The present invention is directed to a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein that imparts a dull luster to a seed coat when expressed within seed-coat tissues and to transgenic seeds, plant cells and plants expressing the protein.

Bacteria from the genus Agrobacterium have the ability to transfer specific segments of DNA (T-DNA) to plant cells, where they stably integrate into the nuclear chromosomes. Analyses of plants harbouring the T-DNA have revealed that this genetic element may be integrated at numerous locations, and can occasionally be found within genes. One strategy which may be exploited to identify integration events within genes is to transform plant cells with specially designed T-DNA vectors which contain a reporter gene, devoid of cis-acting transcriptional and translational expression signals (i.e. promoterless), located at the end of the T-DNA. Upon integration, the initiation codon of the promoterless gene (reporter gene) will be juxtaposed to plant sequences. The consequence of T-DNA insertion adjacent to, and downstream of, gene promoter elements may be the activation of reporter gene expression. The resulting hybrid genes, referred to as T-DNA-mediated gene fusions, consist of unknown and thus uncharacterized plant promoters residing at their natural location within the chromosome, and the coding sequence of a marker gene located on the inserted T-DNA (Fobert et al., 1991, Plant Mol. Biol. 17, 837-851).
It has generally been assumed that activation of promoterless or enhancerless marker genes result from T-DNA insertions within or immediately adjacent to genes. The recent isolation of several T-DNA insertional mutants (Koncz et al., 1992, Plant Mol. Biol. 20, 963-976; reviewed in Feldmann, 1991, Plant J. 1, 71-82; Van Lijsebettens et al., 1991, Plant Sci. 80, 27-37; Walden et al., 1991, Plant J. 1: 281-288; Yanofsky et al., 1990, Nature 346, 35-39), shows that this is the case for at least some insertions. However, other possibilities exist. One of these is that integration of the T-DNA activates silent regulatory sequences that are not associated with genes. Lindsey et al. (1993, Transgenic Res. 2, 3347) referred to such sequences as "pseudo-promoters" and suggested that they may be responsible for activating marker genes in some transgenic lines.
Inactive regulatory sequences that are buried in the genome but with the capability of being functional when positioned adjacent to genes have been described in a variety of organisms, where they have been called "cryptic promoters" (Al-Shawi et al., 1991, Mol. Cell. Biol. 11, 4207-4216; Fourel et al., 1992, Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 5336-5344; Irniger et al., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res. 20, 4733-4739; Takahashi et al., 1991, Jpn J. Cancer Res. 82, 1239-1244). Cryptic promoters can be found in the introns of genes, such as those encoding for yeast actin (Irniger et al., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res. 20, 4733-4739), and a mammalian melanoma-associated antigen (Takahashi et al., 1991, Jpn J. Cancer Res. 82, 1239-1244). It has been suggested that the cryptic promoter of the yeast actin gene may be a relict of a promoter that was at one time active but lost function once the coding region was assimilated into the exon-intron structure of the present-day gene (Irniger et al., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res. 20, 4733-4739). A cryptic promoter has also been found in an untranslated region of the second exon of the woodchuck N-myc proto-oncogene (Fourel et al., 1992, Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 5336-5344). This cryptic promoter is responsible for activation of a N-myc2, a functional processed gene which arose from retroposition of N-myc transcript (Fourel et al., 1992, Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 5336-5344). These types of regulatory sequences have not yet been isolated from plants.
Weber et al. (1995, Plant Cell 7:1835-1846) disclose a cDNA sequence of a seed-coat associated invertase. However, all of the cDNA's characterized were found to be expressed in tissues other than the seed-coat, including anthers, cotyledon, stem and root. Furthermore, no promoter was isolated, characterized, or disclosed.
Described herein is the occurrence of seed-coat genes and promoters that have been obtained as a result of differential screening of seed-coat genomic libraries, or generated by tagging with a promoterless GUS (β-glucuronidase) T-DNA vector, or by identification of genes that are highly expressed in the seed-coat or associated tissues. Expression analysis of these DNA's reveal that they are spatially and developmentally regulated in seed coats. Prior to this work, promoters, as well as genes specifically expressed in seed coat tissues had not been isolated or reported. Furthermore, proteins encoded by genes that are expressed within seed-coat, or associated with seed-coat tissues, are also disclosed.

Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food


Methods and systems consistent with the present invention allow a user to create a storage hierarchy definition in association with a workflow that models a process, to generate a plan from the workflow that reflects an instance of the process, and to generate a container in accordance with the storage hierarchy definition when the plan is generated from the workflow. The container may then be used to store an artifact that is used or produced by the plan in accordance with methods and systems of the present invention.

To become more efficient and competitive, businesses and industries have striven to capture and streamline the business processes or workflows they use to operate and manage their respective enterprises. In general, a workflow is a model of a process. More specifically, a workflow can be viewed as a structured set of activities designed to produce a specific output for a particular customer (internal or external to an enterprise) or market. Although conventional software tools define the steps performed by the workflow, conventional tools do not schedule the resources (e.g., the people, equipment, or software technologies) responsible for completing each activity. Conventional tools also do not prepare a timeline identifying the beginning or end of each activity. Thus, conventional tools do not prepare a schedule for completing the workflow.
Businesses and industries also use other conventional software tools, such as Microsoft Project™, to build and manage a project plan for their respective enterprises. A plan represents an instance of the workflow. More specifically, a plan can be viewed as a working schedule for a project to produce a product or artifact, such as a computer, bicycle, or software build, for the respective enterprise. These other conventional software tools typically display the working schedule in the form of an interactive Gantt chart, i.e., a chart to which the user can make updates. A Gantt chart is the linear, time-based representation of a project schedule, usually laid out on a horizontal plane where the times/dates increase to the right. These Gantt charts show the temporal relationships between the different tasks in a project, where the tasks are arranged along the vertical axis. Gantt charts are typically used to lay out an initial plan/timeline for the project, and then to track the actual progress of a project from start to finish. The modern software-based Gantt chart also identifies the resource(s) responsible for completing each task of the plan, the dependencies between the tasks, and, once the project has begun, the status of each task.
The conventional tools that support the building and managing of a project plan, however, do not provide direct links between projects and the workflows or business processes that the enterprise has defined and seeks to implement to gain business advantage and economies of efficiencies. Likewise, the conventional tools that enterprises use to define and manage workflows are not linked to project plans. Because both workflows and project plans do not exist on the same tool, workflows and project plans cannot be integrated or synchronized to keep the workflows and project plans "in step" with each other. Thus, there is a need in the art for a tool that avoids the limitations of these conventional software tools.

Methods and systems for auto-instantiation of storage hierarchy for project plan


This invention provides compounds of formula 1, having the structure

This invention relates to substituted aromatic tricyclic compounds containing nicotinonitrile rings as well as the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of the present invention inhibit the action of certain protein kinases, thereby inhibiting the abnormal growth of particular cell types. The compounds of this invention are therefore useful for the treatment or inhibition of certain diseases that are the result of deregulation of these protein kinases. The compounds of this invention are anti-cancer agents and are useful for the treatment or inhibition of cancer in mammals. In addition, the compounds of this invention are useful for the treatment and inhibition of polycystic kidney disease and colonic polyps.
Protein kinases are a class of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a tyrosine, serine, threonine, or histidine residue located on a protein substrate. Protein kinases clearly play a role in normal cell growth. Many of the growth factor receptor proteins function as kinases and it is by this process that they effect signaling. The interaction of growth factors with these receptors is a necessary event in normal regulation of cell growth. However, under certain conditions, as a result of either mutation or over expression, these receptors can become deregulated; the result of which is uncontrolled cell proliferation which can lead to tumor growth and ultimately to the disease known as cancer [Wilks, A. F., Adv. Cancer Res., 60, 43 (1993) and Parsons, J. T.; Parsons, S. J., Important Advances in Oncology, DeVita, V. T. Ed., J. B. Lippincott Co., Phila., 3 (1993)]. Among the growth factor receptor kinases and their proto-oncogenes that have been identified and which are targets of the compounds of this invention are the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase (EGF-R kinase, the protein product of the erbB oncogene), and the product produced by the erbB-2 (also referred to as the neu or HER2) oncogene. Since the phosphorylation event is a necessary signal for cell division to occur and since overexpressed or mutated kinases have been associated with cancer, an inhibitor of this event, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, will have therapeutic value for the treatment of cancer and other diseases characterized by uncontrolled or abnormal cell growth. For example, over expression of the receptor kinase product of the erbB-2 oncogene has been associated with human breast and ovarian cancers [Slamon, D. J. et al., Science, 244, 707 (1989) and Science, 235, 177 (1987)]. Deregulation of EGF-R kinase has been associated with epidermoid tumors [Reiss, M., et al., Cancer Res., 51, 6254 (1991)], breast tumors [Macias, A. et al., Anticancer Res., 7, 459 (1987)], and tumors involving other major organs [Gullick, W. J., Brit. Med. Bull., 47, 87 (1991)]. Because of the importance of the role played by deregulated receptor kinases in the pathogenesis of cancer, many recent studies have dealt with the development of specific PTK inhibitors as potential anti-cancer therapeutic agents [some recent reviews: Traxler, P., Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents, 8, 1599 (1998) and Bridges, A. J., Emerging Drugs, 3, 279 (1998)].
It is also known that deregulation of EGF receptors is a factor in the growth of epithelial cysts in the disease described as polycystic kidney disease [Du, J., Wilson, P. D., Amer. J. Physiol., 269 (2 Pt 1), 487 (1995); Nauta, J., et al., Pediatric Research, 37(6), 755 (1995); Gattone, V. H. et al., Developmental. Biology, 169(2), 504 (1995); Wilson, P. D. et al., Eur. J. Cell Biol., 61(1), 131, (1993)]. The compounds of this invention, which inhibit the catalytic function of the EGF receptors, are consequently useful for the treatment of this disease.
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a major pathway in the cellular signal transduction cascade from growth factors to the cell nucleus. The pathway involves kinases at two levels: MAP kinase kinases (MAPKK), and their substrates MAP kinases (MAPK). There are different isoforms in the MAP kinase family. (For review, see Seger, R.; Krebs, E. G., FASEB, 9, 726, (1995).) The compounds of this invention can inhibit the action of two of these kinases: MEK, a MAP kinase kinase, and its substrate ERK, a MAP kinase. MEK is activated by phosphorylation on two serine residues by upstream kinases such as members of the raf family. When activated, MEK catalyzes phosphorylation on a threonine and a tyrosine residue of ERK. The activated ERK then phosphorylates and activates transcription factors in the nucleus, such as fos and jun, or other cellular targets with PXT/SP sequences. ERK, a p42 MAPK, is found to be essential for cell proliferation and differentiation. Over-expression and/or over-activation of MEK or ERK has been found to be associated with various human cancers [For example, Sivaraman, V. S.; Wang, H-Y.; Nuovo, G. J. Malbon, C. C. J. Clin. Invest., 99, 1478 (1997)]. It has been demonstrated that inhibition of MEK prevents activation of ERK and subsequent activation of ERK substrates in cells, resulting in inhibition of cell growth stimulation and reversal of the phenotype of ras-transformed cells [Dudley, D. T.; Pang, L.; Decker, S. J.; Bridges, A. J.; Saltiel, A. R., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 92, 7686, (1995)]. Since, as demonstrated below, the compounds of this invention can inhibit the coupled action of MEK and ERK, they are useful for the treatment of diseases such as cancer which are characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and which, at least in part, depend on the MAPK pathway.
As mentioned above, members of the raf family of kinases phosphorylate serine residues on MEK. There are three serine/threonine kinase members of the raf family known as a-raf, b-raf and c-raf. While mutations in the raf genes are rare in human cancers, c-raf is activated by the ras oncogene which is mutated in a wide number of human tumors. Therefore inhibition of the kinase activity of c-raf may provide a way to prevent ras mediated tumor growth [Campbell, S. L., Oncogene, 17, 1395 (1998)].
The Src family of cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases consists of at least eight members (Src, Fyn, Lyn, Yes, Lck, Fgr, lck and Bik) that participate in a variety of signaling pathways [Schwartzberg, P. L., Oncogene, 17, 1463–1468, (1998)]. The prototypical member of this tyrosine kinase family is p60scr (Src). Src is involved in proliferation and migration responses in many cell types. In limited studies, Src activity has been shown to be elevated in breast, colon (˜90%), pancreatic (>90%) and liver (>90%) tumors. Greatly increased Src activity is also associated with metastasis (>90%) and poor prognosis. Antisense Src message impedes growth of colon tumor cells in nude mice [Staley et al., Cell Growth & Differentiation., 8, 269–74, (1997)], suggesting that Src inhibitors should slow tumor growth. In addition to its role in cell proliferation, Src also acts in stress response pathways, including the hypoxia response, and nude mice studies with colon tumor cells expressing antisense Src message have reduced vascularization [Ellis, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273, 1052–7 (1998)], which suggests that Src inhibitors would be anti-angiogenic as well as anti-proliferative.
In addition to its role in cancer, Src also appears to play a role in osteoporosis. Mice genetically engineered to be deficient in src production were found to exhibit osteopetrosis, the failure to resorb bone [Soriano, P., Cell, 64, 693 (1991); Boyce, B. F., J. Clin., Invest., 90, 1622 (1992)]. This defect was characterized by a lack of osteoclast activity. Since osteoclasts normally express high levels of Src, inhibition of Src kinase activity may be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis [Missbach, M., Bone, 24, 437 (1999)].
In addition to EGFr, there are several other RTKs including FGFr, the receptor for fibroblast growth factor (FGF); flk-1, also known as KDR, and flt-1, the receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); and PDGFr, the receptor for platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). The formation of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis, is essential for tumor growth. Two natural angiogenesis inhibitors, angiostatin and endostatin, dramatically inhibited the growth of a variety of solid tumors. [O'Reilly, M. S., Cell, 79, 315 (1994); O'Reilly, M. S., Nature Medicine, 2, 689 (1996); O'Reilly, M. S., Cell, 88, 277 (1997)]. Since FGF and VEGF are known to stimulate angiogenesis, inhibition of the kinase activity of their receptors should block the angiogenic effects of these growth factors. In addition, the receptor tyrosine kinases tie-1 and tie-2 also play a key role in angiogenesis [Sato, T. N., Nature, 376, 70 (1995)]. Compounds of the invention that inhibit the kinase activity of FGFr, flk-1, flt-1, tie-1 or tie-2 may inhibit tumor growth by their effect on angiogenesis. Normal angiogenesis is required in many physiological conditions such as wound healing, female reproduction and fetal development. Abnormal or pathological angiogenesis has been implicated in neoplastic diseases including solid tumor growth, metastasis, and Karposi's sarcoma; various eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration; inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis; skin diseases including psoriasis, eczema and scleroderma; as well as ulcerative colitis and childhood haemangiomas [Toi, M. et al., Breast Cancer Res. And Treat., 36, 192–204 (1995); Folkman, J., Nature Medicine, 1, 27–31 (1995); Jackson, J. R. et al., FASEB J., 11, 457–465 (1997)]. Inhibition of VEGF function has been shown to inhibit disease progression in tumors [Borgstrom, P. et al., Cancer Res., 56, 4032–4039 (1996); Kim, J. K. et al., Nature, 362, 841–844 (1993)] and retinal neovascularization [Aiello, L. P. et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 92, 10457–10461 (1995)] as well as vascular dysfunction mediated by glucose in models of diabetes [Tilton, R. G. et al., J. Clin. Invest., 99, 2192–2202 (1997)].
PDGF is a potent growth factor and chemoattractant for smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the renarrowing of coronary arteries following angioplasty is due in part to the enhanced proliferation of SMCs in response to increased levels of PDGF. Therefore, compounds that inhibit the kinase activity of PDGFr may be useful in the treatment of restenosis. In addition, since PDGF and PDGFr are overexpressed in several types of human gliomas, small molecules capable of suppressing PDGFr activity, have potential utility as anticancer therapeutics [Nister, M., J. Biol. Chem. 266, 16755 (1991); Strawn, L. M., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 21215 (1994)].
In accordance with the present invention, the tricyclic ring systems described herein will be numbered as indicated in the representative formulas below (where U=N or O or S):

No fully aromatic fused tricyclic compounds containing nicotinonitrile rings have been reported that have biological activity as inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. 3-Cyanoquinoline derivatives described in WO-9843960 have been disclosed as inhibitors of tyrosine kinase. A 3-cyanoquinoline with a 4-(2-methyl anilino) substituent having gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase inhibitory activity at high concentrations has been described [Ife R. J., et al., J. Med. Chem., 35(18), 3413 (1992)]. However, there are no references to any fully aromatic tricyclic compounds containing nicotinonitrile rings in the above publications.
In WO-9713760, a series of fused tricyclic compounds containing pyridine rings (and pyrimidines) that are reported to be inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases is disclosed. However, it is specified that the position meta to the pyridine nitrogen bears a hydrogen atom only. No compounds possessing cyano substituents at this position are claimed. In two patents: AU 8767450 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,584, 4-amino-9H-pyrido-(2,3-b)-indole-3-carboxylic acid derivatives are disclosed as anxiolytic and antidepressant agents. No corresponding 3-cyano substituents are claimed. In EP 755934, fused tricyclic compounds containing nicotinonitrile rings are disclosed as endothelin receptor antagonists. However, these derivatives do not have the unique combination of substituents contained in the compounds of the present invention. In particular, it is specified that these compounds possess aromatic substituents directly attached to the position para to the pyridine nitrogen. Such substituents are not claimed in the present invention. Similarly, a series of compounds claimed in WO 9705137 do include tricyclics containing nicotinonitrile rings, but with hydrogen or simple alkyl chains attached to the position para to the pyridine nitrogen. Such substituents are not claimed in the present invention. Several patents exist which disclose substituted quinoline compounds as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, none of which possess the 3-cyano substituent: 1. An international patent WO-9813350 describing 3-fluoroquinoline and quinoline tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 2. WO-9609294 discloses inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases that include 4-anilino quinolines with a large variety of substituents on positions 5–8 but which must also have a hydrogen atom at position 3. 3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,883 discloses quinoline derivatives that are inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases but these derivatives do not have the unique combination of substituents, including the 3-cyano group, contained in the compounds of the present invention.
In addition to the above-mentioned compounds, certain tricyclics containing pyrimidine rings are known to be inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. WO-9749688, WO-9519970, U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,683 and the previously-mentioned WO-9713760 disclose a variety of tricyclic heterocycles which are tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Other patent applications WO-9802434, WO-9730044 and EP-837063 describe quinazolines substituted at positions 5 to 8 with one or more optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic rings.
In addition to the aforementioned patent applications, a number of publications describe fused tricyclics containing 4-anilinopyrimidine rings: Rewcastle G. W., et. al., J. Med. Chem., 39, 918 (1996); Bencteux, E., et. al., J. Heterocycl. Chem., 34, 1375, (1997); Palmer B. D., et. al. J. Med Chem., 40, 1519 (1997); and Zhou, H., et. al., Book of Abstracts, 210th ACS National Meeting, Chicago, Ill., August 20–24 (1995), Issue Pt. 2, MEDI-017. There are no publications that describe fused tricyclic tricyclic compounds containing nicotinonitrile rings as PTK inhibitors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to certain protein kinase inhibitors of formula 1 having the structure:
wherein:    Ar is cycloalkyl of 3 to 7 carbon atoms, which may be optionally substituted with one or more alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or    Ar is a pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, or phenyl ring; wherein the pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, or phenyl ring may be optionally mono-, di-, or tri-substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, azido, hydroxyalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, halomethyl, alkoxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkylthio of 1–6 carbon atoms, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, benzoyl, amino, alkylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, alkanoylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoylamino of 3–8; carbon atoms, alkynoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, carbamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl of 3–13 carbon atoms, carboxyalkyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl of 3–8 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl of 1–5 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkyl of 2–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoallyl of 3–10 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkoxy of 3–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkoxy of 4–10 carbon atoms, mercapto, methylmercapto and benzoylamino; or    Ar is a bicyclic aryl or bicyclic heteroaryl ring system of 8 to 12 atoms where the bicyclic heteroaryl ring may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S wherein the bicyclic aryl or bicyclic heteroaryl ring may be optionally mono- di-, tri, or tetra-substituted with substituent(s) independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thiocarbonyl, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, azido, hydroxyalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, halomethyl, alkoxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkylthio of 1–6 carbon atoms, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, phenoxy, phenyl, thiophenoxy, benzoyl, benzyl, amino, alkylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylamino, benzylamino, alkanoylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, carboxyalkyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl of 3–8 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl of 1–5 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkyl of 2–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl of 3–10 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkoxy of 3–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkoxy of 4–10 carbon atoms, mercapto, methylmercapto, alkanoyloxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, carbamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl of 3–13 carbon atoms, and benzoylamino; or    Ar is the radical:
    A′ is a pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, or phenyl ring; wherein the pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, or phenyl ring may be optionally mono- or di-substituted with a substituent(s) independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, azido, hydroxyalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, halogen, halomethyl, alkoxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkylthio of 1–6 carbon atoms, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, phenoxy, phenyl, thiophenoxy, benzoyl, benzyl, amino, alkylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylamino, benzylamino, alkanoylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, carboxyalkyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl of 3–8 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl of 1–5 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkyl of 2–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl of 3–10 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkoxy of 3–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkoxy of 4–10 carbon atoms, mercapto, methylmercapto, alkanoyloxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, carbamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl of 3–13 carbon atoms, and benzoylamino;    T is substituted on A′ at carbon and is —NH(CH2)m—, —O(CH2)m—, —S(CH2)m—, —NR(CH2)m—, —(CH2)m—, —(CH2)mNH—, —(CH2)mO—, —(CH2)mS—, —SO(CH2)m—, —SO2(CH2)m—, —CO(CH2)m—, —(CH2)mCO—, —(CH2)mSO—, —(CH2)mSO2— or —(CH2)mNR—;    L is a phenyl ring that is optionally substituted with one, two, or three substituent(s) independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, azido, hydroxyalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, halogen, halomethyl, alkoxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkylthio of 1–6 carbon atoms, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, phenoxy, phenyl, thiophenoxy, benzoyl, benzyl, amino, alkylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylamino, benzylamino, alkanoylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, carboxyalkyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl of 3–8 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl of 1–5 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkyl of 2–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl of 3–10 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkoxy of 3–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkoxy of 4–10 carbon atoms, mercapto, methylmercapto, alkanoyloxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, carbamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl of 3–13 carbon atoms, and benzoylamino; or    L is a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl ring where the heteroaryl ring contains 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S and where the heteroaryl ring may be optionally mono- or di-substituted with substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of halogen, oxo, thiocarbonyl, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, azido, hydroxyalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, halomethyl, alkoxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkylthio of 1–6 carbon atoms, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, phenoxy, phenyl, thiophenoxy, benzoyl, benzyl, amino, alkylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylamino, benzylamino, alkanoylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoylamino of 3–8 carbon atoms, carboxyalkyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, carboalkoxyalkyl of 3–8 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl of 1–5 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkyl of 2–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl of 3–10 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkoxy of 3–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkoxy of 4–10 carbon atoms, mercapto, methylmercapto, alkanoyloxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, carbamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl of 3–13 carbon atoms, and benzoylamino;    m is 0–3;    n is 0–1;    X is NH O, S, or NR;    R is alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms;    Y and Z are both carbon or N; the ring structure of formula 1 then being a fused 5,6,6 or 6,6,6 tricycle; or one of Y and Z is N, O or S, and the other is a bond between the two end rings; the ring structure of formula 1 then being a fused 5,5,6 or 6,5,6 tricycle; or one of Y or Z is N with the other being carbon; the ring structure of formula 1 then being a fused 5,6,6 or 6,6,6 tricycle;
    A and D are each, independently, carbon, N, O, or S;    B is carbon or N;    the dashed line indicates an optional double bond;    R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, not present, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, amino, hydroxyamino, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, mercapto, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynyloxy of 2–6 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, mercaptoalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, halomethyl, alkoxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, cycloalkoxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkylthio of 1–6 carbon atoms, cycloalkylthio of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkylsulphinyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkylsulfonyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkylsulfonamido of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenylsulfonamido of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynylsulfonamido of 2–6 carbon atoms, cyano, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkenoyl of 3–7 carbon atoms, N-alkyl-N-alkenylamino of 4 to 12 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkenylamino of 6–12 carbon atoms, phenylamino, benzylamino, phenoxy, phenyl, thiophenoxy, benzyl, alkylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkenoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, alkynoyloxy of 3–8 carbon atoms, carbamoyl, N-alkylcarbamoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl of 3–13 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxymethyl group of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkenoyloxymethyl group of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkynoyloxymethyl group of 2–7 carbon atoms, azido, benzoyl, carboxyalkyl of 2–7 carbons, carboalkoxyalkyl of 3–8 carbon atoms,
    R5 is independently hydrogen, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, N-alkylaminoalkyl of 2–9 carbon atoms, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl of 3–12 carbon atoms, N-cycloalkylaminoalkyl of 4–12 carbon atoms, N-cycloalkyl-N-alkylaminoalkyl of 5–18 carbon atoms, N,N-dicycloalkylaminoalkyl of 7–18 carbon atoms, morpholino-N-alkyl wherein the alkyl group is 1–6 carbon atoms, piperidino-N-alkyl wherein the alkyl group is 1–6 carbon atoms, N-alkyl-piperazino-N-alkyl wherein either alkyl group is 1–6 carbon atoms, azacycloalkyl-N-alkyl of 3–11 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl of 2–8 carbon atoms, or phenyl;    V is (CH2)m, O, S, or NR6;    R7 is NR6R6, OR6, J, N(R6)3+, or NR6(OR6);    M is NR6, O, S, N-[(C(R6)2)pNR6R6], or N-[(C(R6)2)p—OR6];    W is NR6, O, S, or is a bond;    Het is a heterocycle selected from the group consisting of morpholine, thiomorpholine, thiomorpholine S-oxide, thiomorpholine S,S-dioxide, piperidine, pyrrolidine, aziridine, pyridine, imidazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, thiazole, thiazolidine, tetrazole, piperazine, furan, thiophene, tetrahydrothiophene, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, 1,3-dioxolane pyrrole, and tetrahydropyran; wherein the heterocycle is optionally mono- or di-substituted on carbon or nitrogen with R6; optionally mono- or di-substituted on carbon with hydroxy, —N(R6)2, or —OR6; optionally mono or di-substituted on carbon with the mono-valent radicals —(C(R6)2)sOR6 or —[(C(R6)2)sN(R6)2]; or optionally mono or di-substituted on a saturated carbon with divalent radicals ═O or —O(C(R6)2)sO—;    Ph is a phenyl ring optionally mono-, di- or tri-substituted with halogen, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, azido, halomethyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, mercapto, mercaptomethyl, —N(R6)2, —OR6, —(C(R6)2)sOR6, —[(C(R6)2)sN(R6)2], or —(C(R6)2)kHet;    R6 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, alkynyl of 2–6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, carbamoylalkyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, hydroxycycloalkyl of 3–6 carbon atoms, or carboxyalkyl of 2–7 carbon atoms; or    R6 is phenyl optionally mono-, di-, or tri-substituted with substituent(s) independently selected from halogen, alkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, amino, alkylamino of 1–3 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 2–6 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, azido, halomethyl, alkoxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxymethyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, alkylthio of 1–6 carbon atoms, hydroxy, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, phenoxy, phenyl, thiophenoxy, benzoyl, benzyl, phenylamino, benzylamino; alkanoylamino of 1–6 carbon atoms or alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms;    R8 and R9 are each, independently, —[(C(R6)2)rNR6R6], and —[(C(R6)2)r OR6];    J is independently hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, or bromine;    g=1–6;    k=0–4;    p=2–4;    q=0–4;    r=1–4;    s=1–6;    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;    provided that when
                at least one of the bonds between A and B or B and D must be a double bond, with the other being a single bond;        at least one of A, B, and D are not carbon;        only one of A, B, or D can be O or S;        when A, B, or D is O or S, the adjacent atoms must be carbon;            provided that when R5 is bound to a nitrogen atom, the resulting structures do not include —N—C—N— or —O—C—N— radicals; and when R5 is bound to an oxygen atom, the resulting structures do not include an —N—C—O— radical;    provided that when R6 is alkenyl of 2–7 carbon atoms or alkynyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, the alkenyl or alkynyl moieties are bound to a nitrogen or oxygen atom through a saturated carbon atom in the alkenyl or alkynyl chain;    provided that when V is NR6 and R7 is NR6R6, N(R6)3+, or NR6(OR6), then g=2–6;    provided that when M is O or S and R7 is OR6, then p=1–4;    provided that when V is NR6, O, S, then k=2–4;    provided that when V is O or S and M or W is O or S, then k=1–4    provided that when W is not a bond with Het bonded through a nitrogen atom then q=2–4; and    finally provided when W is a bond with Het bonded through a nitrogen atom and V is O or NR6 or S, then k=2–4.
The present invention also relates to a method for making compounds of formula 1 and methods of using the compounds of formula 1.

Abstract: which are useful as inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase and are antiproliferative agents.


A high resolution time detecting apparatus using interpolation and a time detecting method using the same are provided. The time detecting apparatus includes a delayer which generates delayed signals by sequentially delaying a reference signal using a plurality of delay elements, a latch unit which outputs latch signals using the delayed signals, and an interpolation unit which outputs interpolated signals using input and output signals of the delay elements. As a result, a high resolution TDC using an interpolation and a time detecting method using the same provide improved performance of digital PLL, high resolution digital signal output at a low power consumption, and controlled circuit size.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to detecting time, and more particularly to a high resolution time detecting apparatus using an interpolation and a time detecting method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Advanced semiconductor processing has increased speed of transistors and decreased supply voltages. As the decrease in supply voltage increases sensitivity of analog circuit, more and more circuits are designed in digital domain rather than the previous analog domain. A phase locked loop (PLL) is one example.
A PLL generally refers to the circuits that obtain stable oscillation outputs at the same frequency as a reference signal by use of a negative feedback circuit. A PLL generally includes a phase comparator that compares and detects a phase difference between an input frequency as a reference and an output from a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a low band loop filter that removes high frequency component and determines synchronization or response characteristic of a PLL, a frequency divider, and the VCO that changes frequency linearly with reference to a DC voltage applied. By the term 'phase locked,' it means that an output frequency completely matches an input frequency, except for a different phase.
However, change of analog PLL to digital brought about a problem that a high frequency signal of VCO is not converted into a digital signal to a satisfactory resolution.
As a result, a method is required, which improves performance of a digital PLL to output high resolution digital signal with low power consumption, and without compromising compactness of an integrated circuit.

High resolution time detecting apparatus using interpolation and time detecting method using the same


An opening and closing body drive device for a vehicle includes a belt frame, plural driven pulleys, a belt wounded around the plural driven pulleys and fixed with a connector with respect to an opening and closing body, a drive unit provided with an output shaft including a rotary axis which extends in a different direction from a rotary axis of each of the plural driven pulleys, and a drive pulley connected to the output shaft of the drive unit. The drive pulley includes a rotary axis extending in the different direction from the rotary axis of each of the plural driven pulleys while extending in the same direction as the rotary axis of the output shaft. The drive pulley is wound with the belt which is twisted between the driven pulleys arranged at opposing sides of the drive pulley in a circumferential direction of the belt.

A vehicle provided with a body including door opening portions at each side thereof, sliding doors opening and closing the door opening portions, and a sliding door drive device opening and closing the sliding doors is disclosed in JP2019-108740A (hereinafter referred to as Patent reference 1).
The sliding door drive device disclosed in Patent reference 1 includes a belt guide extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a drive pulley and a guide pulley supported by the belt guide so as to be rotatable therewith, a belt wound about the drive pulley and the guide pulley, a motor driving the drive pulley, a transmission mechanism transmitting power of the motor to the drive pulley, and a belt connector connecting the belt and the sliding door. The sliding door drive device opens and closes the sliding door by rotating the belt to move the belt connector forward and rearward.
The sliding door drive device disclosed in Patent reference 1 requires the transmission mechanism transmitting power of the motor to the drive pulley while changing the orientation of rotary shaft of the motor since a rotary axis of an output shaft of the motor and a rotary axis of the drive pulley intersect with to each other. This is also common to an opening and closing body drive device for a vehicle which opens and closes an opening and closing body of the vehicle other than the sliding doors.
A need thus exists for an opening and closing body drive device for a vehicle which is not susceptible to the drawback mentioned above.

Opening and closing body drive device for vehicle


The disclosure concerns a method of preparing an ink (P) which can be used for the manufacture of a functional layer (6), in particular for the manufacture of an electrode for fuel cells, which ink contains dispersely distributed particles (101, 102) forming two solid phases, with catalytic reactions being able to be activated in the manufactured functional layer on a gas/solid interface by a combined action of the two solid phases and with gaseous reactants. In a first step (1), the solid phases are formed as fine-grain particles (P1, P2) and the particles of both solid phases are dispersed in a first liquid (L1) in a mixed and homogeneously distributed manner (2). Heterogeneous conglomerates (P3) of the fine-grain particles are formed from the thereby created dispersion (D); these conglomerates are mixed to form a homogeneous ink (P), after sintering (4), by addition of a second liquid (L2) and by comminution (5), with particles formed in the first step having such a fine grain that the heterogeneous conglomerates and their fractions each contain a plurality of particles of both solid phases after comminution.

The invention relates to a method of preparing an ink which can be used for the manufacture of a functional layer, in particular for the manufacture of an electrode for fuel cells, which can be operated at medium or high temperatures. The invention also relates to such an ink, a use of this ink and to a high temperature fuel cell.
In a high temperature fuel cell (SOFC fuel cell), oxidizing gases, on the one hand, and reducing gases, on the other hand, react to electrochemically active elements while producing electrical and thermal energy. With planar fuel cells, the electrochemically active elements are formed in a film-like manner and each include the following functional layers: two electrode layers, the anode and the cathode, on which electrochemical electrode reactions take place between the gases and catalytically active substances of the electrodes, and a solid electrolyte layer which separates the electrode layers and which is a layer of an ion-conductive solid material electrolyte. In simpler embodiments of the electrochemically active element, the solid electrolyte layer forms a carrier structure for the electrode layers. The manufacture of such electrode layers is described, for example, in EP-A 0 902 493.
A high temperature fuel cell is known from DE-A-19 819 453 in which an anode substrate forms a carrier structure. An intermediate anode layer, a preferably very thin solid electrolyte layer and the layer-like cathode are applied to this carrier structure. The anode substrate and the intermediate anode layer are functional layers which are manufactured from the same electrode material, namely from a porous cermet which consists of a ceramic material YSZ (yttrium stabilized zirconium oxide) and nickel.
YSZ is also used for the solid electrolyte structure (carrier structure or layer applied by coating). In a zone at the interface between the anode and the electrolyte, the electrochemical reactions take place at so-called three-phase points (nickel/electrolyte/pore). With these electrochemical reactions, nickel atoms are oxidized by oxygen ions (O2−) of the electrolyte and these are again reduced by a gaseous fuel (H2, CO), with H2O and CO2 being formed and the electrons released in the oxidization being conducted further by the anode substrate. The nickel oxide, with which the redox processes of alternating reduction and oxidation take place, is termed an "active oxide".
The cathode is also a functional layer in which two solid phases form three-phase points together with a pore space. Oxygen molecules from the pore space react, while taking up electrons, to form oxygen ions which are passed on by the one of the solid phases to the solid electrolyte layer. The electrons are supplied to the cathode from an inter-connector which connects the electrochemically active elements of adjacent fuel cells.
The functional layers can be manufactured with an ink-like material which is applied by means of a screen printing process to a substrate, for example onto the electrolyte layer. After a drying step, the coating material is sintered onto the substrate by firing.
In order for a large turnover of the electrode reactions to result on the electrodes, these functional layers must have a large density at three-phase points. To obtain a large density, the two solid phases must be joined together in the form of very fine particles. It is possible to manufacture such particles by means of chemical processes. However, it has been found that with a manufacture of an ink, these particles cannot be mixed homogeneously. As a result of cohesion forces, homogeneous aggregations form which each consist of a large number of particles of the same solid phase. The required three-phase points only result at the borders between the aggregations.


The vibration and electrical characterization of a piezoelectric tactor actuator is described. The actuator is a rectangular laminated flat plate with two opposite sides simply supported and two others free. Under an axial compression from the supports, the plate deforms into a stressed shallow shell. Electrical high frequency harmonic signals within relatively low-frequency bursts are applied to the piezoelectric layers. Depending on the axial compression and pre-deflection, frequency and magnitude of electrical input, the tunable actuator exhibits frequency/mode-controlled high-force over large area vibrations with intense displacement jumps. A single-degree-of-freedom model and simplified 1-D models are provided. The tactor provides efficient conversion of electrical energy into mechanical.

The present invention addresses the problem of creating an effective actuator to provide tactile feedback to an individual in a high workload environment. Such an environment is represented by flight conditions which could cause spatial disorientation to a pilot, underwater navigation for a SEAL diver, or EVA missions for a space walker. In each situation, the opportunity to communicate by using the sense of feel opens an underutilized message path in addition to the conventional visual and aural techniques. The present invention relates generally to apparatus for providing tactile sensation to a user.
The complexity of the military environment places great physical and mental stress on soldiers involved in performing complex tasks. For example, aircraft pilots report that flying in conditions of poor visibility or at night can lead to spatial disorientation which may, in turn, lead to the necessity for intervention to preserve the aircraft (NAVATHE and SINGHE, 1994). RUPERT et al. (1989) and CLARK and RUPERT (1992) reviewed surveys on aircraft accidents and determined that nearly 4 to 10% of Class A mishaps ($500,000 damage or loss of life) and 10 to 20% of the fatal aircraft mishaps were a result of inadequate spatial awareness. Similar situations are found in underwater diving under conditions of poor visibility or in battlefield situations requiring attention to a large battery of sensor information.
Aircraft safety is a major concern for both the public and private sectors of the aeronautical industry. Audio contact, even if initially available, is often lost in emergency situations. Conditions which arise during emergencies, such as dense smoke, render visual cues useless. Needs exist for apparatus that allow pilots and other aircraft personnel to receive information and instructions when visual and audible aids are not available.
In environments where audio and visual information channels would only compete with data necessary for optimal performance of complex military tasks, tactile sensations can be valuable in providing an additional information channel. Tactile sensations can be used to improve the situational awareness of military personnel and to guide military personnel in the performance of tasks requiring input from external sensors and control systems. Work performed at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory (NAMRL), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and University of West Florida has demonstrated that orientation awareness can be maintained through tactile cues (RUPERT et al., 1994). Successful development of tactile interfaces to improve situational awareness requires the availability of actuators capable of providing tactile stimuli representative of the operational situation. These actuators have been termed "tactors".
A wide range of actuators have been suggested for use as tactors in improving situational awareness. These include actuators based on piezoceramic structures, linear motors, shape memory alloy materials, magnetic materials, magnetostrictive materials and variable reluctance devices. The specifications for these tactors are as variable as the operational environments for expected use but include capability to generate tactile signals of sufficient magnitude; small size; low energy consumption; low hazard of electrical shock; quiet operation for use in undersea operations; controllable signal duration, intensity and frequency to allow use by individuals having a range of tactile and discomfort thresholds.
The impetus for the use of tactile stimulation to convey information about the environment may be traced to efforts at sensory substitution in providing a tactile channel for individuals with visual or auditory impairment (BLISS et al., 1970, WEISENBERGER and RUSSELL, 1989). More recently, tactile devices have been of great interest in the development of virtual reality displays for telerobotics, remote control and simulation (DE ROSSI, 1991, BROOKS et al., 1990). The physiological basis of tactile stimulation in producing a haptic display has been reviewed by CHOLEWIAK and COLLINS (1991). Tactile sensations may be perceived by free (bare) nerve endings or by nerve endings associated with or encapsulated within accessory structures. The current state of knowledge about these receptor structures is somewhat inconclusive in identifying the specific interactions responsible for the perception of tactile stimuli, but considerable effort has been expended to understand the action and characteristics of receptors in haptic perception. The encapsulated tactile receptors include the Pacinian corpuscles, Merkel's disks, Ruffini cylinders and Meissner's corpuscles. Each of the encapsulated tactile receptors is different from the others from an anatomical standpoint with resulting differences in response.
The Pacinian corpuscles respond to vibrations with displacements as small as 0.2 .mu.m at a frequency of 250 Hz. The threshold increases for vibratory stimuli outside of the optimal frequency range. Increase in the size of the contactor decreases the threshold through an effect known as spatial summation. Non-Pacinian receptors have not been thought to exhibit spatial summation. The characteristics of probable tactile receptors are given in Table I.
The use of vibrotactile displays for sensory substitution systems has been reviewed by KACZMAREK et al.,(l 99 1) who presented a discussion of the information capacity of the tactile channel. The tactile information system may be said to possess some 10,000 parallel channels (receptors) capable of responding to stimuli as short as 10 ms, thereby providing considerable informational capacity if properly addressed. The information bandwidth of the tactile channel may vary widely among individuals. It is well known that vibrotactile stimulation thresholds vary considerably among individuals and with age. Considerable research expended toward determining the vibrotactile threshold has been reviewed by MAEDA and GRIFFIN (1994). Additional considerations in the application of tactile stimuli to improve situational awareness may be drawn from research by POST et al., (1994) who showed that the subjective intensity of suprathreshold tactile stimuli is considerably reduced during motor activity. For this reason, it is expected that higher amplitude tactile signals will be necessary to convey information to individuals engaged in active motor tasks.
The use of piezoelectric materials in actuators is reviewed by DAMJANOVIC and NEWNHAM (1992) and by NEWNHAM and RUSCHAU (1991). Typically piezo-materials displace less than 1 .mu.m under an applied electric field. To increase the displacements, several designs have been introduced in the literature such as stacks, unimorph, bimorph, and Rainbow.TM. (ELISSALDE and CROSS, 1995). Piezoelectric multilayer stacks can be fabricated by joining multiple piezoelectric rings or plates, such that the total displacement of the stack is the sum of the displacements of each individual plate. Adjacent plates are separated by inner electrodes to provide vertical displacement through the piezoelectric charge coefficients. Several hundred plates are necessary to provide total displacements on the order of 20 .mu.m (LUBITZ and HELLEBRAND, 1991).
The standard unimorph is made up of a flat piezoelectric wafer bonded to a metallic shim from one side. To increase the displacement range, the bimorph structures utilize PZT layers attached to both surfaces. The unimorph and bimorph structures usually utilize the geometry of a cantilever beam. In the bimorph, the application of an electric field across the two outer layers causes one layer to expand while the other contracts. This results in a bending motion with relatively wide displacements at the tip of the cantilever beam. In a cantilever configuration, the displacement of the tip, y, is related to the length of the cantilever, L, the applied voltage, V, and the thickness of the cantilever, h: EQU y=2L.sup.2 Vd.sub.31 /h.sup.2,
where d.sub.31 is the piezoelectric charge coefficient showing the magnitude of the strain induced in the direction of the cantilever when electrodes are applied perpendicular to the long axis of the cantilever. The magnitude of d.sub.31 is typically less than 300.times.10.sup.-12 V/m Cantilever-based piezoelectric actuators require lengths on the order of 25 mm or more to achieve a free deflection of 0.3 mm. Further increase in the displacement range may require utilizing resonance regimes.
Structurally similar to piezoelectric unimorphs, Rainbow.TM. high displacement domed buckling actuators produce displacements approximately 10 times greater than bimorphs ("Medical Equipment and Design," 1994). They support moderate loads up to 9 kg while achieving large displacements of between 0.025 and l.27 mm, however, with a relatively high voltage range of 100-500 volts.
At present, no single tactile actuator has shown the capability of meeting each of these requirements. To address this problem, American Research Corporation of Virginia (ARCOVA) has developed piezoceramic vibrotactile transducers capable of conveying tactile information to the user through layers of clothing. The overall goal of was to design and develop new vibrotactile transducers capable of safely producing adequate skin and surrounding tissue stimulus at low energy consumption.

Piezoceramic vibrotactile transducer based on pre-compressed arch


A synchronous dynamic random-access memory provides data output in response to multiplexed address signals, a first control signal, a second control signal, and a clock signal, includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells. Address input circuitry latches the address signals on a first transition of the clock signal selected by the first control signal to generate an X-address, and on a second transition of the clock signal selected by the second control signal to generate a Y-address. Decoding circuitry coupled to the memory cell array and the address input circuitry selects one or more memory cells in the memory cell array according to the X-address and the Y-address. Output circuitry coupled to the memory cell array outputs data from the memory cells in synchronization with the clock signal.

This invention relates to a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) that operates in synchronization with a clock signal, thus being suitable for integration into microcontrollers and application-specific integrated circuits.
A microcontroller, for example, generally comprises a central processing unit, read-only memory, random-access memory, and other modules integrated onto a single semiconductor chip. Operations of all on-chip circuits are synchronized by a system clock signal. In the past, the random-access memory has generally been of the static type (SRAM), which has a simple control scheme permitting rapid access and can easily be synchronized to the system clock. For many purposes it would be desirable to use DRAM, which takes up less space and dissipates less power than SRAM, but the more complex control required by DRAM has been an obstacle.
In prior-art DRAM, the timing of address input and data output is determined by a plurality of control signals. Even if these control signals are generated by the central processing unit in synchronization with the system clock, because of unavoidable fabrication variations in circuit elements, synchronization between the system clock and DRAM input and output operations will be inaccurate. Inaccurate synchronization must be allowed for by employing a low clock frequency, which of course limits the speed of the entire device.

Synchronous dynamic random access memory


A method and system for motion control of movers in an independent cart system is disclosed. In one implementation, the independent cart system includes a plurality of movers, a track including a path, and a controller coupled to the track. Each of the plurality of movers includes at least one drive magnet, and each track segment includes a plurality of drive coils and a drive coupled to the plurality of drive coils. The controller defines a queue zone for the path, the queue zone having one or more target positions; defines a circular pointer queue for the queue zone; associating the circular pointer queue with the one or more target positions of the queue zone; circulating the circular pointer queue when a lead mover leaves the queue zone; and moves the movers through the queue zone based on the circular pointer queue.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to independent cart technology (ICT) and, more specifically, to a method and system for motion control of movers in independent cart systems.
An independent cart system (ICS) can be used in a wide variety of processes (e.g. packaging, manufacturing, and machining). ICSs can provide advantages over conventional conveyor belt systems with enhanced flexibility, extremely high-speed movement, and mechanical simplicity. Successive activation of electric coils establishes a moving electromagnetic field that interacts with magnets of a mover (also referred to as a cart) and causes the mover to travel along a track. Sensors may be spaced at fixed positions along the track and/or on the mover to provide information about the position and speed of the mover. An ICS typically includes a plurality of independently controlled movers.
In some typical systems, the track forms a closed path over which each mover repeatedly travels. At certain positions along the track, other actuators (e.g., part of a robotic system) may interact with each mover. For example, the mover or a group of movers may be stopped at a loading station at which a first actuator places a product on the mover(s). The mover(s) may then be moved along a process portion of the track where various other actuators may fill, machine, position, or otherwise interact with the product on the mover. The mover(s) may be programmed to stop at various locations or to move at a controlled speed past each of the actuators. After the various processes are performed, the mover(s) may pass or stop at an unloading station at which the product is removed from the mover. The mover(s) then completes a cycle along the closed path by returning to the loading station to receive another unit of the product. The ICS and the external actuator(s) collectively form an automated transport system.
ICSs are relatively new to the industrial market. Early adopters quickly discovered that a different motion programming solution from non-ICT applications was required for successful implementation. Initial software solutions became large and complex due to strategies that involved movers monitoring the location and movement of neighboring movers then planning motion based on this information. If delays occurred while calculating this information (e.g., due to processor performance constraints), then collisions may result. With systems containing over forty movers (i.e., over forty motion axes), processing delays using prior approaches are inevitable. The problem is increased when the primary machine controller is performing a multitude of other machine functions. The resulting motion of the movers in a particular queue zone may exhibit a "caterpillar effect." This "caterpillar effect" is when motion occurs on any cart and there's a noticeable lag on the trailing mover's initiation of motion. This "caterpillar effect" creates delays, creates motion that appears erratic, and ultimately affects machine throughput.
With high speeds (e.g., over three hundred parts per minute), accurate decision making helps manage these zones and prevent collisions. A simpler, more robust, and quickly deployable method of managing the ICS is needed. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved method and system for motion control of movers in ICSs.

Automated independent cart system and method of controlling operation of a plurality of movers of the automated independent cart system


A pet toy launching system for use with mobile devices includes a ball launcher, a dog-wearable sensing apparatus, a ball or other projectile, a mobile device, and one or more sensors. Each of the ball launcher, the dog-wearable sensing apparatus, and the ball or other projectile includes a transmitter. Each sensor is disposed in, and is electrically connected to the transmitter in, one of the ball launcher, the dog-wearable sensing apparatus, and/or the ball. The mobile device communicates with at least one of the ball launcher, the dog-wearable sensing apparatus, and/or the ball. The application software program presents a user interface, to a user, such that a game may be carried out, via the application software program, when the dog-wearable sensing apparatus is worn by a dog and the ball launcher is utilized to launch the ball or other projectile for the dog to retrieve.

Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates generally to software and electronic devices for enhancing interaction between a dog and its owner, and, in particular, to a pet toy launching system and method for use with mobile devices.
Background
Dogs enjoy fetching objects, including sticks, balls, Frisbees, and/or just about anything their human parents (owners) throw to them in fetch play.
Tennis balls are one of the dog industry products used most frequently by pet owners in playing fetch with their dogs. Specific devices have been invented for dog owners to throw or launch a tennis ball in fetch play. Such devices include the Bark N Bat®, available from Hyper Products of Wichita, Kans., the Chuckit!®, available from Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc. dba Petmate® of Arlington, Tex.; the iFetch® Ball Launcher, available from iFetch, LLC of Austin, Tex.; the Wood Chuck® Dog Ball Thrower, available from Planet Ventures, Inc. of Westbrook, Me.; the GoDogGo® Fetch Machine, available from Thompson Concept and Design, Inc. of Gig Harbor, Wash.; and other such manual or mechanical ball launching devices. These devices are used during dog fetch play and typically provide hands free pick-up of a ball, can throw a ball great distances and help with exercising the dog with repetitive and long distance running and fetching.
However, with all the activity and play that occurs during fetching, there does not exist a product which tracks throw and fetch data nor includes gamification of fetch play. With the advent of wireless communication, such as Bluetooth, data can be generated during fetch play via sensors, which can integrate and operate a software program located on a smartphone, computer or the internet.

Pet toy launching system and method for use with mobile devices


An integrated circuit using conductive interconnects made of aluminum or a material consisting chiefly of aluminum. Defects due to hillocks and whiskers are prevented. The integrated circuit is composed of TFTs. Gate interconnects are made of aluminum. Before a metallization film for forming the gate interconnects is patterned, slits are formed in locations where crosstalks and shorts are likely to occur by generation of hillocks and whiskers. The surfaces inside the slits are anodized. The conductive interconnects are formed, using the locations provided with the slits. In this way, during the anodization, unwanted stress is prevented. Furthermore, it is unlikely that a required electric current cannot be supplied for the anodization because of excessive complexity of the interconnection pattern.

As design rules decrease, it becomes more difficult to form stripes of metallization. Also, as device sizes become smaller, the resistance of each conductive interconnect itself can no longer be neglected. Therefore, it has been required that each conductive interconnect be made of a material having a minimum resistance available. Examples of the metallization material having small resistance include aluminum and materials consisting mainly of aluminum.
However, where stripes of metallization are made of a metallic material consisting principally of aluminum, the aluminum component grows abnormally, thus deforming the stripes of metallization with undesired convex surface protrusions. These are usually called hillocks and whiskers. Furthermore, undesired shapes are created.
These hillocks and whiskers are produced during heating for formation of films, during heating for ashing of resist (removal of resist by an oxygen plasma), and during heating induced by laser irradiation used for annealing.
The hillocks are produced by abnormal growth of aluminum. In particular, when aluminum components grow abnormally locally, the locally growing portions collide against each other, thus resulting in convex protrusions. The whiskers are needle-like or rectangular protrusions produced by abnormal growth of aluminum. The causes of the hillocks and whiskers are not understood exactly, but it is considered that some impurities in the aluminum or nonuniformity of the crystalline structure of the aluminum induces them.
These hillocks and whiskers grow over lengths of several micrometers and, therefore, where an integrated circuit comprising a number of conductive interconnects and components spaced only several micrometers from each other is fabricated, the hillocks and whiskers are great impediments.
One method of suppressing the hillocks and whiskers is to add a trace amount of a rare-earth element, silicon, or other element to the aluminum. However, where the element is heated to a temperature exceeding about 400.degree. C., hillocks and whiskers are again produced.
Moreover, there is an increasing demand for formation of aluminum interconnects such as gate interconnects in the early stage of the fabrication process. In this case, the problems of the hillocks and whiskers cause more serious results, because the aluminum interconnects are unavoidably frequently subjected to heating during heating steps of the process or during other steps inevitably involving heating such as ion implantation.
The hillocks and whiskers are problematic because the distance between vertically or horizontally spaced conductive interconnects might be shorted by them. As design rules and interconnect pitch diminish, this problem becomes more conspicuous. Especially, where the interconnect pitch is reduced below 2 .mu.m, shorting of adjacent conductive interconnects and shorting of vertically adjacent conductive interconnects due to lateral hillocks and whiskers pose problems.
In locations where conductive interconnects existing in different layers intersect each other, it is necessary to form an interlayer dielectric film (made of a silicon oxide film, for example) on the lower layer of metallization and to form the upper layer of metallization on the interlayer dielectric film. In this case, if the step coverage of the interlayer dielectric film is not good, then the upper layer of metallization will break at the step or local resistance increases will be induced. If a metallization layer made of aluminum or a material consisting mainly of aluminum is formed, followed by formation of an interlayer dielectric film, and if the second layer of metallization is subsequently formed, then the step coverage of the interlayer dielectric film is deteriorated by the hillocks and whiskers inevitably produced as mentioned above. As a result, the second layer of metallization formed on the interlayer dielectric film breaks at the step or present other problems.
Another technique for solving this problem has been proposed. Specifically, conductive interconnects are formed from a metallic material capable of being anodized such as aluminum. Using the interconnects as anodes, an anodization process is carried out. An anodic oxide film is formed on the exposed surfaces of the conductive interconnects. For example, where the conductive interconnects are made of aluminum or a material consisting principally of aluminum, an oxide film made of aluminum or a material consisting mainly of aluminum is formed on the top and side surfaces of the interconnects. This strengthens the top and side surfaces of the interconnects, thus suppressing the generation of the hillocks and whiskers.
However, in order to effect the anodization, a pattern different from the actual circuit interconnection pattern must be formed. After the anodization, the required conductive pattern must be created by etching techniques to make it possible to supply electrical current to every conductive interconnect. This means an increase in the number of manufacturing steps and hence not desirable. Especially, the former patterning step is performed after formation of the circuit conductive interconnects and so unwanted etching tends to occur. Consequently, this is not desirable from a view point of manufacturing yield.
In addition, as design rules and linewidths decrease, stress induced during anodization often causes conductive interconnects to be deformed and break. The problem especially becomes more conspicuous where the geometry of the conductive interconnects becomes more complex.
Further, as design rules and linewidths decrease, a voltage drop caused during anodization by the conductive interconnect resistance produces an effect. That is, as the voltage drops, the thickness of the formed anodic oxide film is varied.
This problem may be solved by increasing the cross-sectional area of each conductive interconnect to more than needed so as to alleviate the voltage drop during the anodization due to the conductive interconnect resistance. However, increasing the cross-sectional area of the interconnects hinders increasing the circuit integration density.
Anodic oxidation techniques can prevent hillocks and whiskers where conductive interconnects or electrodes are formed from aluminum or a material consisting mainly of aluminum. However, the aforementioned various problems take place. Besides aluminum, conductive materials capable of being anodized such as tantalum are known. The above-described problems again occur where these materials are used.

Integrated circuit and method of fabricating the same


This invention is a system and method for preparing workload data that may be accessed in a data storage environment and then replayed for testing or other reasons. The invention has the capability to prepare a trace of I/Os to a data storage system for an extended period of time for replaying these I/Os back to that or another system. Variables may also be manipulated through a preparation process and is particularly useful for customizing benchmarking tests, or consolidation, or trouble-shooting, or capacity planning.

Testing the workload environment of a data storage environment including at least one data storage system and at least one software application operating on a host computer in communication with the data storage system is a complex task. It often requires that the business have a separate test-bed that contains a duplicate set of hardware where such tests take place. Large companies such as telecommunications companies, airlines, banks, and insurance companies routinely populate a test lab with a large amount of equipment including software applications for emulating production conditions. Other companies rely on vendors providing systems and software to run tests for them but sometimes the various vendors are unable to replicate the myriad of configurations that a particular customer may encounter within their own data storage environment.
The actual execution of application load-tests requires that a copy of the production database(s) be loaded on the storage systems and that a workload driver be created to generate either batch jobs or transactions that attempt to duplicate the production workload. Setup times and the analysis of the test results make such an effort extremely complex and limits such activities to only very few businesses that can afford the time and personnel costs.
The complexity of such a task often reduces these tests to various levels of simplicity where the results do not reflect the actual application. Furthermore, it becomes even more complicated to experiment with alternative configurations and map them onto the production system. Add to this the common requirement to see the effect of multiple applications on the same storage system and the problem is even further compounded.
Data Storage owners who try to shortcut this effort often resort to general-purpose Input/Output (I/O) drivers that are available in the marketplace. Such drivers do not attempt to duplicate an existing workload. They simply provide the user with the ability to specify a specific stream of I/Os to specific data volumes or logical devices.
It would be an advancement in the computer arts, and particularly the data storage arts to have a solution that could duplicate a workload in a data storage environment but would reduce the complexity of existing systems. Further, if such a solution significantly increased the accuracy and flexibility of such tests that would also be a significant advantage over prior art techniques.
One area wherein duplicated workloads are useful is that of benchmark testing. But prior art benchmarking approach in storage industry has been running static (i.e., canned), idealized, uniform IO workloads. However, in many cases these benchmarks have no bearing to the actual environment on which benchmark results are desired. It would be an advancement in the arts to provide an invention with a new methodology for benchmarking storage by replaying exact IO trace of customer traces in different storage hardware and software platforms. It would be a further advancement if such a solution could customize the benchmark workload based on customers' real production workload.
It would also be an advancement in the computer arts if an invention having the advantages above was also capable of being used comparing alternative algorithms from a performance perspective. It would also be advantageous if such an invention could be used for consolidation and capacity planning, i.e. allowing engineers to size new implementations with workload data collected from existing storage implementations.
Further it would be advantageous to have an invention that could be used for problem recreation and troubleshooting by recreating the problem workload and carrying out various "what-if" scenarios.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for preparation of workload data for replaying in a data storage environment


A system and method for generating a program to enable reassignment of data items among processors in a massively-parallel computer to effect a predetermined rearrangement of address bits. The computer has a plurality of processing elements, each including a memory. Each memory includes a plurality of storage locations for storing a data item, each storage location within the computer being identified by an address, comprising a plurality of address bits having a global portion comprising a processing element identification portion and a local portion identifying the storage location within the memory of the particular processing element. The system generates a program to facilitate use of a predetermined set of tools to effect a reassignment of data items among processing elements and storage location to, in turn, effect a predetermined rearrangement of address bits. The system includes a global processing portion and a local processing portion. The global processing portion generates a global program portion to enable use of the tools to effect a reassignment of data items as among said processing elements to, in turn, effect a rearrangement of the global portion of said address bits. The local processing portion generates a local program portion to enable use of the tools to effect a reassignment of data items as among storage locations within said processing elements to, in turn, effect a rearrangement of the local portion of said address bits.

To increase processing speed, computer systems have been developed including a plurality of processors operating generally concurrently on one or several programs. Various types of such multiple-processor computer systems have been developed. In one type of system, generally identified as "SIMD" (single instruction stream/multiple data stream), all of the processors are controlled in tandem, and generally in lockstep, by a host computer. A typical SIMD system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,400, issued Jul. 1, 1986, to W. Daniel Hillis, for Method and Apparatus For Routing Message Packets (hereinafter the "400 patent") and assigned to the assignee of the present application. In the system described in the '400 patent, the host computer broadcasts instructions to the processors, which execute them in parallel on their separate streams of data. The various processors in the system described in the '400 patent are interconnected by a routing network, which permits them to transfer messages, including data, also in parallel under control of the host computer. In a typical SIMD system, the processors operate in synchronism, with the synchronization of the processors being maintained through the issuance of the instructions by the host computer.
Another type of multiple-processor system, generally identified as "MIMD" (multiple instruction stream/multiple data stream), may not have an explicit host computer or central point of control. Instead, the processors execute their own individual programs, comprising separate instruction streams, on their individual data streams. The processors in a MIMD system are typically interconnected by a router over which each processor can exchange information, generally in the form of messages addressed to one or more of the other processors. If the system does not have a central point of control, the processors can synchronize by exchanging messages.
Recently, hybrids of the SIMD and MIMD systems have been developed in which the processors may be loosely controlled by commands from a host computer. In response to a command in such "S/MIMD" (synchronous MIMD) or "M/SIMD" (multiple SIMD) systems, the processors may execute one or a series of instructions on their individual items of data, with the particular series of instructions depending on, inter alia, the processors' individual programming and the results of their processing in response to previous commands.
Multiple-processor computer systems are also generally designed around two diverse memory models, namely, a shared memory model and a distributed memory model. In a shared memory model, memory, which stores data to be processed by the processors, is connected to all of the processors on a substantially equal basis. Typically, the processors are connected to a common memory through a memory access network. Which generally permits each processor to have access to memory on an equal basis. In a distributed memory model, each processor has an associated memory which stores data that the processor will be processing at any particular point in the program. The processor/memory combinations, generally termed herein "processing elements," are interconnected by a routing network to permit data to be transferred there among as may be required by the program. An example of a routing network is described in the aforementioned '400 patent. A particular multiple-processor system may be designed as a hybrid of these models, in which some portion of the memory may be assigned to each processor, either as a cache or as system memory.
In a computer system, each memory location for storing a data item is identified by an address comprising a plurality of address bits. In a parallel computer system, each address may further include a plurality of high-order bits which essentially comprises a processor identifier, which identifies the processor in whose memory the storage location is located. In some multiple-processor computer systems, such as disclosed in the aforementioned '400 patent, the processors may also be divided into a plurality of processor nodes, each of which includes a predetermined number of processors. In that case, the address bits for a particular storage location comprise a high-order portion identifying a particular processor node, an intermediate portion identifying a processor within the processor node, and a low-order portion identifying a particular storage location in that processor's memory.
In processing many types of programs on, in particular, systems designed according to the distributed memory model, it is often necessary to first assign data to processors in a particular pattern, or geometry. At various points in a program, it may be desirable, or even necessary, to change the pattern by which the data is assigned to the respective processors, as well as the pattern by which the data is stored within the respective processors' memories. The assignment pattern is generally determined by the programmer, either explicitly or implicitly in the program. The programmer may change the data assignment pattern as needed to enhance the processing speed of the program. Such reassignments typically involve rearrangements of selected ones of the address bits.
An example of such a reassignment is a matrix transpose. In a matrix, each matrix element is identified by an element identifier (a.sub.M, . . . , a.sub.N, a.sub.N-1, . . . a.sub.0), where "a.sub.M, . . . , a.sub.N " represents a series of bits that identify the column of the matrix element, and "a.sub.N-1, . . . a.sub.0 " represents a series of bits that identify the row of the matrix element. In a matrix transpose, the matrix elements are rearranged such that the rows and columns are interchanged, essentially flipping the matrix around its diagonal. When that occurs, the row and column portions of each element identifier are interchanged to (a.sub.N-1, . . . a.sub.0, a.sub.M, . . . , a.sub.N). In one typical arrangment of a two-dimensional matrix on a parallel processor, the elements in various columns of the matrix are assigned to various ones of the processors. The memory associated with each processor stores elements in successive rows, in the column assigned to it, in successive storage locations. In that case, the column identifier portion of the element identifier, "a.sub.M, . . . , a.sub.N " can also serve to identify the processor, and the row portion, "a.sub.N-1, . . . , a.sub.0 " the storage location, which stores a particular matrix element. In performing a transpose, the processor identifiers and storage location identifiers for each matrix element are interchanged, essentially meaning that the successive matrix elements stored by each processor are distributed to all of the processors, and each processor has a matrix element previously maintained by each of the processors. The aforementioned Edelman application describes an arrangement for performing such a transpose operation efficiently in a parallel processor in which the processing elements are interconnected by a routing network in the form of a hypercube.

Method and system for generating a program to facilitate rearrangement of address bits among addresses in a massively parallel processor system


A basic cell circuit architecture having plurality of cells with fixed transistors configurable for the formation of logic devices and/or single/dual port memory devices within a structured ASIC is provided. Different configurations of ensuing integrated circuits are achieved by forming variable interconnect layers above the fixed structures. The circuit architecture can achieve interconnection of transistors within a single cell and/or across multiple cells. The interconnection can be configured to form basic logic gates as well as more complex digital and analog subsystems. In addition, each cell contains a layout of transistors that can be variably coupled to achieve a memory device, such as a SRAM device. By having the capability of forming either a logic circuit element, a memory device, or both, the circuit architecture is both memory-centric and logic-centric, and more fully adaptable to modern-day SoCs.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to integrated circuits and, more particularly, to cell based integrated circuit architecture that is configurable for the formation of logic devices and/or single/dual port memory devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art by virtue of their inclusion within this section.
An integrated circuit generally includes the interconnection of various circuit elements. Those circuit elements include transistors, resistors, capacitors, logic gates, flip-flops, registers, etc. In order to achieve functionality, the various circuit elements must be interconnected with attention given to where those elements are relative to each other. In particular, performance of an integrated circuit is affected by where the elements are connected and the interconnect length between elements. As such, optimal performance of circuit elements is generally dictated by the "layout" of the integrated circuit. Often, however, a tradeoff between performance and cost exists for layout considerations. For example, in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), placement of elements and the interconnection therebetween is unique to that particular integrated circuit design. That is, layout is performed on a chip-by-chip basis and cannot be easily modified whenever a design change is needed for that particular product. An ASIC thereby enjoys the benefits of high performance, but also has a fairly high non-recurring recurring expense each time a design change is needed.
At the opposite end of the spectrum from ASIC designs is the more versatile gate array concept. A typical gate array consists of pre-designed circuit units or cells that are wired together to rapidly implement the final integrated circuit customer-specific functionality. The pre-designed circuit elements are called basic cells that, when interconnected, becomes the macro cell building blocks for the final integrated circuit product. The functionality of the final integrated circuit is thereby dictated by the interconnection of the macro cells. Gate array technology allows the pre-designed circuit unit to be fixed and need not change from one final circuit design to the next. In this manner, the design change can be implemented on the variable fabrication layers, yet the fixed layers will remain the same. Placement of interconnection that can vary depending on the intended circuit design adds configurability (or reconfigurability) to the gate array design. Thus, the concept of "fixed" and "variable" cell design of gate array technology offers a lower non-recurring expense if any design change is needed. Gate array technology generally allows changes to be made in the field to implement what is known as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs unfortunately have lower performance and higher power consumption relative to ASIC designs.
A special form of ASIC, known as structured or platform ASIC, serves somewhat as a compromise between FPGAs and standard ASICs. Similar to gate arrays, structured ASICs implement basic cells that are interconnected to form circuit elements. However, structured ASICs are not programmed in the field as in FPGAs, nor do structured ASICs consist of pre-designed circuit elements (e.g., logic gates, flip-flops, registers, etc.) that are wired together to form the integrated circuit. Instead, structured ASIC technology utilizes cells having a fixed pattern of transistors that are configurable for forming circuit elements with overlying variable interconnect layers. While structured ASICs have better performance and lower power consumption than gate arrays and have a lower non-recurring expense relative to standard ASICs, structured ASICs nonetheless have limitations as to what type of integrated circuit they can form. In particular, conventional structured ASICs are generally limited to forming logic circuits, such as NAND gates, NOR gates, etc. However, with the advent of greater integration and the use of system-on-chip (SoC) technology, modern designs mandate that the final integrated circuit contain more than just logic gates.
It would be desirable to implement a structured ASIC that can be reconfigured as logic gates, registers, flip-flops, and all other logic circuitry, as well as or in addition to memory. It would also be desirable to introduce a structured ASIC that can achieve a single port or dual port memory cell occupying a minimal amount of substrate space.

Basic cell architecture for structured application-specific integrated circuits


A display apparatus includes a display panel including a display area in which a plurality of pixels is disposed and a non-display area adjacent to the display area. A plurality of dummy patterns extends in a first direction and is disposed in a predetermined area of the display area and a predetermined area of the non-display area at a boundary area between the display area and the non-display area. A plurality of color filters extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the display area to overlap with the pixels arranged in the second direction. A predetermined area of the color filters disposed adjacent to the non-display area in the second direction is partially overlapped with a corresponding dummy pattern.

1. Field of Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a display apparatus capable of preventing peeling of a color filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a display apparatus includes gate lines receiving gate signals, data lines receiving data voltages, pixels connected to the gate lines and the data lines, and color filters providing colors to the pixels.
Each of the pixels receives the data voltage through a corresponding data line of the data lines in response to the gate signal provided through a corresponding gate line of the gate lines. The pixels display gray scales corresponding to the data voltages. The color filters provide colors to light transmitting through the pixels. Thus, desired images are displayed by the pixels.


A system for the display and editing of scheduled tasks and timeslots represented in the form of user interface elements embedded in the calendar regions of the graphical user interface of electronic calendaring systems. It provides structures and methods for editing schedule data in the form of individual tasks and timeslots, sub-groups of tasks and timeslots, and related collections of scheduled tasks and timeslots. It provides for the automated generation of scheduled tasks and timeslots information using a template structure, thereby reducing the amount of decisions and key strokes required for the user to generate and load into their personal calendars a predefined program of recurring tasks and timeslots. Methods are employed to minimize routine program maintenance requirements. In particular, a structure is provided which allows scheduled tasks information to be defined in such a way that particular tasks may be added or removed from a user's schedule either after predefined intervals of time, or, dynamically in response to changes in a predefined metric such as might be used to measure a user's skill level or efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the display, editing, and automated generation of scheduled tasks within an electronic calendaring system.
2. Description of Related Background Art
Electronic calendaring systems have become a common and essential tool for organizing one's personal and business affairs. These systems enable users of all ages and occupations to quickly and easily monitor tasks and appointments, coordinate assignments and meetings with others, and, do so over a variety of computer systems and devices asynchronously and with little to no technical support. The newest of these systems encompass an array of related functions: to-do list functions, phone books, notes, journals, electronic mail, wireless communications, and, recently, integration of these functions into mobile phones and hand-held GPS devices.
Given their wide-spread availability, intuitive interface, and high degree of integration with other applications and services, electronic calendars represent an attractive platform for supporting automated scheduling of programs of timeslots and tasks for small groups of users. Several challenges must be addressed, however.
First, an improved method for displaying tasks in electronic calendars is needed. From a visual perspective, tasks are weakly integrated into the calendar regions of current electronic calendars. The convention is for tasks to be displayed in a separate region of the user interface with little or no reference to a completion date, start date, work period, or timescale. When dates are present, the systems often do not allow the user to specify start and end times, just dates. Users do have the option of inputting task information in the form of an appointment or event object, thereby displaying a particular task as a time-bound graphical object in the user's calendar, but, this work-around is cumbersome to manage for more than a small number of tasks.
Second, new editing methods are needed to efficiently manage the increased volume and levels of detail which are introduced along with the display of multiple timeslots, tasks, and even sub-groups or other intermediate hierarchies.
Finally, a relatively powerful template program item generation method is needed. Set-up costs, maintenance costs, and program change costs are likely to be too high with simple template mechanisms to ensure a viable market for products of this type. What are needed instead are template mechanisms which minimize the number of templates required to support large and diverse user groups, which facilitate the exchange of templates among users, and which allow template designers to anticipate normal changes in a user's circumstances or requirements over the course of following a particular template program.

Grouping and displaying multiple tasks within an event object of an electronic calendar