Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) originating from the sorted collection of solid urban refuse can be regraded and recycled as such or mixed with virgin PET if treated at high temperature with an oxazoline of general formula: ##STR1##

In Italy the production of solid urban refuse currently increases by about 1% per year and is today estimated at 18/20 million tonnes per year, of which 1.4 million (about 7.5%) are plastics materials.
Recycling this large quantity of material would enable its salvage value to be recovered, leading to undoubted economic benefits, a reduction in the global volume of refuse and a reduction in the consumption of virgin materials. Its energy content could also be recovered by, at the end of its second cycle of life, incinerating it in a furnace using a suitable heat recovery method. A solution of wide impact, in terms of its applicability to different situations and to different treatable quantities, is the reuse of recycled polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), originating from the sorted collection of liquid containers, for the production of moulded articles by injection, extrusion or blow moulding.
From the literature, processes are known for recovering PET contained in mixtures of plastics materials originating from the sorted collection of solid urban refuse.
Published European patent application 291,959 describes a method for separating articles of polyolefin and/or PET construction from polyvinylchloride (PVC) articles by irradiating these articles with electromagnetic radiation. The separation is based on the greater capacity of chlorinated resins, such as PVC, to absorb the electromagnetic radiation than other non-chlorinated resins, with deviation of the articles to different destinations on the basis of the different absorption of the electromagnetic absorption. Published European patent application 469,904 describes a method for separating heterogeneous plastics materials into two homogeneous fractions, one consisting essentially on PET and the other one PVC, which comprises:
1) recovering a heavy fraction, consisting essentially of PET and PVC, by flotation in water; PA1 2) treating the heavy fraction with acetone, which swells the PVC while leaving the PET unaltered; PA1 3) stripping the absorbed acetone, which is recycled; PA1 4) separating the PET from the swollen PVC by flotation in water or another liquid of greater density than water, PA1 a) reacting the recycled PET at elevated temperature with at least one oxazoline of general formula: ##STR2## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which can be the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen such as chlorine, or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkoxy or carboxyalkyl radical containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and Z represents a trivalent linear, branched or cyclic aliphatic radical containing from 1 to 16 carbon atoms and possibly heteroatoms such as oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen, or Z represents an aromatic or alkylaromatic radical containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms; PA1 b) cooling the reaction product obtained to ambient temperature. The compounds of general formula (I) are known products and can be prepared as described in R. H. Wiley, L. L. Bennet, "Chemical Review", 44, 447 (1949). PA1 i) mixing the recycled PET in the dry state with compounds of type (I) preceded by drying the polymer under vacuum at a temperature of between 80.degree. and 150.degree. C.; PA1 ii) heating to elevated temperature, above the polymer melting point, until the reaction has taken place; PA1 iii) cooling the product obtained to ambient temperature.
However, the PET polymer fractions obtained by the aforesaid methods still contain substantial traces of PVC or other impurities (traces of paper, aluminium, adhesives etc.) which cause uncontrolled degradation of the polymer during the subsequent transformation stages in the molten state, with consequent undesirable formation of carboxyl groups and a lowering of the molecular weight. Further treatment aimed at increasing the PET purity could result in an increase in production cost to the extent of making the recovery process uneconomical. An alternative could be to regrade the recycled PET by reactive modification, preferably in the molten state,
From the literature, additives are known which facilitate chain extension reactions of thermoplastic polyesters to give polymers of higher molecular weight and a reduced content of carboxyl groups.
Published Japanese patent applications 82-49,616 and 57-161,122 describe the use of cyclic bis(imino)ethers in chain extension reactions on PET and polyarylates.
Published Japanese patent applications 60-161,427 and 60-163,921 describe the use of 2,2'-(m-phenylene)-bis-2-oxazoline as a chain extender for PET, whereas in published Japanese patent application 63-313 this reagent is used in conjunction with 2,2'-bis-2-oxazoline.
However, as demonstrated hereinafter, in the case of recycled PET the stated additives allow only partially satisfactory results to be obtained. In this respect it has been verified that the rheological properties of these materials when in the molten state, in particular the apparent viscosity, tend to diminish with time, with evident repercussion on the processability of the polymer.

Process for preparing high molecular weight polyethylene-terephthalate from recycled polyethyleneterephthalate


A method and mechanism for controlling threads in a multithreaded multicore processor. A processor includes multiple cores, each of which are capable of executing multiple threads. A control register which is shared by each of the cores is utilized to control the status of the threads in the processing system. In one embodiment, the shared register includes a single bit for each thread in the processor. Depending upon the value written to a bit of the shared register, one of three results may occur with respect to a thread which corresponds to the bit. In one embodiment, writing a “0” to a bit of the shared register will cause a corresponding thread to be Parked. Writing a “1” to a bit of the shared register will cause a corresponding thread to either be UnParked or be Reset. Whether writing a “1” to a bit of the register causes the corresponding thread to be UnParked or Reset depends upon a state of the processor.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to computing systems and, more particularly, to the management of threads in a multithreaded processing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a multithreaded processor, each thread may act as a separate physical processor. In such a processor, there must generally exist mechanisms by which each thread may be initialized, started, and/or stopped. Therefore, each thread must generally be configured to receive an initial indication to start executing, such as a reset or initialization indication. Once a thread begins executing, software may want to temporarily stop that thread. For example, in a system that has a very demanding power or heat threshold, threads may be idled to reduce power consumption or limit heat production. Alternatively, if a given thread requires exclusive use of the memory subsystem or some other shared resource, the other threads which are executing may be stopped temporarily.
In a multithreaded multicore processor, each core may be capable of executing multiple threads in hardware. As the cores of such a processor may generally be configured to act in a somewhat cooperative manner, threads in one core may affect the operation of threads in another core. Accordingly, as the number of cores and/or threads increase, the lines of communication between threads in the processor also increase, and mechanisms for controlling the threads may quickly become quite complex. However, as processor die area is generally always at a premium, and more complex mechanisms are more likely to have errors and be more difficult to verify, an efficient mechanism for controlling threads is desired.
Accordingly, an effective method and mechanism for initializing, starting, and stopping threads is desired.

Single bit control of threads in a multithreaded multicore processor


According to one embodiment, a method of RRAM operations is provided. The method includes the following operations: providing a first voltage difference across a resistor of the RRAM during a read operation; and providing a second voltage difference across the resistor of the RRAM during a reset operation, wherein the first voltage difference has the same polarity as the second voltage difference.

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) is one possible candidate for next generation nonvolatile memory technology due to its simple and CMOS logic compatible process. The RRAM cell includes a metal oxide material sandwiched between top and bottom electrodes. By applying voltage to the RRAM cell, a switching event from a high resistance state (HRS) to a low resistance state (LRS) occurs and is called the "set" operation. Conversely, a switching event from LRS to HRS is called the "reset" operation. The low and high resistances are utilized to indicate a digital signal, "1" or "0", thereby allowing for data storage.

RRAM and method of read operation for RRAM

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited


Provided herein are methods for the production of high density cultures of algae as well as nutritional supplements from such cultures and the use of such cultures to produce therapeutic proteins.

As the world's population continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for edible sources of protein. This demand will need to be met despite the fact that the land suitable for the cultivation of traditional crops is limited. Algae provide an alternative to traditional agricultural crops. Algae have several advantages over terrestrial crops. Algae reproduce at a very high rate with a generation time as short as 10 hours. Many strains of algae are also high in protein, with some strains of blue green algae reported to be as much as 70% protein (Becker, Biotech. Adv. (2007) 25:207). The rapid reproduction rate of algae combined with a high protein content means that algae can produce more than 10 times more protein than soybeans on a per acre basis.
Algae are especially useful for the production of edible protein for humans and non-ruminant animals, because in addition to the large quantities of protein that can be produced, the protein is also of high quality in terms of its amino acid composition. The amino acid composition of algae is similar to that found in other high quality plant sources such as soy and far superior to cereal grains such as wheat (Fabregas and Herrero, Applied Microbiol. Biotechnol. (1985) 23:110). Algal protein has a relatively high biological value, comparing favorably to animal proteins such as eggs and casein (Becker, supra). In addition, algal protein is highly digestible. Additionally, algae may be genetically engineered to produce proteins of a particular nutritional value.
In addition to its use as a source of nutritional protein, algae are also useful for the production of therapeutic proteins. Protein based therapeutics are an increasingly important aspect of medical treatment. Interest in eukaryotic microalgae as an alternative platform for recombinant protein production has been gaining in recent years. Protein production in transgenic algae can offer many of the same advantages as transgenic plants, including cost, safety, and rapid scalability. Microalgae expressing therapeutic proteins can be grown under the improved conditions described herein. Expression of recombinant proteins in the chloroplast of the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is well established (Mayfield S. P., et al. (2007) Curr Opin Biotechnol 18:126433). These proteins include reporter proteins (Franklin S., et al, Plant J. (2002) 30:733-744; Mayfield S. P. and Schultz J. Plant J. (2004) 37:449-458; Muto M., et al. BMC Biotechnol (2009) 9:26), a large complex mammalian single chain antibody (Mayfield S. P., et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (2003) 100:438-442), more traditional single chain antibodies (Franklin S. E. and Mayfield S. P. Expert Opin Biol Ther. (2005) 5:225-235), a full length monoclonal antibody (Tran M., et al. Biotechnol Bioeng. (2009) 104(4):663-673), potential vaccine antigens (Surzycki R., et al. Biologicals (2009) 37:133-138), and a variety of potential therapeutic proteins (Rasala et al. Plant Biotechnol. J. (2010) 8:719-733). Proteins purified from algae have advantages over those produced in standard processes because they should be free from toxins and viral agents that may be present in preparations from bacteria or mammalian cell culture.
An important factor impeding the wide spread use of algae as a protein source and a production platform for therapeutic proteins is the high cost of production. Algae for human consumption or pharmaceutical use must be produced to high quality standards. In most cases, the algae must be grown in enclosed fermentation vessels. The use of enclosed fermentation vessels increases the cost of production both in terms of large amounts of capital required to purchase and install the fermentors, and the high energy costs associated with running the fermentors.
One way to decrease the cost of production is to increase the growth rate of the algae. With higher growth rates, the capital and operating cost are spread over a larger amount of product, thus reducing the per unit cost of production. Provided herein is an improved method of producing algae which results in substantially higher growth rates and an improved nutritional profile.


An electronic device having a heat-dissipating structure for a socket is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a case, a plurality of electronic components disposed in the case, an airflow inlet disposed at a first side of the case, a socket disposed at a second side of the case, wherein the second side is opposite to the first side and the electronic components are disposed between the first side and the second side, and an airflow directing plate disposed between the case and the electronic components and forming an airflow channel with the case for directing a portion of air at the airflow inlet to the socket through the airflow channel so as to dissipate heat of the socket. Through the design of the present invention, the heat of the socket of the electronic device can be dissipated efficiently to conform to the safety standard of the socket temperature.

The power supply is an indispensable device for various electrical equipments or information products. Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram showing a conventional power supply. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional power supply comprises a case 11 (shown by dotted lines), a plurality of electronic components 12, a power input element 13 and a power output element 14. The power input element 13 is usually a socket to be plugged by a power cable for inputting power, and the power output element 14 is used for electrically connecting with another electronic device for supplying power to the electronic device. In addition, the electronic components 12 will produce heat while they are operated, and the heat will cause the temperature in the case getting higher and higher. For dissipating the heat in the power supply, one or more heat-dissipating fans 15 are disposed on the case of the power supply for blowing external cold air into the case or blowing internal hot air out of the case, so as to lower down the temperature in the case and prevent the electronic components in the power supply from damage or lifespan reduce due to the overheated condition.
As shown in FIG. 1, since the air blown into the case by the fan 15 will pass through the electronic components 12 to the socket 13, the heat generated by the electronic components 12 will inevitably influence the temperature of the socket 13. According to the international safety standard of the socket temperature, the operating temperature of the socket in the power supply must be lower than 70° C. However, along with the technology development of electronic products and in response to the user's requirements, more and more electronic components are loaded on the printed circuit board (PCB) inside the power supply, resulting in the increases of the integration of the electronic components and the watt consumption of the power supply. Since the watt consumption increases, it is inevitable to increase the temperature of the whole power supply and further indirectly increase the temperature of the socket. Generally speaking, the temperature tolerance of the electronic components in the power supply reaches to about 110–150° C., but to conform to the safety standard of the socket temperature, the design of the electronic components will be confined, and accordingly, the development of the power supply will be confined.
Therefore, it is needed to provide a power supply that can efficiently dissipate heat of the socket so as to deal with the above problems encountered in the prior art.

Electronic device having heat-dissipating structure for socket


The present invention relates to a method for reconstruction of animal organ which comprises perfusing a cell-dispersible solution to animal organ from vascular system and then perfusing a cell culture medium whereby the organ is reconstructed.. According to the present invention, the organ can be reconstructed and cultured for long term without separating most of cells which constitute the animal organ.

In conducting organ culture of animal organs, fetal (embryo) organs have been mostly used whereby incubation keeping a good survival ratio of cells can be kept during culturing. This is because the organ is small enough and is characterized in being relatively resistant to a state of low oxygen concentration. Incidentally, with regard to organ culture, mature organs of small animals such as rats and mice are classified into those such as ureter, ductus deferens, uterus, trachea, arteries, salivary glands, mammary gland, prostate, seminal vesicle, lung, thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, pineal, ovary, skin, white adipose tissue, lymph nodes, sympathetic ganglia and eye which can be cultured for around one week if sliced in a thickness of about 2 mm or smaller and those such as brain, liver, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, testis, pancreas, kidney, adrenal gland and spinal ganglion which can be hardly incubated for several days even if sliced in thickness of about 2 mm or smaller [Trowell, O. A.: Exp. Cell Res., 16, 118-147(1959)]. Later than that, a method has been established where liver of mature rats which was believed to be difficult to subject to an organ culture can be cultured for around one week when the organ was sliced into a thickness of about 0.5 mm with a cross section of 1.0-1.5 mm.sup.2 and cultured under the condition of 95% O.sub.2 /5% CO.sub.2 [Campbell, A. K. and Hales, C. N.: Exp. Cell Res., 68, 33-42(1971)]. Further after that, a slicer whereby organs can be sliced in a thickness of several hundred micrometers in a precise and quick manner and with minimal trauma has been developed [Krumdieck, C. L., et al.: Analyt. Biochem., 104, 118-123(1980); Smith, P. F., et al.: Life Sci., 36, 1367-1375(1985)]. Nowadays, optimum culturing conditions (buffers for slicing, culture medium, thickness of the slice, shortest culturing time and culturing system for achieving and keeping a good survival ratio of cells, etc.) for sliced organs such as liver, kidney, lung and heart have been established and utilized not only in the field of pharmacology and toxicology but also in many other fields [Parrish, A. R., et al.: Life Sci., 57, 1887-1901(1995)].
In culturing of organs keeping a good survival ratio of cells, the efficiency of nutrient supply to all inner cells constituting said organ and the efficiency of removal of wastes produced in inner part of the organs are important. In the organs in vivo, those roles are played in a network of capillary vessels. In the conventional organ culture, however, since the network of capillary vessels do not function in an organ culture system, it is necessary to minimize trauma of the excised mature organs and to slice as thin as possible for improving those efficiencies.
If a method whereby mature organ can be cultured in an excised state and a method whereby mature organ can be cultured in a state of somewhat thick slice (several mm to several tens mm) can be established, they will contribute to various medical and pharmaceutical fields such as evaluation of pharmaceutical effects and toxicity of drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, etc., development of artificial organs, preserving organs to be transplanted, etc. However, culturing mature organs (which were believed to be difficult to subject to an organ culture) in an excised state without slicing or culturing those in a state of somewhat thick slice (several mm to several tens mm) has not been conducted at present because it is unable to keep a good survival ratio of cells in the inner area of the culturing organs. Moreover, a problem of trauma which is resulted by a thin slicing of soft organs has been still remaining.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, investigations have been made wherein the conventional method for organ culture is completely improved from various viewpoints so that a method for culturing the organ keeping the network of capillary vessels-like structure for easy circulation of the culture medium. It is known that as a method for reconstructing the organ-like structure, in which a network of capillary vessels-like structure is introduced, from cultured cells, a method wherein fibrous root of rice plant or gauze made of cotton is used as a substratum for the circulation for culture medium for animal cells and said animal cells are subjected to a self-assembly and an organoid formation around there (Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 67626/95 and Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 298876/95).


A pattern evaluation method includes: acquiring a plurality of examination images obtained in regard to an evaluation target pattern, at least one of the plurality of examination images being different from the other examination images; detecting all edges of the evaluation target pattern in each of the examination images; executing alignment of the evaluation target pattern in the respective examination images with a sub-pixel accuracy based on the detected edges; superimposing the aligned pattern edges to generate a single combined edge; measuring the combined edge; and evaluating the evaluation target pattern based on a result of the measurement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pattern evaluation method, a computer-readable medium, and a semiconductor device manufacturing method.
2. Related Background Art
A method of detecting an edge of an evaluation target pattern to evaluate a shape of the pattern has been extensively adopted in various industrial fields. For example, a method of using an SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) image as a pattern examination image to evaluate a shape of a processed device pattern and thereby judge whether the pattern is good or bad is utilized in evaluation of a pattern of a semiconductor device. A procedure of measuring a CD (Critical Dimension) based on this method will be explained hereinafter as a conventional technology.
At first, an SEM image at a predetermined position on a wafer is acquired as an examination image by a CD SEM. This image includes a specific pattern as an evaluation target.
At second, one or more ROIs (Regions of Interest) are set so as to include a pattern of interest in the SEM image, edges of the patterns in the ROIs are detected based on, e.g., a threshold method, a dimension between the edges is calculated, and an obtained result is output as a CD value. The thus obtained one or more dimension values are collated with a separately determined standard to judge pass-fail of the evaluation target pattern.
According to the conventional technology, since an accuracy of a measurement value is dependent on a magnification of an image, there is a problem that a desired measurement accuracy cannot be obtained when the magnification must be reduced for various reasons. When intentionally reducing a magnification of an image in pattern measurement, the following cases can be quoted, for example.    1. When a shrinking effect should be reduced by suppressing electron beam irradiation damages given to a resist pattern as much as possible.    2. When an image having a higher image quality should be obtained by reducing charging.    3. When as many measurement points as possible should be put in one image in order to reduce the number of acquired images.    4. When patterns which are apart from each other and would protrude from an image acquiring region with a high magnification should be measured.    5. When a central part alone of an image excluding a peripheral region should be measured since the peripheral region of an image acquiring region has a large image distortion.
A size, i.e., a magnification of the image acquiring region can be determined in accordance with each of the purposes. On the other hand, measuring an image acquired with a high magnification is of course preferable in order to improve measurement accuracy. However, considering the fact that an electron beam diameter is approximately 3 nm, a higher magnification beyond this value is meaningless as an image resolution, and there is a problem that an influence of degradation in an image due to, e.g., charging of an electron beam is exercised.

Pattern evaluation method, computer-readable medium, and semiconductor device manufacturing method


An intelligent robot system comprising an intelligent robot (100) and a charging base (200). The intelligent robot (100) comprises a docking electrode (102), a walking mechanism (106) and a control unit (105). The docking electrode (102), the walking mechanism (106) and the control unit (105) are disposed in the body (101) of the intelligent robot (100). The charging base (200) comprises a charging electrode (201) disposed on the body (101) of the charging base (200). The intelligent robot (100) further comprises a gripping mechanism (107). When the docking electrode (102) and the charging electrode (201) dock successfully, the control unit (105) controls the e gripping mechanism (107) to lock the walking mechanism (106) to enable the intelligent robot (100) to maintain a successful docking state in the charging base (200), preventing the charging electrode (201) of the charging base (200) from being separated from the docking electrode (102) due to the improper movement of the walking mechanism (106). Any interference during of the intelligent robot (100) is thus prevented and charging efficiency is improved.

With the leap-forward development of science and technology as the times progress, the intelligent devices such as robot have become well known to the people. Furthermore, being clean, convenient, timesaving and labor saving, some ground cleaning robots, such as intelligent sweeper equipment and intelligent mopping machine, have step in the family life of common people since they help the people get free from Tedious housework.
At present, the ground cleaning robots released on the existing market (such as intelligent sweeper equipment) are provided with built-in rechargeable battery, cleaning unit and dust box. The charging base used in combination with the intelligent sweeper equipment can provide electric power for the rechargeable battery. The intelligent sweeper equipment can be operated in cleaning mode and charging mode. In the cleaning mode, the intelligent sweeper equipment is energized by the rechargeable battery and makes treatment on the ground, and the impurities cleared out, such as particles are collected in the dust box. When the electric quantity of the rechargeable battery in the intelligent sweeper equipment is lower than the pre-set value, the intelligent sweeper equipment will automatically switch from cleaning mode to charging mode and return to the charging base for charging. A docking electrode provided on the body of the intelligent sweeper equipment is connected with the rechargeable battery; A charging electrode is provided on the body of the charging base; When the docking electrode of the intelligent sweeper equipment is docked with the charging electrode of charging base, the rechargeable battery is charged through the docking electrode. In the process when the intelligent sweeper equipment is moving towards the charging base so that the docking electrode will contact with the charging base, the control unit in the intelligent sweeper equipment continuously detect whether there is voltage or current on the docking electrode, so as to judge whether the charging electrode of charging base is successfully docked with the docking electrode of the intelligent sweeper equipment. If the control unit has detected voltage or current on the docking electrode, the intelligent sweeper equipment will stop the movement towards the charging base. The autonomous movement of the intelligent sweeper equipment is realized by driving the first motor to drive the walking mechanism, such as walking wheel; the forward or backward movement of the walking wheel is determined by the forward and reverse rotation of the first motor. Generally, the intelligent sweeper equipment can make passive movement, namely, the cleaner can also walk when it is not powered on. Therefore, when the first motor does not make driving control on the walking wheel, the walking wheel is under free state. Therefore, on this basis, there are following problems in the present docking method for charging. According to the present docking method for charging, once it is detected that there is voltage or current on the docking electrode of the cleaner, it is believed that the docking is successful, so that the first motor no longer drives the walking mechanism. However, since the walking wheel is under free state, it is quite likely that the walking wheel will still move forward or backward after the first motor has released the control over the walking wheel, so that the docking electrode of intelligent sweeper equipment is separated from the charging electrode of charging base, resulting in the power failure and/or charging failure of intelligent sweeper equipment in the process of charging.

Intelligent robot system and docking method for charging same


1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 each represent an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic hydrocarbon or aromatic heterocyclic group; and R.sup.1 represents --CO.sub.2 R.sup.2, --SO.sub.2 R.sup.3, --COR.sup.4, --CON(R.sup.5).sub.2, --CH--or --NO.sub.2 in which R.sup.2 is hydrogen, a straight chain, branched chain or cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group, which may have a substituent or a straight chain, branched chain or cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, which may have a substituent, R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl group; and R.sup.5 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The present invention relates to 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives having superior vasodilative and platelet aggregation inhibiting activities.
Some of 1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate compounds have vasodilative effects based on the calcium entry blocking action and therefore are employed as coronary vasodilators, ameliorants of cerebral circulation, and hypotensive drugs.
Representative examples of such compounds are 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester (generally referred to as "NIFEDIPINE"; U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,627) and 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid-3-[2-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)ethyl]ester-5-methyl ester hydrochloride (generally referred to as "NICARDIPINE"; Japanese Patent Publication 55-45075).
In addition, 1,4-dihydropyridine compounds having both vasodilative based on the calcium entry blocking action and platelet aggregation inhibitory activities, are now being developed as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications Nos. 56-140989, 60-215684, 61-10576, 61-5076, 61-197578, 60-226876, 61-47477, 61-212581, and 62-187468.
1,4-dihydropyridine compounds such as NIFEDIPINE and NICARDIPINE have high vasolidative activity based on the calcium entry blocking action, but are not satisfactory as remedy for atherosclerosis. Therefore, researches are being made for obtaining 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives having not only vasodilating activity, but also platelet aggregation inhibitory activity, capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation and preventing and curing atherosclerosis, which can be used as remedies for circulatory system. However, satisfactory remedies having the above-mentioned activities have not been found yet.


A coating material, green sheet and the method capable of producing a green sheet without a pin hole, having enough strength to be peeled from a support body and excellent surface smoothness even when the green sheet is extremely thin, and being suitable to make an electronic device thin and multilayered, are provided. The present invention provides a green sheet coating material comprising a ceramic powder, a binder resin including a butyral based resin as a main component thereof, and a solvent. The solvent includes a first solvent having an SP value as a solubility parameter of 10 or larger and a second solvent having the SP value of 8 or larger but smaller than 10. The second solvent is included by 20 to 60 wt % and, preferably, 25 to 60 wt % with respect to 100 wt % of the solvent as the entire weight.

In recent years, due to downsizing of a variety of electronic equipments, electronic devices to be installed inside the electronic equipments have become more compact and higher in performance. As one of the electronic devices, there is a ceramic electronic device, such as a CR built-in substrate and a multilayer ceramic capacitor, and the ceramic electronic devices have been required to be more compact and higher in performance.
To pursue a more compact ceramic electronic device having a higher capacity, there is a strong demand for making a dielectric layer thinner. Recently, a thickness of a dielectric green sheet composing a dielectric layer has become several μm or thinner.
To produce a ceramic green sheet, normally, a ceramic coating material composed of ceramic powder, a binder (an acrylic based resin and a butyral based resin, etc.), a plasticizer (phthalate esters, glycols, adipic acids, and phosphoric esters) and an organic solvent (toluene, MEK and acetone, etc.) is prepared. Next, the ceramic coating material is coated on a carrier sheet (a support body made by PET or PP) by using the doctor blade method, etc. and dried by heating.
Also, producing by preparing a ceramic suspension wherein the ceramic powder and binder are mixed in a solvent, then, performing two-dimensional drawing on the suspension to mold a film-shaped molded item has been considered in recent years.
A method of producing a multilayer ceramic capacitor by using the ceramic green sheet explained above will be explained in detail. An internal electrode conductive paste containing metal powder and a binder is printed to be a predetermined pattern on the ceramic green sheet and dried to form an internal electrode pattern. After that, the green sheet is peeled from the carrier sheet and stacked to be a desired number of layers. Here, two methods are proposed, that are a method of peeling the green sheet from the carrier sheet before stacking in layers and a method of peeling the carrier sheet after stacking in layers and adhering by compression, but there is not a great difference between them. Finally, the stacked body is cut to be a chip shape, so that green chips are prepared. After firing the green chips, external electrodes are formed, so that electronic devices, such as multilayer ceramic capacitors, are produced.
When producing a multilayer ceramic capacitor, an interlayer thickness of sheets to be formed with internal electrodes is in a range of 3 μm to 100 μm or so based on a desired capacitance required as a capacitor. Also, in a multilayer ceramic capacitor, a part not formed with internal electrodes is formed on an outer part in the stacking direction of the capacitor chip.
Generally, when a thickness of the green sheet becomes thin, there arise problems that smoothness on the surface of the sheet declines and stacking becomes difficult.
In recent years, along with downsizing of electronic equipments, electronic devices to be used therein have rapidly become more compact. In multilayer electronic devices as typified by a multilayer ceramic capacitor, rapid development has been made on an increase of the number of layers to be stacked and attaining a thinner interlayer thickness. To respond to the technical trends, a thickness of a green sheet, which determines the interlayer thickness, has almost become 3 μm or thinner to 2 μm or thinner. Therefore, in a production process of a multilayer ceramic capacitor, it is necessary to handle extremely thin green sheets and to design highly advanced green sheet properties.
As characteristics required as the properties of such an extremely thin green sheet, sheet strength, flexibility, smoothness, adhesiveness when being stacked, handlability (electrostatic property), etc. may be mentioned, and balance of a higher order is required.
Particularly, when the sheet becomes thin, roughness (unevenness) on the sheet surface cannot be ignored with respect to the thickness. Namely, change of surface condition which has not been considered in a thick sheet becomes change of a sheet thickness itself in the case of a thin layer sheet. It is anticipated that a recessed portion on the surface roughness has susceptibility to a voltage application at firing and causes short-circuiting. Therefore, to produce a sheet having smooth surface (= change of surface roughness is small) and a unified thickness is essential element technique in producing a multilayer chip capacitor.
Note that, as described in the patent article 1 below, there is known a technique of using a polyvinyl butyral resin having a polymerization degree of 1000 or higher as a binder in green sheet slurry containing an aqueous solvent for a purpose of eliminating a short-circuiting defect.
However, the patent article 1 is not for particularly attaining a thinner organic solvent based green sheet, and also has the problem that surface smoothness declines and stacking becomes difficult when a thickness of the green sheet is made thin.
Also, the patent article 2 discloses a technique of using a solvent having a high evaporation rate to improve a surface property of the sheet by making the evaporation rate high. However, although the method of making the evaporation rate high is effective to obtain a thick sheet, it gives an adverse effect of deteriorating the surface property in the case of making the sheet thin.
Also, as disclosed in the patent article 3, there is known an invention of regulating a blending composition ratio, a defoaming condition and a drying temperature condition of the sheet by an aqueous coating material.
However, in this technique, a sheet having a desired property may not be able to be obtained due to the limited composition and the procedure becomes cumbersome and complicated because a defoaming step is added.
Furthermore, as disclosed in the patent article 4, there is also known a technique of improving a surface property by extending the sheet by applying pressure.
However, with this technique, the sheet may be damaged due to the applied pressure when the green sheet is made thin.    Patent article 1: The Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-206756    Patent article 2: The Patent Publication No. 2866137    Patent article 3: The Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-335971    Patent article 4: The Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-114568

Green sheet coating material, green sheet, production method of green sheet and production method of electronic device


The invention relates to a method for preventing the spread via pollen of a transgene encoding dog gastric lipase or collagen from transgenic plants comprising said transgene. In this method plants are transformed with a construct comprising the transgene genetically linked to a second construct conferring male sterility on the plant. Plants produced by the method are male sterile, and thus cannot spread the transgene via their pollen.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to novel uses of male sterility for limiting the risks to humans and the environment which are linked to producing transgenic plants.
2. Description of the Related Art
The benefits of using transgenic plants are very promising. The transgenesis of mammalian genes into a plant cell offers, in particular, a route for producing novel recombinant proteins in large quantities at a reduced production cost and without the risk of viral or subviral (prion) contamination.
However, these benefits should not cause the aspects of an ecological nature which are linked to producing transgenic plants and to which the public is very sensitive to be forgotten.
The applicant has now developed a technology which places male sterility at the service of a "green biotechnology" which takes into consideration ecological and human aspects.
A possible improvement resides in controlling the dissemination of the transgene in the environment.
While the spatial isolation of culture plots already makes it possible to reduce the risk of the transgene "escaping", this method is restricting and becomes problematical as the number of products increases.
The significance of genetic methods for isolating the transgene and reducing the risk of an "escape", was suggested in an article by Ellstrand in 1990. Among the large number of proposed solutions in the face of the problem of the "escape" of the transgene, Ellstrand notes that male-sterile genotypes could be introduced or that a gene which was lethal for the pollen could be linked directly to a gene which was constructed by genetic engineering. However, no technical development had been implemented in this sense. In fact, it was impossible to foresee such a development being implemented successfully on account, in particular, of the number of parameters which are brought into play in the genetic engineering techniques used in plants.

Use of male sterility to prevent transgene spread in plants


A slide fastener having multiple slider tracks and multiple slider bodies that converge at a central hub.

Various types of releasable fasteners may be used to connect portions of an article together. One type includes a slider that traverses a pair of rails to connect the rails, and a zipper is an example of this type of releasable fastener. Some releasable fasteners may include multiple sliders that traverse outward from a common position in order to couple rails. Sometimes it may be challenging to align rails when a releasable connector includes multiple sliders and multiple pairs of rails. In addition, in some instances, slider pullers may be challenging to grip.


An actuator for a contactor comprises an electromagnet having a closing coil, a holding coil, fixed cores wound with the closing coil and the holding coil respectively, a movable core provided on one side of the fixed cores, and a yoke. A main contact movable member operates to perform closing or interrupting by attraction or release of the movable core with respect to the fixed core. The actuator has a trip spring, energy-stored during the closing, that performs the interrupting upon stopping energization to the holding coil and thereby releasing the stored-energy. The actuator has an auxiliary contact operating with the operation of the movable core and performing energization switching with respect to the closing coil and the holding coil. The trip spring is provided on one side of the electromagnet in a horizontal direction while the auxiliary contact is provided on the other side.

As an example of a conventional electromagnet-installed actuator for a contactor, an actuator described in Patent Literature 1 (JP-A No. Hei 5-20976) is known. The actuator for a contactor described in the Patent Literature 1 is schematically formed with an electromagnet including a fixed core and a movable core, a yoke and coil, a trip spring (pulled-out spring), a wipe spring and the like.
The above-described trip spring is provided between a case side wall and a lever to which the movable core is fixed, and is employed to perform interrupting operation on a main contact of a vacuum switchgear by applying torque to the lever to rotate the lever. On the other hand, in the wipe spring, one end is connected to the lever while the other end is connected to the main contact movable member. It is pushed up by rotation of the lever, to apply contact pressure between the main contacts, thus employed to prevent adhesion of the main contacts upon closing.
Then, when the coil is excited, the movable core is attracted in the direction of the fixed core, and the main contact movable member is brought into contact with the main contact fixed member, via the lever interlocked to the movable core, in a closed status. When the excitation of the coil is stopped, by a repulsive force between the trip spring and the wipe spring in which energy has been stored during the closing operation, the main contact movable member moves in a contact parting direction, and is in an interrupted status from the main contact fixed member.
Generally, in an electromagnet-installed actuator for an contactor, when the closed status of the main contact is held, since the distance between the movable core and the fixed core is short and the magnetic resistance is low, the coil exciting power is lower than that upon closing operation of the main contact.
In the example of the above-described Patent Literature 1, the coil is excited then the movable core is attracted in the direction of the fixed core and the main contact is in the closed status. Immediately before the main contact is in the closed status, the coil exciting power upon holding of closed status is lowered by electronic circuit control so as to lower the coil energizing voltage. Otherwise, immediately before the main contact is in the closed status, the coil exciting power upon holding of closed status is lowered by circuit switching so as to serially connect the coil to a current limiting resistor. Thus energy consumption is saved.


The current invention relates to the stabilisation of peroxyacid solutions. There is provided a tin based stabiliser composition obtained by the ageing of an alkaline solution of a tin compound and a phosphorus containing compound. The stabiliser is particularly suitable for the stabilisation of non-equilibrium solutions of peroxyacids.

This invention concerns stabilised aqueous peracid solutions, and processes for the preparation of such solutions. The invention particularly concerns stabilised solutions of aliphatic peracids, especially peracetic acid solutions.
Aqueous solutions of peracids have numerous applications in industry, including particularly use as bleaching agents, reagents in chemical synthesis, and especially as disinfectants for domestic, industrial and environmental applications. Many of these applications are carried out at locations removed from the location at which the peracid is produced, and thus the peracids are advantageously stable at the very least during transport to the application site. In a very large number of cases, the peracid can also be stored, for example in warehouses, for a significant period, often in the region of months or even years, prior to use.
The stability of peracid solutions can be improved by the avoidance of the introduction into the solution during its manufacture of impurities which can destabilise the peracid, notably transition metal ions. However, as a practical matter it is virtually impossible to ensure that no such impurities are present. Furthermore, even if impurities are avoided during manufacture, there remains the possibility that impurities may be introduced during any subsequent packaging or transportation of the solution. It is therefore desirable that the peracid solutions are stabilised against decomposition by such impurities. In addition to stabilising the peracid solution during storage, the presence of stabilisers in the peracid solution may also have the additional benefit of enhancing the stability of the peracid solution in use, and consequently increasing the efficacy of the solution. The presence of stabilisers can also reduce the hazardous properties of the solution.
Many systems have been proposed for use as stabilisers for peracid solutions. Amongst those which have found wide application include dipicolinic acid, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,609,391. Other compounds include phosphonates, notably those disclosed in British Patent No. 925,373 Henkel. In some instances, combinations of stabilisers are employed, for example the combinations of dipicolinic acid and phosphonates disclosed in International application publication numbers. WO91/07375 and WO91/13058. Phosphates have been proposed for use as stabilicers for peracid solutions in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,347,434 and 2,590,856. European Patent No. 0 563 584 teaches that stannates can be employed to stabilise peracid solutions provided the stannate is added to the peracid solution during or after manufacture, or is added to the reaction mixture immediately before the reaction commences. The stannate can be employed in the peracid solution in conjunction with a separately added co-stabiliser, and although a large number of potential co-stabilisers, including poly and pyrophosphoric acids and their salts are contemplated, only dipicolinic acid and 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid are exemplified. European Patent No. 0 563 584 therefore contains no teaching on the use of a stannate derivatives stabiliser for stabilising peracid solutions, nor any indication that the preparation of the stabiliser system is of any importance.
Although some stabiliser systems for peracid solutions are already known, it remains desirable to identify additional or further systems.
It is a first object of certain aspects of the present invention to provide an additional or further stabiliser system for aqueous peracid solutions.
It is a second object of further aspects of the present invention to provide a process for the production of stabilised aqueous peracid solutions.
It is a third object of yet further aspects of the invention to provide a stabiliser system which will increase the time period required for attainment of equilibrium of peracid solutions, where the peracid is present in excess of its equilibrium concentration.


The present invention relates to an extruded fluoropolymer-acrylic composite and a method of producing same. The extruded product of the present invention comprises a layer of at least one first polymeric substance comprising a mixture of: (1) from about 1 to about 70 percent by weight of at least one acrylic material, (2) at least one fluoropolymer, and (3) at least one inorganic pigment in sufficient amount to render the first polymeric substance reflective to infrared light and opaque to both ultraviolet light and light and light having a wavelength of about 350 to about 2500 nanometers; in contact with a layer of at least one second polymeric substance being of a chemical character so as to be amenable to adhesion to the at least one first polymeric substance in the extrusion product. The preferred embodiment of the invention method is conducted under vacuum.

The present invention relates to an fluoropolymer-acrylic plastic composites and a coextrusion for producing them.
Plastic composites have a wide variety of applications, particularly in the building and automotive fields. These composites can find use in seals, liners and gaskets for doors, windows and building or assembly sections. In these uses, it is important that the particular composite have and maintain the appropriate characteristics (hardness, strength, flexibility, expansion, and dimensional characteristics).
Such applications usually involve outdoor use or other exposure to environments which accelerate polymer degradation. Polymer degradation can cause loss in color, stability, flexibility and/or strength. Sunlight or other light sources can breakdown polymers as can exposure to water- or air-borne caustic materials, such as acids, salts, and organic solvents. Accordingly, it is desirable to be able to produce plastic composites that will have the desired strength, flexibility, expansion and dimensional stability characteristics, while being resistant to the degrading aspects of its application environment.
The development of fluoropolymers greatly increased the resistance to degradation for polymers containing them. Examples of such fluoropolymers are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,253,060 to Koblitz et al., 3,458,391 to Miller, 3,523,906 to Schmitt et al., 3,769,371 to Nersasian, 3,779,976 to De Marisco et al., 3,895,029 to Ward, 3,944,689 to Luckock et al., 4,123,401 to Berghmans et al., 4,221,757 to Strassel, 4,226,904 to Ollivier et al., 4,281,492 to Schock et al., 4,291,099 to Strassel, 4,364,886 to Strassel, 4,404,247 to Dominguez-Burguette et al., 4,415,519 to Strassel, 4,424,292 to Rabinovitch, 4,557,977 to Memmer et al., 4,581,412 to Ohmori et al., 4,585,701 to Bartoszek et al., 4,728,677 to Lacatus et al., 4,776,913 to Goossens et al., 4,824,911 to Chu, 4,877,839 to Conti-Ramsden et al., 4,927,675 to Adams et al., all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, fluoropolymers are relatively expensive when compared to non-fluoropolymers such as acrylic polymers and polyvinylchlorides. Thus it is desirable to produce a polymer composite which will yield the advantages of fluoropolymers while minimizing the total fluoropolymer content so that a polymeric material can be made cost effective for a wide variety of uses, particularly in the areas described above.
Other advantages and benefits of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in light of the present disclosure and the practice of the invention.

Fluoropolymer-acrylic plastic composite and coextrusion method


A comment statement provided within a program code statement is detected, and a processing according to a special command for executing an effect if such a special command is present in the comment statement is executed. The original program code statement may be ignored. Thus, an improved apparatus and an old apparatus can be operated using the same program, and the improved apparatus can execute the special command statement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to apparatuses for program execution operating based program information read from a floppy disc or the like and methods for such program execution, and more specifically, to an image reproduction apparatus which reproduces a still picture for display and performs image effects such as wipe and dissolve at the time of switching images.
2. Description of the Background Art
Image reproduction apparatuses which sequentially display a plurality of still pictures have been used. Such an image reproduction apparatus is used for automatic exhibition of still pictures, for example, at museums, art museums or show rooms.
As one example of such an image reproduction apparatus, there is disclosed an image file apparatus in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 3-30176. The image file apparatus reproduces and displays image data based on control by execution of program information, and switches images by means of image effects such as scroll and wipe.
Since in an image reproduction apparatus, program information thus controls the automatic exhibition operation of the image reproduction apparatus, changing program information read into the image reproduction apparatus can readily change the automatic exhibition operation. This applies to any computer equipment which operates based on read program information besides such an image reproduction apparatus.
In such an image reproduction apparatus, when an improvement (producing an upper version) such as providing apparatus with an additional new function which has not been known before, a new program code (hereinafter referred to new code) corresponding to the improvement is set.
More specifically, a new code for a special image effect which can be achieved only with the improved version of image reproduction apparatus is additionally provided. In the improved image reproduction apparatus capable of interpreting thus added new code, when program information with the new code is executed, images can be switched by means of a special image effect.
If such program information written with the new code is executed with an old type image reproduction apparatus before the improvement, the inability of the old type image reproduction apparatus to interpret the new code causes errors or stops operation.
Accordingly, new program information described with a new code which cannot be used by the old type image reproduction apparatus cannot be used in common between the improved image reproduction apparatus and the old image reproduction apparatus.
However, use of a comment statement which will be described later enables a method of producing program information which can be used in common between the improved apparatus and the old apparatus.
Program information called "program" is generally formed of a program code statement and a comment statement. The program code statement is an instruction statement for actually operating computer equipment. The comment statement is a statement inserted to aid the producer of the program information in understanding the program code statement, irrespective of the actual operation of the computer equipment.
The computer equipment therefore ignores the comment statement in the program information, extracts the program code statement and executes an operation based on the instruction of the extracted program code statement.
As a specific example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 4-216131 discloses a method of providing a program code statement with a mark designating a comment statement, thereby disabling the program code statement provided with the mark, and the technique is generally known.
The present inventors have contemplated combining a program for an improved image reproduction apparatus (hereinafter referred to as improved type program information) with program information for an old type image reproduction apparatus (hereinafter referred to as old type program), and producing program information in common including one of these pieces of program information as a comment statement. More specifically, this common program information is provided with a mark for comment statement at a portion of the old type program information when it is used at the improved type image reproduction apparatus, while the mark for comment statement is provided at a portion of the improved type program information when it is used at the old type image reproduction apparatus.
Such common program information can therefore operate in either at the improved type image reproduction apparatus or at the old type image reproduction apparatus by replacing the mark for comment statement.
If such common program information is used both at the improved type image reproduction apparatus and at the old type image reproduction apparatus, however, cumbersome replacement of the mark for comment statement was necessary.
A specific example of an image reproduction apparatus utilizing the above-described program information will be described.
A conventional image reproduction apparatus prestores a number of still pictures (A, B, . . . ). In the image reproduction apparatus, when the image is switched from still picture A to still picture B, for example, the image switching is conducted by means of an image effect such as wipe, roll, and dissolve by sequentially changing the combining ratio of still picture A and still picture B.
When "dissolve" is executed, the following control is made. When execution of the image effect "dissolve" is designated with the combining ratio of the image data a of still picture A and the image data b of still picture B being 1:0 (with still picture A being displayed), the density of image data a is reduced as the density of image data b is increased. Thus, still picture data in which image data a and image data b are mixed is formed. In this case, a still picture having still picture A and still picture B mixed therein is displayed as an image.
Finally, the combining ratio of image data a and image data b becomes 0:1 at which point the image effect "dissolve" is terminated and the displayed image is completely switched from still picture A to still picture B.
Generally in such an image reproduction apparatus one image effect is carried out first and another image effect is not carried out until the first image effect is completed. Since such an image reproduction apparatus can carry out only predetermined kinds of image effects, a special image effect cannot be achieved, and only somewhat commonplace image effect is obtained. In addition, if a special image effect e.g. executing an image effect during execution of another image effect is intended, hardware must be changed in order to execute these image effects in parallel. This therefore pushes up cost for implementing such a special image effect.

Apparatus and method for program execution


The invention relates to a device for assembling together at least one series of wooden planks, each having two opposite ends and two opposite longitudinal edges, with the planks being superposed edge-to-edge to form a wall panel. The device comprises a vertical upright fitted with fastener means for fastening the upright to one of the two ends of each plank, the fastener means comprising, for each series of superposed planks, a series of tenons extending perpendicularly to the vertical upright in a common vertical plane to co-operate with mortises formed in the corresponding ends of the planks. The vertical upright is made up of a plurality of segments connected end to end and each fitted with at least one of the tenons in each series of tenons.

Some buildings, such as chalets, garages, shelters, or barns, possess wall panels (for outside or inside walls) that are constituted by assembling together a series of elongate wooden planks of substantially rectangular section which are placed horizontally in a vertical plane and which are superposed edge to edge. Panels made in this way are juxtaposed and interconnected in line with one another via their side edges so as to form a continuous wall, or else at right angles (using L, T, and X brackets).
Superposed planks can be assembled together and panels formed by superposed planks can be fastened together by an ancient method of half-thickness lapping which consists in forming notches in the ends of the planks and in engaging the ends of adjacent planks so that the notches are received in one another.
More recently, special assembly devices have been proposed to reduce building costs and to improve the mechanical characteristics of a building. Such assembly devices comprise mainly vertical uprights fitted with means for fastening the ends of planks to the uprights.
In particular, from French patent No. 2 682 974, a device is known in which each vertical upright is a continuous section member, and the means for fastening the upright with each series of planks forming the same panel are implemented in the form of a vertical slideway obtained by recessing one of the faces of the vertical upright and by engaging the end of each plank therein. The planks are thus stacked edge to edge to form a wall panel. A plurality of slideways can be provided on different faces of the vertical upright so as to assemble together a plurality of series of superposed planks constituting a plurality of wall panels which are thus connected together at an angle or in line with one another.
A drawback of that device lies in the fact that the wall formed by the stack of edge-to-edge planks is subjected to the large dimensional variations undergone by the wood constituting the planks as a function of atmospheric conditions, and in particular as a function of the degree of humidity of the ambient air. Since wood fibers are mainly longitudinal, these dimensional variations are particularly perceptible across the planks, i.e. vertically.
Also known, from document FR 2 556 022, is an assembly device in which the means for linking the vertical upright with the planks are implemented in the form of a series of tenons secured to the vertical upright and extending perpendicularly therefrom in a common vertical plane to co-operate with mortises formed in the corresponding ends of the planks.
That kind of device makes it possible for the wall panel constituted by each stack of planks to be insensitive to the dimensional variations of the wood as a function of atmospheric conditions.
The superposed planks are no longer stacked one on another, but on the contrary they are secured in vertical position to the vertical upright by means of the tenons with which they are associated. The vertical pitch of the planks is thus determined by the pitch of the tenons, thereby leaving the planks to move independently from one another, expanding or contracting freely depending on atmospheric conditions and without such dimensional variations affecting the wall panel they constitute. In addition, this makes it possible to build a building that is several stories high.
Nevertheless, a major drawback remains: it can be difficult to assemble the vertical upright to the planks. In particular, it is not practical on site to envisage installing a wooden plank between two vertical uprights that are already secured to the ground without providing other arrangements, such as a notch formed in one of the ends of the plank to give the tenon lateral access to the corresponding mortise. However, such arrangements increase manufacturing costs and run the risk of weakening the structure.

Device for assembling together superposed wooden planks to constitute a wall panel


The present invention relates to intracellular signaling molecules, in particular the Nod1 protein. The present invention provides methods of identifying modulators of Nod1 signaling. The present invention further provides methods of altering Nod1 signaling.

There are more than 80 different known autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that are characterized by abnormal triggering of an inflammatory response that attacks the host's own organs or tissues.
Examples of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), asthma, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic fever, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and postviral encephalomyelitis.
There are a number of treatment options for inflammatory diseases including medications, rest and exercise, and surgery. The type of treatment depends on several factors, including the type of disease, the person's age, type of medications he or she is taking, overall health, medical history and severity of symptoms. Common medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen), corticosteroids (such as prednisone), salicylates, antimalarial medications (such as hydroxychloroquine), and other medications including gold, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, penicillamine, cyclophosphamide, infliximab, etanercept and cyclosporine. However, many of the existing treatments have unpleasant side effects and are not effective.
Clearly there is a great need for identification of the molecular basis of inflammatory disease. There is also a need for new, more effective treatments with fewer side effects than the existing treatments.

Method of screening modulators of Nod1 signaling


A system and method for altering an incoming ring signal to produce a selected ring signal on a telephone device. The incoming ring signal is accompanied by a caller ID packet and provided by a telephone utility provider responsive to a call made by a caller. The communication system includes a system console and at least one addressable extension module. The system controller and each addressable extension module are in communication with the telephone line. The system console includes (i) means for decoding the caller ID packet to determine the identity of the caller, (ii) a storage device for storing saved caller information including caller identities and corresponding ring control information, (iii) means for selecting ring control information from the saved caller information and the identity of the caller, and (iv) means for providing the ring control information to the telephone line. Each addressable extension module additionally communicates with a respective telephone device. Each addressable extension module includes (i) means for receiving the ring control information from the telephone line, (ii) means for detecting the incoming ring signal, (iii) means for determining a duration of the incoming ring signal, and (iv) means for selectively providing communication during the incoming ring signal between the first telephone device and the telephone line in accordance with the ring control information to produce the selected ring signal. Additionally, each addressable extension module includes means for redirecting an audio signal to the telephone line and means for redirecting the audio signal from the telephone line.

Recent advances in telephone services have provided telephone customers with a caller identification (ID) feature. This feature allows telephone subscribers to determine the telephone number of a caller if the subscribers have the appropriate caller ID decoding device and subscribe to a caller ID service. Features of these caller ID devices typically include a display, memory for storing the names and telephone numbers of known callers, and memory for storing the telephone numbers of previous callers. The display is used for showing information about the call, including the telephone number of the caller, the caller's name, and the date and time of the call. The telephone company provides the number and/or name of the caller. The date and time may either be provided by the telephone company or the caller ID device.
When a call is made to a person in the U.S. subscribing to a caller ID service, the information concerning the telephone number of the caller is provided on the telephone line via a digital data stream between the first and second ring signals. Other countries may provide the information at different times in the ring cadence. The caller ID device typically decodes the information and displays the telephone number of the caller on a viewing screen of the device. Often the name of the person calling is also displayed if such information is provided by the caller ID service or the device has been programmed to associate the telephone number of the current caller with a particular name. In order for the person being called to determine if the call is one which that person wishes to answer, the video display must be examined. If the video display is in a different location from the person being called, it may be inconvenient or impractical to go to the location where the telephone number and/or name of the caller is displayed.
Prior solutions to this problem have been for the caller ID device to produce an audio signal which identifies the caller or telephone number of the caller. One of these devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,205 wherein one of two ringing sounds is broadcast over a loudspeaker to identify specific callers. However, if the person being called is at a telephone extension other than the one connected to the device the broadcast ringing sounds may not be heard. In this case, a single device with an audio signal has little advantage over a caller ID device which merely has a video display. That is, the person being called will still have to go to the location of the caller ID device or to install multiple audio signal devices.
Another prior art method of screening calls is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,289 wherein a device suppresses the first ring of a call and, after receiving the caller ID information, determines whether to allow the call to continue. This prior art device must be programmed to select which calls are allowed to continue and which ones are not. Programming the device in advance prevents the user from deciding at the time of the call whether or not to accept the call.
Additionally, it is desirable to direct calls generated from specific numbers to only a portion of the telephone devices connected to the same line. Prior art systems for directing calls to a desired extension, such as the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,599, require the caller to input the extension desired. These prior art solutions do not allow the person being called to select which extensions will ring and thus be connected to the incoming call.
Furthermore, it is desirable to enable a person to send audio or data signals from one telephone to another telephone or telephones within the same parallel circuit regardless of whether a telephone call is in progress.
Accordingly, objects of the present invention are to 1) provide a call management system which modifies the ring signal on a standard telephone line to produce unique rings on all selected telephone devices connected to the same line as the call management system, the unique rings and the selection of the telephone devices being in response to a comparison between the telephone number of the current caller and telephone numbers stored in the system and 2) allow intercom and data transmission activities on the telephone line regardless of whether a telephone call is in progress.


Systems and methods for elliptic curve octupling using Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) processing are described. In one aspect, a weighted projective point P on an elliptic curve, P having coordinates (x, y, z) is identified. Value 8P is computed from P with 12 sets of field multiplications using SIMD processing. Each set of field multiplications includes one to four respective field multiplications. Each set of field multiplications is performed in parallel according to an assigned time-step.

Cryptographic systems are concerned with confidentiality, authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation of data sent from a first party to a second party. Modern cryptographic schemes based on the discrete logarithm problem in a finite abelian group are designed to address these concerns. One such finite abelian group is a group of points on an elliptic curve (EC) over a finite field with group operation provided by simple algebraic formulae. Such a group is becoming increasingly utilized in cryptographic systems because corresponding group operations are relatively simple to realize in hardware or software.
To fully realize implementation efficiencies using elliptic curve groups, associated field arithmetic should be carefully considered. For instance, field inversions may be significantly more processing intensive to implement as compared to multiplication operations. In such a scenario, weighted projective coordinates are typically utilized so that point addition can be performed using field multiplications, as described by Blake et al, "Elliptic Curves in Cryptography", Cambridge University Press, 1999, pages 59-60, thereby deferring field inversions, for example, until the end of a long sequence of multiplications. However, the computational cost of substantially eliminating inversions is that an increased number of multiplications are calculated. An efficient technique to multiply two elements in a finite group G is essential to performing efficient exponentiation.
Exponentiation is commonly used in public-key cryptography to calculate a scalar multiple n of points P on an elliptic curve, where n is a very large integer (e.g., a random number or private key), and wherein P is a weighted projective coordinate. An unsophisticated way to compute nP is to do n−1 operations in the group G. For cryptographic applications, the order of the group G typically exceeds 2160 elements, and may exceed 22024 elements. Such operations are computationally intensive, and most choices of n are large enough that it becomes substantially infeasible, from the point of view of providing a responsive application, to calculate nP using n−1 successive multiplications by P. However, there are a number of techniques that can be used to reduce the computational costs of exponentiation.
For instance, repeated square-and-multiply algorithms (i.e., binary exponentiation) and windowing methods such as described by Blake et al, "Elliptic Curves in Cryptography", Cambridge University Press, 1999, pages 63-72, can reduce the computational costs of exponentiation. More particularly, repeated square-and-multiply algorithms divide the exponent n into smaller sums of powers of two (2), which respectively take less processing resources to compute. For instance, given a projective point P with coordinates (x, y, z) on an elliptic curve over a finite field, n can be divided into pieces of size 23 (i.e., using a window of size 3) to calculate scalar multiples of P (23P, or 8P) with multiple point doubling iterations. To accomplish this, existing systems typically input P=(x, y, z) into the square-and-multiply algorithm to generate 2P. Next, the coordinates for 2P (output from the first doubling operation) are input as (x, y, z) into the same square-and-multiply algorithm to obtain 4P. Finally, this iterative process is repeated one more time to input the coordinates for 4P (output from the second doubling operation) as (x, y, z) into the same square-and-multiply algorithm to obtain 8P. The repeated doubling method to obtain 8P involves a total of 30 field multiplications.

Elliptic curve point octupling using single instruction multiple data processing


The present invention is directed to in-situ preparation of diisopinocamphenylchloroborane, and the use of same in the reduction of prochiral ketones to optically active alcohols such as those of formula B. ##STR1## The compound of Formula B is useful in the production 2,5-diaryltetrahydrofurans useful as PAF antagonists.

The invention concerns the preparation of diisopinocampheylborane. The invention also relates to the use of a crude diisopinocampheyl borane product in the reduction of prochiral ketones.
Previously, diisopinocampheylborane was prepared and isolated by crystallization prior to its conversion to the active reducing agent diisopinocampheylchloroborane. This intermediate is highly sensitive to both oxygen and water, thus complicating its isolation.
Isolation by crystallization had the effect of increasing the enantiomeric purity of the reagent to >99%, starting from pinene of an optical purity of approximately 90%. This upgrading of the enantiomeric purity of the reducing reagent via crystallization was deemed critical for obtaining maximum enantioselectivity in the reduction of ketones to alcohols. See Brown, H. C.; Park, W. S.; Cho, B. T.; Ramachandran, P. V. J. Org. Chem., 1987, 52, 5406 and references therein; Brown, H. C.; Chandrasekharan, J.; Ramachandran, J.; Ramachandran, P. V. J. Org. Chem. 1986, 51, 3394; Srebnik, M. Ramachandran, P. V.; Brown, H. C. J. Org. Chem., 1988, 53, 2916; and Brown, H. C.; Chandrasekharan, J.; Ramachandran, P. V. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 1539.
The present invention demonstrates this previously held tenet to be false. Diisopinocampheylborane is prepared in-situ, without isolation or discrete purification, and yet surprisingly performs in an equal manner to isolated reagent. This represents a major process advantage since both the diisopinocampheylborane and the diisopinocampheylchloroborane are highly reactive reagents, sensitive to both oxygen and water. Thus handling of these reagents, which would be necessitated during isolation, presents difficulty.
The present invention also concerns the use of a crude diisopinocampheylborane product in the preparation of the chiral alcohols such as those of the intermediate compounds of Formula B. ##STR2##
Use of diisopinocampheyl chloroborane in the preparation of the chiral alcohols is described in the references cited above. Use of diisopinocampheyl chloroborane in the preparation of the chiral hydroxides of Formula B is described in co-pending applications U.S. Ser. Nos. 546,486 abandoned and 546,486 filed by Shinkai et al., Jun. 29, 1990 U.S. Pat. 509,9033. Intermediate compounds of Formula B are useful in making PAF antagonists of Formula I ##STR3##
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has recently been identified as an acetyl glyceryl ether phosphorylcholine (AGEPC), i.e., 1-0-hexadecyl/octadecyl-2acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphocholione (Hanahan D. J., etal., J. Biol. Chem. 255:5514, 1980). PAF has been linked to various biological activities and pathways making it one of the important mediators responsible for a variety of physiological processes including activation or coagulation of platelets, pathogenesis of immume complex deposition, smooth muscle contraction, inflammation, hypotension, shock, pain, edema as well as respiratory, cardiovascular and intravascular alterations. These physiological processes are in turn associated with a large group of diseases, for example, inflammatory disease, cardiovascular disorder, hypotension, shock, psoriasis, allergic and skin diseases, asthma, lung edema, peptic or stomach ulcer, dental pain, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Some compounds of formula (I) as well as their utility as PAF antagonists and their method of preparation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,335 which issued on Sep. 3, 1985; E.P. 0 199 324, which published on Oct. 29, 1986; E.P. 0 322 033, published on Jun. 28, 1989; and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 362919, filed Jun. 8, 1989, all of which are incorporated by reference.
U.S. Ser. No. 546,486, filed Jun. 29, 1990, which reference is hereby incorporated by reference discloses a process of making intermediate butyrolactone of Formula D. That process is outlined in Scheme 1. ##STR4##
In Step A, an in situ prepared acyl anion equivalent, Compound E, which is derived from a substituted benzaldehyde is chemoselectively added to an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ester, to yield Compound A. This single transformation assembles the requisite carbon framework from commercially available precursors. In Step B an enantioselective reduction utilizes .beta.-chlorodiisopinocampheyl borane in an unprecedented manner to produce an optically enriched 4-aryl-4-hydroxy-butanoate, Compound B. In Steps C to D conversion of Compound B to the title lactone Compound D is accomplished via a novel, internally assisted saponification followed by a mild acid catalyzed lactonization. Both saponification and lactonization are effected without racemization. Thereafter, controlled crystallization of Compound D efficiently enriches the optical purity to greater than 99.5%.
It is to be noted, however, that U.S. Ser. No. 546,486 utilized a preformed and purified diisopinocampheyl chloroborane.
In sharp contrast the instant process of making a compound of Formula D, comprehends the novel unobvious approach whereby the reactions can be accomplished without the heretofor recognized need to resort to extensive purification.

In-situ preparation of diisopinocamphenyl chloroborane


A shower water conservation apparatus (10) that conserves the shower water by storing the initially cooled water that is produced by a hot water source (124). The initially cooled water is routed by a series of pipes and timed valves into a water reservoir assembly (19), such as a bellows (20), where the water is stored for later use. The cooled water from the bellows (20) is timely released and mixed with flow of cold water from a cold water source (126). The mixed cold water is further mixed with the now hot water from the hot water source (124) before the mixed hot and cold water is manually regulated and applied through a shower head (122).

Previously, many types of shower water conservation devices have been used to provide an effective means for saving water when showering. Typically, when a person is ready to shower, the hot water valve is turned on and the person waits until the shower water is hot. The person then adjusts the water mixture until the desired water temperature is achieved. The reason for the wait is that in many cases the water heater is located some distance from the shower and the water in the pipes leading to the shower has been standing, thus causing the water to cool down and to reach equilibrium with the prevailing ambient temperature. Obviously, the initial cooled water is wasted because it is drained into the sewer system.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that possess the novelty of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related:
Patent NumberInventorIssue DateU.S. Pat. No. 4,224,700BloysSep. 30, 1980U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,498StaytonAug. 8, 1989U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,499NewmanAug. 8, 1989U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,218SanchezJan. 11, 1994U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,537HanksFeb. 15, 1994U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,543Duke et al.Nov. 25, 1997
U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,700 discloses a water conservation shower device that incorporates a stopper for insertion into the shower drain which includes a water pump attached to a shower head. Water accumulated in the bottom of the shower is re-circulated and reapplied through the shower head.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,498 discloses a shower temperature control system that includes a mixing valve which is connected between the hot and cold sources of water and a shower head. A gear motor shaft is connected to the mixing valve and controls the blend using a temperature sensor positioned in the shower plumbing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,499 discloses a temperature sensitive shower diverter valve for diverting shower water used between the water source and the shower head.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,218 discloses a water delivery conduit operative through a valve member which directs water from a shower conduit to a storage tank. The storage tank permits selective use of water from a primary conduit or from the delivery conduit for the utilization of water therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,537 discloses an apparatus that includes a pickup head mounted to a shower drain, which is operative through a storage tank for pressurized flow to an auxiliary shower head.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,543 discloses a water conservation system for a shower. The system utilizes a foot operated control valve piped to a T-spigot that is connected to the shower head, thereby reducing the water flow by usage only when required.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related reference may be made to the remaining patents located in the search:
Patent NumberInventorIssue DateU.S. Pat. No. 4,554,688Puccerella26 Nov. 1985U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,675Arlie 2 Dec. 1997U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,544Placencia26 Jan. 1999U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,706Hess11 Apr. 2006


This disclosure relates to a system and method for implementing threat condition in pass control. In one embodiment, a method for implementing threat condition can comprise, receiving by a checkpoint computer, from a server, a threat condition status. The method can further comprise requiring from a visitor at a checkpoint an information set by the checkpoint computer, the information dependent on the threat condition. The method can further comprise issuing a pass to the visitor only if the visitor supplies the information set at the checkpoint.

This disclosure relates to a system and method for implementing a threat condition protocol in pass control.
Currently, Force Protection Conditions (FPCON), as mandated by Department of Defense, describes the amount of measures security agencies need to take in response to various levels of terrorist threats against military facilities. A threat condition status, like FPCON, can initiate military personnel to implement different measures in response to various levels of threats and potential threats against the United States or any military facility. During these situations, the threat condition status can be communicated through a chain of command and other communication protocols within a military organization. In any emergency or critical situation, immediate dissemination of information to authorized personnel and/or the military organization is very important. However, as it currently stands, communications of critical information can involve a long, time-consuming process.
As a result, it would be useful to have an improved system and method for implementing a threat condition protocol in pass control.

System and method for implementing a threat condition protocol in pass control


A steering control apparatus which controls an amount of assist to a power assist mechanism so as to improve a steering characteristic of a vehicle. A steering torque detecting unit detects a steering torque transmitted to a steering mechanism and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected steering torque. An amount of assistance provided to the steering effort is controlled by a control unit based on the detection signal supplied by the steering torque detecting unit. The detection signal transmitted to the controlling unit is adjusted by an adjusting unit so that a hysteresis characteristic is provided to a relationship between a steering wheel torque applied to a steering wheel and the steering torque transmitted to the steering mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steering control apparatus for a vehicle and, more particularly, to a steering control apparatus having an electrically operated power steering apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional steering control apparatus, which is provided with a power steering mechanism for assisting steering effort, comprises a steering apparatus transmitting a motion of a steering wheel to a rotary valve via an input shaft, a torsion bar and an output shaft. The rotary valve selectively directs a hydraulic pressure generated by an oil pump to power cylinders so as to reduce a steering effort applied to the steering wheel.
Such a conventional steering apparatus includes a valve control mechanism which reduces rigidity of steering gears such as a torsion bar. This causes a problem that a rigid feeling at or near a neutral position of the steering wheel is reduced. In order to solve this problem, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-45109 suggests a steering apparatus which provides a preset load to a torsion bar at a neutral position by using a spring. The steering apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned patent publication is of a rotary valve type, and has an input shaft formed with a V-shaped groove. A portion of an output shaft surrounding the input shaft has a through opening aligning with the V-shaped groove formed on the input shaft. A ball is provided in the through opening of the output shaft. The ball is urged to the V-shaped groove by an annular spring so that a preset pressure is provided to a torsion bar at a neutral position.
The above-mentioned conventional steering apparatus can provide a rigid feeling at the neutral position by providing a preset pressure to the torsion bar at the neutral position. Thus, straight line stability of a vehicle is improved.
However, in the above-mentioned conventional steering apparatus for a vehicle, no consideration is given to hysteresis between a steering torque and a valve angle formed between a valve housing and a rotary valve. Thus, a magnitude of such hysteresis cannot be controlled to an optimum level.
Recently, a steering apparatus has been suggested which uses an electrically operated power assisting mechanism having a power unit such as an electric motor instead of the above-mentioned hydraulically operated power assisting mechanism. However, the above-mentioned hysteresis is also not considered for the steering apparatus having the electrically operated power steering mechanism. Thus, neither the steering apparatus having the electrically operated power steering mechanism nor the steering apparatus having the hydraulically operated power steering mechanism can provide an optimum steering characteristic.

Steering control apparatus utilizing a hysteresis control of a steering torque


A system for providing and managing IP telephone calls establishes separate and distinct call legs between IP-capable appliances and routers and between routers, and creates calls, changes calls, and manages telephony functions by joining and disjoining calls legs. In some instances one or more call legs disjoined from an active call are maintained as established to be joined later to other call legs to create other active calls. By managing EP calls as separate and distinct legs functions of intelligent, connection-oriented telephony networks may be simulated in IP telephony systems. The management is provided by software running on processors coupled to routers in the IP network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present Invention is in the field of telephony communications and pertains more particularly to methods and apparatus for creating telephony switching type functionality on an Internet Protocol (IP) network in a distributive fashion.
2. Discussion of the State of the Art
The field of telephony communication has undergone revolutionary improvement with the addition of computer integration by way of telephony-switch-connected digital processors miming software applications designed to improve call processing and switching intelligence within a communication center and in some cases, within a communications network Such integration of telephony equipment and computer-processing equipment is known in the art as computer-telephony-integration (CTI), and is well known and widely available in various forms. Communications centers, as described above, are generally integrated with a connection-orientated-switched-telephony (COST) network such as a public-switch-telephone-network (PSTN) as is known in the art. In some cases, there are multiple centers interconnected via a wide-area-network WAN as known in the art.
In typical application, a communication center is enhanced with a CTI processor and software adapted to be connected to a communication-center COST switch, such as a PBX (central switch) within or local to the communication center for the purpose of improving intelligence to the COST switch by virtue of added software. In some embodiments known to the inventor, CTI capability is also added to telephony switches within a COST network such as to a service-control-point (SCP). CTI processors (network level and communication center processors) are connected together by a digital link so that certain CTI functions implemented at an SCP may be controlled from within a communication center (known to inventor). In this way intelligent routing, and other CTI functions may be initiated at network level and communication efficiency may be generally improved.
Data-network-telephony (DNT) communication has recently been developed for the purpose of allowing voice/video calls to be placed over a packet data network. A sub-set of DNT known as Internet-protocol-network-telephony (IPNT) is the most successful and widely implemented format practiced on data networks such as the well known Internet. Communication center capabilities have been further improved via implementation of local area network (LAN) capability, addition of communication equipment such as LAN-connected personal computer/video display units (PC/VDU's) with software to implement IP-telephony, and so on.
Agents or other users working in such a CTI-enhanced communication center, or in a large organization hosting multiple communications centers, no longer simply answer switch-connected telephones. Access to IP networks have enabled communication centers and multi-center sites to utilize PC/VDU's and other digital apparatus to send and receive e-mails and voice calls/messages in data-network-telephony (DNT) format.
Communication centers have more recently incorporated IPNT technologies into their COST infrastructure. Hence, IP calls as they are termed in the art, may be placed and received in much the same way as COST calls. In a typical scenario, data-router gateways (nodes) are set-up in an IP network for point-to-point connection between nodes. Nodes local to communications centers are connected to telephony switches (usually a PBX) at respective communication centers. Typically, such IP technology only replaces switch-to-switch telephony trunking in this scenario.
In true IP telephony, as known to the inventor, traditional COST switches at communications centers are replaced by IP-capable switches. Cost functions, such as some PBX features, are emulated at IP switches by incorporating CTI software to provide intelligent network (IN) functionality. A problem with this approach, however, is that some PBX functions cannot be economically practiced with IP telephony. For example, if an IP call is placed from one site to a second site, and the user at the second site is having his calls forwarded to a third party at the first site, then the call must travel two times across the link. This is due to current art requirements in DNT for setting up each instance of connection from source to final destination each time a connection is needed. Because IP telephony uses shared bandwidth as opposed to having a COST dedicated connection, capacity is wasted with multiple channel establishment, and quality of service (QoS) associated with IP calls over the connection may be degraded if there are many such calls. This is true in a COST integrated IP network, as well as in an IN (true IP).
What is clearly needed is a method and apparatus that will emulate PBX, or other standard COST-switch functions and features on an IP network, including connected communication centers, with minimal degradation of QoS or using up otherwise available resources.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for creating and distributing cost telephony-switching functionality within an IP network

GENESYS TELECOMMUNICATIONS LABORATORIES, INC.