A combiner for use in a diversity radio receiver (FM) which receives a plurality of diversity I and Q modulated signals each carrying I and Q information signals through spatially separated antennas, the received I and Q signal pairs being digitized at a sampling rate T and converted to baseband I and Q signals. Each converted I and Q signal pair represents a diversity I and Q vector which is input to the combiner. A discriminator is provided for each sample stream of diversity I and Q vectors input to the combiner. Each discriminator produces, for each sample, an output discriminated I and Q vector (IΔ, QΔ) having a phase representative of the frequency of the information signal and an amplitude proportional to the power of the information signal. Adders separately add together the discriminated I signals (IΔ) to produce a combined discriminated I signal (IcΔ) and the discriminated Q signals (QΔ) to produce a combined discriminated Q signal (QcΔ), whereby the combined discriminated I and Q signals represent a combined discriminated vector (IcΔ, QcΔ) having a phase determined by one or more of the phases of said diversity I and Q vectors depending upon the relative powers of said diversity I and Q vectors. A phase accumulator adds to an accumulation vector, over successive samples, the phases of the combined discriminated vectors (IcΔ, QcΔ) to produce an output combined I and Q signal pair (Ic, Qc).

Many wireless communications networks, such as public GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks and private land mobile radio networks, use frequency modulation which has proven to be well suited to the mobile environment by reason of immunity to impulse noise which is common in such environments. However, these types of networks differ from those used for fixed microwave point-to-point communications services and satellite systems because the signals transported through these networks are subject to a greater degree of interference and distortion due to reflections and fading of the signals.
Signals arriving at or from a wireless communications device such as a mobile radio receiver or cellular telephone are almost always comprised of a complex amalgam of waves, some directly from the sending antenna and others reflected from stationary and moving objects. In the worst case scenario, the total received signal is composed of reflected signals. The resulting waveform caused by the combination of reflected signals (worse case) and/or direct signal plus reflected signals, is subject to cancellation or reinforcement in the amplitude domain as well as distortion in the time domain resulting from propagation delays over the varying length paths taken by reflected signals. Both the amplitude and time distortions make decoding of the signals more difficult. It is not uncommon for cancellation to reduce the incoming signal to a level far below the threshold required for reliable decoding by the receiver. This effect is referred to as multi-path fading.
In data systems, such cancellations or "drop outs" erase portions of the desired bit stream. The duration of the erasure is a function of the average signal strength, the wavelength of the radio signal, the speed of the vehicle (where the wireless device is being operated in a vehicle) and that of moving reflectors in the vicinity. Forward Error Correction (FEC) is a common technique for solving this erasure problem. Redundant information is added to the transmitted data to allow for a predicted level of erasures and recovery of the original data without re-transmission. FEC is useful but as the bit rate increases, more and more redundancy must be added which leads to diminishing returns. The redundancy reduces the effective bit rate of the system.
Another solution to problems caused by multi-path fading is to increase the complexity of the receiving system. Fading can be mitigated by receiving diversity signals such as by using multiple receivers. For a spatial diversity system multiple spaced-apart antennas are used and for an orthogonal diversity system a multiply polarized antenna is used. Other known diversity systems use frequency or time diversity. All such systems take advantage of diversity between two received signals, where each received signal carries the same transmitted information. A determination is made as to which signal is stronger and then the stronger signal is used, rather than the weaker one, to extract the information and thereby reduce the negative effects of fading. Most common are spatial diversity receivers comprising two or more receivers with separate antennas spaced an appropriate distance apart from each other so that the received signals are non-correlated give rise to probabilities that destructive interference experienced at one antenna may not be present on another.
Diversity receiving systems generally use one of three different classes of techniques to combine the multiple signals, being: (i) selection combining whereby the best signal is chosen based on assessment of signal strength (i.e. the signal having the best signal-to-noise ratio); (ii) equal gain combining whereby all signals are combined together regardless of the strength of any individual signal; and (iii) optimal combining whereby the signals are combined proportionally based on their individual strengths. Only the latter attempts to make use of the maximum possible information content available from all signals to yield optimal performance. However, in practice, it has been difficult to design combiner circuitry which effectively combines signals on such an optimal basis, the problem being to develop effective and practical algorithms for determining the weights to be applied. Many known optimal combiners use complex equalizers to implement an estimation of the received symbol sequences which is then used to proportionally weight the received signals for combining purposes. A further difficulty is posed by a need to develop means to align the diversity signals in such manner that they do not cancel (i.e. if one tries to directly add signals' orthogonal components, I1 to I2 and Q1 to Q2, this will result in cancellations akin to fading).
Accordingly, there is a need for an effective means of optimally combining signals in a diversity receiver which is less complex than those of the prior art and is able to avoid cancellations. Further, there is a need for such combining means which has a relatively low power consumption and may be implemented at relatively low cost.

Vectorial combiner for diversity reception in RF tranceivers


A method is disclosed for separating a mixture of at least one hydrofluorocarbon from hydrogen fluoride. The method comprising treating said mixture with a compound selected from the group consisting of an alkanolamine of formula EQU NH.sub.a (CH.sub.b R.sub.c).sub.d. where R is C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkylene substituted with at least one hydroxy group, wherein a and d are the integers 1 or 2 and a+d=3 and b is 0 or the integer 1 or 2 and b+c=3, C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl unsubstituted or substituted with halo or halo-substituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.6, alkyl, sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid admixed with at least one alkali metal sulfate. The hydrofluorocabon and HF form two separate phases by this treatment. The phases are readily separated.

The prior art discloses that the preparation of chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons is typically carried out by reacting hydrogen fluoride with a suitable chlorocarbon or hydrochlorocarbon. See, for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,819.
In many cases, hydrogen fluoride can be removed by liquid/liquid phase separation. Such phase separation is readily achieved because of the relative immiscibility of the hydrofluorocarbon (or chlorofluorocarbon or hydrochlorofluorocarbon) and hydrogen fluoride.
Contrary to the ready immiscibility of the older prior art halocarbons with hydrogen fluoride, some of the new "third generation" hydrofluorocarbons have proven to be highly or completely miscible with hydrogen fluoride, i.e., 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane) and practical phase separation does not occur.
It has been recognized that the selective extraction of one component of a mixture of halocarbon and hydrogen fluoride may be carried out using a solvent capable of such selective extraction. However, the new "third generation" hydrofluorocarbons have been found to be partly or completely miscible with such solvent/hydrogen fluoride mixtures making such selective extraction very difficult or impossible.
Numerous normally effective separations additives, i.e., 4-chlorotoluene, pentachloropropane, tetramethylamine fluoride, etc. have been shown to be completely ineffective in causing any phase separation in saturated fluorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon/hydrogen fluoride systems.
In the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,819 sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride and ammonium fluoride are disclosed as effective in causing phase separation when added to fluorocarbon/hydrogen fluoride mixtures. Each is, however susceptible to technical problems in large scale applications
Accordingly, there is a need for having available methods and compositions to carry out such methods to achieve phase separation of hydrofluorocarbon/hydrogen fluoride mixtures.

Purification of organic fluorine compounds


The present invention relates to a method and network element for forwarding a multicast message received from an external packet data network (PDN) to subscribers (MS) of a packet radio network, wherein a subscriber-specific information defining multicast messages to be received by the subscribers is stored in a network element (GGSN) of the packet radio network. Based on this subscriber-specific information, a point to point connection is established between the multicast content provider of the multicast message and a subscriber having joined the corresponding multicast group. The subscriber may request a list of available multicast groups from the network element and may inform the network element of the multicast messages he wants to listen to by using a point to point context activation. Thus, the network element which may be a gateway GPRS support node plays an arbitrator role for multicast messages. Thereby, only minor changes of standard network elements are required.

The present invention relates to a method and network element for forwarding a multicast message received from an external packet data network, such as the Internet, to subscribers of a packet radio network, such as the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network.
The GPRS is a new GSM (Global System for Mobile Comnmunication) service that provides actual packet radio access for mobile GSM users. The main benefit of GPRS is that it reserves radio resources only when there is something to send. The same radio resource is shared by all mobile subscribers in a cell, providing effective use of the scarce resources. The need for packet radio is based on the high burstiness of data applications. GPRS facilitates a variety of applications, such as telemetry, train control systems, interactive data access, toll road charging systems, and Internet browsing using the World Wide Web.
When compared with the current circuit switched GSM network, the operation of GPRS is very different. The main objective of GPRS is to offer a connection to standard data network s using protocols such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet protocol), X.25, and CLNP (Connection Less Network Protocol).
In order to access the GPRS services, a mobile station (MS) first makes its presence known to a network by performing a GPRS attach. This operation establishes a logical link between the MS and a serving GPRS support node (SGSN), and makes the MS available for messages over GPRS, paging via SGSN, and notification of incoming GPRS data.
In order to transmit and receive GPRS data, the MS activates a desired packet data address. This operation makes the MS known in a corresponding gateway GPRS support node (GGSN), and interworking with external data networks can commence. User data is transferred transparently between the MS and the external data network with a method known as encapsulation and tunneling, wherein data packets are equipped with a GPRS-specific protocol information and transferred between the MS and the GGSN. This transparent transfer method lessens the requirement for a GPRS PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) to interpret external data protocols, and it enables easy introduction of additional interworking protocols in the future. User data can be compressed and protected with retransmission protocols for efficiency and reliability.
The GPRS supports interworking with networks based on the Internet protocol (IP). The GSM PLMN GPRS service is an IP domain, and services offered to mobile terminals by a GSM service provider are globally addressable through the network operators addressing scheme.
However it has not yet been defined how an MS joins and leaves group calls received from an external packet data network (PDN), e.g. an IP/M group call received from the Internet, and how the GPRS network creates a connection between a multicast content provider and the MS.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and network element for forwarding a multicast message, by means of which a mobile subscriber may join and leave a group call of an external packet data network.
This object is achieved by a method for forwarding a multicast message received from an external packet data network to subscribers of a packet radio network, comprising the steps of:
storing a subscriber-specific information, which defines multicast messages to be received by said subscribers, in a network element of the packet radio network;
establishing a point to point connection between a multicast content provider and a subscriber, when said subscriber-specific information indicates that the received multicast message is to be received by the subscriber; and
transmitting the multicast message from the multicast content provider to the subscriber via the established point to point connection.
Additionally, the above object is achieved by a network element for forwarding a multicast message received from an external packet data network to a subscriber of a packet radio network, comprising:
receiving means for receiving the multicast message from the external packet data network;
storing means for storing a subscriber-specific information which defines multicast messages to be received by the subscriber;
control means for establishing a point to point connection between a multicast content provider of a received multicast message and a subscriber, when the subscriber-specific information indicates that the received multicast message is to be received by the subscriber; and
transmitting means for transmitting the received multicast message to the subscriber via the established point to point connection.
Accordingly, a multicast service such as the IP-M service, of an external packet data network can be implemented in the packet radio network, i.e. the GPRS. Thus, the network element, for example, the GGSN, plays an IP-M arbitrator , role and acts as a distribution node in which subscriber-specific lists of multicast groups, for example IP-M groups, to which specific subscribers want to listen are stored. The multicast messages may then be forwarded to a respective subscriber using a usual point to point connection.
Hence, only minor changes of the respective network element in the packet radio network are required.
Preferably, a request for available groups for multicast messages may be transmitted from a subscriber to the network element, wherein an information defining the desired groups which the subscriber wishes to join is returned from the subscriber to the network element. The subscriber request may be transmitted with an IP-M context request.
Preferably, the subscriber-specific information is a list which maps group identities of multicast groups to connection identifications of subscribers belonging to the multicast groups. In particular, the group identity may be an IP-M group ID and the connection identification may be a GPRS tunnel ID.
The transmitting means of the network element may be arranged to transmit an information defining available multicast groups to subscribers which have indicated their interest in multicast messages. The multicast group information may be transmitted with an IP-M context procedure.

Method and network element for forwarding multicast messages


A radio transceiver (119) including a transmitter (111), a receiver (107), and a controller (113). The controller (113) creates a fixed period reference signal (201) and a second reference signal (203) which has a variable delay in time from the fixed period reference signal (201). In addition the controller (113) creates a plurality of control signals used to control parts of the transceiver (119) and which are time dependant upon the second reference signal 203). Therefore, the adjusting of the variable delay of the second signal subsequently adjusts the plurality of control signals.

In a TDMA communication system, a given radio frequency channel is divided into multiple time slots. A given transceiver in a TDMA communication system is assigned specific timeslots during which the transceiver can transmit information and specific timeslots during which the transceiver receiver desired information. This requires the transmitter and receiver to be turned on and off at different times.
In a digital telephone system, such as the system specified by the Group Special Mobile (GSM) committee, there is a requirement for the mobile transceivers to maintain synchronization to multiple fixed site transceivers. The mobile transceiver must track the difference in time delay between the mobile transceiver and each fixed-site transceiver with which it maintains synchronization. The GSM digital telephone system is also required to monitor the power levels of adjacent fixed site transceivers, using this information to choose the most appropriate fixed-site transceiver when the signal strength of the current fixed-site transceiver dwindles. These requirements generate a need for a complex set of signals to allow the transceiver hardware to switch quickly between radio frequencies of different fixed-site receivers and to adapt quickly to time shifts of each fixed-site transceiver.
Generally, complex sets of control signals are generated using complex specialized hardware with software maintaining the control signals. The software required a significant amount of calculations prior to generation of each signal and a significant amount of intervention with the specialized hardware. Typically, in technology today there is a need for reduction in size, power consumption and cost. This need is magnified in a portable or a mobile digital telephone because of the increased amount of circuitry required over a standard portable or mobile analog radiotelephone. Therefore, a need exists for a transceiver controller which can fulfill the complex requirements of operating in a TDMA communication systems environment with a minimal amount of software intervention from a microprocessor. This will free up space for other computations in the microprocessor and will ultimately reduce the size and cost of the communication device.

Method and apparatus for controlling the timing within a transceiver


A method of testing a distribution center bus system having one or more of the following features: (a) opening a reserve bus breaker between a reserve bus UPS and a reserve bus, (b) initiating a self-test mode at the reserve bus UPS, (c) routing current through the reserve bus UPS, the reserve bus, a reserve bus static bypass circuit back to the reserve bus UPS, (d) testing the reserve bus to detect heat, determine any significant current loss, or identify other attributes suggesting failure, (e) identifying if a primary bus static transfer switch has tripped over to the reserve bus, and (f) terminating the self-test at the reserve bus UPS if the primary bus static transfer switch has tripped.

A data center is a building, dedicated space within a building, or a group of buildings used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems.
Since IT operations are crucial for business continuity, a data center generally includes redundant or backup components and infrastructure for power supply, data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression), and various security devices. A large data center may be an industrial-scale operation using a significant amount of electricity.


The invention is a rear view mirror GPS holder that is composed of a pair of telescoping arms that are hingedly connected and of which hang from a neck of a rearview mirror. An opposing end of the telescoping arms attach to GPS holder. The ends of the telescoping arms have a plurality notches that correspond with a retaining clip located on the GPS holder. The hinge connecting the telescoping arms may be spring-loaded in order to apply a biasing force separating the telescoping arms thereby securing the telescoping arms with respect to the retaining clip.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of GPS holders, more specifically, a GPS holder that can attach to any rear-view mirror.
B. Discussion of the Prior Art
As a preliminary note, it should be stated that there is an ample amount of prior art that deals with rear view mirror GPS holder. As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a rear view mirror GPS holder.
The Schaefer Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,653) discloses a retractable signage device that is attachable to a rearview mirror of a vehicle, and of which includes a flexible strap and housing. However, the means of attachment do not involve telescoping arms that hingedly connect about the top of the neck of the rear view mirror and of which enable a GPS unit to dangle below said rear view mirror.
The Deralas Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,997) discloses a vehicle mountable picture frame. However, the picture frame mounting assemblage does not involve the use of a rearview mirror.
The Lingard Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,977) discloses a road map support for motor vehicles that drapes over the neck of a rearview mirror. However, the support requires adjustable members on each side in order to secure the map in place and prevent swaying from side to side.
The Saben Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 2,990,637) discloses a mirror mounted auxiliary object holder. However, the holder does not connect to the neck of the rearview mirror.
The Callaway Patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 234,592) illustrates a design for an adjustable clipboard for attachment to an automobile mirror. However, the attachment does not connect to the neck of a rearview mirror.
The Maguire Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,532) discloses a car map holder that fastens upon the top surface of a dashboard. However, the map holder does not hang down from the neck of a rearview mirror.
The McLaughlin Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,566) discloses a picture frame holder for use with a vehicle dashboard. Again, the picture frame holder does not mount from the neck of a rearview mirror.
The Lee et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. D506,863) illustrates an automobile navigation holder, which illustrates no claimed design that would hang below a rearview mirror.
The Reber, II Patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 310,167) illustrates a design for a radar warning visor clip, which would presumably hang down from a sun visor and not from the neck of a rearview mirror.
The Stanley Patent Application Publication (U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0175076) discloses an indicia displaying interior rearview mirror device. However, the device displays a logo that is viewable from outside of the vehicle, and of which does not support a GPS unit.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a rear view mirror GPS holder that provides for the advantages of the rear view mirror GPS holder. In this regard, the rear view mirror GPS holder departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.


In a view finder having an objective lens, an indicator is provided in the vicinity of an image forming position of the objective lens. The indicator includes a liquid crystal cell having a pair of spaced first and second glass substrates with transparent electrodes. A transparent macromolecular substance having a liquid crystal dispersed therein is enclosed in the space between the first and second glass substrates. An eyepiece is provided through which an image formed by the objective lens can be viewed. Light sources are provided along side surfaces of the indicator to emit and make light incident upon the indicator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a view finder having a liquid crystal display (LCD) which indicates various information in the form of letters or numerals, etc.
2. Description of Related Art
A known liquid crystal display incorporated in a conventional view finder to display various information is constructed as follows (see FIG. 13).
A liquid crystal cell 101 (LC cell) includes a pair of glass substrates 104, each having a transparent electrode 103. A spacer 110, having a predetermined diameter, is provided between the glass substrates 104 to maintain a constant gap therebetween, and a liquid crystal 105 is enclosed between the glass substrates 104. Orientation films 106 are provided between the liquid crystal 105 and the respective transparent electrodes 103 to orient the liquid crystal molecules in a predetermined direction. A power source (not shown) is connected between the transparent electrodes 103. The glass substrates 104 are provided on the outer surfaces thereof with polarizing plates 102 (upper and lower polarizing plates) adhered thereto (note that only the upper polarizing plate is shown in FIG. 13).
When no voltage is applied to the LC cell 101, light incident upon the upper polarizing plate 102 is transmitted through the LC cell 101, including the lower polarizing plate 102, so that a transparent indication results. Conversely, if a voltage is applied to the LC cell 101, light incident upon the upper polarizing plate 102 is transmitted through the LC cell 101, but cannot pass through the lower polarizing plate 102, resulting in a black (opaque) indication.
However, in an LCD incorporated in a conventional view finder system, a complicated structure is required, and this results in a high manufacturing cost and leads to an increase in the size of the view finder system.
Moreover, in the conventional LCD, since external ambient light is used to indicate information, a clear indication can only be obtained when the finder system is used in a bright place. Namely, when the finder system is used in a dark place, no or little information can be indicated.


A control device relates to a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing lid with at least one control switch in the vicinity of the lid and with a programmable electronic control unit. The control switch may be operated arbitrarily contactlessly in the form of a proximity sensor and when operated generates an operation request signal which is an input signal to the control unit. The control unit is configured in such a manner that defined environmental conditions may be evaluated for the detection of a risk of salinity and humidity and that, given the presence of a risk of salt and water, an appropriate adaptation may be made to the evaluation of the operation request signal. Preferably, at least one outside temperature below a predefined threshold and information indicating the presence of moisture are defined as the environmental conditions to be evaluated for detecting the risk of salt and water.

The invention relates to a control device for a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing lid.
Such a control device is known from DE 10 2010 038 705 A1, for example. This control device relates to a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing lid, having at least one operating switch close to the lid, having a programmable electronic controller and having an apparatus for monitoring the pivot range space when the lid is open. In this case, the operating switch can be operated arbitrarily contactlessly in the form of a proximity sensor and, when it has been operated, an operator request signal is gene-rated that is an input signal for the controller. The apparatus for monitoring the pivot range space likewise interacts with the controller via a data connection. The controller is configured (in particular programmed) such that the presence of the operator request signal when the lid is open prompts it to output a pivot command to a closing mechanism to close the lid only if the apparatus for monitoring the pivot range space does not detect the presence of an obstacle.
Furthermore, such a control device is in production with the current vehicle range from the Applicant and is also referred to as a "smart opener" system (SMO system).
The invention is based on the object of developing a control device for automatically closing a lid in regard to its functional safety.
The control device according to the invention relates to a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing lid having at least one operating switch close to the lid and having a programmable electronic controller, wherein the operating switch can be operated arbitrarily contactlessly in the form of a proximity sensor and, when it has been operated, generates an operator request signal that is an input signal for the controller. The controller is configured (in particular by an appropriately programmed functional module) such that defined environmental conditions are evaluable to detect a risk of salt and moisture and that, if there is a risk of salt and moisture, an applicable adaptation for evaluation of the operator request signal is performable. Preferably, the environmental conditions to be evaluated that are defined for detection of a risk of salt and moisture are at least the outside temperature below a prescribed threshold and information describing the presence of wetness.
In this case, the environmental conditions can be detected both by the vehicle's own sensor system and by an online database or by other external information sources for the SMO system.
The invention is based on the following insights.
To implement what is known as the "smart opener" function (trunk lid opens contactlessly when the foot is kicked beneath the central tail region) in vehicles from the Applicant, two sensors (round conductor and flat conductor) are used. Both sensors are in the rear bumper of the vehicle. The lower round conductor is situated in unprotected fashion in a potential spray region. A distinction between valid kick detection and unwanted tailgate opening is meant to be safely possible.
In the driving mode in winter conditions, in particular the lower sensor can become wet with a salt crust. The upper sensor is less affected by this salt wetting. A moisture salt crust increases the capacitive property and hence the sensitivity of the round conductor. Moistening of the salt crust on the lower round conductor can reproducibly lead to walking past not being able to be explicitly distinguished from conscious kicking. A dried salt crust alone does not normally bring about such a response. A completely dry and cleaned or new vehicle is likewise inconspicuous.
A mechanical solution option would be a shield for at least the lower sensor as protection against salt and wetting by water. To save costs and the sophistication of a protective apparatus of this kind, however, the following electronic function is proposed according to the invention as a solution to the problem.
On the basis of defined environmental conditions, in particular climate data (e.g. outside temperature, precipitation) and preferably additionally the use of the windshield wiper function and/or the switched-on state of a carwash mode, the parameter set of the sensor is adapted for detection of kicking. The "smart opener" or the parameter set for detection of kicking can also be matched to the environmental conditions by an online remote update ("Adaptive Connection Functions"). During the adaptation, the sensitivity of the sensor is reduced in particular for a winter mode, that is to say if a risk of salt and moisture is detected.
This prevents false triggerings of the smart opener function by people walking past the vehicle in winter after increased salt use and moisture. At the same time, a very good level of functional safety for the smart opener functionality can be achieved in summer months without the sensor system being wetted with salt if, for a summer mode, the sensitivity is possibly even increased in comparison with an all-year mode (according to the prior art).
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Control device for a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing panel

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A searchable storage system indexes data, such as a blob (binary large object) as it is stored. The indexes are stored simultaneously with the data by the same storage mechanism. Data cannot be stored without indexing it. Any indexing technique may be used. The indexes are then used to access the data. This ensures that any inconsistencies can handled at the local level, and are not visible to clients of the system. Data can be put in to, or taken out from, the searchable storage system. Additionally, a query on the data in the searchable storage system may be performed.

In conventional data storage systems, data is stored opaquely in an un-typed fashion. The storage system does not understand the data formats being stored. The storage system stores the data using keys generated and tracked in an external system. When additional functionality, such as full text searching and/or indexing, is required, these are layered on top using other mechanisms. This causes consistency problems. It is difficult to make sure that all the data in the storage system is properly tracked and indexed and that all the information in the index is up-to-date and does not refer to non-existent data.


A device is provided for packaging and applying at least two products, particularly hair-treatment products. The device includes a first compartment suitable for containing a first product, and a second compartment suitable for containing a second product. An applicator end-piece includes at least two orifices for dispensing the product, and the end-piece has an interior distributor dividing the flows of products emanating, respectively, from the compartments. The end-piece also includes a first orifice that dispenses a mixture or ratio of the first and second products in respectively different proportions from those of a mixture or ratio of these products dispensed by a second orifice.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an applicator end-piece suitable for dispensing at least two products. The end-piece can be particularly advantageous for applying hair dyes, in streaks, to the hair. The invention also provides an applicator end-piece operationally mounted on compartments or receptacles containing products to be distributed, to form a device for packaging and applying at least two products.
2. Discussion of Background
Assemblies are known that propose separate packaging for two products while dispensing them together, with a view to producing a composition, particularly a cosmetic composition, as used, for example, in the hair-dyeing field. This type of assembly allows the extemporaneous mixing of the two products (e.g., a dye and an oxidizing agent) that, for reasons of stability, are kept separate from one another until the dye composition is formed.
Examples of this type of assembly are described in documents US A 2003 0121936 and US A 2003 0019883.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,446,398 teaches end-pieces in the form of a comb that includes an interior channel opening out via a plurality of outlets, with the outlets provided between teeth of the comb. The channel of one such comb is fed with products to be dispensed by way of the mounting of the end-piece on a handle that includes a plurality of reservoirs respectively containing the products. One inlet of the channel, upstream of all the outlets, receives the flows of products emanating from each of the compartments. A mixture is then produced at each inlet of the channel and this homogeneous mixture is dispensed from the outlets.
Thus, when a user wishes to produce highlights in her hair, she can, using known, state-of-the-art devices, produce highlights using one and the same dye composition formed extemporaneously upstream or downstream of the dispensing end-piece and, in such cases, produce highlights of the same color in her hair. However, to provide variations in tone of these highlights it is necessary to very precisely control the respective periods of contact of the mixture on the various locks of hair. The production of gradations of highlights over an entire head of hair thus becomes extremely complex, particularly when the user is producing her own highlights. With these known devices it is, furthermore, practically impossible to simultaneously produce highlights in colors, not just in tints, that are different.
For highlights in colors, end-pieces are known that include a plurality of interior channels each opening out at a different outlet. For example, from the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,462, a portable device is known, for example, in the form of a gun, that includes four receptacles that each include a different dye product. This assembly is put together such that each receptacle is in fluid communication with one or more channels of the comb so that each of the products contained in the receptacles is dispensed separately at at least one or even a plurality of separate orifices.
However, with a portable assembly of this type, the user who wishes to produce gradations of highlights must have purchased or herself prepared the dye compositions in the receptacles such that these compositions are of different tints but tints that are close to one another. Furthermore, the portable assembly will not enable her to widen the palette of colors that can be produced on her hair unless the structure of the assembly is modified, and the modified assembly would then include added-on receptacles and as many, if not more, supplementary dispensing orifices and channels.

Device for dispensing at least two products, and dispensing end-piece


A print media discharge unit includes a print media transport path along which in operation a sheet of print media is transported in a transport direction. The print media transport path is defined by a first electrically isolating print media guide and a second electrically isolating print media guide. The print media discharge unit further includes an electrically grounded electrically conductive discharge element extending through an opening in at least one of the first and second electrically isolating print media guides into the print media transport path. At least one of the first and second electrically isolating print media guide includes a plurality of guidance ribs aligned substantially in the transport direction at an angle with respect to the transport direction.

A device of this kind is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,166. The device includes at least two grounded carbon fiber brush static eliminators mounted in a plastic baffle assembly wherein one of the fiber brushes is in a contact position and the other fiber brush is in a non-contacting position with respect to the paper path.


An article storage facility includes a transport device for transporting containers to a plurality of storage sections, an inactive gas feed section which supplies inactive gas to the interior of the container stored in the storage section, and a controller for controlling operation of the device and operation of the flow rate adjusting device of the inactive gas feed section. The controller is configured to cause a state of the inactive gas feed section associated with the storage section to be both a storage feed state and an unfeeding state depending on if the carrier is stored or not stored be. The controller is also configured to store the transporting container in the storage section after changing the state of the inactive gas feed section associated with the storage section in which the container is to be stored to a pre-storage feed state from the unfeeding state.

Article storage facilities such as one described above have a purging function whereby inactive gas is supplied to transporting containers stored in storage sections to prevent degradation of substrates in the transporting containers. As a specific example, a storage shelf, including a plurality of storage sections for storing transporting containers such as FOUPs for housing semiconductor wafers, is configured as an article storage shelf with a purge function. This article storage shelf includes, for each of the storage sections, a supply nozzle as an inactive gas feed section which supplies inactive gas, such as nitrogen gas and gaseous argon, to the interior of respective transporting container.
An example of such an article storage facility is disclosed in JP Publication Of Application No. 2010-16199 (Patent Document 1), which describes the following technology for reducing the amount of inactive gas consumption as much as possible to reduce the running cost of the facility. The technology involves a capability to change the flow rate of the inactive gas injected from the supply nozzle depending on whether the transporting container is stored in the storage section, such that the flow rate of inactive gas for when the transporting container is not stored in the storage section is less than the flow rate for when the transporting container is stored in the storage section.
More specifically, in the facility of Patent Document 1, the flow rate of inactive gas for when the transporting container is stored in the storage section is set to be a flow rate necessary to supply sufficient amount of inactive gas to the transporting container (referred to as the "first flow rate"). On the other hand, the discharge flow rate for when the transporting container is not stored in the storage section is designed to prevent impurities (i.e. contaminants), such as particles and vapor, from accumulating in the inactive gas feed section and is set to a flow rate (referred to as the "second flow rate") which is less than the first flow rate. This helps prevent the impurities that causes degradation of the substrates from accumulating in the inactive gas feed section while the transporting container is not stored in the storage section. Thus, efforts are made to reduce running cost of the facility while retaining the facility's ability to supply inactive gas that is as pure as possible, to the transporting container after the transporting container is stored in the storage section.
However, in the facility of Patent Document 1, the inactive gas is normally emitted to the open space from the supply nozzle at the second flow rate when the transporting container is not stored in the storage section. Thus, there is a problem that a large amount of inactive gas is wasted since the inactive gas which should have been supplied to a transporting container is released to open space without being supplied to the transporting container.

Article storage facility and article storage method


In a crawler crane of the present invention, a plurality of winches 11-14 for winding wire ropes are disposed on a rotating frame 6 of an upper rotating body 3 in a row in a plane view. A cabin 17 and a power unit 18 are disposed on the front and rear portions of either a right side or a left side of the rotating frame 6 of the upper rotating body 3. A working oil tank 36 of the power unit 18 is disposed between the cabin 17 and a driving section 31-34 of the power unit and in close proximity to a rear surface of the cabin 17. The working oil tank 36 is formed in a size which covers the substantially whole area of the rear surface of the cabin 17. In the crawler crane of the present invention, it is possible to take an anti-sound measure for the cabin to a satisfactory extent without causing cost increase. In the crawler crane of the present invention, moreover, it is possible to improve the transportability because the width of the upper rotating body can be shortened.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a crawler crane and more particularly to a layout of a cabin and a power unit both mounted on an upper rotating body.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, an upper rotating body of a crawler crane is provided, as a frame structure, with a rotating frame located centrally and extending along the longitudinal direction, and right and left deck frames mounted on right and left sides of the rotating frame respectively. An example of such a crawler crane is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-314106 (US2007/0175849A1). In this example, a base end of a boom is supported pivotally at a front end of a rotating frame. Moreover, plural winches for winding wire ropes which are used for winding up or winding down lifting hooks suspended from a front end of the boom are disposed on the rotating frame longitudinally in a row in a plane view. Further, a cabin is usually disposed on one of the deck frames disposed on both sides of the rotating frame and a power unit comprising an engine and a hydraulic pump is disposed on the other deck frame. The power unit, which is also called a power plant or a power source, is disposed on the other deck frame longitudinally, namely, the longitudinal direction of the power unit is directed in the front and rear direction of the crawler crane.
In the case of such an upper rotating body, its width is determined by the sum of the width of the winches disposed on the rotating frame, the width of the cabin disposed on one deck frame, and the width of the power unit disposed on the other deck frame. For enhancing the easiness of workability or transportability when disassembling the crawler crane, and mounting/transporting the upper rotating body on a trailer, it is desired that the width of the upper rotating body be shortened as small as possible.
To meet such a requirement, it is proposed that both cabin and power unit, which are large in occupying width, be disposed on the front and rear portions of one and the same deck frame. An example of such a crawler crane is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-136089 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,358 B1). In the case of this example, it is necessary that a soundproof material of a large mass be provided on a rear surface of the cabin lest sounds generated from a driving power section involving the engine and the hydraulic pump in the power unit should be propagated to the interior of the cabin through the rear surface of the cabin. However, using such an anti-sound measure causes the problem that the cost increases.


A forage harvester is equipped with a milling arrangement or kernel processor comprising a pair of rolls which are mounted on parallel axes and adapted for being counter-rotated so as to operate on chopped crop products introduced into the nip of the rolls. The rolls each have an outer circumference defined by larger and smaller diameter sections arranged one after the other along the length of the roll. In one embodiment the larger diameter sections of one roll are located in an annular groove defined between the larger diameter sections of the other roll, these sections being opposite to the smaller diameter sections of the other roll. The overlap between the large diameter sections of the rolls defines shear faces at opposite sides of the sections for cutting crop parts into smaller pieces. The outer circumference of these smaller and larger diameter sections are each provided with a tooth profile and the respective profiles of the opposed sections are spaced apart to form a gap which is sized relative to the size of kernel being processed so that the kernel is split or crushed as it passed through the nip of the rolls. According a second embodiment, the large diameter sections of one of the rolls are each in the form of a flat cutting disk having an outer portion that runs through a slot defined between large diameter sections of the other roll. In this case, the one roll has small diameter sections which are identical to and respectively disposed opposite the large diameter sections of the other roll. These latter mentioned oppositely disposed sections are each provided with tooth profiles like those of the sections of the first embodiment.

The present invention concerns a milling arrangement, commonly called a kernel processor, with two rolls extending parallel to each other for the milling of chopped forage crop.
German Patent No. 41 22 338, granted Jul. 22, 1993, reveals a milling arrangement comprising two rolls mounted for rotation about axes that are parallel to each other and, with the rolls being spaced from each other so as to leave a gap between them that is sized such that kernels, for example corn kernels, still contained in chopped forage crop, are grated or at least partially crushed, so that they can be digested more easily. Each of these rolls is composed of a multitude of double-wedge-shaped sections that define a wedge-shaped valley between them into each of which a double-wedge-shaped section of the opposing roll can enter. This configuration is intended to generate an enlarged profile surface that is less prone to clogging and provides a greater flow rate than the prior art rolls. However, the manufacturing cost of rolls having this configuration is very high.
German Patent Application No. 26 21 292, published Nov. 24, 1977, discloses a forage harvester equipped with a milling arrangement including a pair of cooperating rolls, with each roll comprising a plurality of spaced apart disks having peripheral teeth. The rolls are mounted such that the disks of one enter the spaces between the disks of the other and such that a gap exists between the toothed periphery of the disks of one roll and the outer surface of the drum supporting the disks of the other roll. Rolls made in accordance with this teaching have the drawbacks of being relatively costly to manufacture and of defining gaps of such character that thin leaves, such as small husks, pass through the gaps without being further reduced.


A method of characterizing a color imaging system is provided. The method comprises obtaining first data indicative of output of the color imaging system. The first data is processed, to yield second data, according to a color appearance model that varies in accordance with neutrality of colors indicated by the first data. Other methods are provided as well as systems and computer program products for characterizing color imaging systems and devices and for producing colors.

The invention relates generally to color processing and, more particularly, to techniques for color characterization and transformation.
Since the introduction of the CIE (Commission International de l'Eclairage) color measurement system in the early 1930's, many different color spaces have been proposed for different applications. A color space, also referred to as a color "metric," is essentially a coordinate system by which a color can be quantified.
A color space can be used to characterize the color output of a color imaging system relative to other color imaging systems. By characterizing multiple color imaging systems, the color space facilitates using different imaging systems to produce matching colors. An "ideal" color space would calculate a color mapping between different color imaging systems that achieves an acceptable color match between the systems without subjective or empirical adjustment.
Color spaces differ in the parameters expressed on their coordinate axes and the manner in which the parameters are calculated. CIE color spaces use CIE Standard Observer functions that are based on color matching functions and result in a unique set of tristimulus values XYZ for any color measured under specified conditions. The tristimulus values XYZ are calculated from the spectral output of either an additive or subtractive color system convoluted with the response function of either a 2 degree or 10 degree Standard Observer. In the case of reflective hard copy, the spectral reflectance curve is typically convoluted with a standard illuminant to estimate the expected spectral output of the reflective color.
One CIE color space is the CIELAB color space. In this color space, L* represents lightness, a* represents redness-greenness, and b* represents yellowness-blueness. The CIELAB color space employs a modified von Kries chromatic adaptation algorithm. According to the modified von Kries chromatic-adaptation transform, a description of which can be found in Gunter Wyszecki and W. S. Stiles, Color Science: Concepts and Methods, Quantitative Data and Formulae, section 5.12, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1982, the L*a*b* color spaces make use of white reference tristimulus data. The modified von Kries chromatic-adaptation transform involves dividing the tristimulus values XYZ obtained for a color produced by a particular color imaging system by white reference tristimulus values for the system. For example, the X, Y, and Z tristimulus values of the color under study can be divided, respectively, by the X, Y, and Z tristimulus values for a perfectly diffuse white reflector. Thus the von Kries approach defines both neutral and chromatic colors relative to the "white reference" representing the XYZ tristimulus values of the perfectly diffuse white reflector. The equations for the CIE 1976 CIELAB color space are as follows:L*=116×f(Y/Yn)−16  [1]a*=500×[f(X/Xn)−f(Y/Yn)]  [2]b*=200×[f(Y/Yn)−f(Z/Zn)]  [3]f(ω)=(ω)1/3ω>0.008856  [4]f(ω)=7.787(ω)+16/116ω≦0.008856  [5]where Xn, Yn, and Zn are the tristimulus values of a perfectly diffuse white reflector under specified viewing conditions. The viewing conditions are determined by (1) the illuminant, e.g., D50, and (2) the Standard Observer (2° or 10°).


The present invention provides an overlay for overlying an edge, corner, or other non-planar extent of an object. The overlay includes first and second longitudinal portions interconnected to one another to form an included angle of generally 90.degree.. The first longitudinal portion has a plurality of segments, each having opposite end walls which form channels between adjacent segments. Each channel extends from a front channel opening to a longitudinally offset rear channel opening. Due to the channels between the segments, the segments are free to move relative to one another as the overlay is manipulated to conform to the non-planar extent of the object to be protected. At least some partial overlap always obtains between adjacent pairs of the segments so that the overlay provides protection irrespective whether it is overlying a non-planar extent which is generally concave or generally convex in shape.

The present invention relates to a flexible overlay for overlying non-planar portions of an article and, more particular, a flexible overlay for overlying the curved or bent edges of an article.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,892 to Curro, Jr. discloses a protector for protecting the exposed edges of a hollow core formed by a coil of sheet material. The coil protector includes a pair of identical disks each having an outer annular portion which is joined to the outer annular portion of the other disk, and each having an inner annular portion having a plurality of uniformly spaced cuts therein to form a plurality of tabs. The tabs are bent at a right angle to the outer annular portion and inserted axially into the core to be protected. The tabs of the second disk are cut at an equivalent but opposite or reverse angle to the cuts forming the tabs of the first disk. Accordingly, the tabs of the second disk cover the voids created by the tabs of the first disk when the tabs are disposed axially inwardly of the core to be protected.
The Curro, Jr. core protector aims to improve on another known core protection arrangement which includes deploying a single annular disk having a plurality of V-shaped notches in an inner annular portion to form a plurality of tabs. These tabs are bent inwardly into the core. While the tabs of the single disk offer some protection to the interior of the core adjacent its circumferential edge, the V-shaped voids between the tabs remain and the portions of the core are thus left exposed and unprotected at the V-shaped voids. If a strap is extended through the core of the coiled material, such as is typically done primarily for maintaining the material in its coiled condition, the strap is unsupported in the region of the V-shaped voids and can damage the underlying core area of the coiled material. The same damaging situation occurs as well when the protector is deployed in overlying relationship over the coil of material itself in that the strap is unsupported in the area of the V-shaped voids and can tear or compress the underlying coiled material. However, while the Curro, Jr. core protector advances the state of the art, the need still exists for improvements in protectors of the type which overlay non-planar or edge portions of an article.

Flexible overlay for protecting non-planar portions of an article


The present discussion relates to generating power generation forecasts both on-site and remote to a wind farm, or other intermittent power generation asset, so as to increase the reliability of providing a forecast to interested parties, such as regulatory authorities. Forecasts may be separately generated at both the on-site and remote locations and, if both are available, one is selected for transmission to interested parties, such as regulatory authorities. If, due to circumstances, one forecast is unavailable, the other forecast may be used in its place locally and remotely, communications permitting.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to wind power generation systems, and more specifically to the optimization of communicating wind power forecasts to remote locations.
A power grid may include a wind power generation system suitable for providing power, such as electrical power, based on wind currents. Wind currents may vary depending on weather conditions, and thus the wind power generation system may provide for more or less power depending on the weather conditions. For example, during peak wind conditions, the wind power generation system may provide for above-average electric power. Likewise, decreases in wind may result in reduced electric power provided to the power grid. Similarly the operational state of a given turbine or set of turbines may affect the amount of power that may be generated at a given time and site location.
As such wind turbine installations typically provide power to a larger power grid infrastructure, it may be desirable to be able to provide forecasts of expected wind power generation so other power generating assets can be operated or prepared to provide any additional needed power. Indeed, in some regulatory structures, providing such forecasts may be encouraged, or even required, to maintain power grid efficiency.
By way of example, In India, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), requires wind farms to schedule their generation in 15 minute intervals, one day in advance. It allows schedules to be updated 16 times a day which is applicable from the 4th time block from when it was submitted, through a Coordinating Agency (CA) appointed by the wind farm generator. It stipulates that, if actual generation is beyond +/−15% of the schedule, deviation charges shall be payable to/receivable by the CA for the concerned generator. The deviation charges are error (%) dependent in actual and scheduled generation during the 15 minute interval, calculated as (Actual Generation-Scheduled Generation)/(Available Capacity) X 100.
In such a scenario, one challenge to generating accurate forecasts and submitting schedules to relevant regulatory authorities or other entities is availability of the wind farm's communication connectivity. Wind farms are often located in remote areas where communication networks may not be reliable. Forecasting of wind farm power is typically either done either locally by moderately sophisticated computing equipment or remotely by highly sophisticated computing equipment. In either option, if the wind farm cannot transmit either forecast data to the regulator or operational data information to the remote computing equipment, forecasts may not be generated or may not be generated with sufficient accuracy.

Method and system to optimize availability, transmission, and accuracy of wind power forecasts and schedules


A disk drive suspension has a doubly increased dimple contact force through separate, differential deflections of the flexure frame toward the load beam so as to carry the flexure tongue having dimple engagement with the load beam closer to the beam, and thus have greater dimple contact force without adverse PSA alteration. Doubly deflecting the outrigger struts of the flexure toward the supporting load beam in differential relation with a greater deflection and local strut displacement in a first location and a lesser deflection and local strut displacement in a second location on the initially deflected portion of the frame outriggers provides increased dimple contact force.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to disk drive suspensions, and, more particularly, to suspensions having doubly increased dimple contact force through separate, differential deflections of the flexure frame toward the load beam so as to carry the flexure tongue having dimple engagement with the load beam closer to the beam, and thus have greater dimple contact force. The invention further relates to suspension flexures, and to suspension manufacturing and operating methods.
More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the invention provides increased dimple contact force from a generally conventional suspension and flexure arrangement by doubly deflecting the outrigger struts of the flexure toward the supporting load beam in differential relation to have a greater deflection and local strut displacement in a first location and a lesser deflection and local strut displacement in a second location on the initially deflected portion of the frame outriggers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Disk drive suspensions comprise in general an assembly of a mount plate, a load beam attached to an actuator and having and a beam portion that can include or comprise a stiffener, and a flexure that can be added to or formed with the beam portion. The flexure typically has a frame including outrigger struts and cantilevered tongue to carry a slider in gimballing relation about a dimple locus defined by a dimple on the tongue or the load beam and an opposing cooperating surface conversely on the load beam or tongue under a force referred to as the dimple contact force (sometimes DCF). The suspension assembly is in operative association with a disk.

Disk drive suspension and flexure with doubly and differentially deflected frame


The present invention relates to trans-N-[4-[2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]cyclohexyl]-N′,N′-dimethylurea (cariprazine), its salts, close analogs, derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions, metabolites and combinations for use in the treatment of symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in general, and preferably the object of the present invention is to treat one or more symptoms of autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex, very challenging and prevalent neurodevelopmental condition with frequencies as high as 1:34-1:77 (average 1:59) in the US pediatric population across eleven states in 2014 (CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries, Apr. 27, 2018/67(6):1-23). Based on a number of epidemiological studies, the median of prevalence estimate of ASD was 62/10,000 in 2012 (Elsabbagh et al., Autism Res. 2012, 5:160-179). Thus, ASD is recognized today as a global, common, lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 1% of both children and adults (Brugha et al., Arch. Gen. Psychiatry. 2011, 68:459-465; Murphy et al., Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat. 2016, 12:1669-1686).
The disorder is characterized by two core symptoms of socio-communicational dysfunctions as well as restricted (repetitive, stereotyped) behaviors and thinking (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, pp. 50-59). Social impairments comprise abnormal social approach, failure of normal back-and-forth communication, failure to initiate and reciprocate interaction. Communicational deficits may include poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication, abnormal eye contact and body language, deficits in understanding gestures, lack of facial expressions. In general, deficits in developing, maintaining and understanding relationships, adjusting to social situations, sharing imaginative play and absence of interest in peers may be present. With respect to the other core symptom domain, stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, insistence on sameness and routines, highly fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus and abnormal sensory reactivity can be identified.
In addition to the core symptoms, ASD is also often accompanied by associated or comorbid symptoms including intellectual disability, attention deficit, hyperactivity, mood disorders, seizures, sleep problems, etc. A further frequently associated symptom domain is irritability that comprises tantrums, aggression towards others, self-injurious behavior and mood swings.
The unmet medical need in ASD is enormous, since there is no pharmacological treatment currently available for the treatment of core symptoms in ASD. While there is no approved drug for the treatment of core symptoms, only two antipsychotics of the many available drugs of the same class—risperidone and aripiprazole—have been approved in the US Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of ASD-associated irritability in children, ages 5-16 years. Aripiprazole has also been approved for this purpose in Japan. Although large efforts have been put into clinical research, no effective pharmacological treatment has been identified until now to alleviate the core symptom domains of ASD.
Risperidone and aripiprazole are atypical antipsychotics with different receptor profiles in vitro. Whereas risperidone has been found to bind with high affinity to serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and function as an antagonist of the receptor, aripiprazole displays high affinity for dopamine D2, D3, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2B receptors, and it behaves as a partial agonist at dopamine D2, D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. (Shahid et al., J. Psychopharmacol. 2009, 23:65-73; Tadori et al. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2011, 668:355-365; Shapiro et al., Neuropsychopharmacol. 2003, 28:1400-1411). It is important to note that both aripiprazole and risperidone occupy dopamine D2 receptors in the human brain (Muly et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2012, 341:81-89; Gründer et al., Am. J. Psychiatry 2008, 165:988-995). However, neither of the two compounds were found to demonstrate occupancy of dopamine D3 receptors in humans (Graff-Guerrero et al., Arch. Gen Psychiatry 2009, 66:606-615).
Although risperidone and aripiprazole are used to treat ASD-associated irritability, these antipsychotic compounds are neither approved nor used to treat the core symptom domains of ASD. Results of clinical investigations with regards to the usefulness of risperidone and aripiprazole in the treatment of the core symptoms are contradictory, showing lack of efficacy for aripiprazole and mixed results for risperidone. Aripiprazole was investigated in open label trials and it did not improve the lethargy/social withdrawal subscale of the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist (Ichikawa et al., Child Psychiary Hum. Dev. 2017, 48:796-806; LeClerc et al., Pharma. Ther. 2015, 40:389-397; Posey et al., Child Adolesc. Psychiatry Clin. N. Am. 2008, 17:787-798). Studies with risperidone suggest that it may result in modest improvements of the core symptoms in children with pervasive developmental disorders exhibiting high levels of baseline irritability however, it is unclear whether risperidone improved these symptoms in the absence of irritability (LeClerc et al., Pharma. Ther. 2015, 40:389-397; Posey et al., Child Adolesc. Psychiatry Clin. N. Am. 2008, 17:787-798). Thus, for aripiprazole there is no support from human studies for its usefulness to treat socio-communicational dysfunction in ASD. In case of risperidone, there is also a lack of solid evidence for social behavioral efficacy in ASD subjects.
Pharmacodynamic effects of risperidone and aripiprazole have also been investigated in animal models of autism, and yielded mixed results. In a number of preclinical ASD mouse models, including the prenatal valproate model (Auclair et al., World Congress of The International College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2014, LP-03-011), the Cntnap2 knockout mice (Penagarikano et al., Cell 2011, 147:235-246), the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit hypomorph mice (Teng et al., Neuropharmacology 2016, 105:61-71) and the BTBR mouse strain (Chadman, Pharm. Biochem. Behay. 2011, 97:586-594) neither aripiprazole nor risperidone could improve the social behavior deficits. In another study, utilizing prenatal valproate treatment in mice, both risperidone and aripiprazole improved core behavioral deficits after chronic administration, while acute treatment was without effect (Hara et al., Psychopharmacology 2017, 234:3217-3228). Hara et al. discusses possible mechanisms behind the improvements of ASD-like symptoms due to chronic risperidone and aripiprazole treatment and emphasize the role of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor activation following dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex. The authors do not mention any role for dopamine D3 receptors in the molecular mechanism whereby risperidone or aripiprazole may alleviate the behavioral effects of prenatal valproate treatment.
Patent application WO 2005/012266A1 discloses carbamoyl cyclohexane derivatives that are dopamine D3/D2 receptor partial agonists. Notably, WO 2005/012266A1 discloses trans-N-[4-[2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]cyclohexyl]-N′,N′- dimethylurea (cariprazine) corresponding to Formula 1 and its hydrochloride salt. As it was later established, cariprazine (US: Vraylar®, Europe: Reagila®) is a dopamine D3-preferring D3/D2 receptor and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist (Kiss et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap. 2010, 333:328-340) that has been approved to treat schizophrenia (US and Europe) and manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (US). Active metabolites of cariprazine include, not exclusively, desmethyl cariprazine and didesmethyl cariprazine (WO 2008/142461A1). Additional patent applications describe the hydrochloride salt of cariprazine (WO 2008/139235A2) and the deuterized derivative of cariprazine (WO 2011/060363A2).
WO 2005/012266A1 also discloses close analogs of cariprazine that are listed on page 21-22 of the said patent application. These close analogs also include trans-N-(4-{2-[4-(2,3-dichloro-phenyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-ethyl}-cyclohexyl)-morpholine-4 carboxamide (Compound 2).

Among the diseases to be treated and/or prevented by the carbamoyl cyclohexane derivatives, WO 2005/012266A1, WO2008/139235A2, WO2008/141135A1, WO2009/020897A1 and WO2010/009309A1 claim the treatment of autism as such. As mentioned above, ASD is a very complex disorder with regard to its manifestation in human patients; its core symptoms include socio-communicational impairments and restricted/repetitive behaviors with variable severity as well as a great variety of comorbid symptoms. The selected ASD-associated symptoms defined hereafter were neither specified nor supported by any scientific evidence in the aforementioned patent applications. These symptoms specifically include socio-communicational impairments, restricted and repetitive behaviors, attention deficit and hyperactivity, as well as irritability.
Compared to risperidone and aripiprazole, cariprazine has a unique receptor profile (Shahid et al., J. Psychopharmacol. 2009, 23:65-73; Kiss et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap. 2010, 333:328-340). Cariprazine shows subnanomolar affinity for the dopamine D3, D2L and D2S receptors (Ki values of 0.09, 0.5 and 0.7 nM, respectively) with an approximately 8-fold preference for the dopamine D3 versus D2 receptor. Functionally, the compound is a partial agonist at the dopamine D3 and D2 receptors. In addition, cariprazine shows nanomolar affinity for the serotonin 5-HT2B and 5-HT1A receptors (Ki 0.6 and 2.6 nM, respectively) where it acts as full antagonist and weak partial agonist, respectively. The close analog of cariprazine (Compound 2) shows a very similar molecular pharmacological profile to cariprazine. It has also subnanomolar affinity for the dopamine D3, D2L and D2S receptors (Ki 0.17, 0.4 and 0.52 nM, respectively). Functionally, Compound 2 is a partial agonist at the dopamine D3 and D2 receptors. In addition, Compound 2 shows nanomolar affinity for the serotonin 5-HT2B and 5-HT1A receptors (Ki 1.11 and 5.73 nM, respectively), where it acts as full antagonist and weak partial agonist, respectively. When taking into account this combination of receptorial affinities and functionalities, cariprazine and its close analog (Compound 2) are special and clearly different from other available antipsychotics.
Although results of genetic association studies available at that time (Martineau et al., Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 1994, 36:688-697; Persico and Napolioni, Behav. Brain Res. 2013, 251:95-112) did not imply the dopamine D3 receptors in the pathomechanism of ASD, researchers of Pierre Fabre Medicament investigated as first ones a dopamine D3 receptor antagonist and found it effective in an animal model of ASD. Pierre Fabre Medicament filed a patent application (WO 2015/086836A1) related to a chromone derivative for its use as medicament for the treatment of ASD. The chromone derivative in WO 2015/086836A1 is a dopamine D3 receptor full antagonist lacking any intrinsic activity revealed by a MAP kinase activity test on human recombinant dopamine D3 receptors. The chromone derivative of that invention was shown to improve impaired social behavior of rats that had been exposed to sodium valproate during their intrauterine life. Despite its beneficial effects in the above animal model of ASD, there is no available clinical evidence up to now that the chromone compound disclosed in the patent application WO 2015/086836A1 or related compounds are useful for the treatment of this disorder in human patients.
Whereas cariprazine is a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and D3 receptors (Kiss et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap. 2010, 333:328-340; Tadori et al. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2011, 668:355-365), and according to WO 2015/086836A1 the chromone derivatives by Pierre Fabre Medicament patent are defined as dopamine D3 antagonists, therefore a skilled person in the art would not consider the two compounds to have similar effect.
First, there is clear difference between the chemical structures. The structural differences between the two base compounds have consequences on differences in physicochemical properties, molecular pharmacological, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties.
Second, while the Pierre Fabre compound produced no stimulatory activity in a cellular system (ERK1/2 phosphorylation assay) (Heusler et al., Eur. Neuropsychopharm. 2016, 26(S2):S490-S491), cariprazine stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the D3 receptor (unpublished data, data in company file). This implies that the two compounds behave completely differently in in vitro functional assays.
Third, the two compounds have different receptor profiles (Heusler et al., Eur. Neuropsychopharm. 2016, 26(S2):S490-S491; Kiss et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap. 2010, 333:328-340). The Pierre Fabre chromone derivative has subnanomolar affinity for the dopamine D3 receptor (Ki 0.16 nM), nanomolar affinities for the dopamine D2L and D2S receptors (Ki 12.6 and 6.3 nM, respectively). Thus, there is a greater preference for the dopamine D3 receptors versus D2 receptors in case of the Pierre Fabre compound than in case of cariprazine. The chromone derivative has considerable serotonin 5-HT1A receptor affinity (Ki 0.13 nM), while cariprazine shows lower affinity for this receptor (Ki 2.6 nM). Cariprazine, its close analog (Compound 2) and the Pierre Fabre compound are all partial agonists of the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor however, while the Pierre Fabre chromone derivative has substantial intrinsic activity (57-75%) (Heusler et al., Eur. Neuropsychopharm. 2016, 26(S2):S490-S491), both cariprazine and Compound 2 are only weak partial agonists with intrinsic activities of 38 and 30%, respectively (Kiss et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap. 2010, 333:328-340, and unpublished adat, data in company file).
As mentioned above, cariprazine has a special receptor profile comprising dopamine D3/D2 receptor partial agonism, weak serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonism and serotonin 5-HT2B receptor full antagonism. Lim et al. found that treatment of Fmr1 knock-out mice with the selective serotonin 5-HT2B receptor agonist BW723C86 resulted in the improvement of cognitive abilities (Lim et al., Gene. Dev. 2014, 28:273-289). Further studies reported that there is also reduced function of serotonin 5-HT2 type (not-specified) receptors in the periphery and brain of ASD patients (McBride et al., Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 1989, 46, 213-221). Taking the above results into account it is not expected that a serotonin 5-HT2B receptor antagonist such as cariprazine would be effective in an animal model of ASD.
Moreover, Oblak et al. (Autism Res. 2013, 6:571-583) found significantly reduced serotonin 5-HT1A receptor binding in post mortem cortical samples of subjects with autism in two regions of a limbic-cortical network that contribute to social-emotional behaviors. Given these reduced serotonin 5-HT1A receptor levels, it is unlikely that a weak partial agonist such as cariprazine at these receptors would be effective in an ASD model.
Along with the need to treat autism in general, there is also a need to treat one or more symptoms of autism. Furthermore, there is a need to treat conditions such as Asperger's syndrome, atypical autism (otherwise known as pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified; PDD-NOS), Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sensory integration dysfunction.

Carbamoyl cyclohexane derivatives for treating autism spectrum disorder

Abstract: Furthermore, it was also found that cariprazine, its salts, close analogs, derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions, metabolites and combinations are suitable for treatment of conditions such as Asperger's syndrome, atypical autism (otherwise known as pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified; PDD-NOS), Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sensory integration dysfunction.


A modulated immune response to an antigen is achieved by coadministering the antigen and a genetically-detoxified pertussis holotoxin, particularly one retaining its immunogenicity, to a host. The modulated immune response enables immunogenic compositions, including multivalent pediatric vaccines such as DTP, to be provided which produce a modulated immune response in the absence of extrinsic adjuvants such as alum. The adjuvanting effect achieved by the genetically-detoxified pertussis holotoxin enables at least the same level of adjuvanting effect to be achieved as previously attained by alum, without the undesirable side effects thereof.

Vaccines have been used for many years to protect humans and animals against a wide variety of infectious diseases. Such conventional vaccines consist of attenuated pathogens (for example, polio virus), killed pathogens (for example, Bordetella pertussis) or immunogenic components of the pathogen (for example, diphtheria toxoid). Some antigens are highly immunogenic and are capable alone of eliciting immune responses. Other antigens, however, fail to induce, for example, a protective immune response or induce only a weak immune response.
Immunogenicity can be significantly improved if the antigens are co-administered with adjuvants. Adjuvants enhance the immunogenicity of an antigen but are not necessarily immunogenic themselves.
Immunostimulatory agents or extrinsic adjuvants have been used for many years to improve the host immune responses to immunogenic compositions including vaccines. Extrinsic adjuvants are immunomodulators which are typically non-covalently linked to antigens and are formulated to enhance the host immune responses. Thus, adjuvants have been identified that enhance the immune response to antigens delivered parenterally. Some of these adjuvants are toxic, however, and can cause undesirable side-effects, making them unsuitable for use in humans and many animals. Indeed, only aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate (collectively commonly referred to as alum) are routinely used as adjuvants in human and veterinary vaccines. The efficacy of alum in increasing antibody responses to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids is well established and, more recently, a HBsAg vaccine has been adjuvanted with alum. While the usefulness of alum is well established for some applications, it has limitations. For example, it is ineffective for influenza vaccination and inconsistently elicits a cell mediated immune response. The antibodies elicited by alum-adjuvanted antigens are mainly of the IgG1 isotype in the mouse, which may not be optimal for protection by some vaccinal agents.
Furthermore, studies in rats have demonstrated that alum acts as an IgE adjuvant (ref. 1—Throughout this application, various references are referred to in parenthesis to more fully describe the state of the art to which the invention pertains. Full bibliographic information for each citation is found at the end of the specification, immediately preceding the Claims. The disclosure of other references are incorporated by reference into the present disclosures. Studies with tetanus and diphtheria toxoid vaccines also indicate that alum adsorption of vaccines induces IgE antibodies in humans (refs. 2, 3, 4). Therefore, although the inclusion of an aluminum salt in a vaccine formulation may improve its immunogenicity and potency, the fact that it can induce local granulomas and IgE antibodies which may contribute to hypersensitivity reactions warrants careful examination of the practice of alum-adsorption of vaccines for human and animal use.
Some characteristics of desirable adjuvants include:
(1) a lack of toxicity;
(2) an ability to stimulate a long-lasting immune response;
(3) simplicity of manufacture and stability in long-term storage;
(4) an ability to elicit both cellular and humoral immune responses to antigens administered by various routes, if required;
(5) synergy with other adjuvants;
(6) a capability of selectively interacting with populations of antigen presenting cells (APC);
(7) an ability to elicit appropriate TH1 or TH2 cell-specific immune responses;
(8) an ability to selectively increase appropriate antibody isotype levels (for example, IgA) against antigens; and
(9) that they do not contribute to hypersensitivity reactions.
Of relevance to the present invention is a discussion of the development of pertussis vaccines presented below.
Thus, pertussis or whooping cough is a serious respiratory disease caused by the infection of the respiratory tract by the gram negative organism Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is a major cause of childhood morbidity and is implicated in 360,000 deaths annually (ref. 5). The most effective method of control of the spread of the disease has proven to be the use of widespread immunization programs. The whole cell pertussis vaccine which was shown to have clinical efficacy in the 1950's, has been effective in controlling pertussis epidemics (refs. 6, 7, 8). The value of the vaccine was illustrated when Japan, Sweden and Great Britain abandoned routine childhood pertussis immunization. Shortly thereafter, these countries experienced major epidemics of pertussis (refs. 9, 10, 11, 12).
Although the whole cell pertussis vaccine is effective in preventing the incidence and spread of disease, the acceptance and uptak of the vaccine has been limited due to reports of vaccine associated adverse effects. Therefore, an impetus for the creation of a non-reactogenic, effective and well defined acellular component pertussis vaccine was created. One of the key features of the acellular vaccine is the chemically detoxified pertussis toxin (PT) component. The presence of native pertussis toxin in the whole cell vaccine has been a source of concern as studies in animal models have shown that it can induce lymphocytosis, histamine sensitization, potentiation of anaphylaxis and IgE antibodies, enhancement of insulin secretion and many other systemic effects (ref. 13). The acellular pertussis vaccines differ with respect to the combinations and quantities of Bordetella pertussis antigens included in the vaccines but the key antigens include the agglutinogens, pertactin, filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and pertussis toxin (PT). Although the acellular vaccine has been demonstrated to be immunogenic and of comparable efficacy to the whole cell vaccine, it has not been as effective in preventing bacterial colonization (ref. 14). In addition, the results from a Swedish field trial comparing acellular and whole cell pertussis vaccines indicated that the formaldehyde inactivated pertussis toxin present in the acellular vaccines showed evidence of reversion to toxicity (ref. 15). Therefore, other methods of inactivating the pertussis toxin molecule were required.
To overcome the drawbacks of chemical detoxification, several groups developed genetically detoxified pertussis mutant holotoxin molecules (refs. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21). A promising candidate was the K9G129 mutant. Not only was the immunogenicity of the molecule retained, but the toxicity of this recombinant toxin was greatly diminished (refs. 18, 19, 21). In addition, immunization with the K9G129 mutant stimulated both humoral and cellular pertussis antigen specific responses (ref. 22). Although many clinical trials base the evaluation of the immunogenicity of a vaccine solely on the antibody response following immunization, studies indicate an important role for cellular immunity in protection against this disease. In animal models, the cellular immune response has been demonstrated to be important in the protective response against pertussis as the adoptive transfer of cells from convalescent animals into sublethally irradiated animals conferred protection from challenge with Bordetella pertussis organisms while the passive transfer of immune serum did not (refs. 23, 24). A retrospective study in humans indicated that cell mediated immunity to Bordetella pertussis correlated with a positive history of pertussis (ref. 25). Following natural pertussis infection in humans, both an antibody and cellular immune response are observed (ref. 26). However, immunization with either the whole cell or acellular component vaccines resulted in variable pertussis antigen-specific cellular immune responses (refs. 27, 28). It appeared that the chemical detoxification of the pertussis toxin component destroyed its T cell immunogenicity while the antibody responses were unaffected (ref. 26). Therefore, only the genetically detoxified pertussis toxin molecule could be used to stimulate both a cellular and humoral immune response.
The use of the recombinant PT mutant, K9G129, as a pertussis vaccine component has been well described. A number of different forms of the vaccine have been suggested. Two formulations have been evaluated in humans. The first formulation consisted of 15 μg of the PT mutant which was alum-adsorbed with a total of 0.5 mg of alum per dose (refs. 22, 29) while the other formulation contained 7.5 μg of the K9G129 mutant as well as 10 μg FHA and 10 μg pertactin and was also alum adsorbed (ref. 30). These studies indicated that the genetically detoxified pertussis vaccine candidate was not only safe, immunogenic and could induce a cell mediated response, but, when combined with the FHA and pertactin antigens, it also provided better protection in the intracerebral challenge test than a chemically detoxified component pertussis vaccine (ref. 30). Other suggested formulations include a formaldehyde-treated K9G129 component (ref. 31) and a cellular vaccine derived from a strain of Bordetella pertussis producing the genetically inactivated K9G129 pertussis toxin molecule (ref. 32). The formaldehyde treatment of the K9G129 molecule altered the immunogenicity of the molecule as lower amounts of specific antibodies were induced. The protective ability of the molecule was also decreased as it was less effective in the intracerebral challenge assay (ref. 32). However, the recombinant cellular vaccine derived from the K9G129 producing strain proved to be as effective as the whole cell pertussis vaccine (ref. 32).
Although the preceeding formulations demonstrate the advantages of improved safety and efficacy associated with the use of a genetically detoxified pertussis toxin molecule, they do not address the adverse effects of DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccination not associated with the pertussis molecule component (refs. 33, 46). All of the stated formulations involved the use of either 0.3 mg of aluminum phosphate (ref. 32) or 0.5 mg aluminum hydroxide (refs. 29, 30). Aluminum salts were introduced into the DT and DPT vaccine formulations as an adjuvant that would potentiate strong antibody responses when the levels of the toxoids or the numbers of Bordetella pertussis organisms were decreased to avoid adverse reactions (refs. 34, 35) and alum is now routinely used in these vaccines as an adjuvant. However, years of field experience with these adsorbed pertussis vaccines and studies (refs. 36, 37) have demonstrated that, although they contained less of the identified reactogenic vaccine components, local reactions were nonetheless precipitated (refs. 38, 39, 40, 41, 42). Histopathological examination of local abscesses produced following vaccination revealed aluminum hydroxide inclusions in giant cells (ref. 38). Investigation into the frequency of such granulomas indicated that they were associated with the aluminum content in the vaccine as placebo immunized groups which received only the aluminum fraction of the vaccine, exhibited abscess formation at a similar reaction rate (ref. 43). Further evidence in support of the role of aluminum in these local reactions was derived from studies comparing aluminum adjuvant adsorbed and plain cholera and tetanus vaccines (refs. 44, 45). Deep innoculation of the vaccine into the muscle decreases the incidence of these abscesses but although improved techniques can prevent the formation of abscesses (ref. 39), the potentiation of IgE responses by aluminum salts is not affected.
It would be advantageous to provide immunogenic compositions having modulated immune responses to the constituent antigens without the disadvantages of local toxicity and contribution to hypersensitivity of prior art extrinsic adjuvants.


A vehicle-surroundings monitor apparatus according is provided with a sensor having a transmission/reception means for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to surroundings of a vehicle and receiving a reflected ultrasonic wave from the surroundings, a transmission circuit for generating an ultrasonic wave to be transmitted from the transmission/reception means, and a reception-processing means for processing an ultrasonic wave received by the transmission/reception means, and a control means for supplying a power-supply voltage to the sensor. A power-supply voltage supplied by the control means to the sensor is split into a power-supply voltage to be supplied to the transmission circuit and a power-supply voltage to be supplied to the reception-processing means.

The applicant for a patent of the present invention has proposed a vehicle-surroundings monitor apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-186603 applied earlier. This vehicle-surroundings monitor apparatus for a vehicle comprises a plurality of ultrasonic-wave sensors each having a processing function as sensors each used for measuring a distance to a body located in the vicinity of the vehicle and a control ECU for controlling the ultrasonic-wave sensors. The ultrasonic-wave sensors are connected to the control ECU by communication lines allowing data to be exchanged between the sensors and the ECU.
Each of the ultrasonic-wave sensors has a microphone, a transmission circuit, an IC and a regulator. The microphone is a component for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving an ultrasonic wave reflected by a body existing in the vicinity of the vehicle. (An ultrasonic wave reflected by such a body is referred to hereafter as a reflected ultrasonic wave). The transmission circuit is a component for generating high-frequency and high-voltage pulses (having a typical frequency of several tens of kHz) for transmitting the ultrasonic wave from the microphone. The IC is a component for carrying out reception processing based on the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the microphone. The regulator is a component for converting a power-supply voltage received from the control ECU as a voltage for driving the ultrasonic-wave sensor into a constant voltage and also a component for supplying the constant voltage to the transmission circuit and the IC respectively.
When such an ultrasonic-wave sensor receives a command to find a distance to a body from the control ECU, the transmission circuit transmits an ultrasonic wave generated by the transmission circuit by way of the microphone and the microphone receives a reflected ultrasonic wave from a body existing in the vicinity of the vehicle. In addition, a period of time between the transmission of the ultrasonic wave and the reception of the reflected ultrasonic wave is measured. Then, a distance to the body is found based on the measured period of time. The distance is the distance between the microphone and the body.
In the ultrasonic-wave sensor described above, the regulator converts a power-supply voltage received from the control ECU into a constant voltage and supplies the constant voltage to the transmission circuit and the IC.
The inventors of the present invention have clearly found out that it is quite within the bounds of possibility that an ultrasonic-wave sensor employed in the vehicle-surroundings monitor apparatus having a processing function or, to be more specific, the IC employed in the ultrasonic-wave sensor does not operate normally as described below.
As described above, the ultrasonic-wave sensor having a processing function receives a power-supply voltage from the control ECU. The regulator converts this power-supply voltage into a constant voltage to be supplied to the transmission circuit and the IC so as to operate the ultrasonic-wave sensor having a processing function.
In order to transmit an ultrasonic wave from the microphone, the transmission circuit generates high-frequency high-voltage pulses. Then, the transmission circuit outputs the high-frequency high-voltage pulses to the microphone. Since the high-frequency high-voltage pulses are a voltage signal vibrating at a predetermined period, when the transmission circuit outputs the high-frequency high-voltage pulses, a voltage on the input side of the transmission circuit fluctuates due to an effect of the high-frequency high-voltage pulses. Thus, a voltage appearing on a wire supplying a power-supply voltage to the transmission circuit also varies.
An effect of the varying voltage propagates to the regulator through the wire connecting the transmission circuit to the regulator and also propagates to the IC through a wire connecting the regulator to the IC. Thus, a power-supply voltage supplied from the regulator to the IC also varies. As a result, in some cases, the IC receives a power-supply voltage lower than a power-supply voltage normally supplied to the IC.
That is to say, every time the transmission circuit generates a high-frequency high-voltage pulse and outputs the high-frequency high-voltage pulse to the microphone, a change in voltage results in the ultrasonic-wave sensor having a processing function. Thus, every time an ultrasonic wave is transmitted, a change in voltage is generated in a power-supply voltage supplied to the IC. As a result, a power-supply voltage necessary for operating the IC normally is no longer supplied to the IC. It is therefore quite within the bounds of possibility that the IC is reset, that is, internal circuits embedded in the IC do not operate.