failover and Recovery Mechanisms in the Standards
The PCC architecture has been defined in 3GPP without considering the failover and recovery mechanisms of the involved entities. 3GPP specifies the failover and restoration mechanisms for most of the core network elements in 3GPP TS 23.007. Though PCC architecture has been so far out of the scope of this specification, there is some work in 3GPP to incorporate PCC in future versions.
On the other hand, 3GPP has analyzed different PCRF failover and recovery scenarios that are documented in 3GPP TR 29.816.
In a scenario where more than one PCRF exists in the PCC architecture, upon failure of a PCRF, an alternative PCRF is contacted. This solution assumes that no interaction exists amongst the more than one PCRF, and that a central entity (a so-called DRA) provides to any PCRF-client (namely PCEF or BBERF) information to select an active PCRF. In order to update the alternative PCRF, 3GPP proposes that each PCRF-client (PCEF, BBERF) stores the session data available before failing the formerly active PCRF, and updates the alternative PCRF with said session data. In a scenario where just one PCRF exists, or where no alternative PCRF exists to take the role and activities of the failing PCRF, 3GPP proposes that, upon recovery of the failing PCRF, each PCRF-client (PCEF) updates the recovering PCRF with session data previously saved. More specifically, the PCRF-client in this approach is aware of the PCRF failure and thus requests the DRA to provide information about other active PCRF.
However, 3GPP does not dictate the specific data and the frequency which the session data is saved for an eventual PCRF recovery procedure. Saving all session data at any time they are modified produces a significant work load for each PCRF-client, and the provision of the saved session data from each PCRF-client to the new active PCRF, or to the recovering PCRF, also produces a quite significant work load for the new active PCRF, or recovering PCRF, as well as for each PCRF-client.
PCC Failover Mechanisms in a Real Deployments
Some products (e.g. the Ericsson SAPC implementing the PCRF) are developing solutions based on the use of geographical redundancy. Some platforms allow that geographical redundancy at host level, i.e. there are two instances of the same PCRF, primary and stand-by. With this option, when the primary PCRF instance fails, the stand-by PCRF can take the control without involving the clients (e.g. PCEF). From the PCRF client perspective, there is a unique PCRF with a unique IP address and a unique Diameter Destination-Host.
Geographical Redundancy at host level is advantageous since                it is transparent to the clients (e.g. PCEF, BBERF or AF)        extra-signaling is avoided. No redirection mechanism has to be supported to find an alternative node        it is cheaper. High reliability is achieved without needs for a central entity such as the above DRA
For these solutions based on conventional Geographical redundancy it is required that the primary PCRF instance and the stand by maintain the same replicated information. The standby instance requires having access to the same static information (configuration and provisioning information) than the primary one. Replication of dynamic information (session information) is also necessary if it is required that sessions on going are not affected when the stand by node takes the control upon a primary failover. However, solutions where the session information is replicated between the active and standby PCRF instances require that the active PCRF instance shall keep the stand-by PCRF instance updated in each session modification event, what may provoke high internal processing in the node, performance drop, system instability, and also requires a high capacity update link between PCRF instances.
For this reason conventional geographical redundancy solutions limit the replication to static information. With this approach at least it is ensured that the stand-by instance can take the control of all the new sessions being established, since it will have replicated all the non-volatile data (e.g. subscription data) in its internal (or external) data base. Since the volatile data is lost, ongoing sessions cannot be handled.
Problems with Existing Solutions
The alternatives proposed in 3GPP in TR 29.816 distinguish between deployments of multiple PCRF with DRA, and single PCRF. In a single PCRF deployment, the main drawback is that sessions cannot be maintained or can be maintained during a period of time but with the risk of obsolete information. In the solutions based on multiple PCRF, the PCRF client (e.g. PCEF, BBERF) shall detect the PCRF failure, and shall take actions to come through the situation detected. All the alternatives imply big impacts on the PCRF client, such as storing PCRF session data and updating procedures towards the active PCRFs.
On the other hand, as described in the previous clause, current deployments already offer some geographical redundancy solutions so that an alternative instance of the same PCRF node can take the control of the PCC interactions. As said before, those solutions would only work for the new sessions being established, since the PCRF has lost the dynamic data for the active sessions. In order for the PCRF to obtain the PCC rules applicable to a particular IP-CAN session, it needs specific access information, supported features, and subscription information.
The access information is conventionally obtained in the initial IP-CAN session establishment (i.e. in the first interaction that the PCEF has with the PCRF for a certain session, the client will provide all available access data), and, if the PCRF subscribed to changes over that information, in IP-CAN session modification operations received when a specific access data is modified (in this case, only the modified data may be received).
On the other hand, the features that both the PCEF and the PCRF supports are also negotiated during the first interaction and would apply during the whole IP-CAN session. The subscription information is obtained from an external or internal database.
With geographical redundancy in a unique logical entity, the PCEF will not be aware that the PCRF has failed, since a different PCRF has taken the control. Thus, when the PCEF has to contact the PCRF for a particular active IP-CAN session (e.g. some access data has changed), the PCEF will initiate an IP-CAN session modification towards the known PCRF. Since this message might only include data related to the specific change, the new PCRF would not have enough information to provide valid PCC rules.
One possible solution to this problem in the conventional approach can be based on a synchronization mechanism between PCRFs, i.e., the active PCRF shall keep the stand-by PCRF updated with the relevant session data. However, due to the nature of this node, the dynamic data can be changed very often, what would require high internal processing in the node.
FIG. 3 illustrates the described problem.
1. The UE initiates a PDN connection as per normal procedures
2. The PCEF initiates an IP-CAN Session Establishment towards the PCRF. It includes the identity of the subscriber, the features supported by the PCEF and the access data information available at the PCEF.
3. The request reaches the PCRF-FE that will address the request to the active PCRF (PCRF1).
4. The PCRF1 will make the policy decisions using the received access data and permanent subscriber data. The PCRF will derive the supported features using the feature information received in the request.
5. The PCRF1 provides the derived PCC rules, supported features and required events in the response.                NOTE: It is assumed that all the available access information is received in the request. According to the standard, it is also possible that, upon event-trigger subscription, if the PCEF has not included relevant information for the related subscribed events, it will send that information in a new request.
6. PCRF-FE forwards the request to the PCEF
7. The PCEF responds back to the UE, following current procedures.
8. PCRF1 fails. PCRF-FE internally assigns a new PCRF (PCRF2) that can only take control of existing IP-CAN sessions.
9. The UE initiates a new interaction that requires PCC control (e.g. TFT change).                NOTE: The interaction can also be initiated by any other entity in the network (e.g. SGSN or HSS)
10. The PCEF initiates an IP-CAN Session Modification towards the PCRF. It includes the IP-Address of the subscriber, the applicable event (e.g. TFT change) and the information related to that event (e.g. TFT filters).
11. The request reaches the PCRF-FE that will address the request to the new active PCRF (PCRF2).
12. The PCRF2 does not have dynamic information for this IP-CAN session, since all volatile data have been lost. Thus it is not aware of the PCC decisions made previously, nor the features that the PCEF supports. It does not know the access data relevant for the PCC Rules. Thus, either an error is generated, or incorrect PCC information will be provided.
Under this approach, dynamic data for any existing session are lost, and such existing sessions cannot be maintained.
Since the PCRF-client (PCEF, BBERF) is neither aware of the formerly active PCRF failure nor aware of the new active PCRF under this redundancy approach, if any modification of an already established IP-CAN session occurs, the PCRF-client simply submits those data related to the modification towards the new active PCRF, so that, even if the disclosure of 3GPP TR 29.816 v10.0.0 were to be considered, each PCRF-client cannot submit any previously saved session data simply because it is unaware of communicating with a new active PCRF.
In this situation, the new active PCRF knows neither decisions previously made by the formerly active PCRF, nor features supported by the PCEF, nor those access data required to provide PCC rules, because all these data had been received by the formerly active PCRF with the request for establishment of this IP-CAN session.
There is thus a need for an enhanced PCC architecture with an autonomous PCRF redundancy, that is, without participation of a central entity such as the above DRA, wherein a new active PCRF can obtain those dynamic data currently applying to existing IP-CAN sessions, which were received by the formerly active PCRF with the request for establishment of such IP-CAN sessions.

Recovery of a system for policy control and charging, said system having a redundancy of policy and charging rules function


A fitness stretching apparatus comprising a base and a cage structure surrounding the base. The cage structure includes at least a first stretching station for performing stretching of a muscle. A second stretching station is located on the base and within the cage structure. Preferably, the second stretching station is configured for seated stretching exercises.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for fitness stretching. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stand alone structure which assists a person in performing multiple stretching exercises at a central location.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Daily stretching is one of the most important parts of physical fitness. Weight lifting and callisthenic workouts need to be complemented with stretching before, after and sometimes during exercise. In 1988, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) published specific guidelines for correct stretching techniques. The ACSM recommended stretching at least 3 days a week, and holding each stretching position for 10–30 seconds.
The aim of stretching is to gently lengthen muscles before and after any form of exercise, and to improve tissue elasticity/flexibility. If done correctly, stretching will help prevent injuries and increase athletic performance. In addition, proper stretching can provide better sports performance, good posture, greater range of motion, flexibility, fewer injuries, more graceful movements, relief from muscle soreness and better coordination. Stretching for continued flexibility is a key component to improved health. Stretching benefits all age groups, male and female alike, and can help minimize injuries that occur as an individual ages.
Most stretching exercises are performed with an individual lying on either the floor or a mat and, using the floor or mat as leverage, stretching particular muscles, for example the hamstrings and calves. Stretching exercises are also sometimes performed by leaning against a wall so as to provide some leverage.
However, as can be seen in most gyms, there are no dedicated machines which assist an individual in performing proper stretching exercises. Various apparatus have been proposed to assist in stretching, but these apparatuses only assist in stretching a limited number of muscles and are insufficient or inadequate for stretching a variety of muscles from a single location. Accordingly, there remains a need for providing a person with the ability to stretch all major muscle groups at a central location.


A link separation device for an ammunition belt, said belt exiting a weapon after firing via an opening and in which an assembly of links (M1, M2) are mounted able to pivot angularly with respect to one another, each of said links incorporating two lateral stirrups and one median stirrup, said median stirrup of a first link (M1) of said links being able to pivot in grooves in said lateral stirrups of a second link (M2) of said links, a relative pivoting position of said first link (M1) with respect to said second link (M2) following said first link (M1) enabling said first link (M1) to be unhooked, said links additionally being positioned with respect to said device in a position such that the pivoting ensuring the unlocking and the unhooking of said first link (M1) can be made naturally by the action of gravity exerted on said first link (M1), wherein said device incorporates means to ensure said first link (M1) rocks over as well as means to guide and means to support said second link (M2) following as said first link (M1) is rocking over.

1. Field of the Invention
The technical scope of the invention is that of ammunition feed devices for a weapon and, in particular, that of devices enabling the links to be separated from one another upon exiting the weapon after the ammunition has been fired.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ammunition fired from medium caliber (caliber of between 20 mm and 50 mm) weapons are generally assembled on link chains or belts. These belts enable the introduction of the ammunition into the weapon to be facilitated. The ammunition is stored in rounds in a magazine with its belt. The belt enables it to be conducted to the weapon following feed channels. The feed system of the weapon also brings each round one after the other until it faces the weapon chamber where the correctly positioned round is extracted from its belt to be fired.
The round of ammunition may be extracted from its link upon entering the weapon and then be taken up by the weapon before being chambered. The belt thereafter exits the weapon after being relieved of its ammunition.
In certain weapon systems, namely systems mounted on a turret and for which there is a problem of space inside the turret, it is necessary for the link belts to be evacuated to the outside of the turret or else for them to be stored in the turret in the smallest space possible.
However, the link belts are still linked together and clump to form blocks integral with the turret, which can hinder the implementation of the turret.
Different devices have been perfected to enable the separation of the different links of the belt upon exiting the weapon or the turret.
Naturally, any solution for a link separation device will be specific to the architecture of the link belt.
The invention more particularly relates to a device intended to separate the links of a belt in which the links are mounted able to pivot angularly with respect to one another, a relative pivoting position of one link with respect to the adjacent one enabling the first to be unhooked.
Such a link belt structure is well known to someone skilled in the art and described namely by NATO standard STANAG n°4173 for ammunition of 25×137 mm caliber.
FIG. 1a thus shows two links M1, M2 of such a belt, separated from one another, whereas FIG. 1b shows these links assembled.
We see that each link incorporates a median stirrup 1 and two lateral stirrups 2. Each stirrup is partially cylindrical in shape so as to receive a round of ammunition. The median stirrup 1 of link M2 incorporates circular ribs 3 that cooperate with circular grooves 4 on the lateral stirrups 2 of link M1.
Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 1b when links M1 and M2 are assembled, the median stirrup of one is positioned between the lateral stirrups of the other and a relative pivoting of M1 with respect to M2 is made possible by the cooperation of the ribs 3 with the grooves 4.
Belts of links are thus formed that are sufficiently flexible to allow them to be conducted through the channels in the weapon.
When the ammunition is put into position in the belt, it does not prevent the links from pivoting with respect to one another, but acts rather as a hinge and link between the lateral stirrups of one link and the median stirrup of the adjacent link and this whatever the curvature of the belt.
However, when the ammunition has been removed, it is possible for the links to be separated after having made them to pivot until they have reached the correct angular position with respect to one another, thus enabling them to be removed from the belt.
Patent FR-2849498 proposes a link separation device in which an elastic tab is positioned below the point at which the belt exits the weapon. This tab is intended, by guiding the exiting link upwards, to make it pivot with respect to the following link thereby enabling the links to be separated from one another.
This device is intended to ensure the separation of the links for a weapon system that incorporates a feed system for two different types of ammunition (piercing ammunition and explosive ammunition). These weapon systems are well known; they incorporate two separate feed channels. The links exit from two different exit points.
Patent FR-2849498 schematically shows these two link exit points. The links that exit in the lower part are oriented with their lateral and median stirrups open to the top. They are not able to pivot naturally through the action of gravity and specific means such as those described in FR-2849498 must be provided to separate the links.
The links that exit in the upper part are oriented downwards with their lateral and median stirrups open to the bottom. The effect of gravity naturally leads the exiting link to pivot with respect to the following one when it is no longer supported by the feed channel. Thus, patent FR-2849498 proposes to allow the links to separate by themselves through the simple effect of gravity. A simple guidance channel is provided to guide the links away from the weapon and to allow them to separate at a distance.
However this solution incorporates drawbacks.
There is noted in fact the simple natural releasable of the links from one another by gravity is not reliable. Rubbings inter links are present and are different from one link to an another. The separation is not automatic from the outside of the links out of the guidance channel. Moreover the effect of the gravity forces upon the links depends on the firing sight of the weapon. There is then a problem with respect to the liability of the unlinking when the gravity effect is used in order to separate the links.
Lastly, the device known by FR-2849498 incorporates a substantial channel length which encumbers the area dedicated to the evacuation of the links, both for the upper part evacuation and the lower part evacuation.
There is a non-negligible risk of forming a clump of links that will obstruct the unlinking or evacuation of the links. In fact, when a link remains attached to its adjacent one, the latter is no longer able to pivot since its pivoting capacity is reduced. This results in the exiting of belts with the links still attached, thereby braking the exiting of the belt and leading to a blockage of the weapon.

Link separation device for an ammunition belt


An angular analysis system that can be controlled to receive radiation at a defined angle from a defined focus region. The angular analysis system is used for level 2 inspection in an explosive detection system. Level 2 inspection is provided by a three-dimensional inspection system that identifies suspicious regions of items under inspection. The angular analysis system is focused to gather radiation scattered at defined angles from the suspicious regions. Focusing may be achieved in multiple dimensions by movement of source and detector assemblies in a plane parallel to a plane holding the item under inspection. Focusing is achieved by independent motion of the source and detector assemblies. This focusing arrangement provides a compact device, providing simple, low cost and accurate operation.

1. Field of Invention
This application relates generally to material identification and more specifically to inspection systems that perform material identification.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Inspection systems are widely used to obtain information on objects that cannot be readily seen in an external examination of items under inspection. Inspection systems are used as part of security systems, such as explosive detection systems, used at airports or other settings to preclude people from smuggling explosives into a secure area by concealing them in packages. Though, inspection systems may also be used during mail processing to obtain information on objects in packages, during mail processing on bones or other structures inside a human body during medical testing, on objects in food products as part of health inspections, on minerals in ore as part of a mining operation and in many other settings.
Frequently, inspection systems use penetrating radiation, such as x-rays. The inspection system captures the radiation after it has interacted with an item under inspection. Analysis of the radiation reveals properties of objects inside the item under inspection. Based on this analysis, a security system can "clear" an item by determining that it contains only innocuous objects or can "alarm" an object by determining that it likely contains one or more objects that pose a threat. Other inspection systems may cause other actions based on the properties of the objects identified in the inspection.
In capturing radiation, some inspection systems discriminate between radiation emanating from an object at different angles. Angular discrimination may be used in conjunction with a focusing system that passes only radiation from a specific region on which data is to be collected. In some instances, controlling the measurement angle reveals information useful for analyzing an object. For example, the angle at which radiation scatters from an object is an indication of the type of material that makes up the object. As one example, x-ray diffraction analysis may be used to analyze the spectrum of radiation scattered from a region of an item under inspection to determine whether that region contains innocuous material or a threat material.

Inspection system with material identification

L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems Inc.


The invention refers to a method for calibrating the control of a radiation device producing electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in a rapid prototyping system. The method comprises the steps of arranging a calibration plate at a defined position in the rapid prototyping system, the calibration plate having an upper side with a first region and a second region separate from the first region, the first region being provided with optically detectable reference marks and the second region having a medium which is sensitive to the radiation of the radiation device, producing a test pattern by exposing said medium to said radiation at predetermined desired positions defined by position coordinate data, digitizing the first region of the calibration plate with the reference marks thereon and the second region of the calibration plate having the test pattern, comparing the digitized reference marks and the digitized test pattern and calculating and providing correction data for the control of the radiation device on the basis of the comparison.

The invention relates to a method of calibrating an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object, a calibration apparatus and a method as well as an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object.
Document EP 0 792 481 B1 discloses an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object and a method of calibrating the control for deflecting a laser beam for rapid prototyping systems. According to this method a test pattern is generated by exposing a light-sensitive material to a laser beam at predetermined desired positions on the basis of position coordinate data. Portions of this test pattern are ditigized and the portions are combined to form an overall pattern. Correction data for the control can be calculated and provided by comparing the actual positions of the laser beam on the overall pattern with the position coordinate data. However, it is not possible to absolutely calibrate the control, because, in this method, the exact position of the light-sensitive medium in the rapid prototyping system is unknown. This is a particular disadvantage, if the rapid prototyping system is used to form an object on a presintered plate and the finished object is removed together with the plate from the rapid prototyping system, as described in document EP 0 734 842 A. The compatibility with following processes, for example the postprocessing in computer-controlled machine tools, is difficult, since the object to be formed can not be absolutely and exactly positioned on the presintered plate.
Document WO 94/15265 discloses a method of calibrating a rapid prototyping system whereby a base in the rapid prototyping system is aligned relative to a coordinate system defined by the scanner system. The base is provided with a plurality of square ink marks. The laser beam is directed to the center of each square whereby the ink is removed thereat. Thereafter the base is digitized and each center of the squares and of the radiation marks is detected to calculate correction data from the deviations therebetween.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,981 discloses a method and an apparatus for calibrating the deflection of a light beam using a frame arranged in the working surface of the light beam and having a plurality of holes therein. A light-sensitive detector is secured in each of the holes. Whenever the light beam is deflected onto one of the holes the corresponding detector produces a signal. In case that this signal does not correspond to the maximum signal produced if the light beam precisely hits the hole, the deflection device is re-adjusted correspondingly.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of calibrating an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for calibrating a radiation device of an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object. It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for producing a three-dimensional object.
According to a first aspect the invention provides a method of calibrating an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a material in subsequent layers of said object at places corresponding to cross-sections of said object in said layers using a focused beam of a radiation solidifying said material, said object being built on a plate defining an invariable coordinate system which is fixed relative to said apparatus, the method comprising the steps of providing detectable reference marks on said plate for calculating said coordinate system, operating control means for deflecting said focused radiation beam to predetermined desired positions in said coordinate system, detecting the actual positions of said deflected radiation beam on said plate, determining a deviation of said actual positions from said desired positions on the basis of said reference marks, and adjusting said control means on the basis of the determined deviations.
According to a further aspect the invention provides a method of producing a three-dimensional object, comprising providing a building platform having reference marks defining an invariable machine coordinate system, forming subsequent layers of a material on said building platform, said material being solidifiable by a focused radiation beam, scanning a focused radiation beam across said layers for solidifying said material at places corresponding to cross-sections of said object in said layers, and treating said solidified object in a following processing step whereby said solidified object is aligned and/or treated using said reference marks of said building platform.
According to a still further aspect the invention provides a calibration apparatus for calibrating a radiation device of an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a material in subsequent layers of said object at places corresponding to cross-sections of said object in said layers, using a focused beam of a radiation solidifying said material, said layers being formed on a plate defining a machine coordinate system which is fixed relative to said apparatus, said calibration apparatus comprising a first region having optically detectable reference marks, a second region provided with a medium which is sensitive to said radiation of said radiation device, and adjustment means for positioning said calibration apparatus at a defined position in said machine coordinate system.
According to a still further aspect the invention provides an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a material in subsequent layers at places corresponding to cross-sections of said object in said layers, using a focused beam of a radiation solidifying said material, said apparatus comprising carrier means defining a machine coordinate system which is fixed relative to said apparatus, radiation means issuing said focused radiation beam, and calibration means arranged on said carrier means at defined positions in said machine coordinate system, said calibration means having a first region with optically detectable reference marks and a second region with a medium which is sensitive to said focused radiation beam.
According to a still further aspect the invention provides a method of producing a three-dimensional object, comprising providing a building platform having reference marks defining an invariable machine coordinate system, reading geometrical data defining said object in an object coordinate system, aligning said object coordinate system to said machine coordinate system, forming subsequent layers of a material on said building platform, said material being solidifiable by a focused radiation beam, and scanning a focused radiation beam across said layers for solidifying said material at places corresponding to cross-sections of said object in said layers.
According to a further development of the inventive method the test pattern is produced spatially separate from the evaluation of the test pattern. According to a further development of the method the digitized test pattern is compared with the position coordinate data and correction data for the control of the radiation device are calculated and provided on the basis of the comparison. Preferably the digitalization is made using a pixel scanner or a digital camera. According to a further embodiment the digitalization is carried out using an image recording device and a computer for subsequent digitalization.
Preferably, the reference marks used as reference features are arranged along two lines including an angle of preferably 90xc2x0 therebetween.
Preferably, a long side and a short side of a calibration plate are used as reference marks or features. Preferably, bores receiving adjustment pins are provided at the lower side of the calibration plate. Preferably adjustment pins are provided at the lower side of the calibration plate.
Preferably, the medium is a radiation-sensitive film attached to the upper side of the calibration plate. According to a further development the calibration plate is larger than the building area for the object and the first region of the calibration device having the optically detectable reference marks thereon is outside of the working area, if the calibration plate is arranged in the apparatus for producing the object.
Preferably the calibration apparatus is a calibration plate. The calibration plate has, on its upper side, a first region having optically detectable reference marks and a second region provided with a medium which is sensitive to the radiation issued by the radiation apparatus. The first region is separate from said second region.

Method of calibrating an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object, calibration apparatus and method and apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object


The present invention provides nitrogen-containing fused-ring derivatives represented by the following general formula, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or prodrugs thereof, which exhibit an excellent inhibitory activity in human SGLT and are useful as agents for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with hyperglycemia such as diabetes, postprandial hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetic complications or obesity, in the formula R1 represent H, an optionally substituted alkyl group, analkenyl group, etc.; R2 represent H, a halogen atom or an alkyl group; R3 and R4 represent H, OH, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, etc.; Y represents CH or N; Q represents alkylene, alkenylene, etc.; ring A represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; G represents a group represented by the following general formula (G-1) or (G-2) (in which E1 represents H, F or OH; and E2 represents H, F, a methyl group, etc.), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and pharmaceutical uses thereof

Diabetes is one of lifestyle-related diseases with the background of change of eating habit and lack of exercise. Hence, diet and exercise therapies are performed in patients with diabetes. Furthermore, when its sufficient control and continuous performance are difficult, drug treatment is simultaneously performed. In addition, it has been confirmed by large-scale clinical trial that it is necessary to practice a long-term strict control of blood sugar level so as to prevent patients with diabetes from occurring and advancing diabetic complications by receiving treatment (for example, see the following References 1 and 2). Furthermore, many epidemiologic studies on impaired glucose tolerance and macroangiopathy show that impaired glucose tolerance as the boundary type is also a risk factor in macroangiopathy as well as diabetes. Thus, needs to improve postprandial hyperglycemia have been focused (for example, see the following Reference 3).
In recent years, development of various antidiabetic agents has been progressing with the background of a rapid increase of patients with diabetes. For example, Antidiabetic agents such as biguanides, sulfonylureas, insulin sensitivity enhancers, α-glucosidase inhibitors and the like have been employed. However, biguanides and sulfonylureas show occasionally adverse effects such as lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia, respectively. Insulin sensitivity enhancers show occasionally adverse effects such as edema, and are concerned for advancing obesity. In addition, α-glucosidase inhibitors, which delay carbohydrate digestion and absorption at the small intestine, are used to improve postprandial hyperglycemia. It has been also reported that acarbose, one of α-glucosidase inhibitors, has an effect of preventing or delaying the incidence of diabetes by applying to patients with impaired glucose tolerance (for example, see the following Reference 4). However, since α-glucosidase inhibitors do not affect elevated glucose levels by ingesting a monosaccharide of glucose (for example, see the following Reference 5), with recently changing compositions of sugars in meals, a wider range of activities inhibiting carbohydrate absorption has been desired.
In recent years, research and development of new type antidiabetic agents have been progressing, which promote urinary glucose excretion and lower blood glucose level by preventing reabsorption of excess glucose at the kidney (for example, see the following Reference 6). In addition, it is reported that SGLT2 (sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2) is present in the S1 segment of the kidney's proximal tubule and participates mainly in reabsorption of glucose filtrated through glomerular (for example, see the following Reference 7). Accordingly, inhibiting a human SGLT2activity prevents reabsorption of excess glucose at the kidney, subsequently promotes excreting excess glucose though the urine, and normalizes blood glucose level. In addition, since such agents for promoting the excretion of urinary glucose excrete excess glucose though the urine and consequently the glucose accumulation in the body is decreased, they are also expected to have a preventing or alleviating effect on obesity and a diuretic effect. Furthermore, the agents are considered to be useful for various related diseases which occur accompanying the progress of diabetes or obesity due to hyperglycemia.
Furthermore, it has been known that SGLT1, sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1, exists in the small intestine which controls carbohydrate absorption. It has been also reported that insufficiency of glucose and galactose absorption arises in patients with dysfunction due to congenital abnormalities of human SGLT1 (for example, see the following References 8-10). In addition, it has been confirmed that SGLT1 is involved in glucose and galactose absorption (for example, see the following References 11 and 12). Furthermore, it is confirmed that mRNA and protein of SGLT1 increase and absorption of glucoses are accelerated in OLETF rats and rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetic symptoms (for example, see the following References 13 and 14). Generally in patients with diabetes, carbohydrate digestion and absorption are increased. For example, it is confirmed that mRNA and protein of SGLT1 are highly increased in the human small intestine (for example, see the following Reference 15). Therefore, blocking a human SGLT1 activity inhibits absorption of carbohydrates such as glucose at the small intestine, subsequently can prevent increase of blood sugar level. Especially, it is considered that delaying glucose absorption based on the above mentioned mechanism is effective to normalize postprandial hyperglycemia.
Therefore, fast development of antidiabetic agents with novel action mechanism, which have an inhibitory activity in human SGLT, has been desired to improve or solve the above-mentioned problems.
Fused heterocyclic derivatives provided in the present invention are entirely novel compounds. It has not ever been reported that these derivatives have an inhibitory activities in SGLT1 and/or SGLT2 and inhibit absorption of glucose and galactose at the small intestine, or are useful as agents to inhibit reabsorption of excess glucose at the kidney.    Reference 1: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group, N. Engl. J. Med., 1993.9, Vol.329, No. 14, pp. 977-986;    Reference2: UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group, Lancet, 1998.9, Vol.352, No. 9131, pp. 837-853;    Reference 3: Makoto TOMINAGA, Endocrinology & Diabetology, 2001.11, Vol.13, No. 5, pp. 534-542;    Reference 4: Jean-Louis Chiassonand5persons, Lancet, 2002.6, Vol.359, No. 9323, pp. 2072-2077;    Reference 5: Hiroyuki ODAKA and 3 persons, Journal of Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science, 1992, Vol.45, p. 27;
Reference 6: Luciano Rossetti and 4 persons, J. Clin. Invest., 1987.5, Vol.79, pp. 1510-1515;    Reference 7: Yoshikatsu Kanai and 4 persons, J. Clin. Invest., 1994.1, Vol.93, pp. 397-404;    Reference 8: Tadao BABA and 1 person, Supplementary volume of Nippon Rinsho, Ryoikibetsu Shokogun, 1998, No. 19, pp. 552-554;    Reference 9: Michihiro KASAHARA and 2 persons, Saishin Igaku, 1996.1, Vol.51, No. 1, pp. 84-90;    Reference 10: Tomofusa TSUCHIYA and 1 person, Nippon Rinsho, 1997.8, Vol.55, No. 8, pp. 2131-2139;    Reference 11: Yoshikatsu KANAI, Kidney and Dialysis, 1998.12, Vol.45, extra edition, pp. 232-237;    Reference 12: E. Turk and 4 persons, Nature, 1991.3, Vol.350, pp. 354-356;    Reference 13: Y. Fujitaand5persons, Diabetologia, 1998, Vol.41, pp. 1459-1466;    Reference 14: J. Dyer and 5 persons, Biochemical Society Transactions, 1997, Vol.25, p. 479S;    Reference 15: J. Dyer and 4 persons, American Journal of Physiology, 2002.2, Vol.282, No. 2, pp.G241-G248

Nitrogenous fused-ring derivatives, medicinal compositions containing the derivatives, and use thereof as drugs


A charge coupled device includes a second conductivity type first horizontal channel in a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate, a second conductivity type second horizontal channel in the substrate at a predetermined distance from the first horizontal channel, and a second conductivity type transfer channel connecting the first horizontal channel with the second horizontal channel to enable transfer of charges from the first horizontal channel to the second horizontal channel. The pinning potential of the transfer channel is larger in absolute value than the pinning potential of the first and second horizontal channels, and the gate voltage pinning the transfer channel is smaller in absolute value than the gate voltage pinning the first and second horizontal channels. Therefore, the charges in the first horizontal channel can be transferred to the transfer channel by a gate voltage pinning the horizontal channel and the charges can be transferred from the first horizontal channel to the second horizontal channel by clock signals.

Recently, devices utilizing CCDs, such as analog memories, solid state imaging elements and delay lines, have been extensively developed. In the device construction thereof, it is the most important theme on design to incorporate CCDs having multiple stages on a relatively small chip. Particularly, a construction of a so-called parallel/serial conversion part which receives the charges transferred as input in parallel and outputs the same in serial raises a problem for high density integration.
However, in order to solve these problems in construction, a device in which a plurality of serial transfer CCDs are provided to relax the pitch interval, thereby resulting in a high density integration is proposed.
FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b) show a plan view and a cross-sectional view of CCD in a case where such construction is adopted in a solid state imaging element of an interline transfer system, disclosed in such as Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho. 53-35437 or "A 2 Million Pixel FIT-CCD Image Sensor for HDTV Camera System", ISSCC DIGEST OF TECHNICAL PAPERS, pp. 214-215, February 1990.
In such a solid state imaging element, generally a serial transfer CCD is called as a horizontal CCD and a parallel transfer CCD is called as a vertical CCD. Therefore, these terms are used in the following description and the kind of CCD is a buried channel type.
In the conventional construction of FIG. 20(a), reference numeral 1 designates a photodiode arranged in a two-dimensional array. A transfer gate 2 for transferring the charges from the photodiode 1 to the vertical CCD channel 3 serving as a vertical channel is provided between the photodiode 1 and the vertical CCD channel 3. A final electrode 4 of the vertical CCD channel 3 is provided perpendicular to the vertical CCD channel 3 and is connected to the terminal .phi.VL. Here, although a transfer electrode is provided for the transfer by the vertical CCD channel 3 besides the final electrode 4, it is not illustrated in the figure for simplification.
A horizontal CCD channel 5 serving as a first horizontal CCD channel is provided in connection with the vertical CCD channel 3. A horizontal CCD channel 6 serving as a second horizontal channel is provided in parallel with the first horizontal CCD channel 5. Reference numerals 7 to 10 designate transfer electrodes for transfer by the horizontal CCDs. The electrodes 7 and 8 are connected to a terminal H1 and the electrodes 9 and 10 are connected to a terminal H2. The potential wells below the electrodes 8 and 10 are shallower than those of the electrodes 7 and 9. These horizontal CCD channels 5 and 6 constitute a so-called two-phase driving system CCD.
A control gate 11 for controlling the charge transfer from the horizontal CCD channel 5 to the horizontal CCD channel 6 is connected to a terminal HT. Reference numeral 15 designates a transfer channel of a layer below the control gate electrode 11.
In the solid-state imaging element of FIG. 20(a), charges transferred from the vertical CCD channel 3 are transferred column by column to the respective horizontal CCD channels 5 and 6, and then the pitch interval P.sub.c of the horizontal CCD is matched with the pixel pitch interval P.sub.x, in detail, P.sub.C =2P.sub.X, whereby the reduction in the pitch interval of horizontal CCD accompanying the increase in the pixel number is relaxed.
Next, a description is given of the operation of transferring the charges in the solid-state imaging element of FIG. 20(a) with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.
FIGS. 21(a) to 21(d) show time charts of a clock pulse applied to each terminal in the construction of FIG. 20 for transferring charges. Pulses shown in FIGS. 21(a) to 21(d) are applied to each terminal .phi.VL, H1, HT and H2.
FIG. 22(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XII--XII of FIG. 20(b) the change of potential at times t.sub.1 to t.sub.5 is schematically shown in FIG. 22(b) to 22(f) and the transition of signal charges (shown by slash lines), and FIG. 22(a) shows electrodes 4, 9, 11 and 7 and terminals .phi.VL, H2, HT and H1.
A description is given of the operation.
First of all, at time t.sub.1, clock pulses applied to respective terminals .phi.VL, H1 and H2 become all "H" level and charges are transferred from the vertical CCD channel 3 to opposite the electrodes 7 and 9 of the horizontal CCD channel 5. These respective charges are separated in the horizontal CCD channel 5 because of the potential barrier produced by the electrodes 8 and 10. Successively, at time t.sub.2, the terminal HT becomes "H" level and the charges transferred to below the electrode 9 of the horizontal CCD channel 5 are transferred to the transfer channel 15 below the control gate electrode 11. Furthermore, at time t.sub.3, the terminals H.sub.1 and H.sub.2 become "L" level and the charges are held in the transfer channel 15 below the control gate electrode 11. Then, at time t.sub.4, the terminal H.sub.1 again becomes "H" level and the charges in the transfer channel 15 below the control gate electrode 11 are transferred to below the electrode 7 of the horizontal CCD channel 6, and the whole transfer is completed at time t.sub.5. Meanwhile, charges transferred to below the electrode 7 of the horizontal CCD channel 5 are kept there. In this way, in the construction of FIG. 20(a), the charges transferred from the vertical CCD channel 3 are transferred column by column into a potential well below the electrode 7 of the horizontal channels 5 and 6.
When the whole transfer is completed, the charges stored below the electrode 7 of the horizontal CCD channels 5 and 6 are transferred to the left direction in the horizontal CCD channels 5 and 6 by the two-phase clock signal applied to the electrode of the horizontal CCD channels 5 and 6 after t.sub.6 (refer to FIGS. 21(a)-21(d), and they are output from the output part (not shown).
The conventional charge coupled device is constituted as described above, and the process for producing the electrodes 7 to 11 of the charge coupled device shown in FIG. 20 is as described in the following.
First, the control gate electrode 11 is produced and thereafter electrodes 7 and 9 are produced. Subsequently, ion implantation for establishing potentials in the channel regions in the horizontal CCD channels 5 and 6 are performed self-alignedly with the electrodes 7 and 9. Thereafter, electrodes 8 and 10 are produced.
Accordingly, in the conventional construction of FIG. 20(a), the electrode construction is a three-layer electrode structure comprising the control gate electrode 11, electrodes 7 and 9, and electrodes 8 and 10. Therefore, in a region where the control gate electrode 11 and respective electrodes 7 to 10 cross at right angles, the step differences of these electrodes become large, resulting in a likelihood of defects such as cutting of respective electrodes or short-circuiting between electrodes. These defects have caused reduction in the production yield of CCDs with respect to the production of these electrodes 7 to 10.

Method of making a charge coupled device


A method of improving longevity and/or alleviating a symptom of aging or preventing age related diseases is provided. The method includes a step in which the subject's average and type of daily protein intake, IGF-I, and IGFBP1 levels, and risk factors for overall mortality, cancer and diabetes are determined. With respect to protein consumption, the relative amounts of protein calories from animal and plant sources are determined. A periodic normal calorie or low calorie but low protein fasting mimicking diet with frequencies of every 2 weeks to 2 months is provided to the subject if the subject's average daily protein intake level and type and/or IGF-I levels, and/or IGFBP1 levels is identified as being greater or lower than a predetermined cutoff intake/level and if the subject is younger than a predetermined age. The method is also shown to alleviate symptoms of chemotoxicity.

Caloric restriction (CR) without malnutrition has been consistently shown to increase longevity in a number of animal models, including yeast, C. elegans, and mice. However, the effect of CR on the lifespan of non-human primates remains controversial, and may be heavily influenced by dietary composition. The lifespan extension associated with CR in model organisms is believed to operate through its effects on GH, GHR, leading to subsequent deficiencies in IGF-1 and insulin levels and signaling. The effect of the insulin/IGF-1 pathway on longevity was discovered in C. elegans, by showing that mutations in this pathway, regulated by nutrient availability, caused a two-fold increase in lifespan. Other studies revealed that mutations in orthologs of genes functioning in growth signaling pathways, including Tor-S6K and Ras-cAMP-PKA, promoted aging in multiple model organisms, thus providing evidence for the conserved regulation of aging by pro-growth nutrient signaling genes.
Recently, it has been shown that humans with growth hormone receptor deficiency (GHRD), exhibiting major deficiencies in serum IGF-1 and insulin levels, displayed no cancer mortality, nor diabetes, and despite having a higher prevalence of obesity, combined deaths from cardiac disease and stroke in this group were similar to those in their relatives. Similar protection from cancer was also reported in a study that surveyed 230 GHRDs.
Protein restriction or restriction of particular amino acids, such as methionine and tryptophan, may explain part of the effects of calorie restriction on longevity and disease risk, since protein restriction reduces IGF-1 levels, can increase longevity in mammals independently of calorie intake, and has also been shown to reduce cancer incidence in rodent models.
Accordingly, there is a need for dietary interventions that can alleviate symptoms of age-related illness in both subjects willing to chronically modify their diet and those that would only consider periodic interventions but otherwise continue their normal diet.

Methods and diets for lowering glucose and/or IGF-1 levels


A coin or banknote validator is calibrated to accept items of value by taking successive measurements of items and using them to update acceptability data which defines at least one acceptability criterion for testing. Each measurement is first checked against a suitability criterion, and is only used for updating the acceptability data if the suitability criterion is met. In this way, the acceptability data can be derived without storing all the individual measurements, while still rejecting those measurements which are statistically unsound. The suitability criteria is such that if a measurement differs from the current acceptability data by more than a predetermined amount, the criterion is not met. To avoid problems resulting from the first measurement being unsound, this first measurement is discarded if it does not lie within a predetermined range of the second measurement.

This invention relates to apparatus for validatina items of value, and to methods of calibrating such apparatus. The invention will be described in the context of coin validators, but is also applicable to banknote validators and validators for other items of value.
It is well known to take measurements of coins and apply acceptabilty tests to determine whether the coin is valid and the denomination of the coin. The acceptability tests are normally based on stored acceptability data. One common technique (see, e.g. GB-A-1 452 740) involves storing "windows", i.e. upper and lower limits for each test. If each of the measurements of a coin falls within a respective set of upper and lower limits, then the coin is deemed to be acceotable. The acceptability data could instead represent a predetermined value such as a median, the measurements then being tested to determine whether they lie within predetermined ranges of that value. Alternatively, the acceptance data could be used to modify each measurement and the test would then involve comparing the modified result with a fixed value or window. Alternatively, the acceptance data could be a look-up table which is addressed by the measurements, and the output of which indicates whether the measurements are suitable for a particular denomination (see, e.g. EP-A-0 480 736, and US-A-4 951 799). Instead of having separate acceptance criteria for each test, the measurements may be conbined and the result compared with stored acceptance data (cf. GB-A-2 238 152 and GB-A-2 254 949). Alternatively, some of these techniques could be combined, e.g. by using the acceptability data as coefficients (derived, e. g. using a neural network technique) for combining the measurements, and possibly for performing a test on the result. A still further possibility would be for the acceptability data to be used to define the conditions under which a test is performed (e.g. as in US-A-4 625 852).
It is known to use statistical techniques for deriving the data, e.g. by feeding many items into the validator and deriving the data from the test measurements in a calibration operation. It is also known for the validator to have an automatic recalibration function, sometimes known as "self-tuning", whereby the acceptance data is regularly updated on the basis of measurements performed during testing (see for example EP-A-0 155 126, GB-A-2 059 129, and US-A-4 951 799).
Normally, the acceptance data produced by the calibration operation is characteristic of the specific type of item to be validated. However, it is alternatively possible for the data to be independent of the properties of the item itself, and instead to be characteristic of just the validation apparatus (e.g. to represent how much the apparatus deviates in its measurements from a standard) so that this data in combination with further data representing the standard properties of an item are sufficient for validation.
It is sometimes desirable to calibrate or recalibrate an existing validator in the field (c.f. GB-A-2 199 978). For example, if the validator is arranged to validate a certain range of denominations, it may be desired to add a different denomination to that range, or to substitute one of those denominations for a different one. However, it is desirable to avoid the need to perform a very large number of tests during the calibration step if the apparatus is in the field, and also if the calibration is carried out using the internal control system of the validator or possibly using a hand-held terminal connected to the validator, there is a limit to the amount of available memory capacity, which inhibits the use of normal statistical techniques. The results therefore may be statistically unreliable.
EP-A-0 227 453 describes a coin validation apparatus which can be put into a "training" mode, in which a coin is inserted into the testing apparatus four times in succession, in order to develop acceptance criteria for validating further coins of the same type. Four sets of measurements are made to ensure that the results are representative of the particular coin type. The sets of measurements must match closely, in order for the operation to be completed. This prevents possible errors due to an incorrect coin being inserted. If four consecutive close matches are not found, then the entire operation must be repeated. Once there are four consecutive close matches, the measurements are then averaged, and the results define acceptance criteria used in the test mode of the apparatus. The use of only four measurements means that the resulting acceptance criteria may not be statistically very accurate. The disclosed technique requires the storage of all the measurements for all four coins, and therefore increasing the number of required tests during the calibration mode will substantially increase the memory requirements.

Apparatus for validating items of value, and method of calibrating such apparatus


Provided in embodiments of the present invention are a signal transmission method and an apparatus, the method comprising: a terminal device determining a resource pool transmitting a first signal according to a first numerology used to transmit the first signal; the terminal device using a transmission resource in the resource pool transmitting the first signal to transmit the first signal.

In a future communication system, a contention-based uplink access mode will be introduced, and a specific resource pool is allocated for the terminal device, and the terminal device competes for resources in the resource pool in a competitive manner without network device scheduling to perform random access, or may also compete for resources in the resource pool in a competitive manner to transmit data.
It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and thus may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Signal transmission method and apparatus

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


A method, apparatus and system for transmitting paging information. The method includes: calculating, by a first communication node, a time domain position of a paging occasion (PO) of a second communication node; and transmitting, by the first communication node, paging information to the second communication node within the PO corresponding to the time domain position, where the paging information includes at least one of: paging downlink control information and a paging message, and the PO includes a group of paging resources for transmitting paging information on one or more preset beams or ports.

With continuous progress in radio technologies, various radio services are flourishing. However, frequency spectrum resources on which the radio services are based are limited. With increasing bandwidth requirements, the frequency spectrum resources of 300 MHz to 3 GHz mainly used in commercial communications are extremely strained and cannot meet requirements of the future wireless communications.
In the new generation of wireless communications, communications will be performed by adopting a carrier frequency, such as 28 GHz, 45 GHz, 70 GHz, or the like, higher than the carrier frequency used in the fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication system. This type of high frequency channel may be subject to substantial free propagation loss, due to being absorbed by oxygen and affected by rain attenuation, which can negatively affect coverage performance of the high frequency communication system. However, the carrier frequency of the high frequency communications has a shorter wavelength, so more antenna elements can be accommodated in per unit area. An increased number of antenna elements may result in adopting a beamforming method to improve antenna gains, thereby ensuring the coverage performance of the high frequency communications.
With the beamforming method, the transmitting end may concentrate transmission energy in one direction, and the transmission energy is small or free in other directions, that is, each beam has its own directivity and can merely cover terminals in a certain direction. The transmitting end, such as a base station, needs to transmit multiple beams to implement full coverage. In a new generation of wireless communication systems, especially at high frequency bands, the application of beamforming techniques limits the coverage of a single transmit port to a very small angle. At this time, the network side cannot identify by which beam or port the user equipment (UE), when in an IDLE state, is covered. Compared with the cell-level paging message transmission mechanism at low frequency bands, the paging information is repeatedly transmitted on all beams to ensure the coverage of each of the potential positions of the UE. That is, the network side transmits more paging information to ensure that the UE in each beam direction or under each port has an opportunity to receive specified paging information. Due to the limitation of the number of radio links of the base station, the base station transmits the paging information in different beam directions or ports in the time division multiplexing manner. In a beam transmission-based system, beam directions of different subframes or timeslots are flexibly configured based on traffic. If a paging mechanism of a relevant system such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system is used, the paging information is loaded within a transmission subframe or timeslot corresponding to each beam, which can cause the UE to receive the paging information transmitted on different beams within multiple subframes or timeslots within the paging period. Since the UE, when in the IDLE state, cannot foresee how beams or ports are scheduled in different timeslots, in the new generation of wireless communication systems, it is challenging to implement a discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism in the LTE system for paging information transmissions to reduce power consumption.

Paging information transmission method, apparatus and system


A piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element is constituted of a ceramic substrate including a spacer plate having at least one window, and a thin closure plate for closing the window, integrally joined to the spacer plate, and a piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion having a lower electrode, a piezo-electric/electrostrictive layer and an upper electrode disposed in turn in the form of a layer at a closure position of the window on the outer surface of the closure plate by a film formation method. The piezo-electric/electrostrictive layer is arranged so as to cover a part only of the area of the window in a plan view. Since at the end portions of the void, the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion does not pick up fluctuation and vibration which would contain noise at the end portions of the void, the noise at the time of sensing, filtering or acoustic oscillation can be remarkably minimized, and a gap between the characteristics of a simulation at the time of design and those of the actual product can be remarkably reduced.

The present invention relates to a piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element, and more specifically, it relates to a piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element which can be suitably used as a sensor, a filter or the like.
In recent years, as one of mechanisms for detecting a pressure change or the like of a void formed in a substrate, a piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element is known in which a piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion is formed on the outer surface of the void, and the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion functions as a mechanical/electrical converter to detect the volume change of the void by the pressure change in the void. Such a piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element has been utilized as, for example, a sensor or a filter. The pressure change of an atmosphere to be detected which has been introduced through an opening expands or contracts the volume of the void, and at this time, the strain of the wall of the void gives a mechanical change to the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion and this mechanical change is then converted into an electrical signal by the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion.
FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the conventional and known piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element used as the sensor. In this drawing, the pressure change of an atmosphere to be detected which has been introduced through an opening 26 expands or contracts the volume of a void 30, and at this time, the strain of the wall of the void gives a mechanical change to a piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22 and this mechanical change is then converted into an electrical signal by the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22.
A piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element 20 is constituted of a ceramic substrate 21 and the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22 integrally attached to ceramic substrate 21. Furthermore, this ceramic substrate 21 is integrally constituted of a thin and planar closure plate 23, a base plate 24, and a spacer plate 25 sandwiched between these members 23, 24.
The spacer plate 25 is provided with a window 28, and the spacer plate 25 and the base plate 24 are superposed on each other so that this window 28 may be communicated with the opening 26 formed through the base plate 24. Moreover, on the side of the spacer plate 25 opposite to the side thereof superposed on the base plate 24, the closure plate 23 is superposed, and the opening of the window 28 is closed by the closure plate 23.
Thus, a void 30 is formed in the ceramic substrate 21.
On the outer surface of the closure plate 23 of the ceramic substrate 21, the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22 is arranged on a position corresponding to the void 30. Here, the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22 is constituted of a lower electrode 31, a piezo-electric/electrostrictive layer 32 and an upper electrode 33.
The conventional and known piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element is constituted as described above, and a plan view of the piezo-electric/electrostrictive layer 32 and the void 30 is shown in FIG. 6. For the enhancement of a mechanical/electrical conversion efficiency, the piezo-electric/electrostrictive layer 32 is formed somewhat larger than the void 30 so that the piezo-electric/electrostrictive layer 32 may cover the whole surface of the void 30, a manufacturing precision being taken into consideration.
However, if the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22 is formed so as to cover the whole plate area of the void 30, it has been considered that a vibration mode based on the fluctuation of the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22 is not uniform in the central portion and the end portions of the void 30 owing to the restriction of these corner portions. In consequence, a certain gap has occurred between the characteristics of a simulation at the design of a sensor, a filter, an acoustic oscillator or the like and those of the actual product.
Furthermore, in the case that the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22 is arranged so as to cover the whole planar area of the void 30, the electrode films (the upper and lower electrodes) 31, 33 and the piezo-electric/electrostrictive layer 32 can be formed on the outer surface of the closure plate 23 by a known film formation method, for example, a means such as a screen printing method or a spray method, followed by a heat treatment. At this time of the heat treatment, the respective films contract due to the firing, but both the end portions of the void 30 contract much less (i.e., they are not densified) as compared with the central portion thereof owing to the restriction at both the ends portions of the void 30. As a result, some problems are present. For example, a firing degree is not uniform on the whole, and a large stress remains in both the end portions. Such an ununiformed firing degree of the void 30 has a bad influence on the vibration mode of the piezo-electric/electrostrictive working portion 22.

Piezo-electric/electrostrictive film type element