A roll handling machine, with frame members on a fixed frame (1) bearing roll-bearing arms (3) arranged in pairs which when mounted on their corresponding supports (2) can move towards or away from each other, characterised in that each roll-bearing arm (3) is mounted in a moving frame (4) with a device for displacement in the fixed frame (1) between two extreme positions, each roll-bearing arm (3) comprising a device (5) for tilting angular displacement with respect to the moving frame (4) in which it is mounted, each support (2) being associated with an extender device (7) which enables it to be positioned with respect to the piston (41b) in at least two working positions and each pair of roll-bearing arms (3) located in a given moving frame (4) being associated with a device (8) for decentering the shafts (6) for a given roll to achieve a uniform tension throughout the width thereof when working. Applications in the handling of rolls of paper, plastics or the like, of great size and/or weight.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a roll handling machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Machines for the handling of rolls, particularly rolls of paper or plastics, are currently known.
These rolls can be of considerable size and weight.
The limitations of existing machines are essentially brought about by the small amount of freedom for the roll-bearing arms, which makes the work of handling difficult.
A rigid structure for the roll supports makes the work of loading and unloading rolls difficult.


A programmable message substitution unit PMSU (60) is provided for modifying signalling messages passing across a link (61) of a telecommunications signalling network without disrupting the link-level procedures operating over the link. In the event of a power failure or upon the detection of an operational anomaly, a bypass relay arrangement (65) is used to bypass the PMSU (60). The PMSU (60) comprises a substitution block for modifying selected messages, a database block for doing database lookups to ascertain new message parameter values to be substituted for existing ones, and a supervision block for checking the operation of the substitution block. The PMSU may be used to implement local number portability or other services.

Signalling in Modern Telecommunications Systems
In modern switched telecommunication systems (in particular, modern PSTNs) it has become common practice to provide two related but separate network infrastructures: a bearer or transmission network for carrying end-user voice and data traffic, and a signalling network for controlling the setup and release of bearer channels through the bearer network in accordance with control signals transferred through the signalling network. In practice such signalling networks comprise high-speed computers interconnected by signalling links; computer programs control the computers to provide a set of operational and signalling functions in accordance with a standardized protocol. One example of such a signalling protocol is the afore-mentioned Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) which is being extensively deployed for control of telephone and other data transmission networks. An SS7 network basically comprises various types of signalling points, namely, signalling end points (SEPs) and signalling transfer points (STPs) interconnected by signalling links, the SEPs being associated for example with respective service switching points (SSPs) of the transmission network, and with service control points (SCPs).
Referring to FIG. 1, an SS7 network 10 is shown inter-communicating three signalling end points constituted by two service switching points SSPs 11 (between which extend speech circuits 12 of a transmission network not further illustrated) and a service control point SCP 13. The SCP serves to implement particular services (sometimes called IN, or Intelligent Network, services) in response to service requests received from an SSP, such a service request being generated by an SSP upon certain trigger conditions being met in the SSP in respect of a call that it is handling. A typical service may involve the translation of the dialled number (called party number) to a different number, the SCP returning this latter number to the SSP to enable the latter to complete call setup.
The SS7 network 10 includes two pairs 14 of signalling transfer points STPs, and a plurality of link sets 18 interconnecting the SSPs, SCP and STPs into a redundant network. Each signalling link set 18 is made up of one or more individual signalling links, the number of signalling links in a link set being chosen to provide appropriate capacity for the level of signalling traffic expected. The redundancy provided in respect of the STPs and links is to ensure that the failure of a single component of the network core does not cause the whole network to fail.
It should be noted that an SS7 network will typically comprise more STP pairs, SSPs and SCPs than illustrated. Service control functionality, as well as being provided in an SCP, can be provided in an Adjunct directly connected to an SSP.
Messages traversing the links of the network may be any of a large number of different types, depending on the nature of the call to which the message relates and the function specified by the message.
The SS7 Architecture
In order to facilitate an understanding of the present invention, a brief review will be given of the layered structure of the SS7 architecture and of the messages passed over the links of the network 10 to implement the SS7 architecture.
FIG. 2 illustrates the SS7 architecture. Levels 1 to 3 (referenced 21, 22, 23) form the message transfer part (MTP) 24. The MTP 24 is responsible for transferring signalling information between signalling points in messages. Level 4 (not referenced as a whole) comprises circuit-related user parts, namely ISDN User Part (ISUP) 26 and Telephone User Part (TUP) 27. These user parts define the meaning of the messages transferred by the MTP 24 and provide functionality to the users of SS7 (block 29). The user parts 26 and 27 are specific to particular types of circuit-related applications as indicated by their names. In fact, the ISUP is the most important user part, the TUP being a subset of ISUP and having been largely replaced by the latter. Most inter-exchange signalling, such as between SSPs 11 in FIG. 1, uses ISUP messages.
As well as the circuit-related user parts, SS7 level 4 also includes functional elements defining a general protocol for non-circuit-related information, such as operations, maintenance and administration information or network database information. The main functional element in this Level 4 protocol is the Transaction Capabilities (TC) 30 which sits on top of a Signalling-Connection-Control Part (SCCP) 31 and beneath a TC Users element 32.
The SCCP 31 actually forms part of the transfer mechanism for non-circuit-related applications, combining with MTP 24 to provide transfer mechanisms (both connectionless and connection oriented) meeting the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Layer 3/4 boundary requirements. TC 30 itself comprises two elements, namely an intermediate-services part (ISP) and a transaction-capabilities application part (TCAP); ISP is only used for connection-oriented services. Users of the SCCP/TC stack include the INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part) 32 and MAP (Mobile Application Part) 33. With reference to FIG. 1, messages passed between an SSP 11 (FIG. 1) and SCP 13 will be INAP messages using SCCP/TC (in fact, such messages are generally concerned with real time query/response transactions for which a connectionless service is most appropriate so that only the TCAP part of TC is used). Some inter-exchange signalling may also use SCCP/TC messages where, for example, the purpose of the signalling is service related rather than circuit related. ISUP may also use the SCCP for certain messages.
Considering the MTP 24 in a little more detail, Level 1 (reference 21) defines the physical, electrical and functional characteristics of the transmission path for signalling; typically, this will be a 64 kbit/s slot in a multiplexed stream. MTP Level 2 (reference 22) defines the functions and procedures for the transfer of signalling messages over a link between two directly-connected signalling points. MTP Level 3 (reference 23) provides functions for the reliable transfer of signalling information from one signalling end point to another. Thus, Level 3 is responsible for those functions that are appropriate to a number of signalling links, these being separable into signalling-message handling functions and signalling-network management functions.
When considering the passing of messages over a single link, it is the combination of Levels 1 and 2 that provides for the reliable transfer of signalling information. The Level 2 functions provide a framework in which the information is transferred and performs error-detection and error-correction processes; the Level 2 functions are carried out afresh on a link-by-link basis. At Level 2, information is seen as being transferred between signalling points in messages known as "signal units".
The general form of a signal unit 40 is shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen, a field 41 carrying message/data is encapsulated in a Level 2 framework comprising the following fields: a flag field; a backward sequence number field (BSN); a backward-indicator bit (BIB); a forward sequence number field (FSN); a forward-indicator bit (FIB); a length indicator field (LI); a spare field (SP); a check field; and a terminating flag field. The FSN, FIB, BSN, BIB and check fields provide error correction functionality at link level in a manner well understood by persons skilled in the art.
There are three types of signalling unit:
MSU--the Message Signal Unit--MSUs carry all service/application data sent on the SS7 network. The amount of data per MSU is limited to 273 octets maximum. PA1 LSSU--the Link Status Signal Unit--LSSUs carry information relating to the status of the link and are therefore concerned with Level 2 functions. Normally, LSSUs are only seen during the initial alignment procedure when a link is brought into service but are used at other times, for example, to stop the flow of signal units when processors are busy. PA1 FISU--the Fill-In Signal Unit--When no MSUs or LSSUs are to be sent, a signalling point continually sends FISUs. FISUs carry basic Level 2 information only, for example, the acknowledgement of the last MSU (field 41 is empty). PA1 an input and an output to which respective portions of the link can be connected, PA1 message path means extending between the input and output and comprising: PA1 selection means for selecting particular messages passing along the message path means according to at least one predetermined criterion, the selection means generating a modification signal in respect of each said particular message concerning a modification to be effected thereto; and PA1 modification means responsive to the modification signals for effecting the desired modifications to said particular messages in passage through the message path means; PA1 loopback means for connecting an output of the transmit means to an input of the receive means, PA1 insertion means for inserting predetermined messages in the message path means and causing them to circulate therearound, and PA1 comparison means for comparing the original form of the predetermined messages with the circulated messages after the latter have undergone at least one traverse of the message path means, the comparison means only permitting the un-bypassing of the message path means by the bypass means in the absence of unexpected differences between the compared messages. PA1 delay monitoring means for deriving a delay indication indicative of the delay experienced by messages passing through the message path means, and PA1 delay control means for reducing this delay upon the delay indication indicating that the delay has become too large. PA1 means for generating a time reference signal indicative of a current time for the apparatus, PA1 timestamp means for associating a timestamp with each message received by the receive means, this timestamp being derived from the time reference signal and indicating the current apparatus time at which the message is processed by said receive means, and PA1 means for generating the said delay indication as the time difference between the current apparatus time and the time value of the timestamp associated with the message at or adjacent the head of the queue means;
The length indicator (LI) within each message indicates the signal unit type as follows: LI=0 means FISU; LI=1 or 2 means LSSU; and LI=3 or more means MSU.
FIG. 3 further illustrates at 42 the basic format of an MSU; as can be seen, it comprises a service information octet SIO of 8 bits and a signalling information field SIF of 8n bits, where n is a positive integer. The SIO field includes a Service Indicator sub-field that defines the user part or equivalent appropriate to the message. The SIF contains the information being transferred and will generally include a routing label 43 comprising a 14-bit destination point code indicating the destination signalling end point, a 14-bit originating point code indicating the originating signalling end point, and a 4-bit signalling link selection field for specifying a particular link in cases where two signalling points are linked by a multiple-link link set. The MTP 24 is not aware of the contents of the SIF other than the routing label.
As an example of the information that may be borne by an MSU, FIG. 4 illustrates the general format of an ISUP message. As can be seen, in addition to the routing label 43, an ISUP message comprises a circuit-identification code (CIC) 44 indicating the number of the speech circuit between two exchanges to which the message refers, a message type code 45, and a number of parameters organised into three parts 30 46, 47, 48 according to type. Mandatory parameters of fixed length are placed in the mandatory fixed part 46. Mandatory parameters of variable length are placed in the variable mandatory part 47. Optional parameters are placed in the optional part 48. A typical ISUP message is the initial address message (IAM) which is the first ISUP message sent out when a call is being set up; the IAM will contain the required address (e.g. the digits dialled by the calling customer) and it results in a seizure of a circuit by each exchange along the route to the called-party exchange.
FIG. 5 illustrates the format of another message type that may be carried in the SIF, this time an SCCP message. The message format is, in fact, very similar to that of FIG. 4 but without the CIC field (as already indicated, SCCP messages generally concern non-circuit related messaging). A typical use for SCCP messages is to carry query/response messages between a SSP and an SCP, this being done in SCCP messages of the Unitdata type that utilise a connectionless service.
Liberalisation of the telecommunication industry coupled with the widespread deployment of intelligent network services is placing new demands on the signalling network at an ever increasing rate. Often there is a shortfall between what the existing network elements of the signalling system can provide in the short term and the demand for new services; this is in part due to the substantial expense and time involved to modify and requalify the operating software of major elements such as SSPs, SCPs and STPs.
As an example of the sort of problem encountered, a new customer service may result in heavier than expected loading of the relatively few SCPs in a network with the result that the SCPs present a potential bottleneck. Whilst more SCPs could be provided to handle the extra service requests, this is an expensive solution and one requiring long term planning. What is required is a way of at least temporarily increasing the service request handling capacity of the signalling system without massive investment and planning. Another example is the massive investment currently being required in the USA to support local number portability; implementation of this service according to the most commonly accepted solution calls for major changes to the SSP software to effect database lookups for ported numbers. Again what is required is a solution not involving massive upgrading of existing network elements.
In an attempt to deal with the SCP bottleneck problem referred to above, it has been proposed in EP-A-0 669 771 to provide a message interceptor for intercepting messages sent to an SCP to selectively suppress the messages or modify them (for example, to effect syntax translation or decryption) before forwarding the messages to the SCP. The message interceptor thus serves to relieve the SCP of some of its processing tasks and thereby avoid congestion.
FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the message interceptor described in EP-A-0 669 771. The message interceptor is inserted in a link 52A, 53A, 52B, 53B with each link half 52A, 52B; 53A, 53B being terminated at a corresponding interface 50; 51 and MTP level-2 protocol engine 54; 55. The two level-2 protocol engines 54, 55 are connected through transfer circuits 56 that comprise MTP level 3 functionality 58 receiving both MSU data and link status information from the protocol engines. MSU data related to signalling network management and maintenance are identified (Service Indicator value less than 3) and handled entirely within the MTP level-3 block 58, these data being acted upon if addressed to the message interceptor itself as indicated by a match between the destination point code in the routing label and the signalling point code allotted to (and stored by) the message interceptor. MSU data related to higher levels are passed up to interception functionality (blocks 59). These blocks 59 contain the message interception functionality for selectively modifying or suppressing messages. Thus, each block 59 selectively acts on the data it receives and, where appropriate, then passes data (which may include response data) back to the MTP level-3 block 58 for transmission to the appropriate destination.
A key characteristic of this message interceptor is that it operates separate level-2 links with the two signalling points at either end of the original link in which the interceptor has been inserted. These two links run by the interceptor will have different states and therefore it is not possible simply to bypass the message interceptor in the event of failure. Instead, any failure must be handled as for the failure of any signalling point by the relevant MTP level 3 mechanisms in a way which will be evident to other signalling points, particularly those at either end of the original link. The message interceptor is therefore not transparent and will affect the surrounding network, at least on failure.
It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus that can be used to modify signalling messages on a link but which is less intrusive than that of the prior art.

Message modification apparatus for use in a telecommunication signalling network


An image formation method, which comprises the steps of imagewise exposing a silver halide photographic material comprising a support having thereon at least one layer of a silver halide emulsion chemically sensitized with at least one selenium or tellurium compound, and then subjecting the material to development-processing with a developer containing substantially no dihydroxybenzene developing agent but containing a developing agent represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each represents a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an acylamino group, an alkylsulfonylamino group, an arylsulfonylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, a mercapto group or an alkylthio group; P and Q are the same or different and each represents a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxyalkyl group, a carboxyalkyl group, a sulfo group, a sulfoalkyl group, an amino group, an aminoalkyl group, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a mercapto group, or P and Q may represent an atomic group capable of forming a 5- to 8-membered ring by combined with each other and further by associating with two vinyl carbon atoms to which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are attached respectively and one carbon atom to which Y is attached; and Y represents .dbd.O or .dbd.N--R.sub.3, wherein R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, an acyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group, a sulfoalkyl group or a carboxyalkyl group.

An image formation method of utilizing the so-called scanner system as an exposure system for silver halide photographic materials is known. Therein, a photographic material undergoes the exposure based on image signals obtained by scanning an original, and therethrough forms therein a negative or positive image corresponding to the original image.
Various recording apparatuses in which the image formation methods of utilizing the scanner system are embodied are used. Therein, the so-called dot generator system prevails at present. Such a scanner-utilized recording apparatus uses as the light source for recording a glow lamp, a xenon lamp, a mercury lamp, a tungsten lamp, a light emitting diode and so on.
All the light sources cited above, however, are inferior in practicality because they have weak power and short life. In order to remove these drawbacks of the above-cited light sources, coherent laser beams, such as beams emitted from He-Ne, argon, and semiconductor laser devices, are used as the light source of a scanner system.
Various characteristics are required for photosensitive materials to which a scanner system using coherent laser beams is applicable. Since the exposure time of such a scanner system is particularly short, that is, in the range of 10.sup.-3 to 10.sup.-8 second, it becomes essential for the photosensitive materials to ensure high photographic speed and high contrast even under such a short exposure. In addition, highly sensitive photosensitive materials are of greater advantage when the output is reduced for lengthening the life of a laser tube. For obtaining satisfactory halftone dots, on the other hand, it becomes necessary to properly adjust the shape of a laser beam with a slit or the like. The shape adjustment causes a reduction of the laser output, and in order to cope therewith a photosensitive material having high sensitivity is required.
Moreover, recent graphic arts industry has been strongly desirous of an improvement in working efficiency, or speeding-up of working. Accordingly, the speeding-up of scanning and for reduction in processing time of a photosensitive material is comprehensively needed.
In order to meet the needs of graphic arts, it is desirable that the exposure device (scanner, plotter) be designed such that the scanning may be speeded up and high image quality may be achieved by increasing the number of scanning lines and by narrowing down the beam emitted therefrom. As for the silver halide photographic materials, on the other hand, it is desirable that they have high sensitivity and processing stability and can be developed rapidly.
Besides the photosensitive materials for scanner system, photosensitive materials for photograph-taking use are also required to form therein satisfactory halftone dot images and line original images. Therefore, it is desirable for these materials also to have high sensitivity, excellent processing stability and rapid development suitability.
For desirable reproduction of continuous tone images with halftone dots or that of line original images in the field of graphic arts, there is the need of an image-forming system which can provide photographic properties including ultra-high contrast (especially a gamma value (.gamma.) of at least 10).
As a method of achieving high contrast which is one of photographic characteristics, a lithographic development system making use of the so-called "infectious development effect" has been employed from old times. However, such a system has a defect that the developers usable therein are difficult to handle because of their instability. Therefore, development of another image formation system capable of providing the photographic characteristic of being ultra-high contrast through development with a sufficiently stable processing solution has been needed. Methods of embodying such a system are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,166,742, 4,168,977, 4,221,857, 4,224,401, 4,243,739, 4,269,922, 4,272,606, 4,311,781, 4,332,878, 4,618,574, 4,634,661, 4,681,836, 5,650,746. Therein, a silver halide photographic material of the kind which forms a latent images predominantly at the surface of the grains, and to which a hydrazine derivative is added, is developed with a stable MQ or PQ developer adjusted to pH 11.0-12.3, and thereby is produced a very high contrasty negative image having a gamma value greater than 10. According to those methods, the photographic characteristic of being ultra-high contrast and high sensitivity can be achieved, and the stability of the developer to aerial oxidation can be made higher by far than those of conventional lithographic developers since a sulfite can be added thereto in a high concentration.
However, conventional development systems use dihydroxybenzenes as developing agent, and therefore have some disadvantages from viewpoints of ecology and toxicology. For instance, hydroquinone is an undesirable agent because of its allergenic effect, and 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones are hard to undergo biological decomposition. In addition, sulfites added in a high concentration cause high COD (chemical oxygen demand).
On the other hand, enediols such as ascorbic acid are known to function as a developing agent, and deserve notice as the developing agent free from ecological and toxicological problems. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,668,549 and 3,826,654 disclose that those compounds enable the image formation under a high alkaline condition such that the pH is higher than at least 12. In the image formation method of this type, however, the developability is rather low and the development proceeds slowly as compared with the method of using a dihydroxybenzene developing agent. That is, the image formation method of using enediols as developing agent has the problem of lack of rapid processing suitability. The term rapid processing as used herein refers to the processing in which it takes 15 to 60 seconds for the top end of a photosensitive material to travel from the insertion slit of an automatic developing machine to the exit of the drying part of the machine via the developing tank, the fixing tank, the washing tank and the drying part in succession.
Although raising the silver chloride contents in silver halide emulsions used in a photosensitive material is already known to be effective for speeding the progress of development, that is to say, for conferring rapid processing suitability on the photosensitive material, it causes the lowering of sensitivity and the aggravation of unevenness due to physical development. Further, it tends to cause a rise in fog density.


A high-strength and high-ductility aluminum-base alloy consisting of a composition of general formula: Al.sub.ba1 Mn.sub.a Si.sub.b or Al.sub.ba1 Mn.sub.a Si.sub.b TM.sub.c (wherein TM is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Y, Zr, La, Ce and Mm; and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 2.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.8, 0.5.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.6, 0<c.ltoreq.4, and a.gtoreq.b), wherein the alloy contains quasi-crystals. The an aluminum-base alloy have superior mechanical properties such as high hardness, high strength and high ductility.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an aluminum-base alloy which has superior mechanical properties, such as high hardness, high strength and high ductility.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, aluminum-base alloys having high strength and high heat resistance have been manufactured by rapid-solidifying means such as a melt quenching method. For example, the aluminum-base alloy disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-275732, which is obtained by the rapid-solidifying means, is an amorphous or microcrystalline alloy, and the disclosed microcrystalline alloy is made from a composite material composed of a metal solid solution made from an aluminum matrix, a microcrystalline aluminum matrix phase and a stable or metastable intermetallic compound phase.
However, the aluminum-base alloy disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-275732 is a superior alloy which exhibits high strength, high heat resistance and high corrosion resistance, and also is a high-strength material having superior workability. However, in a high-temperature region, its superior properties specific to the rapidly-solidified material becomes low, and there remains room for improvement in heat resistance, particularly the elevated temperature strength.
In addition, since the alloy disclosed in the above-recited publication contains elements having comparatively high specific gravity, its specific strength does not become so large, and there remains room for improvement in high specific strength as well as ductility.
The alloys disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 7-238336 and 7-268528 are known as aluminum alloys containing quasi-crystal in their structures.
Either of these disclosed alloys is superior in mechanical properties and other properties. However, since additive elements, excluding an Al element which is an essential element, and an Mn element, which is a quasi-crystal forming element, have a relatively large specific gravity, there is room to further reduce the weights of the entire alloys.

High-strength and high-ductility aluminum-base alloy


A compound for use in treating polycystic kidney disease is represented by Structural Formula (I):

Gangliosides, such as GM1, GM2 and GM3, are glycosphingolipids (GSLs) comprised of ceramide and at least one acidic sugar. Gangliosides are generally found in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane (Nojri et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. ScL USA 83:782 (1986)). Gangliosides are involved in cell signaling and act as modulators of receptor activity (Yamashita et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. ScL USA 100(6):3445 (2003)). A number of GSLs are derived from glucosylceramide, which is enzymatically formed from ceramide and UDP-glucose. The formation of glucosylceramide is catalyzed by glucosylceramide synthase.
It has been found that the level of GSLs controls a variety of cell functions, such as growth, differentiation, adhesion between cells or between cells and matrix proteins, binding of microorganisms and viruses to cells, and metastasis of tumor cells. In addition, the glucosylceramide precursor, ceramide, may cause differentiation or inhibition of cell growth and be involved in the functioning of vitamin D3, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins, and apoptosis. Sphingols, precursors of ceramide, and products of ceramide catabolism have also been shown to influence many cell systems, possibly by inhibiting protein kinase C.
Defects in GSL metabolizing enzymes can cause serious disorders. For example, Tay-Sachs, Gaucher's, and Fabry's diseases result from enzymatic defects in the GSL degradative pathway and the accumulation of GSL. In particular, GM1 accumulates in the nervous system leading to mental retardation and liver enlargement. In Tay-Sachs, GM2 accumulates in brain tissue leading to mental retardation and blindness. These observations suggest that inhibitors of glycosylceramide synthase can be effective in treating lysosomal diseases such as Tay-Sachs, Gaucher's, and Fabry's diseases. Indeed, glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors have been described for this purpose (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,569,889; 6,255,336; 5,916,911; 5,302,609; 6,660,749; 6,610,703; 5,472,969; and 5,525,616).
Recently it has been disclosed that the interruption of the insulin induced signaling cascade may be associated with elevated levels of GM3. It has also been suggested that the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), implicated in insulin resistance, results in increased expression of GM3 (Tagami et al., J. Biol. Chem. 277(5):3085 (2002)). Also, it has been disclosed that mutant mice lacking GM3 synthase, and thus lacking in GM3, are protected from insulin resistance caused by a high-fat diet (Yamashita et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sc. USA 100:3445-3449 (2003)). These observations suggest that inhibitors of glycosylceramide synthase can be effective in treating diabetes. Indeed, inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase have been proposed for treating Type 2 diabetes (see WO 2006/053043).
Therefore, agents which inhibit glucosylceramide synthesis, or reduce intracellular content of GSLs, such as GM3, have the potential to treat conditions associated with altered GSL levels and/or GSL precursor levels. There is a need for additional agents which can act as glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

2-acylaminopropoanol-type glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors

Abstract: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprises a compound represented by Structural Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A method of treating polycystic kidney disease in a subject in need thereof comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by Structural Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Methods of treating in polycystic kidney disease in a subject in need thereof respectively comprise administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by Structural Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.


Disclosed herein are compounds effective for activation of Tie-2 and inhibition of HPTP-beta. The compounds can provide effective therapy for eye conditions associated with angiogenesis, for example, intraocular pressure, ocular hypertension, and glaucoma.

Intraocular pressure is a significant pathology associated with glaucomas, such as primary open angle glaucoma. The intraocular pressure is generated through damage to the trabechular meshwork of the eye, which results in optic nerve damage and loss of vision. Ocular hypertension occurs when the pressure in the eye surpasses the normal range with no detectable changes in vision or damage to the structure of your eyes. People with ocular hypertension have an increased risk of glaucoma.

Methods of treating intraocular pressure with activators of Tie-2


A waste gas treatment apparatus includes a waste gas treatment trough and a partition. The waste gas treatment trough is formed with a waste gas inlet and a waste gas outlet. An annular heater is provided in the waste gas treatment trough. A heating rod is provided in the annular heater. A heating chamber is formed between the annular heater and the heating rod. The partition is disposed between the annular heater and the heating rod. The heating chamber is partitioned to form a gas channel through the partition. The gas channel has an inlet end communicating with the waste gas inlet and an outlet end communicating with the waste gas outlet through the heating chamber. The present invention can prolong the time that the harmful waste gas is heated and purified in the heating chamber to enhance the purification efficiency of the harmful waste gas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a waste gas purification treatment technique, and more particularly to a waste gas treatment apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A semiconductor chip factory, a photoelectricity factory, a panel factory or a solar panel factory may generate harmful waste gas when producing semiconductor products, such as wafers or panels. For example, the waste gas generated by a semiconductor chip factory includes SiH4, Cl2, PFC (perfluoro-compounds) and so on. In general, people use a wet method, an adsorbent method, a heat decomposition method or a burning method to treat the aforesaid gas.
Wherein, the heat decomposition method means that a heater is provided in a waste gas treatment trough and formed with a heating chamber in the waste gas treatment trough. When harmful waste gas enters the waste gas treatment trough and flows to the heating chamber, the harmful waste gas is heated through the heater to catalyze the harmful material of the harmful waste gas. The harmful material is decomposed to become harmless material. The wet method means that a washing room having a plurality of sprinklers is provided. The sprinklers spray water to contact with the harmful waste gas so as to dissolve the harmful watersoluable material of the harmful waste gas, providing a purification effect. The gas used for burning is composed of CH4, C2H6, C3H8 and air in a specific ratio. After burning, CH4 will generate harmful gas, such as CO, to cause a repeated pollution. These days, the semiconductor industry adopts the heat decomposition method cooperating with the wet method to treat the waste gas in order to purify the waste gas.
However, a traditional waste gas treatment apparatus doesn't have the design to prolong the time that the harmful waste gas passes the waste gas treatment trough. The harmful waste gas passes the waste gas treatment trough in a short time, which causes that the waste gas cannot be heated sufficiently to influence the purification efficiency. Therefore, how to prolong the time that the harmful waste gas is heated in the waste gas treatment trough becomes an important issue. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve these problems.


In a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus and method with motion correction in an angiography examination with magnetic resonance-monitored vessel intervention, a contrast agent-supported exposure of the vessel system (road map) is registered, with one exposure ensuing at the end of expiration and one exposure ensuing at the end of inspiration of the patient, and a magnetic resonance-visible medical intervention device introduced into the vessel system also is registered. A corrected road map of the vessel system is interpolated from the exposures at the end of inspiration and the end of expiration and the exposure of the intervention device is superimposed on the corrected road map.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus of the type having a device for motion correction and to a method for motion correction in a magnetic resonance exposure in an angiography procedure with magnetic resonance-monitored vessel intervention. In particular, the present invention is directed to a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus and method wherein, an angiography procedure, a medical intervention device can be introduced into the vessel system and monitored with by magnetic resonance as to its location within the vessel system, and to thereby corrects for movements of the patient such as respiratory motion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a medical diagnostic modality, nuclear magnetic resonance tomography has also proven well-suited in order to implement an angiography procedure, a registration of a vessel system, and, in particular, to monitor the introduction of a medical examination device such as, for example, a catheter into a blood vessel. It is distinguished by an especially high contrast resolution for soft tissue and, in particular, allows fluids such as blood and other body fluids to be clearly distinguished relative to other tissue. Good registration of a vessel system thus is possible. The good presentation a vessel system that is already established can be further improved by introducing a contrast agent into the vessel system before the exposure (contrast agent-supported MR angiography [ceMRA]). Registration of the vessels or of the vessel tree of a specific region presented in an overview is referred to as "road map".
U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,056 discloses a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus with which an angiography procedure is implemented. A vessel intervention occurs by means of an infusion device which administers a contrast agent into the subject to be examined. As a result, a contrast-supported registration of the vessel-system is generated.
Similar to conventional angiography with other examination methods such as directed x-ray exposure or CT, an overview exposure, a road map, is initially also produced in the case of nuclear magnetic resonance tomography, to register the vessel tree that is then graphically presented. The medical examination (intervention) device is then imaged onto the road map, this being introduced into the vessel. The medical examination device is usually a guide wire with a catheter. The two exposures are subsequently overlaid on one another. The problem can occur that the first exposure, the road map, no longer corresponds to the current condition and position of the vessel system, since modifications and distortions of the vessel system occur both due to gross movements on the part of the patient but primarily due to respiratory motion. It can then no longer be reliable whether the medical examination device is still located within a vessel or whether the vessel wall has been perforated, since the catheter and/or guide wire at least sporadically produce the impression in the superimposed exposure that they are located outside the vessel tree. Such a perforation of the vessel wall is a complication that is definitely possible and must be taken very seriously in an interventional vessel operation. It is therefore desirable to avoid such a misrepresentation. The described problem occurs not only when probing or catheterizing smaller vessels wherein the vessel diameter lies on the order of magnitude of the medical intervention device (for example, catheter or guide wire) but also occurs in interventions in larger vessels, since the medical intervention devices do not necessarily lie in the center of the vessel cross-section, but have the tendency to conform to the vessel wall and to be guided thereby when advanced farther into the vessel. The movements of the vessel system can arise from a large variety of sources, such as peristaltics of the intestines and respiration. The latter leads to considerable movements of the vessel system in the region of thorax and parts of the abdomen.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,101 discloses a method for correcting image errors that have occurred due to motion (for example due to respiration or heart motion) of the subject being examined. In order to correct these image errors, images that belong to different motion segments are iteratively replaced by new images from which the motion has been calculated out with an algorithm (for example DVA—diminishing variance algorithm).

Magnetic resonance tomography method and apparatus with motion correction


The invention is a series of amorphous copolymers which, used in association with a small molecule, provide photorefractive materials that can be used in optical signal processing. These copolymers contain an active non-linear optical group and a group which contributes to their photoconductivity. ##STR1## where: X is H, CH.sub.3, Cl or F. Y is H, CH.sub.3, Cl or F PA1 2.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.4 PA1 2.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.4 PA1 The electron-donor group D being: --O--, --S--, ##STR2## or --COO-- The electron-accepter group A.sub.e being: --CN, --NO.sub.2, ##STR3##

1. Field of the invention
The invention consists of copolymers associated with certain small molecules which form photorefractive compounds usable in optical signal processing. More specifically, it concerns new families of amorphous polymers whose lateral chains contain chromophoric groups capable of generating non-linear optical effects and electron-donor groups which, associated with electron-accepter groups, give the material its photoconductive properties.
A material is said to be "photorefractive" when illumination generates remanent variations in the refractive index. When an electric potential is applied to these materials and they are exposed to incident distributed luminosity, variations in the refractive index occur in the dark, isolating section while this variation tends towards zero in conductive illuminated zones where charge migration cancels out the voltage. When the illumination stops, the material returns to the initial situation except close to the boundary: the dielectric on the illuminated side of the boundary is depleted in photon-carriers which have migrated a certain distance and become trapped in the dark area. At the boundary, the space charges created form a local field which results in a local variation in the refractive index. This variation remains throughout the period required for dielectric relaxation of the material (several months in the case of compounds such as lithium niobate).
2. Description of the prior art
The photorefractive effect therefore records a spatial variation and is used in applications such as:
the recording of volumetric holographic networks PA1 experiments in dynamic interferometry PA1 image processing PA1 the deflection of laser beams PA1 optical amplification PA1 auto-resonant cavities PA1 optical calculation (for association memories, elementary logic components, reconfigurable interconnections). PA1 ferroelectric crystals, for example LiNbO.sub.3, BaTiO.sub.3 PA1 sillenites such as bismuth and silicon or germanium oxide crystals (Bi.sub.12 SiO.sub.20 or B.sub.12 GeO.sub.20) PA1 III-V compounds (GaAs doped with Cr, InP doped with Fe). PA1 for non-linear optical applications. Since the beginning of the 1980s, work on amorphous polymers doped with highly hyperpolarizable molecules and then amorphous copolymers in which the chromophoric molecules are directly bonded have shown that the electrooptical properties that could be obtained were comparable with those of inorganic compounds (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,865 and 4,808,332, taken out by HOECHST CELANESE, the applicant's European patents EP 88 0579 and EP 89 11327). PA1 in photoconductive applications. These polymers can possess conjugated multiple bonds as in polyacetylenes and trans polyphenylacetylenes. They can include aromatic groups consisting of several benzene cores, either in the structure or in the lateral chains, for example derivatives of anthracene, pyrene or acridine. They can also possess aromatic amine functions like, for example, polyvinylcarbazole (PVK). PVK doped with 2, 4, 7 trinitro-9-fluorenone (TNF) is commercially available and has practical applications in the reproduction of documents (Xerography). These polymer materials are also generally easy to work and can be used to produce large surfaces at far less cost than inorganic materials. PA1 a group with a high .beta. hyperpolarizability value to generate strong non-linear optical effects, molecular engineering making it possible to adjust this hyperpolarizability and the transparency of the material to suit the wavelength used PA1 an electron-donor group which, in conjunction with a small electron-accepter molecule, makes the copolymer photoconductive. PA1 Y is H, CH.sub.3, Cl or F PA1 2.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.4 PA1 2.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.4 PA1 The electron-donor group D being: --O--, --S--, ##STR5## or --COO-- The electron-accepter group A.sub.e being: --CN, --NO.sub.2 ##STR6## representing a system rich in .pi.-conjugated electrons: ##STR7##
At present, most photorefractive materials are inorganic compounds such as:
However, these materials present certain disadvantages which impede further development: the compounds which offer the best performance are not available as large monocrystals and they are still very expensive. In addition, at present, none of these materials offer the qualities required, which are very fast response, high sensitivity and large memory capability.
In parallel with the development of these inorganic photorefractive compounds, organic materials, particularly polymers, have been found to possess promising properties:

Amorphous copolymers for photorefractive compounds used in optical signal processing


A system attenuates scatter radiation during a radiological procedure. The radiological procedure using a radiation machine including an emitter, a receiver, a base, and a table for a patient. The base is supported by a floor. The system includes a barrier formed of a radiation attenuation material and positioned over an area on the floor. The barrier is comprised of an elastomeric material and disposed beneath the table. The barrier on the floor can reduce substantial amounts of scatter radiation.

The present disclosure relates generally to systems for and methods of attenuating radiation. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems for and methods of attenuating scatter radiation during a radiological examination of a patient.
Radiation barriers or shields are used to attenuate (e.g., deflect, absorb, etc.) the flux of electromagnetic radiation originating from a radiation source and directed towards a patient or medical personnel. Radiation can have beneficial and/or negative effects. One beneficial effect of radiation relates to radiological procedures (e.g., radiological examinations and treatments). For purposes of this disclosure, the phrase radiological examination refers generally to any procedure wherein radiation is applied to a patient for the purpose of producing an image or representation of the article (e.g., body part). Radiological examinations may provide a non-invasive means capable of obtaining an image of the internal composition of the patient. Radiological examinations may be employed in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, medical invasive and non-invasive procedures.
A wide array of medical procedures exist where radiological examinations are employed to obtain an image of the anatomy of a patient or portions thereof. For example, portions of a patient's anatomy may be irradiated during: (i) diagnostic procedures (e.g., Computed Tomography (CT) scanning, x-ray photography, or any other imaging procedure) allowing non-invasive investigation of anatomical regions of a patient (e.g., internal tissue, organs, etc.); or (ii) various invasive procedures, such as the fluoroscopic guidance and/or manipulation of instruments during surgical procedures (e.g., heart catheterization, etc.).
To obtain an image through a radiological examination, a primary radiation beam (i.e., entrance radiation) is applied to the patient. Preferably, radiation is selectively focused on to those areas to be examined (i.e., target areas) to minimize the patient's overall radiation exposure. Typically, the target areas are irradiated directly without any obstruction or impairment provided between the primary radiation beam and the patient. It is generally known to cover those areas distal, proximal, above and/or below the target area that are not being examined (i.e., secondary areas) with a radiation barrier or shield to prevent and/or reduce radiation exposure for those areas. Such shields are formed of a radiation attenuating material and are often placed directly upon the patient.
Scattered radiation or back scatter radiation occurs during radiological examinations. The radiation scattering involves radiation associated with the primary radiation beam deviating from a straight trajectory. This deviation is caused by radiation bouncing off objects (e.g, floors, walls, equipment, etc.) and people (e.g., patients and operators) within the examination room. The scattered radiation can expose medical personnel and patients to additional radiation.
Thus, there is a need to reduce exposure due to scattered radiation during a radiological procedure. Further, there is a need for a system for and a method of reducing scattered radiation during a medical procedure. Further, there is a need for a low cost system for and a method of reducing radiation exposure to personnel and patients present during radiological procedures. Further, there is a need for a radiation attenuation system and method that reduces scattered radiation and may be used during a radiological procedure without interfering with the clarity and/or accuracy of the provision of radiation. Further still, there is a need for a low cost, easy to use radiation attenuation system that is relatively adaptable for use with a variety of radiological procedures. It would be desirable to provide for a radiation attenuation system capable of satisfying one or more of these or other needs.

Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc.


A fracture fixation system comprising an elongated inner member 20 and a hollow barrel 14 adapted to receive the inner member 20. The barrel 14 includes an integral protrusion portion 15 for mating with a corresponding recess 24 on the inner member 20. The protrusion portion 15 is selectively removable by separation from the barrel 14, so that if the protrusion 15 is not removed, the protrusion 15 and corresponding recess 24 prevent rotation between the barrel 14 and the inner member 20, or alternatively, if the protrusion 15 is removed, this allows rotation between the inner member 20 and the barrel 14.

In the field of orthopaedics, it is well known to utilize various compression hip screw devices. Typically, a compression hip screw includes a lag screw with a tube or hollow barrel disposed over the lag screw and a compression screw threadably coupled to the lag screw. The barrel and the lag screw extend into the bone with the lag screw extending across the fracture. A bone plate typically extends from the barrel for attachment to the bone with bone screws. The compression screw permits application of a compressive force between the plate and the lag screw.
It is known to provide compression hip screws which include an intergaging key between the lag screw and the barrel to prevent rotation therebetween. Such keyed devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,702,543 to Pugh et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,591 to Graham, Jr. et al. Other such devices are provided without any keyed portion between the lag screw and barrel which allows rotation therebetween and thus does not require the alignment necessary with keyed devices. An example of such a device is the KEY-FREE.TM. Compression Hip Screw which was sold by Zimmer, Inc. of Warsaw, Ind.
Various compression hip screw assemblies provide for a separately insertable locking member of various configurations as disclosed by the following: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,432,358 and 4,657,001 to Fixel; U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,355 to Griggs; U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,920 to Lower; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,352 to Lozier. In Griggs and Lower and Lozier, the separately insertable locking member may optionally be used if a keyed device is desired, or selectively not inserted if a keyless device is desired. Whether or not a keyed or keyless system is utilized typically depends upon the preference of the surgeon. While these devices provide the option for a keyed or keyless device, the separately insertable locking member or key can be inconvenient to line up and insert during a surgical procedure if a keyed device is desired by the surgeon.

Fracture fixation assembly with selectively removable protrusion


An improved electrical circuit design and method to drive a plurality of LEDs in an LCD backlight in order to produce a uniform color distribution across the entire viewable surface of the display. The embodiments disclosed have features that permit a predetermined reduction in the amount of current provided to the LEDs positioned along the edge of the display region. This results in color uniformity, and consequently, an improved picture quality.

Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) often incorporate backlight panels to permit viewing in poor lighting conditions. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) is widely used as a light source of a conventional backlight for an LCD. Since the CCFL uses mercury gas, it may cause environmental pollution. Furthermore, the CCFL has a relatively slow response time and a relatively low color reproduction. In addition, the CCFL is not proper to reduce the weight, thickness, and overall volume of an LCD panel to which it is applied.
The use of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) is also known for the purpose of illuminating such LCD displays. LEDs are eco-oriented and have a response time of several nanoseconds, thereby being effective for a video signal stream and enabling impulsive driving. Furthermore, the LEDs have 100% color reproduction and can properly vary luminance and color temperature by adjusting a quantity of light emitted from red, green and blue LEDs. In addition, the LEDs are proper to reduce the weight, thickness and overall volume of the LCD panel. Therefore, in recent years, they have been widely used as a light source of a backlight unit for the LCD.
The LCD backlight employing the LEDs can be classified into an edge type backlight and a direct type backlight according to positions of the light source. In the edge type backlight, the light source is positioned at a side and emits light toward a front surface of the LCD panel using a light guide plate. In the direct type backlight, the light source is a surface light source placed under the LCD panel and having a surface area almost identical to that of the LCD panel and directly emits light toward the front surface of the LCD panel.
For direct type LED backlighting of LCD displays, it is desirable to use color (red, green, blue) LEDs to achieve the best color presentation through the LCD glass. The high brightness color LEDs are arranged in a pattern behind the LCD glass, and for many applications the surface area available for LEDs is no larger than the area of the LCD glass. This results in a pattern that will be non uniform along the edges of the LCD. For example, the top edge of this pattern may have too much red and green light, and the bottom edge of the pattern may have too much blue light.
There is an unmet need in the art for a system that produces color uniformity along the edges of LED or OLED displays.


A frequency converter unit includes a unit body, input bus bar means and output bus bar means. The input bus bar means have a plurality of input side bus bars spaced apart in a first direction, and the output bus bar means have a plurality of output side bus bars spaced apart in the first direction, which is perpendicular to an installation direction of the frequency converter unit. Each of the plurality of input side bus bars and the plurality of output side bus bars includes an aperture configured to connect the bus bar to a counterpart contact in a frame with a bolt-nut connection.

A known frequency converter unit includes cable terminals for power supply cabling and load cabling on a front side wall thereof. The known frequency converter unit is adapted to be installed in a frame having power supply cabling and load cabling on a front wall thereof. The power supply cabling is fixedly connected to the cable terminals for power supply cabling on the front side wall of the known frequency converter unit. Similarly, the load cabling is fixedly connected to the cable terminals for load cabling on the front side wall of the known frequency converter unit.
One of the drawbacks associated with the above described known frequency converter unit is that there are considerable difficulties in installing the known frequency converter unit in a frame having the power supply cabling and load cabling on a side wall thereof or on a back wall thereof.


The invention relates to the compounds of formula I, formula II, formula Ia, formula IIb or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I, formula II, formula Ia, formula IIb and methods for treating or preventing atherothrombosis may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment or management of ischemia, stroke, cerebral thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, thrombotic cerebrovascular, cardiovascular diseases and blood clots.

Atherothrombosis refers to the formation of thrombus superimposed on preexisting atherosclerosis. This common pathophysiologic process results in morbid or fatal clinical ischemic events affecting the cerebral, coronary, or peripheral arterial circulation. Because the platelet is a pivotal mediator in the initiation and propagation of thrombus formation, antiplatelet drugs have emerged as key agents for prevention of recurrent ischemic events. However, there is controversy regarding choice of oral antiplatelet therapy in patients with vascular diseases (ie, ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease [CAD], and peripheral arterial disease [PAD]). While it has been established that aspirin prevents recurrent atherothrombotic events across a wide range of high-risk patients (relative risk reduction of approximately 25%), it is less clear if other antiplatelet agents, such as clopidogrel or dipyridamole, alone or added to aspirin, are more effective.
This uncertainty This uncertainty is reflected in clinical practice: neurologists prefer to use aspirin combined with dipyridamole for patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or ischemic strokes; cardiologists use aspirin, clopidogrel, or their combination for patients with CAD; and there are few data regarding optimal antiplatelet treatment choices in patients with PAD. This heterogeneity in clinical practice suggests that clinicians believe that each vascular condition is different.
Intra-arterial thrombus formation could be prevented; the major sequelae of atherosclerotic heart disease (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and sudden cardiac death) as well as the majority of complications of percutaneous interventions could be prevented. Arterial thrombi, in contrast to venous thrombi, are platelet rich, making antiplatelet therapy central to their prevention. Until recently, our antiplatelet armamentarium was limited to aspirin. Today, we have a much wider selection of antiplatelet agents from which to choose, allowing us to optimize antiplatelet protection in specific clinical scenarios. Of course, the clinical benefits of platelet inhibition must be weighed against the associated risk of both surgical and nonsurgical hemorrhage.
The potential for increased hemorrhagic risk, especially in the surgical setting. In the months and years to come, it may not be unusual for a patient to require an urgent surgical procedure while being treated with two, or possibly three, different antiplatelet agents. Therefore, it is as important for the surgeon to understand the clinical benefits of antiplatelet therapy as it is for the cardiologist to appreciate the substantial risks associated with surgical bleeding.
Managing acute pathology of often relies on the addressing underlying pathology and symptoms of the disease. There is currently a need in the art for new compositions to treatment of Atherothrombosis.


A terminal device, which includes an encrypting section encrypting input data in a fully homomorphic encryption scheme to generate encrypted data. The terminal device includes an encrypted data transmission section transmitting the encrypted data generated by the encrypting section to a server. The terminal device includes an encrypted data reception section receiving the encrypted data on which the server implements a predetermined process and a decrypting section decrypting the encrypted data on which the predetermined process is implemented.

The present disclosure relates to a terminal device, a server, a data processing system, a data processing method, and a program.
In recent years, there has been increasing demand for monitoring camera systems for security reasons. The monitoring camera system includes mainly a monitoring camera for capturing a monitoring target and a monitoring server for analyzing video data which is captured by the monitoring camera. An observer checks the video data captured by the monitoring camera through a display connected to the monitoring server. In addition, as the analysis result of the video data, when there is an abnormality in the monitoring target, the monitoring server issues an alarm or explicitly shows the observer abnormality portions in the video data. Recently, the analysis technology of the video data has been advanced, so that the observer can effectively detect the abnormality of the monitoring target with high probability.
On the other hand, since the observer may check the video data even when there is no abnormality in the monitoring target, there is concern of an invasion of privacy. In order to remove such concerns, a mechanism in which the observer is not able to see the portions having no abnormality of the monitoring target in the video data is being considered. For example, in the following Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-269489, a masking technology is disclosed in which the portions having no abnormality of the monitoring target are masked in the video data. According to the technology, an abnormality detection mechanism and a masking mechanism are installed in the monitoring camera, so that the monitoring camera generates the video data in which the portions having no abnormality are masked, and transmits it to the monitoring server. Using the technology, the observer is not able to see the portions in which abnormality is not detected, so that an invasion of privacy can be avoided.

Terminal device, server, data processing system, data processing method, and program


Content is managed and provided to users over a communications link using a differencing engine. The differencing engine is configured to selectively cause content to be refreshed in a cache. Specifically, the differencing engine is configured to detect whether a more recent version of a data item is available, and if so, delete a current version of the data item from the cache and retrieve and store in the cache the more recent version of the data item. Content is selected for refresh based upon a set of one or more selection criteria. The selection criteria may include, for example, the source of content, the size of content, the age of content, the type of content and users to which the content is being provided.

The worldwide packet data communications network now commonly referred to as the "Internet" has experienced extraordinary growth and acceptance. The Internet provides access to hundreds of millions of electronic documents, making it the largest single source of information in the world. As used herein, the term "electronic document" refers to any type of data or information in electronic form. Examples of electronic documents include, without limitation, text documents and web pages. In addition to providing access to vast amounts of information, the Internet provides a medium for a plethora of exciting and useful services such as electronic mail, user-to-user chat services and even the ability to conduct telephone calls, commonly referred to as "voice over IP."
Arguably, one of the most valuable uses of the Internet is the ability for users to view and download enormous amounts of "content" from the Internet. In the context of the Internet, the term "content" broadly refers to almost any type of information or data. Common examples of Internet content include, without limitation, information about products and services offered by merchants, news and financial data. On the Internet, content is commonly provided to users in the form of web pages that are downloaded to users' personal computers and viewed using a web browser.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional arrangement 100 for providing Internet content to a user. A user 102 uses a tool such as a Web browser to connect to an access provider 104, sometimes referred to as an Internet Service Provider (ISP), via a communications link 106. An example of access provider 104 is the Internet dial-up service provided by America Online. Communications link 106 may be any medium that allows data to be exchanged between user 102 and access provider 104. Examples of communications link 106 include, without limitation, a dial up connection, a cable modem connection, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connection and a wireless connection.
Access provider 104 is communicatively coupled to the Internet 108 via a communications link 110. Communications link 110 may be any medium that allows data to be exchanged between access provider 104 and Internet 108 and is typically a broadband connection that allows for relatively large amounts of data to be exchanged between access provider 104 and Internet 108, since access provider 104 may provide Internet access to a large number of users.
Content providers 112, 114, 116 are communicatively coupled to Internet 108 via communications links 118, 120, 122, respectively, and provide content to user 102. Typically, user 102 views web pages hosted by access provider 104 and requests particular information by selecting icons or links to information that user 102 desires to see.
Two conventional approaches for providing content from content providers 112, 114, 116 to user 102 are the "retrieval approach" and the "cache approach." According to the retrieval approach, user 102 requests content from access provider 104. Access provider 104 in turn requests the content from content providers 112, 114, 116 over communications link 110, Internet 108 and communications links 118, 120, 122. Content providers 112, 114, 116 provide the content to access provider 104 over communications links 118, 120, 122, Internet 108 and communications link 110. Access provider 104 then provides the content to user 102.
The primary benefit afforded by the retrieval approach is that the content provided to user 102 is generally the most recent content available from content providers 112, 114, 116 since the content is retrieved directly from content providers 112, 114, 116. The "freshness" aspect of the retrieval approach is particularly desirable to content providers who want users to always access the most recent content. One disadvantage of the retrieval approach is that a full "roundtrip" is required from access provider 104 to content providers 112, 114, 116 and back to access provider 104 to retrieve data. Thus, the time required for access provider 104 to provide the content to user 102 is adversely affected by data transmission latencies and failures in Internet 108 and communications links 110, 118, 120, 122, and the response time of content providers 112, 114, 116. Another disadvantage of the retrieval approach is that content providers 112, 114, 116 may become overloaded when a large number of content requests are received in a short time interval.
According to the cache approach, the first time that user 102 requests content from access provider 104, the content is retrieved and provided to user 102 in the same manner as the retrieval approach just described. In addition, the content is stored on a local storage medium, such as a cache, of access provider 104. Thereafter, when any user connected to the Internet through access provider 104 requests the content, the content is provided the user from the cache of access provider 104, without being retrieved from content providers 112,114, 116.
Content maintained locally by access provider 104 is updated or refreshed from content providers 112, 114, 116 based upon a combination of subsequent user requests for the content and a particular heuristic or algorithm used by the access provider to determine when to refresh content. For example, suppose that content provider 112 generates a particular electronic document. When user 102 first requests the particular electronic document, access provider 104 retrieves the particular electronic document from content provider 112, provides the particular electronic document to user 102 and stores the particular electronic document in the cache of access provider 104. Sometime later, user 102 requests the same particular electronic document. In response to the request from user 102, access provider 104 applies a particular heuristic to determine whether the copy of the particular electronic document maintained in the cache of access provider 104 should be provided to user 102, or whether a new copy of the particular electronic document should be retrieved from content provider 112. For example, access provider 104 may determine whether the cached copy of the particular electronic document is sufficiently new. If the copy of the content stored in the cache of access provider 104 is deemed to be sufficiently new, based upon the heuristic, then the copy of content stored in the cache of access provider 104 is provided to user 102. If, however, based upon the heuristic, the copy of the content stored in the cache of access provider 104 is too old, then a new copy of the content is retrieved from content provider 112.
One of the benefits afforded by the cache approach is that content can generally be provided to user 102 from access provider 104 much faster than from content providers 112, 114, 116. Thus, the time required to provide content to user 102 is not adversely affected by data transmission latencies in Internet 108 and communications links 110, 118, 120, 122 or the response time of content providers 112, 114, 116. The cache approach also reduces the amount of loading on content providers 112, 114, 116.
Despite the performance advantage provided by the cache approach compared to the retrieval approach, the cache approach has several drawbacks. First, the first requestor of content must incur the performance penalty associated with retrieving content from content providers 112, 114, 116.
Second, there is no guarantee that content will be maintained indefinitely in the cache of access provider 104. As a practical consideration, access providers have only a finite amount of cache storage and therefore cannot maintain all content indefinitely. This problem is particularly acute on the Internet, where the amount of available content is growing at an extraordinary rate. Because of limited storage space, access providers typically employ an algorithm, such as a least-recently used algorithm, to select which content from their caches should be overwritten with new content. Once content is replaced, the next requestor must wait for the content to be retrieved from the appropriate content provider 112. In addition, replacement algorithms generally do not know whether a particular version of content is the most recent version of the content. Thus, content re-retrieved from content providers 112, 114, 116 may not be any different than the content that was previously replaced, resulting in wasted communications bandwidth and wasted loading of content providers 112, 114, 116.
Third, content that is maintained in cache may not be the most recent version of content from content providers 112, 114, 116 and may therefore be "stale." Limitations in heuristics and refresh algorithms therefore unavoidably cause some current content to be deleted and some old content not to be refreshed. Thus, the accuracy or coherence of access provider caches is adversely affected by limitations in the particular heuristic or refresh algorithm employed.
The cache approach effectively transfers the control of when users see new content from the content providers to the access providers. In addition to not having control over when new content will be made available to users, content providers 112, 114, 116 do not have any way of knowing statistics about access to their content by user 102, for example, which of their content is accessed and when their content is accessed by user 102. Being aware of access statistics for their content is very important to content providers because it allows them to better manage their content.
Given the need to provide content to users and the limitations in prior approaches, an approach for managing content that does not suffer from limitations of conventional approaches is highly desirable.
There is a need for an approach for providing content to users that provides greater control to content providers over which content is made available to users and allows the most recent content to be provided to users.
There is yet a further need for an approach for providing content to users that provides to content providers increased visibility into how and when users access their content.

Approach for managing and providing content to users


A thermally regulated power system, where the extent to which the temperature of a power module causes a change in the output power of the module depends on the output current of the module. Similarly, the extent to which the output current of the power module causes a change in the output power of the module depends on the temperature of the module. In one embodiment, a thermally regulated down slope power sharing system without a share line includes N+1 power modules coupled in parallel to the same output port, where N is an integer greater than one. The slope of the down slope curve of a power module is changed in response to the temperature of the power module such that a power module operating at a higher temperature outputs less current for a given bus voltage than a power module operating at a lower temperature. In another embodiment, the power system includes 2N power modules, where one group of N power modules is coupled to each other by a first share line and another group of N power modules is coupled to each other by a second share line. This allows the power output of the power modules to be controlled by thermally regulated down slope sharing and by temperature/current share lines.

The present invention relates to power systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to thermal regulation of power systems.
A wide variety of electrical power converters are available to convert electrical power that is in one form, such as an AC supply, into another form, such as one or more DC voltages. The efficient performance of an electrical power converter depends on many factors, including the operating temperature of the converter. An excessive operating temperature can lead to a number of problems in the performance of a power converter. For example, operating at an excessive temperature can result in the power converter having a shorter lifetime or an increased likelihood of "thermal shutdown." In practice, the mean-time-between-failure ("MTBF") of a power converter is roughly proportional to the exponential of the temperature at which the converter is operated.
Power converters commonly are coupled in parallel to provide increased power to a single load. In such cases, it is desirable to equalize the power output and the temperature of the converters in the system so as not to overly burden one or more of the power converters in the system. However, it is difficult to control the temperature of each power converter within a system of parallel converters. For example, where a number of power converters are cooled by a fan, a temperature gradient may develop which causes the power converters relatively far from the fan to operate at a higher temperature. This temperature gradient can be further increased by possible differences in the power output of individual power converters in the system since an increase in the power output of a power converter tends to increase the temperature of the power converter.
To assist in regulating the temperature of the power converters in a system of parallel power converters, control circuits for balancing the power supplied by each power converter to the load may be used. In one type of control circuit, each power converter compares its own output current with the average output current of all the power converters in the system and changes its output current such that its output current approximates the average output current of the power converters in the system. Such a control circuit is commonly used in an N+1 power system, where N is an integer greater than one and represents the number of power converters needed to meet the power requirements of the load. An additional power converter is used in the N+1 system so that the power system can meet the power requirement of the load even when one of the power converters is not operating. One of the disadvantages of power sharing based only on the current output of the power converters is that the temperature of one or more power converters may still rise to a level that will reduce the MTBF of the power converter and/or bring it into thermal shutdown as a result of temperature imbalances that are caused by factors other than the imbalance in power supplied to the load.
Another type of control circuit, that is also used in N+1 power systems, compares the temperature of each power converter to the average temperature of the power converters in the system and adjusts the power output of the power converters so that the temperature of each power converter most closely approximates the average temperature of the power converters in the system. This temperature share scheme, at least in theory, increases the likelihood that the power converters in the system are all maintained at substantially the same temperature. When the temperature of a power converter is below the average temperature of the power converters in the system, then that power converter is caused to increase its power output. Similarly a power converter with an operating temperature that is higher than the average temperature of the power converters in the system is caused to decrease its power output.
A temperature share scheme, such as the one described in the preceding paragraph, that relies only on the temperature of the power converters to control the power output of a converter creates severe problems when a cold power converter is hot plugged into a power system with hot power converters. A hot plugged power converter will almost invariably be much colder than the other power converters in the system. Therefore, the temperature of the hot plugged power converter will be much lower than the average temperature of the power converters in the system. The large temperature differential between the cold and the hot converters would cause the output voltage of the cold converter to increase substantially in order to eliminate the large temperature differential. Thus, a power converter that is significantly colder than the other power converters in the system will make a significant input to the bus output voltage despite the fact that the output current of that particular converter is insignificant. Therefore, the hot plug in of a cold power converter causes a large change in the output bus voltage of the system.
Additionally, operating all the power converters in the system at the same temperature does not insure that each power converter will contribute an equal amount of power to the load. For example, a power converter that is better cooled may supply a greater than average amount of power to the load and still have about the same temperature as a power converter that is not as well cooled and provides less than the average amount of power to the load.
Some temperature share schemes, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,154 issued to Smith, et al., (Smith, et al.,) control the output power of each power converter in a system of parallel power converters as a function of both the output current of each converter and the temperature of each converter such that the temperature of each converter approximates the average temperature of the power converters in the system. The use of both the current output in addition to the operating temperature of the power converter to control the power output of a power converter increases the likelihood that each of the power converters contributes an equal amount of power to the load and is operated at about the average temperature of the power converters in the system. However, in Smith, et al., the temperature and the output current of a power converter independently control the power output of the power converter, which as explained below creates certain problems particularly when hot plugging a cold power converter into a system of hot power converters.
The laplace transform of the temperature and current feedback in the Smith, et al., system is as follows: EQU T.sub.FEEDBACK +I.sub.FEEDBACK =(T/K1)/(S+P1)!+(I)*(K2)*(S+Z1)/(S+P1)!
where:
T.sub.FEEDBACK is the feedback component due to the temperature of the power converter; PA1 I.sub.FEEDBACK is the feedback component due to the current output of the power converter; PA1 T is the operating temperature of the power converter; PA1 I is the load current, i.e., the output current of the power converter; PA1 K1 and K2 are constants that are a function of the value of the components used in the power module, such as resistors in the control circuit, number of turns in the transformer, etc.; PA1 S is the laplace transform operator; PA1 P1 is a pole of the transfer function; PA1 Z1 is a zero of the transfer function.
In the above laplace transform, the first term which is a function of the temperature of the converter is added to the second term which is a function of the output current of the transformer. Thus, the temperature and the output current of the power converter independently feed back and control the power output of the power converter. As a result, the temperature of the power converter can, independent of the output current of the power converter, control the power output of the power converter. This independence can cause severe problems when a cold power converter is hot plugged into a power system with hot power converters. As discussed above, a hot plugged power converter will almost invariably be much colder than the other power converters in the system. Therefore, the temperature of the hot plugged power converter will be much lower than the average temperature of the power converters in the system. The large temperature differential between the cold and the hot converters causes the output voltage of the cold converter to increase substantially in order to eliminate the large temperature differential. Thus, a power converter that is significantly colder than the other power converters in the system will make a significant input to the bus output voltage despite the fact that the output current of that particular converter is insignificant. Since the temperature and the output current independently control the power output, a given temperature differential will have substantially the same effect on the power output of the converter regardless of the output current of the power converter. Therefore, the hot plug in of a cold power converter may cause a large change in the output bus voltage of the system. Thus, the problems associated with the hot plug in of a cold power converter exists in the Smith, et al., system as it does in temperature share scheme systems that use only the temperature of the power converter to control the power output of the converter.
Additionally, all of the above control circuits rely on a share line to share common current or temperature information between the power converters. The share line allows averaging the operating temperatures or output currents of the power converters in the system and is often considered to be the most accurate means for power sharing between converters. However, use of the share line has disadvantages, one of which is the single point of failure. The single point of failure refers to the failure of the entire system to operate properly as a result of the failure of at least one of the power converters in the system. An example of such a failure includes the thermal shutdown of a power converter in the system. A power converter often will thermally shut down when it operates at a high temperature for a long period of time. A power converter is more likely to thermally shut down if it is hot plugged into a system. The newly plugged in power converter rapidly increases its power output in order to match the power output of the other power converters in the system. This rapid increase in power output may also cause a rapid increase in the temperature of the power converter. If the power output of the power converter is not controlled in time, then the power converter may continue to heat up to a point where it eventually thermally shuts down. When a power converter in a share line system thermally shuts down, then the share line to which the power converter is connected may be shorted as a result of possible shorts in the thermally shut down power converter. Unfortunately, there are no known ways of insuring operability of the power system when the external share line is shorted. The shorting of the share line removes the only control means for controlling the power output of the power converters in the system. In the absence of a means for controlling the power output of the power converters in the system, the likelihood of other power converters in the system and eventually the entire power system thermally shutting down increases.
One way to overcome the single point of failure problem is to use what is referred to as a 2N redundant power system, where N is an integer greater than one and is also the number of power converters needed to meet the power requirements of the load. In such a system, a first group of N power converters, i.e., a first bay (or array) of power converters, are coupled to each other by a first share line while the second group of N power converters, i.e. a second bay (or array) of power converters, are coupled to each other by a second share line. Both the first and second groups of power converters are coupled to the same load. The first and the second share lines are independent of each other such that the shorting of one share line does not necessarily cause a shorting of the other share line. When the share line in one bay is shorted, then the N power converters in the other bay provide the necessary power to the load. Thus, the 2N redundant power system effectively deals with the single point of failure problem present in power system using a share line.
However, the 2N redundant power system does not efficiently utilize all of the power converters in the system. Invariably one bay will have a higher output voltage than the other bay and would, therefore, dominate the output by providing a higher output voltage while the other bay would be off. Therefore, there is no power sharing at all between the power converters in the separate bays. Thus, the single point of failure is avoided at the cost of having twice as many power converters as are needed to supply the necessary power to the load since half of the power converters are idle at any given time.
Another prior art power sharing scheme, namely a down slope power sharing system, avoids the problem of a single point of failure by simply not using a share line. The down slope curve of a power module is typically defined as a plot of the output voltage of a power module as a function of the output current of the same module. In a down slope power sharing system, power sharing is accomplished by designing the power modules in the system to have a substantially equal impedance, and then coupling the output of each of the power modules to the same output line such that the output voltage of each of the power modules is substantially identical. Given that the impedance and the voltage of all the power modules are substantially identical, the output current of each of the power modules, according to Ohm's law, will be substantially identical as well. In this system, therefore, the down slope curve for each of the power modules in the system is substantially identical.
However, even in a down slope power sharing system, the power modules in the system may be operating at different temperatures since they may not all be exposed to identical cooling influences. For example, a power module that is farther removed from a cooling fan is less likely to be cooled down to the same temperature as a power module situated closer to the cooling fan. Therefore, it is possible, and in many cases likely, in a down slope power sharing system for the power modules to be outputting an equal amount of power even though they are operating at different temperatures. The power modules operating at a higher temperature have a lower MTBF, which as noted above is roughly proportional to the exponential of the temperature at which the converter is operated. Therefore, the power modules operating at a higher temperature are more likely to thermally shut down before the power modules operating at a lower temperature. The thermal shutdown of one power module in the system increases the share of the power output that each of the other power modules in the system must contribute to the load so as to meet the power requirement of the load. This increases the likelihood of other power modules and eventually the entire power system thermally shutting down.
Therefore, it is desirable to thermally regulate the power sharing of power modules in a down slope power sharing system such that power modules operating at a higher temperature compared to other power modules in the system are caused to output a lower current for a given output voltage.
Thermal regulation of the power output of power modules is particularly useful in a power system with a 48 volt or lower voltage bus. Power modules supplying power to a 48 volt or lower voltage bus tend to have a higher power conversion rate and lower thermal capacity per individual power module as compared to larger and generally greater thermal capacity discrete designs. Therefore, the power modules supplying power to a 48 volt or lower voltage bus, such as 24 volts or 12 volts, are more likely to heat up and thermally shut down.

Thermally aided power sharing of power supplies with or without an external current share line