A service providing apparatus transmits, at a short distance, priority control data which indicates that the priority level of a short distance wireless communication of itself for providing service data is higher than the priority level of a short distance wireless communication among mobile game apparatuses. A mobile game apparatus transmits or receives a communication request to set another mobile game apparatus as a counterpart of the short distance wireless communication. The mobile game apparatus also receives service data from the service providing apparatus. The mobile game apparatus attempts to receive priority control data, and when receiving the priority control data, prohibits the short distance wireless communication with other mobile game apparatuses.

Conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-009166 (hereinafter, referred to as "patent document 1") and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-103151 (hereinafter, referred to as "patent document 2"), there is a technology for allowing a plurality of apparatuses to wirelessly communicate with each other for playing a game or for downloading a game program. For example, a mobile wireless network game apparatus disclosed in patent document 1 can wirelessly communicate with another such game apparatus to play a communication game. A network game system disclosed in patent document 2 allows a mobile telephone terminal to download a game program from a server, or allows a plurality of mobile telephone terminals to play a communication game.
When a plurality of wireless communications influence each other; for example, when a plurality of wireless communications are performed in the same frequency band or in frequency bands influencing each other, a wireless communication for distributing a game program or data to a game apparatus is crossed, or influenced in other ways, with a wireless communication for allowing a plurality of game apparatuses to play a communication game. As a result, the communications are made difficult. With the technology disclosed in patent document 1 or 2, when, for example, there are a wireless communication for distributing a game program or data to a game apparatus from a server, and also a wireless communication for allowing users to play a communication game in the same frequency band, the wireless communication for the distribution may be made difficult.
Especially in a game show venue, a store or the like, a game program or data is occasionally distributed to game apparatuses of users wirelessly. At such a site, a great number of users play a communication game with their game apparatuses using the same frequency band as the wireless distribution. In such a case, the wireless communication for the distribution and the wireless communication for the game influence each other. As a result, the distribution of the game program or the like may be made difficult by the wireless communication for the game.
Even when the wireless communication for distributing the game program is not performed, if a communication game having a higher priority level and a communication game having a lower priority level are played in the same frequency band or in frequency bands influencing each other, the wireless communication for the communication game having the higher priority level may be made difficult because the communications are crossed with each other.
Therefore, a feature of certain exemplary embodiments is to solve at least one of the problems described above and thus provide a wireless communication system capable of performing a wireless communication with priority.
Certain exemplary embodiments have the following aspects to attain the object mentioned above. The reference numerals, step numbers (each step number is represented with "S" and the number) and the like in parentheses in this section of the specification indicate the correspondence with the exemplary embodiments described later and are not intended to be limiting.
A first aspect of certain exemplary embodiments is directed to a wireless communication system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses (1) for wirelessly communicating with each other at a short distance and a service providing apparatus (1) for wirelessly transmitting service data to the plurality of mobile game apparatuses at a short distance. The service providing apparatus comprises service data transmission means (S108) and priority control data transmission means (transmitting a parent apparatus beacon frame in S37 and S105). The service data transmission means wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, first identification information (transmitter ID), which is identification information of itself, to the mobile game apparatuses, receives a communication request wirelessly transmitted at a short distance to itself from at least one of the mobile game apparatuses which received the first identification information, and wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, the service data to the at least one mobile game apparatus. The priority control data transmission means wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, first priority control data (priority level) indicating that a priority level of the short distance wireless transmission of the service data by itself is higher than a priority level of the short distance wireless communication among the mobile game apparatuses. The mobile game apparatuses each comprises first processing means (S35 through S45), second processing means (S47, S51), third processing means (S49), priority control data receiving means (S64, S83, S87), determination means (S66, S68, S84, S88, S90, S94), and prohibition means (S70, S74 through S78, S84, S88, S97). The first processing means wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, second identification information, which is identification information of itself, receives a communication request wirelessly transmitted at a short distance to itself from at least one of the other mobile game apparatuses which received the second identification information, and sets the at least one other mobile game apparatus as a communication counterpart. The second processing means receives the second identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from at least one of the other mobile game apparatuses and thus confirms the at least one other mobile game apparatus located in a communicable area, wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, the communication request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus represented by the received second identification information, and sets the at least one other mobile game apparatus as a communication counterpart. The third processing means receives the first identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from the service providing apparatus and thus confirms the service providing apparatus located in the communicable area, wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, the communication request to the service providing apparatus represented by the received first identification information, and receives the service data from the service providing apparatus. The priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the first priority control data. The determination means determines whether or not the first priority control data has been received. The prohibition means prohibits the short distance wireless communication with the at least one other mobile game apparatus when the first priority control data has been received.
The above-mentioned performance of short distance wireless communication encompasses, for example, execution of a communication game via a short distance wireless communication, and transmission of a game program or data from one apparatus to another apparatus. The service providing apparatus may wirelessly distribute a game program or game data to a service target apparatus, or may be an ASP (Application Service Provider) for providing service data. To the first identification information transmitted from the service providing apparatus, information representing the name of the service providing apparatus or the name of the service may be attached. The mobile game apparatus which received the first identification information may display such information attached to the first identification information on a display section of the apparatus and allow a user thereof to select whether or not to receive the service by an input on an operation section, before making the communication request.
The first priority control data may be included in transmission information constantly transmitted, such as a beacon frame. The first priority control data may be transmitted when the wireless communication for providing service data is to be prioritized (regardless of whether or not the service providing apparatus is in the state of providing service data). Alternatively, the first priority control data may be transmitted only when the service providing apparatus is in the state of providing service data. The "state of providing service data" may be any one of, or a combination of at least two of: (1) a state where the service providing apparatus is providing service or accepting a request for service, (2) a state where the service providing apparatus is transmitting its own identification information, (3) a state where a mobile game apparatus has requested the service providing apparatus to provide service data, or the service providing apparatus has issued a permission on such a request, and (4) a state where the service providing apparatus is actually transmitting service data to the mobile game apparatus (a state where a wireless communication has been started between the service providing apparatus and the mobile game apparatus). The first priority control data may be transmitted together with the first identification information. In this case, the mobile game apparatus may receive the first identification information transmitted from the service providing apparatus, specify the service providing apparatus based on the first identification information, and request the service providing apparatus to provide service data.
The priority control data transmission means may be included in another apparatus included in the wireless communication system, instead of the service providing apparatus. The first priority control data may be transmitted by another communication means between the service providing apparatus and the mobile game apparatus, instead of the short distance wireless transmission. A first game apparatus including the first processing means and a second game apparatus including the second processing means may be provided.
The identification information may be transmitted by a short distance wireless transmission in the form of (1) or (2).
(1) Identification information of itself is transmitted by broadcast. For example, the service providing apparatus or the mobile game apparatus may perform a wireless communication based on the IEEE802.11 standards. When a beacon frame is transmitted as above, the identification information of itself may be transmitted on the beacon frame.
(2) Identification information of itself is transmitted in accordance with an identification information transmission request from another apparatus (e.g., a probe request when a wireless communication based on the IEEE802.11 standards is performed).
The priority control data receiving means may scan the first priority control data currently transmitted at a predetermined frequency without specifying a service providing apparatus. For example, the priority control data receiving means may scan the first priority control data currently transmitted at a predetermined frequency for a certain time period. Alternatively, the priority control data receiving means may scan the first priority control data currently transmitted at a predetermined frequency at a certain interval. For example, the processing of attempting to receive the first priority control data may be performed at any one of (or a combination of a plurality of) the following timings.                Before starting the first processing means or the second processing means (at an initial timing when starting the program or at the start of communication processing).        After starting the first processing, at a predetermined timing in accordance with the first processing means (especially, in the case of (a) through (h)).        After starting the second processing, at a predetermined timing in accordance with the second processing means (especially, in the case of (i) through (q)).        In the case where the first processing means and the second processing means are alternately started, the processing is performed by either of the two (e.g., by the second processing means).        Immediately before performing the processing of (a) through (q).
The receipt of the first priority control data may be attempted at least once, a plurality of times, or periodically (e.g., at an interval of a predetermined time period) at the above timing.
The processing of determination may be performed at any one of (or a combination of a plurality of) the following timings.                When executing the processing of attempting to receive.        Immediately before performing the processing of (a) through (q), it is determined whether or not the first priority control data was received in the past (or within a certain time period in the past).        It is determined periodically whether or not the first priority control data was received in the past (or within a certain time period in the past).
The prohibition means may prohibit at least one of the following when receiving the first priority control data:
(a) processing of accepting a player input to start the first processing means;
(b) processing of starting the first processing means;
(c) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the first processing means to transmit the second identification information;
(d) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit the second identification information;
(e) processing of allowing the first processing means to receive the communication request;
(f) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit a communication permission to the at least other mobile game apparatus which is a transmitter of the communication request;
(g) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(h) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(i) processing of accepting a player input to start the second processing means;
(j) processing of starting the second processing means;
(k) processing of allowing the second processing means to receive the second identification information;
(l) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(m) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(n) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit a request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request a short distance wireless communication of the second identification information;
(o) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request the short distance wireless communication of the second identification information;
(p) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means; and
(q) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means.
The following processing may be performed in accordance with a player input or automatically. In the former case, the processing is prohibited when a received player input instructs the execution of the processing. In the latter case, the processing is prohibited at an automatically set timing.
(b) processing of starting the first processing means;
(d) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit the second identification information;
(e) processing of allowing the first processing means to receive the communication request;
(f) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit a communication permission to the at least other mobile game apparatus which is a transmitter of the communication request;
(h) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(j) processing of starting the second processing means;
(k) processing of allowing the second processing means to receive the second identification information;
(m) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(o) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request the short distance wireless communication of the second identification information; and
(q) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means.
The determination means may compare the priority level represented by the received first priority control data with the priority level of itself. When the priority level of itself is determined to be equal to or higher than priority level represented by the received first priority control data, the prohibition means may not perform the prohibition.
The communication protocol by which the service providing apparatus determines a mobile game apparatus as a receiver of the service among a plurality of mobile game apparatuses may be the same as the communication protocol by which the mobile game apparatus determines a communication counterpart among a plurality of mobile game apparatuses. More specifically, the service providing apparatus transmits a parent apparatus beacon frame described later. In this case, the first identification information transmitted from the service providing apparatus and second identification information (described later) transmitted from the mobile game apparatus may be set in the same slot ("addressee ID" described later) of the communication protocol. As described above, the first priority control data may be attached to the first identification information ("priority level" described later) In this case, second priority control data (described later) may not be attached to the second identification information, and priority control data representing a lower priority level may be attached to the second identification information. The mobile game apparatus receives the identification information (both the first identification information and the second identification information) transmitted to the slot. Here, the first identification information and the second identification information may be distinguishable from each other by additional data attached thereto, but it is not absolutely necessary that the first identification information and the second identification information are distinguishable from each other. In the case where the first identification information and the second identification information are transmitted to the same slot, a list of the identification information on the service providing apparatus and/or the mobile game apparatus (one or a plurality among the apparatus name, user name, game name, service name and the like) may be displayed. The first identification information and the second identification information may be displayed in the same list without being distinguished. In the case where the "additional data" for distinguishing the two is attached, the first identification information and the second identification information may be displayed while being distinguished from each other. (For example, either one of the two may be displayed, or both are displayed in the same list while being distinguishable.) The user may be allowed to select from the list the target to which a request (for providing service and/or executing a communication game) is to be transmitted.
The second identification information transmitted from the mobile game apparatus or the first identification information transmitted from the service providing apparatus may be transmitted to other unspecified mobile game apparatuses. Namely, such identification information may be transmitted to mobile game apparatuses by broadcast. The mobile game apparatus may request unspecified mobile game apparatuses or service providing apparatuses to transmit the first identification information or the second identification information, and upon receipt of such a request, the mobile game apparatuses or the service providing apparatuses may transmit the first identification information or the second identification information.
The service providing apparatus may provide service data to a specified mobile game apparatus or unspecified mobile game apparatuses. In the former case, the service providing apparatus receives a request for the service from the mobile game apparatus and provides the service to the mobile game apparatus, and the mobile game apparatus receives the service. Specifically, for example, the service providing apparatus may receive, from the mobile game apparatus which requested the service, its identification information, register the identification information in the service providing apparatus, and specify the registered mobile game apparatus to transmit the service data. Alternatively, the service providing apparatus may transmit identification information of itself to the mobile game apparatus, and the mobile game apparatus which received the identification information may request the service. In the case where the service providing apparatus provides service data to unspecified mobile game apparatuses, service data transmitted wirelessly in an unspecified manner is received by any mobile game apparatus.
In a second aspect based on the first aspect, when receiving the first priority control data, the prohibition means prohibits at least one of (a) through (h) and at least one of (i) through (q):
(a) processing of accepting a player input to start the first processing means;
(b) processing of starting the first processing means;
(c) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the first processing means to transmit the second identification information;
(d) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit the second identification information;
(e) processing of allowing the first processing means to receive the communication request;
(f) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit a communication permission to the at least other mobile game apparatus which is a transmitter of the communication request;
(g) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(h) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(i) processing of accepting a player input to start the second processing means;
(j) processing of starting the second processing means;
(k) processing of allowing the second processing means to receive the second identification information;
(l) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(m) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(n) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit a request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request a short distance wireless communication of the second identification information;
(o) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request the short distance wireless communication of the second identification information;
(p) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means; and
(q) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means.
The service providing apparatus may wirelessly transmit, at a short distance, the first priority control data as attached to the first identification information. In this case, the third processing means may receive the first identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from the service providing apparatus, and attempt to receive the first priority control data attached to the first identification information, so that the first priority control data can be received without separately requiring priority control data receiving means.
In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the second processing means and the third processing means are formed of one common processing means for recognizing the service providing apparatus and the at least one other mobile game apparatus without distinguishing, and transmitting the communication request thereto. The common processing means receives the first identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from the service providing apparatus and the second identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from the at least one other mobile game apparatus, and thus confirms the service providing apparatus and the at least one other mobile game apparatus located in the communicable area; and wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, the communication request to the service providing apparatus represented by the received first identification information or to the at least one other mobile game apparatus represented by the received second identification information.
The first processing means may transmit, at a short distance, second identification information to a predetermined slot of the communication protocol for determining a communication counterpart among the mobile game apparatuses. The service providing apparatus may set a counterpart to which service data is to be provided by a short distance wireless transmission, among the mobile game apparatuses, using the communication protocol. The service providing apparatus may also transmit the first identification information to the slot. The common processing means may receive the identification information transmitted to the slot. Thus, the first identification and the second identification can both be received.
The first identification information and the second identification information may be or may not be distinguished as being transmitted from the service providing apparatus or as being transmitted from the mobile game apparatus. To such identification information, information on the name of the transmitter, the user name of the transmitter, the service name, the game name and the like may be attached.
In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the priority control data transmission means transmits, at a short distance, the first priority control data as attached to the first identification information transmitted by the service data transmission means. The priority control data receiving means receives the first identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from the service providing apparatus to the common processing means and the second identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from the at least one other mobile game apparatus, and attempts to receive the first priority control data attached to the first identification information, and thus is included in the common processing means. When receiving the first priority control data, the prohibition means prohibits at least one of (i) through (q):
(i) processing of accepting a player input to start the common processing means;
(j) processing of starting the common processing means;
(k) processing of allowing the common processing means to receive the second identification information;
(l) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the common processing means to transmit the communication request;
(m) processing of allowing the common processing means to transmit the communication request;
(n) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the common processing means to transmit a request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request a short distance wireless communication of the second identification information;
(o) processing of allowing the common processing means to transmit the request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request the short distance wireless communication of the second identification information;
(p) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the common processing means; and
(q) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the common processing means.
In a fifth aspect based on the first aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises alternate repeating means for alternately repeating the processing by the first processing means and the processing by the second processing means to set the at least one other mobile game apparatus as the communication counterpart. When receiving the first priority control data, the prohibition means prohibits at least one of (a) through (h):
(a) processing of accepting a player input to start the first processing means;
(b) processing of starting the first processing means;
(c) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the first processing means to transmit the second identification information;
(d) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit the second identification information;
(e) processing of allowing the first processing means to receive the communication request;
(f) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit a communication permission to the at least other mobile game apparatus which is a transmitter of the communication request;
(g) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means; and
(h) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means.
In a sixth aspect based on the first aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises second priority control data transmission means for wirelessly transmitting, at a short distance, second priority control data representing a priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself in the first processing means. The priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the first priority control data transmitted from the service providing apparatus and the second priority control data transmitted from the at least one other mobile game apparatus. The determination means compares the priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself, with the priority level represented by the second priority control data received by the priority control data receiving means, and determines whether or not the priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself is sufficiently high to fulfill a predetermined condition. The prohibition means prohibits the short distance wireless communication with the at least one other mobile game apparatus when the result of determination made by the determination means using the second priority control data is negative or when the first priority control data is received.
The predetermined condition may be, for example, the following.                The priority level of itself is equal to or higher than the highest priority level represented by the received second priority control data.        The priority level of itself is higher than the highest priority level represented by the received second priority control data.        The priority level of itself is within a predetermined range from the highest priority level represented by all the received priority control data.        The priority level of itself is higher, by a predetermined degree, than the highest priority level represented by the received second priority control data.        The priority level of itself is equal to or higher than the average of the priority levels represented by the received second priority control data.        The priority level of itself is equal to or higher than a priority level which is lower, by a predetermined degree, than the highest priority level represented by the received second priority control data.
In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the priority control data receiving means scans the first priority control data and the second priority control data currently transmitted at a predetermined frequency. The determination means compares the priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself, with the highest priority level among the priority levels represented by the first priority control data and the second priority control data received by the scanning.
The priority control data receiving means may scan the priority control data currently transmitted at a predetermined frequency, for example, for a predetermined time period or a plurality of times at a predetermined timing (e.g., at an interval of a predetermined time period).
In an eighth aspect based on the first aspect, the plurality of mobile game apparatuses wirelessly communicate data for a mutual short distance wireless communication using a channel selected from a plurality of channels. The priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the first priority control data in each of the plurality of channels. The first processing means transmits the second identification information using a channel not used for receiving the first priority control data, among the plurality of channels. The plurality of mobile game apparatuses mutually perform the short distance wireless communication using the channel used for transmitting the second identification information.
In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises actual use degree measurement means for measuring a wireless communication use degree of each of the plurality of channels. The first processing means transmits the second identification information using a channel having the lowest wireless communication use degree, among the channels not used for receiving the first priority control data.
In a tenth aspect based on the first aspect, the priority control data receiving means does not attempt to receive the first priority control data after starting a communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means or the second processing means.
In an eleventh aspect based on the first aspect, the priority control data transmission means transmits, together with the first priority control data, next receiving timing data designating the next timing for attempting to receive the first priority control data. When receiving the first priority control data, the priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the first priority control data again at the timing designated by the next receiving timing data transmitted together with the first priority control data.
The next receiving timing data may designate the next time or time interval. In the latter case, an attempt to receive may be repeated at a designated time interval.
In a twelfth aspect based on the first aspect, the priority control data transmission means wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, the first priority control data using a channel selected among the plurality of channels for wirelessly transmitting, at a short distance, the service data. The priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the first priority control data in each of the plurality of channels. The first processing means transmits the second identification information using a channel not used for receiving the first priority control data, among the plurality of channels. The plurality of mobile game apparatuses mutually perform the short distance wireless communication using the channel used for transmitting the second identification information.
In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises actual use degree measurement means for measuring a wireless communication use degree of each of the plurality of channels. The first processing means transmits the second identification information using a channel having the lowest wireless communication use degree, among the channels not used for receiving the first priority control data.
In a fourteenth aspect based on the sixth aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises radio wave use ratio measurement means for measuring a radio wave use ratio of the channel used for the short distance wireless transmission. The prohibition means prohibits the short distance wireless communication with the at least one other mobile game apparatus regardless of the result of measurement by the radio wave use ratio measurement means when the priority control data receiving means receives the first priority control data, and does not prohibit the short distance wireless communication with the at least one other mobile game apparatus when the result of determination made by the determination means using the second priority control data is negative but the radio wave use ratio measured by the radio wave use ratio measurement means is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold.
A fifteenth aspect of certain exemplary embodiments is directed to a wireless communication system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses for wirelessly communicating with each other at a short distance. Each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses comprises first processing means, second processing means, priority control data transmission means, priority control data receiving means, determination means, and prohibition means. The first processing means wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, identification information, which is identification information of itself, receives a communication request wirelessly transmitted at a short distance to itself from at least one of the other mobile game apparatuses which received the identification information, and sets the at least one other mobile game apparatus as a communication counterpart. The second processing means receives the identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from at least one of the other mobile game apparatuses and thus confirms the at least one other mobile game apparatus located in a communicable area, wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, the communication request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus represented by the received identification information, and sets the at least one other mobile game apparatus as a communication counterpart. The priority control data transmission means wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, priority control data representing a priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself. The priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the priority control data. The determination means compares the priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself, with a priority level represented by the priority control data received by the priority control data receiving means, and determines whether or not the priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself is sufficiently high to fulfill a predetermined condition. The prohibition means prohibits the short distance wireless communication with the at least one other mobile game apparatus when the result of determination made by the determination means is negative.
The priority control data is data representing the priority level of the short distance wireless communication performed by the mobile game apparatus. The priority level may be set, for example, for each apparatus. In this case, data representing the priority level may be set on nonvolatile memory means in the apparatus in advance or in a changeable manner. Alternatively, the priority level may be set for each game. In this case, data representing the priority level may be included in the game program, and the mobile game apparatus may set the priority level by reading the data from the game program. Alternatively, data representing the priority level may be stored on the game medium together with the game program, and the mobile game apparatus may set the priority level by reading the data on the game program to be executed.
The prohibition means may prohibit at least one of the following:
(a) processing of accepting a player input to start the first processing means;
(b) processing of starting the first processing means;
(c) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the first processing means to transmit the identification information;
(d) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit the identification information;
(e) processing of allowing the first processing means to receive the communication request;
(f) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit a communication permission to the at least other mobile game apparatus which is a transmitter of the communication request;
(g) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(h) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(i) processing of accepting a player input to start the second processing means;
(j) processing of starting the second processing means;
(k) processing of allowing the second processing means to receive the identification information;
(l) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(m) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(n) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit a request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request a short distance wireless communication of the identification information;
(o) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request the short distance wireless communication of the identification information;
(p) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means; and
(q) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means.
The priority control data may be included in transmission information constantly transmitted, such as a beacon frame. The priority control data may be transmitted, in any one of, or a combination of a plurality of, the following states:
(1) a state where the mobile game apparatus has been started;
(2) a state where the mobile game apparatus is transmitting identification information of itself;
(3) a state where the mobile game apparatus is inviting other mobile game apparatuses to perform a wireless communication;
(4) a state where another mobile game apparatus has requested the mobile game apparatus for a wireless communication, or the mobile game apparatus has issued a permission on such a request; and
(5) a state where a wireless communication has been started between the mobile game apparatus and another mobile game apparatus.
The priority control data may be transmitted together with identification information. To the identification information, information on the name of the transmitter, the user name of the transmitter, the game name and the like may be attached.
In a sixteenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, when the result of determination made by the determination means is negative, the prohibition means prohibits at least one of (a) through (h) and at least one of (i) through (q):
(a) processing of accepting a player input to start the first processing means;
(b) processing of starting the first processing means;
(c) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the first processing means to transmit the identification information;
(d) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit the identification information;
(e) processing of allowing the first processing means to receive the communication request;
(f) processing of allowing the first processing means to transmit a communication permission to the at least other mobile game apparatus which is a transmitter of the communication request;
(g) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(h) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means;
(i) processing of accepting a player input to start the second processing means;
(j) processing of starting the second processing means;
(k) processing of allowing the second processing means to receive the identification information;
(l) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(m) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(n) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit a request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request a short distance wireless communication of the identification information;
(o) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request the short distance wireless communication of the identification information;
(p) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means; and
(q) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means.
In a seventeenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the priority control data transmission means transmits, at a short distance, the priority control data as attached to the identification information transmitted by the first processing means. The priority control data receiving means receives the identification information wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from the at least one other mobile game apparatus to the second processing means, and attempts to receive the priority control data attached to the identification information, and thus is included in the second processing means. When the result of determination made by the determination means is negative, the prohibition means prohibits at least one of (i) through (q) above.
In an eighteenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises alternate repeating means for alternately repeating the processing by the first processing means and the processing by the second processing means to set the at least one other mobile game apparatus as the communication counterpart. When the result of determination made by the determination means is negative, the prohibition means prohibits at least one of (a) through (h) above.
In a nineteenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the priority control data receiving means does not attempt to receive the priority control data after starting a communication with the communication counterpart set by the first processing means or the second processing means.
In a twentieth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the priority control data receiving means scans the priority control data currently transmitted at a predetermined frequency. The determination means compares the priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself, with the highest priority level among the priority levels represented by the priority control data received by the scanning.
The priority control data receiving means may scan the priority control data currently transmitted at a predetermined frequency, for example, for a predetermined time period or a plurality of times at a predetermined timing (e.g., at an interval of a predetermined time period).
In a twenty-first aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the priority control data transmission means transmits, together with the priority control data, next receiving timing data designating the next timing for attempting to receive the priority control data. When receiving the priority control data, the priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the priority control data again at the timing designated by the next receiving timing data transmitted together with the priority control data.
The next receiving timing data may designate the next time or time interval. In the latter case, an attempt to receive may be repeated at a designated time interval.
In a twenty-second aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the priority control data transmission means wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, the priority control data using a channel selected, among the plurality of channels, for performing a short distance wireless communication with the at least one other mobile game apparatus. The priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the priority control data in each of the plurality of channels. The first processing means transmits the identification information using a channel for which the short distance wireless communication of itself is determined to have a priority level sufficiently high to fulfill the predetermined condition, among the plurality of channels. The plurality of mobile game apparatuses mutually perform the short distance wireless communication using the channel used for transmitting the identification information.
In a twenty-third aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises actual use degree measurement means for measuring a wireless communication use degree of each of the plurality of channels. The first processing means transmits the identification information using a channel having the lowest wireless communication use degree among the channels for which the short distance wireless communication of itself is determined to have a priority level sufficiently high to fulfill the predetermined condition.
In a twenty-fourth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the plurality of mobile game apparatuses wirelessly communicate data for a mutual short distance wireless communication using a channel selected from a plurality of channels. The priority control data receiving means attempts to receive the priority control data in each of the plurality of channels. The first processing means transmits the identification information using a channel for which the short distance wireless communication of itself is determined to have a priority level sufficiently high to fulfill the predetermined condition, among the plurality of channels. The plurality of mobile game apparatuses mutually perform the short distance wireless communication using the channel used for transmitting the identification information.
In a twenty-fifth aspect based on the twenty-fourth aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises actual use degree measurement means for measuring a wireless communication use degree of each of the plurality of channels. The first processing means transmits the identification information using a channel having the lowest wireless communication use degree among the channels for which the short distance wireless communication of itself is determined to have a priority level sufficiently high to fulfill the predetermined condition.
In a twenty-sixth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses further comprises radio wave use ratio measurement means for measuring a radio wave use ratio of the channel used for the short distance wireless communication. Even when the result of determination made by the determination means is negative, the prohibition means does not prohibit the short distance wireless communication with the at least one other mobile game apparatus if the radio wave use ratio measured by the radio wave use ratio measurement means is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold.
The radio wave use ratio measuring means measures how much transmission radio wave actually exists. There are various usable measuring methods. For example, the ratio of the time period in which the carrier signal is transmitted may be measured, or the ratio of the time period in which a radio wave of a certain strength or higher is transmitted may be measured.
A twenty-seventh aspect of certain exemplary embodiments is directed to a wireless communication system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses for wirelessly communicating with each other at a short distance. Each of the plurality of mobile game apparatuses comprises first processing means and second processing means. The first processing means wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, identification information, which is identification information of itself, together with priority control data representing a priority level of the short distance wireless communication of itself, receives a communication request wirelessly transmitted at a short distance to itself from at least one of the other mobile game apparatuses which received the identification information, and sets the at least one other mobile game apparatus as a communication counterpart. The second processing means receives the identification information and the priority control data wirelessly transmitted at a short distance from at least one of the other mobile game apparatuses and thus confirms the at least one other mobile game apparatus located in a communicable area, wirelessly transmits, at a short distance, the communication request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus represented by the received identification information, and sets the at least one other mobile game apparatus as a communication counterpart. The second processing means compares a communication request addressee priority level, which is a priority level represented by the priority control data transmitted from the mobile game apparatus which is an addressee of the communication request, with a priority level represented by the priority control data transmitted from another mobile game apparatus located in the communicable area, determines whether or not the communication request addressee priority level is sufficiently high to fulfill a predetermined condition, and when the result of determination is negative, prohibits the short distance wireless communication with the mobile game apparatus which is the addressee of the communication request.
The prohibition means may prohibit at least one of the following:
(i) processing of accepting a player input to start the second processing means;
(j) processing of starting the second processing means;
(k) processing of allowing the second processing means to receive the identification information;
(l) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(m) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the communication request;
(n) processing of accepting a player input for allowing the second processing means to transmit a request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request a short distance wireless communication of the identification information;
(o) processing of allowing the second processing means to transmit the request to the at least one other mobile game apparatus to request the short distance wireless communication of the identification information;
(p) processing of accepting a player input to start communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means; and
(q) processing of starting communication with the communication counterpart set by the second processing means.
According to the first aspect, service data from a service providing apparatus, which is to be prioritized, can be transmitted or received with priority over other wireless communications. Therefore, such a wireless communication to be prioritized can be protected from being made difficult.
According to the second aspect, the priority level is confirmed both by an apparatus for transmitting identification information (apparatus 1) and an apparatus for transmitting a communication request (apparatus 2) to the apparatus 1. For example, in the case where the first priority control data has not been transmitted when the priority is confirmed by the apparatus 1 but was transmitted after that, prohibition processing can be performed when the priority is confirmed by the apparatus 2. When the priority control data has not been transmitted to a communicable area of the apparatus 1 but has been transmitted to a communicable area of the apparatus 2 (or vice versa), prohibition processing can be performed with certainty.
According to the third aspect, the identification information of the service providing apparatus and the identification information of other mobile game apparatuses can be confirmed at the same time. When the first priority control data is received, service data can be received from the service providing apparatus and the communication with other mobile game apparatuses is prohibited. A wireless communication system, in which the mobile game apparatuses can receive service data from the service providing apparatus and the mobile game apparatuses can communicate with each other, can operate as follows. When provision of service data is prioritized, the mobile game apparatuses are allowed to receive the service data but are prohibited from communicating with each other. When there is not a communication of service data, the mobile game apparatuses are allowed to communicate with each other. In this manner, a superb wireless communication system is realized.
According to the fourth aspect, the second processing means confirms which service providing apparatus or which mobile game apparatus is communicable, and this confirmation processing makes it possible to check whether or not the first priority control data has been transmitted. When necessary, later processing can be prohibited. Therefore, the processing of prioritizing a communication can be made efficient.
According to the fifth aspect, the second processing means confirms which service providing apparatus or which mobile game apparatus is communicable, and this confirmation processing makes it possible to transmit the first priority control data. Using this, the prohibition processing is realized the next time by the first processing means.
According to the sixth aspect, a wireless communication for providing service data can be protected from being made difficult, and also a wireless communication for a highly prioritized communication game can be protected from being made difficult.
According to the seventh aspect, in the case where there are a plurality of service providing apparatuses or mobile game apparatuses, the priority level of a certain mobile game apparatus is compared with the highest priority level. Therefore, a wireless communication for a highly prioritized communication game can be protected from being made difficult.
According to the eighth aspect, wireless communications among a plurality of mobile game apparatuses (e.g., communications for communication games) are allowed to co-exist efficiently while the priority levels are taken into consideration.
According to the ninth aspect, a determination based on the priority levels of wireless communications, and a determination based on the use ratios of the channels, are both performed.
According to the tenth aspect, the execution of a wireless communication among a plurality of mobile game apparatuses (e.g., a communication for a communication game) is not prevented.
According to the eleventh aspect, the frequency for receiving the priority control data can be controlled.
According to the twelfth and thirteenth aspects, a communication for transmitting service data and a communication for a communication game or the like are allowed to co-exist efficiently while the communication for transmitting the service data is prioritized.
According to the fourteenth aspect, the wireless communications to be prioritized can be assigned levels.
In a wireless communication system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, priority levels can be set for the wireless communications performed among the mobile game apparatuses for playing communication games or the like. Thus, the effects equivalent to those of the above-described wireless communication system including the service providing apparatus and a plurality of mobile game apparatuses are provided. For example, by setting the priority level of the communication game typically performed in a presentation to be high, the execution of this communication game is protected from being made difficult due to other communication games.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Wireless communication system for communication among a plurality of mobile game apparatuses that have differing priorities


A connecting unit includes a support seat that has inner and outer surfaces, that is formed with an L-shaped channel, and that is provided with a slit. The L-shaped channel is defined by the inner surface, has first and second open ends, receives an end portion of an electrical wire therein through the first open end, and receives an end portion of a fluorescent tube therein through the second open end. The slit extends from the outer surface to the inner surface and from the first open end to the second open end to thereby permit access into the L-shaped channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a connecting unit, more particularly to a connecting unit for a backlight module.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional non-conductive support seat 12 of a backlight module (not shown) that includes an electrical wire 11 and a fluorescent tube 13. The support seat 12 defines a channel 120. The electrical wire 11 has an end portion that is stripped to expose conductors ill thereof and that is extended into the channel 120. The fluorescent tube 13 has an end portion that is extended into the channel 120, and a pin 131 that extends from the end portion thereof and that is soldered to the exposed conductors 111 of the electrical wire 11. During assembly, the electrical wire 11 has to be bent by ninety degrees. As a consequence, the bent portion of the electrical wire 11 occupies a relatively large space in the backlight module.


Methods for treating proliferative disorders, by administering reovirus to a Ras-mediated proliferative disorder, are disclosed. The reovirus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts ras-mediated proliferating cells. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. Human reovirus, non-human mammalian reovirus, and/or avian reovirus can be used. If the reovirus is human reovirus, serotype 1 (e.g., strain Lang), serotype 2 (e.g., strain Jones), serotype 3 (e.g., strain Dearing or strain Abney), as well as other serotypes or strains of reovirus can be used. Combinations of more than one type and/or strain of reovirus can be used, as can reovirus from different species of animal. Either solid neoplasms or hematopoietic neoplasms can be treated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to methods for treating ras-mediated proliferative disorders in a mammal using reovirus.
2. References
The following publications, patent applications and patents are cited in this application:    U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,252    Armstrong, G. D. et al. (1984), Virology 138:37;    Aronheim, A., et al., (1994) Cell, 78:949-961    Barbacid, M., Annu. Rev. Biochem., 56:779-827 (1987);    Berrozpe, G., et al. (1994), Int. J. Cancer, 58:185-191    Bischoff, J. R. and Samuel, C. E., (1989) Virology, 172:106-115    Cahill, M. A., et al., Curr. Biol., 6:16-19 (1996);    Chandron and Nibert, "Protease cleavage of reovirus capsid protein mu1 and mu1C is blocked by alkyl sulfate detergents, yielding a new type of infectious subvirion particle", J. of Virology 72 (1):467-75 (1998    Chaubert, P. et al. (1994), Am. J. Path. 144:767; Bos, J. (1989) Cancer Res. 49:4682.    Cuff et al., "Enteric reovirus infection as a probe to study immunotoxicity of the gastrointestinal tract" Toxicological Sciences 42 (2):99-108 (1998)    Der, S. D. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:3279-3283 (1997)    Dudley, D. T. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:7686-7689 (1995)    Duncan et al., "Conformational and functional analysis of the C-terminal globular head of the reovirus cell attachment protein" Virology 182 (2):810-9 (1991)    Fields, B. N. et al. (1996), Fundamental Virology, 3rd Edition, Lippincott-Raven;    Gentsch, J. R. K. and Pacitti, A. F. (1985), J. Virol. 56:356;    E. Harlow and D. Lane, "Antibodies: A laboratory manual", Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988)    Helbing, C. C. et al., Cancer Res. 57:1255-1258 (1997)    Hu, Y. and Conway, T. W. (1993), J. Interferon Res., 13:323-328    Laemmli, U. K., (1970) Nature, 227:680-685    Lee. J. M. et al. (1993) PNAS 90:5742-5746;    Lee, P. W. K. et al. (1981) Virology, 108:134-146    Levitzki, A. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 226:1; James, P. W., et al. (1994) Oncogene 9:3601; Bos, J. (1989) Cancer Res. 49:4682    Lowe. S. W. et al. (1994) Science, 266:807-810;    Lyon, H., Cell Biology, A Laboratory Handbook, J. E. Celis, ed. Academic Press. 1994, p. 232    Mah et al., "The N-terminal quarter of reovirus cell attachment protein sigma 1 possesses intrinsic virion-anchoring function" Virology 179 (1):95-103 (1990)    McRae, M. A. and Joklik, W. K., (1978) Virology, 89:578-593    Millis, N E et al. (1995) Cancer Res. 55:1444;    Mundschau, L. J. and Faller, D. V., (1992) J. Biol. Chem., 267:23092-23098    Nagata, L., et al., (1984) Nucleic Acids Res., 12:8699-8710    Paul R. W. et al. (1989) Virology 172:382-385    Raybaud-Diogene. H. et al. (1997) J. Clin. Oncology, 15 (3):1030-1038;    Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mace Publishing Company, Philadelphia Pa. 17th ed. (1985)    Robinson, M. J. and Cobb, M. H., Curr. Opin. Cell. Biol. 9:180-186 (1997);    Rosen, L. (1960) Am. J. Hyg. 71:242;    Sabin, A. B. (1959), Science 130:966    Samuel, C. E. and Brody, M., (1990) Virology, 176:106-113;    Smith, R. E. et al., (1969) Virology, 39:791-800    Stanley, N. F. (1967) Br. Med. Bull. 23:150    Strong, J. E. et al., (1993) Virology, 197:405-411;    Strong, J. E. and Lee, P. W. K., (1996) J. Virol., 70:612-616    Trimble, W. S. et al. (1986) Nature, 321:782-784    Turner and Duncan, "Site directed mutagenesis of the C-terminal portion of reovirus protein sigma1: evidence for a conformation-dependent receptor binding domain" Virology 186 (1):219-27 (1992);    Waters, S. D. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:20883-20886 (1995)    Wiessmuller, L. and Wittinghofer, F. (1994), Cellular Signaling 6 (3):247-267;    Wong, H., et al., (1994) Anal. Biochem., 223:251-258    Yang, Y. L. et al. EMBO J. 14:6095-6106 (1995)    Yu, D. et al. (1996) Oncogene 13:1359
All of the above publications, patent applications and patents are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application or patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.
3. State of the Art
Normal cell proliferation is regulated by a balance between growth-promoting proto-oncogenes and growth-constraining tumor-suppressor genes. Tumorigenesis can be caused by genetic alterations to the genome that result in the mutation of those cellular elements that govern the interpretation of cellular signals, such as potentiation of proto-oncogene activity or inactivation of tumor suppression. It is believed that the interpretation of these signals ultimately influences the growth and differentiation of a cell, and that misinterpretation of these signals can result in neoplastic growth (neoplasia).
Genetic alteration of the proto-oncogene Ras is believed to contribute to approximately 30% of all human tumors (Wiessmuller, L. and Wittinghofer, F. (1994), Cellular Signaling 6 (3):247-267; Barbacid, M. (1987) A Rev. Biochem. 56, 779-827). The role that Ras plays in the pathogenesis of human tumors is specific to the type of tumor. Activating mutations in Ras itself are found in most types of human malignancies, and are highly represented in pancreatic cancer (80%), sporadic colorectal carcinomas (40-50%), human lung adenocarcinomas (15-24%). thyroid tumors (50%) and myeloid leukemia (30%) (Minis, N E et al. (1995) Cancer Res. 55:1444; Chaubert, P. et al. (1994), Am. J. Path. 144:767; Bos, J. (1989) Cancer Res. 49:4682). Ras activation is also demonstrated by upstream mitogenic signaling elements, notably by tyrosine receptor kinases (RTKs). These upstream elements, if amplified or overexpressed, ultimately result in elevated Ras activity by the signal transduction activity of Ras. Examples of this include overexpression of PDGFR in certain forms of glioblastomas, as well as in c-erbB-2/neu in breast cancer (Levitzki, A. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 226:1; James, P. W., et al. (1994) Oncogene 9:3601; Bos, J. (1989) Cancer Res. 49:4682).
Current methods of treatment for neoplasia include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Surgery is typically used as the primary treatment for early stages of cancer; however, many tumors cannot be completely removed by surgical means. In addition, metastatic growth of neoplasms may prevent complete cure of cancer by surgery. Chemotherapy involves administration of compounds having antitumor activity, such as alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and antitumor, antibiotics. The efficacy of chemotherapy is often limited by severe side effects, including nausea and vomiting, bone marrow depression, renal damage, and central nervous system depression. Radiation therapy relies on the greater ability of normal cells, in contrast with neoplastic cells, to repair themselves after treatment with radiation. Radiotherapy cannot be used to treat many neoplasms, however, because of the sensitivity of tissue surrounding the tumor. In addition, certain tumors have demonstrated resistance to radiotherapy and such may be dependent on oncogene or anti-oncogene status of the cell (Lee. J. M. et al. (1993) PNAS 90:5742-5746; Lowe. S. W. et al. (1994) Science, 266:807-810; Raybaud-Diogene. H. et al. (1997) J. Clin. Oncology, 15 (3):1030-1038). In view of the drawbacks associated with the current means for treating neoplastic growth, the need still exists for improved methods for the treatment of most types of cancers.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Reovirus for the treatment of cellular proliferative disorders


A value is assigned to a layout bound of a first node in a scene graph. The layout bound constitutes a bounding volume for the object corresponding to the node and may be the display properties of the object and a first set of display modifiers for the node but not a second set. A display layout is calculated for a second node in the scene graph based on the value of the layout bound. Then, nodes of the scene graph are rendered to generate a display on a display device according to the calculated display layout. The value of the layout bound may be assignable, creating greater flexibility in controlling layout. Additionally, the value assigned to the layout bound may be changed. In this way, layout of nodes with respect to each other is flexible and visual effects and animations can either be factored into that layout or not.

A scene graph is a data structure commonly used by vector-based display applications. The scene graph is typically a collection of nodes in a graph or tree structure. A node typically include display properties for an object associated with the node and one or more sets of display modifiers such that rendering the node includes applying the display modifiers to the display properties to display the object. A node may have children but often only a single parent. A parent node may render its children nodes and may propagate properties or modifiers to its children. Additionally, nodes in a scene graph may be grouped such that an operation applied to a group automatically propagates to its members. In some scene graphs, a node can have a relation to other nodes, perhaps even itself.
When creating rich displays using a scene graph, such as visual interfaces, it is often desirable to support the ability to lay out nodes with respect to each other, as well as define visual effects and animations that are either factored into that layout or are not. Typically, scene graph systems struggle to support both of these concepts. This is further complicated when the displays are dynamic rather than merely static.

Apparatus, systems and methods for layout of scene graphs using node bounding areas


The present invention is optically active epoxides and its production characterized in that the process comprises reacting alkenyl ethylene glycols with 0.5 to 2.0 equivalents of a titanium-tetraalkoxyde, a peroxide and an L-(+)- or D-(-)-dialkyl tartrate at a temperature of -78.degree. to 50.degree. C. to asymmetrically oxidize the alkenyl ethylene glycols. The production of the present invention is an excellent method for producing chiral epoxides in which steric configuration of three asymmetric points can be perfectly controlled, the reaction is performed by mild conditions and the chemical yield and the optical yield are extremely high. The optically active epoxides which can be efficiently produced by the production of the present invention are useful as stating materials of several kinds of compounds.

The present invention related to a process for the production of optically active compounds, characterized in that it comprises oxidizing stereoselectively alkenyl ethyleneglycols, and to the optically active compounds which are advantageously obtained by the method and utilizable as starting materials of physiologically active compounds.
Generally, when the physiologically active compounds have asymmetric carbons, there are plural stereoisomers. Usually, only a stereoisomer among these stereoisomers shows advantageous characteristics. When a stereoisomer which is a racemate or a steroisomer having low optical purity is used, it is apparent that the resulting compounds does not sufficiently exhibit physiological activity.
Optically active compounds which can be produced by the process of the present invention are fully controlled in the steric configuration of three asymmetric positions. Although it is considered that the compounds are useful for raw materials of various useful physiological active compounds, a process for efficiently producing the compounds is still unknown from the complexity of the structure. As an example, ##STR1## (E.J. Corey et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 102(27), 7984 (1980)) and ##STR2## (J. Rokach et al., Prostaglandins, 1, 65(1981)) are known as intermediates for synthesizing leukotrienes. However, only a process for producing the compounds via several steps from mannose which is a sugar is described, but a process for efficiently producing the compounds is still unknown.

Optically active epoxides and a process for the production thereof


An integrated circuit (IC) for clock and phase aligning and synchronization between physical (PHY) layers and a communications controller is provided. The IC includes a clock multiplier configured to multiply a frequency of the clock signal from a plurality of PHY layers to match a frequency of a clock signal of the controller, wherein the clock signal from the plurality of PHY layers is less than the frequency of the clock signal of the controller. IC support circuitry is configured to provide the multiplied clock signal to the controller. The IC includes a first clock divider configured to divide the frequency of the multiplied clock signal and to output the divided clock signal to the controller. The IC includes a phase alignment circuit configured to align phases of one or more data signals based on a phase of the clock signal and a phase of the multiplied clock signal.

Performance in some communication protocol solutions can be doubled based on the number of physical (PHY) layers used. To achieve the increase in performance, the physical layer is required to support twice as many channels, and the communication protocol controller is required to increase its performance correspondingly. The changes and corresponding redesign of the physical layer is needed because some physical layers do not have enough channels needed to support the increase in performance and can only provide a clock signal that correspond to their own performance level. Changes to the design of the physical layer requires changes at the silicon level to support the higher maximum frequency. However, redesigning the physical layer can be cost-prohibitive due to other business demands, so a different technical solution is desired.
Redesigning data paths of a communications protocol controller in order to double its width to keep up with doubling of channels requires additional complexity of processing twice as many packets on the same cycle with ordering interdependencies and opens up a new set of design, verification, and/or validation risks.
Some solutions can involve using two instances of physical layers that are each half of the number of channels needed to get the total number of channels. For example, some solutions can use two physical layers that are each eight channels wide in order to achieve the total 16 channels needed. However, this requires synchronization across 16 channels.
Another solution can involve doubling the clock frequency of the data path between the physical layers and the communications protocol controller. For such solutions, the communications protocol controller also needs to double the clock frequency without physically modifying the physical layer. Accordingly, an alternate clock source is needed for the synchronization between the communications protocol controller and the physical layers.

Clock and phase alignment between physical layers and controller


Generally, computer implemented remote monitoring system which generates a viewable reduced byte data representation for each one of a plurality of analyzed instrument signals. Specifically, a flow cytometer remote monitoring system which generates a viewable reduced byte data representation for each one of a plurality analyzed flow cytometer signals.

Generally, a computer implemented remote monitoring system which generates a viewable reduced byte data representation for each one of a plurality of analyzed instrument signals. Specifically, a flow cytometer remote monitoring system which generates a viewable reduced byte data representation for each one of a plurality analyzed flow cytometer signals.
Flow cytometry systems can be utilized to analyze at least one of a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles is typically a population of biological particles such as sperm cells, stem cells, blood cells, bacteria, or the like. The analysis of a population of particles can occur at analysis rates of between about 10,000 particles per second and about 200,000 particles per second depending on the of the population of particles and the manner of analysis. The analysis of individual particles in a population can provide information relating to the presence or absence or the amount of one or more particle characteristics. The relative presence or absence or the amount of one or more particle characteristics may be used to as the basis on which to differentiate individual particles of an analyzed population into two or more discrete subpopulations of particles. The discreet subpopulations of particles can then be separated from the main population of particles and isolated as discrete subpopulations of particles as further described herein.
The operator of the flow cytometer device relies on the use of a viewable data representation to make decisions about the operation of the flow cytometer device. Since the flow cytometer device can be analyzing many hundreds of millions of particles per hour and may be further sorting many millions of cells per hour, the viewable data representation may be designed to show the flow cytometer operator a continuously updated viewable data representation. The continuously updated viewable data representation may include analysis data of a fraction of the population of particles analyzed along with operating parameters for the flow cytometer device updated in discrete analysis intervals. For example, the viewable data representation may be updated every 100 milliseconds, in the form of histograms of the most recent 10 seconds of particle analysis data.
The flow cytometer operator relies on the viewable data representation to both manage and control procedures and parameters for particle analysis and sorting but to also to control the hardware configuration of the flow cytometer device with regard to three dimensional positioning of components such as the fluidic nozzle, beam shaping optics and optical focus for detection, and the like. The flow cytometer operator may also control the rate of droplet formation, the amplitude of the energy used in droplet formation and the voltage applied to droplet streams without use of the viewable data representation; although these types of adjustments can change the scale and precision of measurements being made in analysis of the population of particles and result in changes to the viewable data representation displayed to the flow cytometer operator. Accordingly, the viewable data representation provides a source of real time information utilized by the flow cytometer operator to adjust particle analysis and flow cytometer device parameters.
The viewable data representation generated during operation of the flow cytometer device can be generated in an image format selected by the flow cytometer operator which can be configured by selection of particular data masks and data sets which populate such data masks which are typically provided as histograms. Although the analysis data generated by a flow cytometer device may be collected and stored in a memory element of the flow cytometer device as raw data files, the operation of a flow cytometer device to assess over a duration of time the operating condition, adjust analysis and hardware parameters to optimize the operating condition, or trouble shoot the operating condition for software or hardware problems may require access to a substantial portion or all of the history and detail of the viewable data representation. However, use of a substantial portion of the history and detail the viewable data representation during operation of a flow cytometer device, or other similar analysis device, can present certain problems.
One substantial problem with using a substantial portion of the history and detail of viewable data representation may be competition for computer processing capacity of the flow cytometer device (or other devices which provide similar viewable data representations) resulting in a delay updating display of the viewable data representation which in certain instances can appear as interrupted or non-continuous display of the viewable data representation. In certain instances depending on the flow cytometer device, attempts to access and utilize stored viewable data representations or attempts to control the functionalities of the flow cytometer device remotely can interfere with the normal operation and particle analysis of the flow cytometer device.
Another substantial problem may be that the viewable data representation is stored in files that subtend some user defined amount of detail in screens per second and in seconds per file. These file management and data storage requirements can overload the computer processing unit ("CPU"), read only memory ("RAM"), and the local memory storage capacity of individual flow cytometer devices, especially when such flow cytometer devices are equipped with versions of CPU, RAM, operating systems ("OS"), and other programs that were not designed to operate at speeds required for use of large file sizes associated with viewable data representations in form of images, video, histograms, or similar technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images.
Another substantial problem may be that viewable data representations in the form of image files and video files, or the like, may be to large to be utilized in the lesser bandwidths of local area networks ("LAN") or virtual private networks ("VPN") to effectively transmit to computers outside of the LAN.
Another substantial problem may be that the effort, time, and cost of providing sufficient storage space in memory for all historical viewable data representation at a level of resolution sufficient to be useful upon retrieval is too great when compared to the value of the viewable data representation stored.
Another substantial problem may be that conventional methods to capture, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, or reconstruct images to provide conventional viewable data representations are not scalable. For example, while conventional methods of providing a viewable data representation may be practical in regard to one flow cytometer device, it may not be possible or practical in the context of providing a viewable data representation for a plurality of flow cytometer devices such as 50 or 100 flow cytometer devices (or even a greater number of devices) at a single location or in a LAN environment, or in a distributed network of flow cytometer devices, or a plurality of distributed LAN environments connected in a wide area network ("WAN") environment.