The invention provides a surface, or electric field, stabilised ferroelectric liquid crystal (SSFLC) device with an improved contrast ratio between its two switched states. The device comprises a liquid crystal cell formed by a thin layer (7), typically 1 to 5 .mu.m thick, of a smectic liquid crystal material, eg a smectic c, held between two glass walls (2, 3) coated on their inner faces with electrodes (5, 6). Polarizers (8, 9) are arranged either side the walls (2, 3). The device is switched between two bistable states by application of unidirectional voltage pulses, with or without the simultaneous application of ac bias voltages. To obtain optimum contrast ratio CR, the optical axis of the polarisers are rotated away from a crossed, or othogonal position. eg by +/-20.degree., and the cell rotated between the polarisers (8, 9); the precise optimum rotation depends upon material, and ac bias voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to ferroelectric liquid crystal display devices, specifically a device with improved contrast ratios.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Liquid crystal display devices are well known. They typically comprise a liquid crystal cell formed by a thin layer of a liquid crystal material held between two glass walls. These walls carry transparent electrodes which apply an electric field across the liquid crystal layer to cause a rotation of the molecules of liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal molecules in many displays adopt one of two states of molecular arrangement, one of which may be a voltage OFF state and the other a voltage ON state. Information is displayed by areas of liquid crystal material in one state contrasting with areas in the other state. One known display is formed as a matrix of pixels or display elements produced at the intersections between column electrodes on one walls and row electrodes on the other wall. The display is addressed in a multiplex manner by applying voltages to successive row and column electrodes. Another type of display is a shutter which is addressed in a direct drive manner.
Liquid crystal materials are of three basis types, nematic, cholesteric, and smectic each having a distinctive molecular arrangement.
The present invention concerns ferro electric smectic liquid crystal materials. Devices using this material form the surface stabilised ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) device. These devices can show bistability, ie the liquid crystal molecules, more correctly the molecular director, adopt one of two alignment states on switching by positive and negative voltage pulses and remain in the switched state after removal of the voltage. This behaviour depends upon the surface alignment properties. Some types of surface alignment will produce a device in which the switched states remain after removal of the voltage, other types of surface alignment will produce a device in which the states may randomly decay on removal of the voltage. The switched states may be stabilised by the presence of an ac bias. The actual states achieved may be dependent upon the amplitude of any ac bias present. The ac bias may be provided by the data (column) voltages in a mulitplexed device. This property, together with the fast switching speed, makes FLC devices suitable for large displays with a large number of pixels or display elements. Such ferroelectric displays are described for example in: N A Clark and S T Lagerwall, Applied Physics Letters Vol 36, No 11 pp 889-901, June, 1980; GB-2,166,256-A; U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,924; U.S. Pat. No. 4,563.059; patent GB-2,209,610 [Bradshaw end Raynes]; R B Meyer et al, J Phys Lett 36, L69, 1975.
The two switched states are made visible by arranging the liquid crystal cell between two crossed polarisers. One of the polarisers is aligned approximately parallel to one of the switched directions. This is known for example from GB 2,209,610.
To improve device legibility and device usefulness all device designers seek to obtain maximum contrast between the two switched states. The present invention improves this contrast of existing FLC devices.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal display device with a particular angle between the polarizer optical axes and the molecular director

The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a British Corporation Sole


A method of forming parallel corpora comprises receiving sets of items in first language and second languages, each of the sets having one or more associated descriptions and metadata. The metadata is collected from the two sets of items and are aligned using the metadata. The aligned metadata are mapped from the first language to the second language for each of the sets. The descriptions of two items are fetched and the structural similarity of the descriptions is measured to assess whether two items are likely to be translations of each other. For mapped items with structurally similar descriptions, the mapped item descriptions are formed into respective sentences in first language and in the second language. The sentences are parallel corpora which may be used to translate an item from the first language to the second language, and also to train a machine translation system.

The use of mobile devices, such as cellphones, smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers, has increased rapidly in recent years, which, along with the rise in dominance of the Internet as the primary mechanism for communication, has caused an explosion in electronic commerce ("ecommerce"). As these factors spread throughout the world, communications between users that utilize different spoken or written languages increase exponentially. Ecommerce has unique challenges when dealing with differing languages being used, specifically an ecommerce transaction often involves the need to ensure specific information is accurate. For example, if a potential buyer asks a seller about some aspect of a product for sale, the answer should be precise and accurate. Any failing in the accuracy of the answer could result in a lost sale or an unhappy purchaser.

Methods for automatic generation of parallel corpora


An apparatus including an inductive charging system and at least one wireless communication system. The inductive charging system is configured to charge a rechargeable battery. The inductive charging system has an induction coil. The at least one wireless communication system is configured to communicate with a device. The wireless communication system includes at least a portion of the induction coil for transmitting and/or receiving a wireless signal at the induction coil, or for generating a communication electromagnetic field at the induction coil. Thus, both the inductive charging system and the wireless communication system include at least a portion of the induction coil as a common component for both of the systems.

1. Technical Field
The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments relate generally to an apparatus having both an inductive charging system and a wireless communication system and, more particularly, to a common component used in the systems.
2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
Portable hand-held devices, such as mobile telephones for example, are know which comprise wireless charging, Near-Field Communication (NFC) and Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC).

Inductive charging of a rechargeable battery


A device for the thermal regulation of a pressurized circulating fluid includes a plurality of elementary assemblies, each formed by a stack of ribbed or corrugated plates. Seals define fluid circulation circuits for conducting coolant fluid and heat transfer fluid therethrough, the circuits emerging at the top and the bottom of the device, heat being exchanged between the circuits through the plates. An electrical heating resistance element is interposed between the circuits for precise thermoregulation of the heat transfer fluid.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject of the present invention is a device for thermal regulation of a circulating fluid, used especially to regulate the temperature of tooling or of reactors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Such devices, intended to regulate the temperature of tooling for molding plastics, by means of a heat-transfer fluid circulating under the action of a pump already exist. In these devices, the temperature of the fluid can be increased by means of electrical heating resistance elements or decreased by means of second, cold fluid passing through an exchanger, the whole assembly being able to be controlled by means of an electronic regulator connected to one or more thermocouples judiciously arranged in the path of the heat-transfer fluid and by various safety devices.
In general, these devices include a heater-cooler of the heat-transfer fluid formed by a storage tank inside which is arranged an electrical heating resistance element and a cooling fluid circuit consisting of a coil, the electrical resistance elements being, of course, arranged inside an shielded tube, as described in document BF-A. 2,658,332 (VULCANIC SA).
In order to cool the heat-transfer fluid, other regulation devices include a plate exchanger. In these well-known exchangers, consisting of a stack of plates, the fluid to be cooled and the cold fluid circulate in two different circuits without contact with each other, on either side of each plate. The regulation devices, including such plate exchangers, are bulky since the heating resistance elements obviously have to be outside and some distance away from the said heat exchangers, whence the whole assembly forms a significant volume and has to have a large quantity of heat-transfer fluid circulating.
However, plate exchangers exist which include an electrical heating resistance element inserted between the plates, as described in Canadian Patent 979,059. These constructions do not make it possible to produce a thermoregulation device allowing the passage of several fluids which are to circulate vertically and alternately between the plates in order to emerge at the top and at the bottom of the device while at the same time being perfectly sealed.
In addition, with existing devices, a precise temperature with a very short response time cannot be obtained.

Device for thermal regulation of a circulating fluid comprising a stacked corrugated plate heat exchanger with heat transfer and cooling paths and electrical heating element therebetween


The reference surface of the positioning reference on the funnel is formed as a flat plane from a mold match line towards a small-diameter opening side. In addition, the reference surface of the positioning reference is formed in parallel with or in a direction near a central axis line of the funnel from the mold match line towards the small-diameter opening side with respect to a plane which is in parallel with the central axis line and includes the mold match line.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a funnel for cathode ray tube (CRT) and a mold for making same. More particularly, the invention relates to a technology for improving a positioning reference that is formed on an outer wall of a body of a funnel for cathode ray tube.
2. Description of Related Art
As well known in the conventional art, the glass bulb for cathode ray tube comprises a panel that forms a front portion and images are displayed thereon; a funnel that is located behind the panel, sealed to the panel, and a deflection yoke is externally mounted thereon; and a neck that is fusion bonded with the funnel and an electron gun is internally installed.
The panel comprises a face portion with an effective screen for displaying an image, and a skirt portion having a substantially rectangular enlarged opening that is connected to the face portion through a blend R portion and is used to seal to the funnel. The skirt portion comprises side portions each of which is between two adjacent corners among four corners.
As shown in FIG. 5, the funnel 1 comprises a substantially rectangular enlarged opening (seal edge surface) 2 to be sealed to the panel, and a substantially circular small-diameter opening 3 to be fusion bonded with the neck. The body portion 4 of the funnel 1 using the tube axis X as a central axis line has body structures 4a, and each body structure 4a that exists between two adjacent corners 5 among four corners 5 at the side of the enlarged opening 2 is gradually shrunk towards the side of the small-diameter opening 3. In addition, the neck is substantially a cylindrical shape.
As a cathode ray tube, in order to obtain a structure for displaying a proper image without color deviation, etc., it is important that the central axis lines of the panel, the funnel and the neck are accurately positioned one another with respect to the tube axis of the glass bulb and then assembled together. Therefore, a plurality of positioning references 6 (three entities, for example), which is in contact with fixtures to determine a position relative to the panel when the funnel is sealed to the panel, is disposed on the adjacent body structures 4a of the funnel 1. The positioning reference 6 is made in a convex shape whose top portion has a reference surface 6a that contacts with the fixture. The reference surface 6a is formed in such a manner that a predetermined distance is set from the central axis line of the funnel.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when manufacturing the funnel 1, after a high-temperature molten glass gob is provided to a female mold comprising a bottom mold 7 and a shell mold 8, a plunger 9 as a male mold is moved downwards to press and extend the glass gob. After the molten glass gob is formed into predetermined shape, the plunger 9 is moved upwards. Furthermore, after the shell mold 8 is removed, the funnel 1 is removed out of the bottom mold 7.
In this situation, a molding portion corresponding to the positioning reference 6 is formed as a recess portion on the bottom mold 7. In addition, considering the easiness of taking the funnel 1 out of the bottom mold 7 after being molded, the molding portion corresponding to the positioning reference 6 is formed on the uppermost portion of the bottom mold 7 in a status that the upper portion is open. Therefore, the positioning reference 6 is located in the vicinity of a mold match line M formed by the mold matching of the bottom mold 7 and the shell mold 8.
In addition, it is a common example that the reference surface 6a of the positioning reference 6 is formed in substantially parallel with the central axis line X of the funnel 1. The shapes of the positioning reference 6 have types as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, for example. As shown in FIG. 8, for any above type of the positioning reference 6, the edge 6b (front edge, hereinafter) at the side of the seal edge surface 2 of the reference surface 6a is formed by projecting from an outer side of the mold match line M (a side away from the central axis line X, following is the same). For example, the projection dimension L from the mold match line M to the front edge 6b of the reference surface 6a can be set about 1.5 mm˜2.5 mm.
The aforementioned projection dimension L is previously set by predicting a dimension unevenness generated when the funnel 1 is pressed to form, so that currently, the value of the projection dimension L is determined according to operator's experience. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, when molding the positioning reference 6, a sliding plate 21, at a front end of which a molding surface 21a for molding the reference surface 6a of the positioning reference 6 is provided, is fitted slidably in the x-y direction into a slit 20 formed at the uppermost part of the bottom mold 7. The position of the sliding plate 21 is suitably adjusted to secure a proper dimension accuracy of the reference surface 6a.
Conventionally, the reference surface 6a of the positioning reference 6 is projected more outwards than the mold match line M by about 1.5 mm˜2.5 mm, causing following problems.
Since the glass thickness of the forming portion of the positioning reference 6 on the funnel 1 is overly thick in comparison with the other portions, when press molding of the molten glass gob, the temperature balance in the vicinity of the positioning reference 6 is degraded, there might be possibilities of dimensional defects and deformation. In addition, since the positioning reference 6 becomes a cause to interfere the flow of the molten glass, the drawback such as sag or tip on the glass is caused.
In addition, since the positioning reference 6 is formed by the molten glass at the final stage of the pressing and extending by the plunger 9, wrinkles, etc. might be possibly created thereon because the fluidity of the molten glass is decreased.
Furthermore, in a slidable mold such as using the aforementioned sliding plate 21, when the sliding plate 21 is made to move in the X direction, an acute angle gap is formed between the front end of the sliding plate 21 and the recess 22 of the bottom mold 7. In addition, even when the sliding plate 21 is made to move in the Y direction, a tiny gap also exists between the sliding plate 21 and the slit 20. As a result, tiny angular protrusions or tiny line-shaped protrusions are formed on the border of the reference surface 6a. These do not only become the causes of creating the crack, etc., but the quality deterioration or the degradation of molding yield is caused.

Funnel for cathode ray tube and mold for making the same


In a printing head which makes an ink jet system printing and includes a pressure chamber supplied with an ink, a nozzle which communicates to the pressure chamber, a vibration plate which forms one wall of the pressure chamber; and pressure applying mechanism for applying pressure to the vibration plate so as to eject the ink from the nozzle, the pressure applying mechanism includes a wire for applying the pressure on the vibration plate, and a driving part for displacing the wire. At least the pressure chamber is detachably mounted with respect to the pressure applying mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to printing heads, and more particularly to an ink jet type printing head which is applied to image recording apparatuses such as printers and facsimile machines.
2. Description of the Related Art
The conventional ink jet type printing head is provided with a nozzle, a pressure chamber, an ink supply passage and an ink tank, and ink particles are ejected from the nozzle by generating pressure in the pressure chamber so that characters or images are recorded on a recording paper. As means of applying the pressure to the pressure chamber, the generally known system adheres a piezoelectric element on the outer wall of the pressure chamber and uses the displacement of the piezoelectric element which is generated by applying a pulse voltage to the piezoelectric element. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the general structure of the conventional printing head using this system. In FIG. 1, an ink 2 fills a pressure chamber 1, and a piezoelectric element 3 is adhered on an outer wall 1a of the pressure chamber 1. One end of the pressure chamber 1 communicates with a nozzle 4, and the other end is connected to an ink tank which is not shown.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the function of the printing head shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A shows a state where the voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 3 and the ink is about to be ejected from the nozzle 4, and FIG. 2B shows a state where ink particles (i.e., droplets) 5 are ejected.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3A through 3E, there is a system of using a thermal resistor element 7 which is positioned in the vicinity of a nozzle 6 as the pressure generating means. In the printing head employing this system, a pulse voltage is applied to the thermal resistor element 7, and bubbles 8 are generated within the ink by the heat which is generated, so as to eject ink particles 9 from the nozzle by this pressure. FIG. 3A shows an initial state of the bubble generation, FIG. 3B shows a state where bubbles are generated to a certain extent, FIG. 3C shows a state where the bubble has grown large and the ejection of the ink is about to start, FIG. 3D shows a state where the ink ejection has progressed further, and FIG. 3E shows a state where the ink particles 9 have been ejection.
The conventional ink jet type printing heads described above are suited for use in offices because they generate far less noise compared to the wire dot printing heads, i.e., dot matrix printers, which print by pressing wires against a platen via an ink ribbon and the paper.
However, the conventional ink jet type printing heads suffer from the following disadvantages.
That is, in the case shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the entire printing head must be replaced because dust particles and the like adhere to the nozzle of the printing head, air bubbles enter from the nozzle or the nozzle becomes blocked by dried ink.
In addition, even in the case shown in FIGS. 3A through 3E, similar problems existed because the head generating part, i.e., pressure generating means, is integrally formed on the nozzle and the pressure chamber.
Recently, a disposable head integrally having a printing head and an ink head in the form of a head cartridge has been developed, and the entire head cartridge is replaced when all of the ink within the tank is consumed. However, according to such a printing head, the pressure generating means is disposed of at the same time, and there are problems in that the cost of the head is high and the running (i.e., operating) cost is high.

Ink jet printing head having a detachable pressure chamber


A battery container for transportation and storage of wet-acid batteries includes an inner liner for holding a battery, an outer liner wrapped around the inner liner and an enclosure wrapped around both liners. The inner liner absorbs liquids spilled from the battery while the outer liner and enclosure cooperate to absorb G-forces when the container is dropped, to protect the battery from shock.

1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to a battery container, and more particularly for a container for the storage and transportation of wet-acid batteries safely and securely, in accordance with current international regulations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Wet-acid batteries are filled with corrosive acid and hence are considered to contain hazardous materials. Therefore containers for shipping such batteries must meet certain requirement set by international authorities including for example performance tests set by the United Nations. While the prior art is replete with cardboard boxes, none of them to the knowledge of the inventor are rugged enough to withstand the international regulations.


An image stabilizing apparatus includes a shift member holding a lens, a first driver moving the shift member in a first direction in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, and a second driver moving the shift member in a second direction in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The first driver includes a first magnet, a first coil, and a first yoke in order in an optical axis direction, the second driver includes a second magnet, a second coil, and a second yoke in order in the optical axis direction, the first yoke has a protrusion that protrudes in the first direction at least one of end portions extending in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the second yoke has a protrusion that protrudes in the second direction at least one of end portions extending in a direction orthogonal to the second direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image stabilizing apparatus that performs a shift movement of a lens in order to correct an image blur.
2. Description of the Related Art
Previously, in an optical apparatus such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, a shift unit (an image stabilizing apparatus) that performs a shift movement of a lens in order to correct an image blur generated by a hand shake has been known. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-196382 discloses an image stabilizing apparatus that moves a correction lens unit. This image stabilizing apparatus is a shift unit of so-called moving coil type, which has a driving magnet disposed on a base member at a fixed side and has a yoke and a coil disposed on a shift member at a movable side.
Since a magnetic suction force acts between the driving magnet and the yoke, there is a position where the driving magnet and the yoke magnetically come into balance with each other. Accordingly, when a position relation between the driving magnet and the yoke is changed from the balanced position, a force that is to go back to an original position (a pulling force) acts. As a result, the shift unit that includes two drivers that drive the shift member in a vertical direction (a pitch direction) and a horizontal direction (a yaw direction) in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis generates the pulling force of one driver in accordance with the position change of the other driver.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-196382 discloses an image stabilizing apparatus that reduces a pulling force in a pitch direction driver. In this image stabilizing apparatus, a protrusion that protrudes in an optical axis direction is provided on a yoke. The strength of a force caused by magnetism is inversely proportional to the square of a distance. Therefore, when the shift member moves in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis and the distance between the driving magnet and the protrusion is changed, the pulling force that acts between the driving magnet and the protrusion acts in a direction in which the movement is facilitated.
However, since the pulling force is generated in the yaw direction driver in this case, a moment that rotates the shift member in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis is generated. Therefore, the shift member is freely rotated during the image stabilizing operation. When the shift member contacts a fixed member by the rotational motion, a collision noise is generated and an image may also be fussy. In addition, when a part is damaged by the contact, the drive of the shift member may be disturbed after that.
Japanese Patent No. 3229899 discloses an image stabilizing apparatus that is provided with a guide shaft that limits the rotation of a shift member in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction.
However, when the guide shaft as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3229899 is newly provided, the reduction in size of the image stabilizing apparatus is prevented. In addition, since the configuration of the apparatus is complicated and the number of parts is increased, it is difficult to reduce cost.

Image stabilizing apparatus, lens barrel, and optical apparatus


A method and apparatus for handling photographic film systems in which a liquid processing agent is carried by one of two film components which, after exposure, are processed by bringing the two components into face-to-face contact. The apparatus features a cassette structure having a central tray-like section with cylindrical housings at opposite ends. The housing for the processing agent carrying web is provided with a releasable stopper by which that web may be passed from the chamber without obstruction and the chamber resealed to inhibit evaporation and carbonation of the web-carried processing agent.

This invention relates to photographic systems. More particularly, it concerns a method and apparatus for storing, exposing and processing photographic film from which a positive print or transparency is formed by exposing an initially separate negative sheet and bringing the negative into face-to-face contact with a positive image receiving sheet previously coated or impregnated with a processing agent capable of effecting image transfer from the exposed negative to the positive receiver.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,563 issued to Edwin H. Land on Sept. 23, 1975 discloses a diffusion transfer process in which the image receiving element or sheet is impregnated with an alkaline processing composition. The image receiver or positive sheet includes a transparent support through which the final image may be observed in an image receiving coating or layer directly on the transparent support. Reflectivity for use of the system as a positive print is provided by a white pigmented layer backed by an opaque layer. The three layers thus provided on the transparent support are impregnated with a liquid alkaline processing agent common to diffusion transfer film processing.
The negative element of the system disclosed in the aforementioned patent includes a support of mylar or similar material which may be either transparent or opaque. The negative support is coated by polymetric acid layer, a timing layer, a dye developer layer and finally a silver halide layer. After exposure of the silver halide layer on the negative, the two sheets are brought together in intimate face-to-face contact as a laminate with the several coatings situated between the respective negative and positive sheet supports. The processing agent functions to transfer the latent image formed by exposure of the silver halide layer of the negative to the image-receiving layer directly behind the transparent support of the receiver sheet. The acid layer in the original negative sheet functions to neutralize the alkaline processing fluid but under the control of the timing interlayer situated between the acid layer and the remaining layers of the composite laminate.
The diffusion transfer system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,563 is especially attractive from the standpoint of attaining high quality photographs with virtually no provision for assuring uniformity of processing fluid spread between the respective negative and positive elements other than impregnation of the positive element during manufacture. In this respect, it is to be noted that in substantially all commercially available diffusion transfer film systems, the alkaline processing fluid is initially contained by a rupturable pod, carried as a component of the film assembly, to be spread between the negative and positive elements of the film assembly after negative exposure. The uniformity of this spread requires precision not only in the processing apparatus which is incorporated as a part of a camera or equivalent, but also a sophisticated and expensive combination of elements in the film sheet assembly, itself.
While a film system of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,563 has potential for significant reduction in costs over current diffusion transfer systems particularly in the manufacture of film, use of such film on a commercial basis is not without problems. Because of the strongly alkaline character of the processing agent and the need for its neutralization after processing, the components carrying the processing agent and the neutralizing acid layer must be kept separate until the processing step is performed. Also, it is important that the liquid processing agent in the positive sheet element be kept from evaporization and that the pH level of the liquid be maintained. Moreover, these conditions must be maintained not only for the normal shelf life of commercial photographic film but also after the film is loaded into a camera and stored in the camera. In addition, the film system requires an image reversal prior to negative exposure because the positive image observed through the transparent support on the receiving element is identical to the image received on the negative. In other words, a reflux mirror is required between the lens and the film plane of the camera in which the film is to be exposed.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,314,792 issued to Edwin H. Land on Apr. 18, 1967 discloses a camera system for accommodating photographic film in which a processing liquid is impregnated in or coated on one of two sheet elements. In this instance, the negative and positive sheet elements are separately packaged and thus separately mounted in the camera in order to solve the problem of sealing the processing the liquid impregnated component of the film system to maintain the pH level of the processing liquid and also to prevent its drying out. Other prior U.S. patents which address this problem include U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,605 and No. 3,238,858 issued to V. K. Eloranta and No. 3,314,791 issued to E. D. Cotta et al. None of the disclosures in any of these patents, however, have been incorporated in a viable commercial photographic system.
In light of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there is a need for a photographic system by which the significantly reduced manufacturing costs of processing fluid impregnated film units may be advantageously deployed.


A compressed air supply installation for operation of an air spring installation of a vehicle includes an air feed with an air compressor configured to supply a compressed air feed with compressed air, a pneumatic main line with an air dryer and a compressed air connection for supplying the pneumatic installation with compressed air, a purge line branching from the pneumatic main line to the compressed air feed and comprising a purge valve connected in the purge line and a purge connection for releasing air to the environment, wherein the purge valve is part of a controllable valve assembly. The controllable valve assembly with the purge valve can be pneumatically loaded with a control pressure derived from the air compressor.

Compressed air supply installations are used in vehicles of all types, in particular to supply an air spring system of a vehicle with compressed air. Air spring systems may also include ride height adjustment devices with which the distance between the vehicle axle and the vehicle chassis can be adjusted. An air spring installation of a pneumatic system cited initially comprises a number of air bellows pneumatically connected to a common line (gallery) which are able to raise the vehicle chassis when increasingly inflated, and lower it again when the fill level decreases. As the distance between the vehicle axle and vehicle chassis (or the ground clearance) increases, the spring travels become longer and even greater bumps in the ground can be overcome without contact with the vehicle chassis. Such systems are used in off-road vehicles and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV). In particular in SUVs with very powerful engines, it is desirable to provide the vehicle firstly with comparatively low ground clearance for high speeds on the road, and secondly comparatively large ground clearance for off-road use. It is furthermore desirable to be able to implement a change in ground clearance as quickly as possible, which increases the requirements with regard to speed, flexibility and reliability of a compressed air supply installation.
A compressed air supply installation for use in a pneumatic system with a pneumatic installation, for example an air spring installation described above, is operated with compressed air from a compressed air feed, for example in a pressure level range from 5 to 20 bar. The compressed air is made available to the compressed air feed using an air compressor. The compressed air feed is pneumatically connected to a compressed air connection for supplying the pneumatic installation, and secondly pneumatically connected to a purge connection. The compressed air supply installation may be purged to the purge connection by the release of air via a purge valve assembly.
To ensure long-term operation of the compressed air supply installation, this comprises an air dryer with which the compressed air is dried. This avoids the accumulation of moisture in the pneumatic system, which at comparatively low temperatures can lead to crystallization damaging the valve, and can also lead to undesirable defects in the compressed air supply installation and in the pneumatic installation. An air dryer comprises a drying agent, normally granulate through which the compressed air can flow, so that at comparatively high pressure, the granulate can absorb the moisture contained in the compressed air by adsorption. An air dryer may also be configured as a regenerative air dryer. This may be achieved in that on each purge cycle—at comparatively low pressure—the dried compressed air from the air spring system flows through the granulate in counterflow or in co-flow relative to the filling direction. For this, the purge valve arrangement can be opened. For such a use—also called a pressure-change adsorption—it has proved desirable to configure a compressed air supply installation flexibly and at the same time reliably, in particular to allow a comparatively rapid purge with a pressure change which is nonetheless adequate for regeneration of the air dryer.
DE 35 429 74 A1 by the applicant describes a compressed air supply installation cited initially for a ride height control device for vehicles with air springs, with which, depending on the vehicle load, a predefined distance of the vehicle passenger cell from the vehicle axle can be maintained by filling and evacuating the air springs. The device contains a normally closed magnetic purge valve and a safety valve which can be controlled using the pressure in the air springs. Such a compressed air supply installation can still be improved.
A compressed air supply installation cited initially is also disclosed in EP 1 165 333 B2 in the context of a pneumatic system cited initially with an air spring installation. As well as a main purge line which can be shut off separately, this comprises a high-pressure purge line which has an additional high-pressure purge valve, as well as the main purge valve pneumatically controlled with a control valve in the main purge line, which is connected in parallel to the main purge line. The free flow cross-section of the separate high-pressure purge valve is smaller than that of the main purge valve. Such a compressed air supply installation can still be improved. It has been found that on purging such a compressed air supply installation via the high-pressure purge line, dry air is purged which is not used for regeneration of the drying agent. This equates to an unnecessary waste of dry air, in particular for the case that a flexible, fast and yet reliable actuation of the compressed air supply installation is required which is suitable for the above applications, with correspondingly high actuation rate.
All the above-mentioned solutions with a purge valve assembly in the form of a controllable magnetic valve assembly provide that, in the non-activated state of the magnetic part, the pneumatic part of the magnetic valve assembly is closed, i.e. the solutions provide a normally closed magnetic valve assembly. In particular with regard to the solution disclosed in DE 35 42 974 A1, it has been found that a normally closed magnetic purge valve assembly may be disadvantageous since, frequently, an additional pressure-limiting or safety valve must be provided in order to guarantee a reliable function. Since, in normally closed state, a relay valve of the magnetic valve assembly is closed, in individual cases this can lead to a valve body sticking on the valve seat, and in some cases the switch function of the relay valve of the magnetic valve assembly is not reliably guaranteed.
DE 39 19 438 C2 discloses a compressed air supply installation in which the air dryer can be connected to an outlet to atmosphere via an electrically actuatable valve device. The valve device has an electric control inlet which is connected to an electronic control device via an electric line with an electric control outlet; in non-activated state, the valve device is open. To inflate an air spring, the valve device assumes a switch position in which the connection of the air dryer to the outlet to atmosphere is interrupted.
DE 197 242 747 C1 discloses a ride height control device for vehicles with air springs, wherein a pneumatically controllable directional valve is provided in the pneumatic main line for switching via a control line, with an air control pressure generated by the compressor. The control line may be connected to atmosphere via a further directional valve, so that when the compressor is not running, the directional valve in the pneumatic main line can change from the one switch state which connects the compressor to the air dryer, to the other switch state which connects the air dryer to atmosphere.

Compressed-air supply installation, pneumatic system, and method for controlling a compressed-air supply installation


A method and apparatus for determining parameters for coupling of channels in a digital audio encoder. A frequency range of two audio channels is coupled together in a coupling channel, and a systematic method of determining optimum coupling parameters is employed. Sub-bands of the channels are processed individually, and a measure of the power of each sub-band is used to determine a coupling coefficient generation scheme for each individual sub-band. Adjacent ones of the sub-bands using the same coupling scheme are combined to form bands in the coupling channel, which dictate the generation of the coupling coordinates for the audio channels. The arrangement of the sub-bands in bands also facilitates the generation of phase flags for each band, on the basis of the coupling scheme used in the band.

This invention relates in general to digital signal processing of audio signals, such as music signals. More particularly, the invention relates to the implementation of a high quality dual-channel digital audio encoder, based on the psychoacoustic model of the human auditory system, for digital storage or transmission.
In order to more efficiently broadcast or record audio signals, the amount of information required to represent the audio signals may be reduced. In the case of digital audio signals, the amount of digital information needed to accurately reproduce the original pulse code modulation (PCM) samples may be reduced by applying a digital compression algorithm, resulting in a digitally compressed representation of the original signal. The goal of the digital compression algorithm is to produce a digital representation of an audio signal which, when decoded and reproduced, sounds the same as the original signal, while using a minimum of digital information for the compressed or encoded representation.
Recently, the use of psychoacoustic models in the design of audio coders has led to high compression ratios while keeping audible degradation in the compressed signal to a minimum. Description of one such method can be found in the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Standard document entitled xe2x80x9cDigital Audio Compression (AC-3) Standardxe2x80x9d, Document A/52, Dec. 20, 1995. In the basic approach, the time domain signal is first converted to frequency domain using a bank of filters. Frequency domain masking of human auditory system is then exploited to maximize perceived fidelity of the signal transmitted at a given bit-rate.
Further compression can be successively obtained by use of a well known technique called coupling. Coupling takes advantage of the way the human ear determines directionality for very high frequency signals, in order to allow a reduction in the amount of data necessary to code an audio signal. At high audio frequency (approximately above 2 kHz) the ear is physically unable to detect individual cycles of an audio waveform, and instead responds to the envelope of the waveform. Consequently, the coder combines the high frequency coefficients of the individual channels to form a common coupling channel. The original channels combined to form the said coupling channel are referred to as coupled channels.
A basic encoder can form the coupling channel by simply taking the average of all the individual channel coefficients. A more sophisticated encoder can alter the sign of individual channels before adding them into the sum so as to avoid phase cancellations.
The generated coupling channel is next sectioned into a number of frequency sub-bands. Frequency sub-bands are grouped together to form coupling bands. For each such band and each coupled channel a coupling co-ordinate is transmitted to the decoder. To obtain the high frequency coefficients in any coupling frequency band, for a particular coupled channel, from the coupling channel, the decoder multiplies the coupling channel coefficients in that coupling frequency band by the coupling co-ordinate of that channel for that particular coupling frequency band. For a dual channel implementation of such a decoder, a phase flag bit may also be provided for each coupled band of the coupling channel. A final step of phase-correction is then performed, by the decoder, in which the coefficients in each band are multiplied by the phase flag bit for that band.
As mentioned, a basic encoder can form the coupling channel by simple addition of all the individual channel coefficients, or a more sophisticated encoder may alter the sign of individual channels before addition in order to reduce phase cancellation effects. But no existing single coupling strategy for the entire frequency spectrum of the coupling channel is adequate to ensure minimal information loss due to phase cancellation. The criteria for combining sub-bands to form larger bands is not well understood and most developers usually use a pre-specified banding structure to group the sub-bands into bands. Phase flag computation is performed as an additional step, thereby requiring extra computation. The standard also does not outline any specific method for determination of the phase flag bits. Ad hoc methods do exist but, due to their very nature, do not guarantee any assured performance, and cannot be relied upon to provide minimum error between the original coefficients at encoder and the reconstructed, phase corrected, coefficients at the decoder.
In accordance with the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for computing coupling parameters in a digital audio encoder wherein frequency coefficient sub-bands in a coupling frequency range are arranged into coupling bands, including the steps of determining a power value for each sub-band in the frequency range, selecting a coupling scheme for each sub-band based on the corresponding power value, and grouping adjacent sub-bands having the same selected coupling scheme into coupling bands.
Preferably the first or second coupling scheme is selected for each sub-band according to whether the power value is positive or negative.
Preferably the power valve comprises a correlation computation of frequency coefficients from first and second audio channels.
In one form of the invention each sub-band includes at least one frequency coefficient from each of first and second audio channels, wherein the power value for a particular sub-band is determined by summing the product of corresponding frequency coefficients from the first and second channels.
Advantageously, the method may include determining a phase reconstruction value for each coupling band on the basis of the coupling scheme selected for the sub-bands in that band.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is also provided a method for generating coupling parameters in a dual channel audio encoder wherein frequency coefficient sub-bands in a coupling frequency range are arranged into coupling bands, each sub-band including at least one frequency coefficient from each of first and second audio channels, including the steps of:
i) receiving frequency transform coefficients for the first and second audio channels;
ii) computing a power value for each sub-band;
iii) for each sub-band, selecting a coupling coefficient generation scheme from first and second schemes on the basis of the computed power value for that sub-band;
iv) for each sub-band, generating a coupling coefficient according to the selected one of the first and second schemes for that sub-band; and
v) forming bands from adjacent sub-bands having the same selected scheme.
Preferably the power value comprises a correlation computation of frequency transform coefficients of the first and second channels.
In a preferred implementation, the power value for a said sub-band is computed according to:
P=xcexa3i(ai*bi)
where
P is the power value,
ai are frequency coefficients from the first audio channel,
bi are frequency coefficients from the second audio channel, and
index i corresponds to frequency coefficients extending over the range of the said sub-band.
Preferably, if the power value, P, is greater then zero the coupling coefficients for the sub-band are generated according to:
ci=(ai+bi)/2
where ci are the coupling coefficients; and if the power value, P, is less than zero the coupling coefficients for the sub-band are generated according to:
ci=(aixe2x88x92bi)/2.
The method may advantageously include generating a phase flag for the coupling band on the basis of the power value or coupling coefficient generation scheme for the sub-bands in that coupling band. In a particular form of the invention the phase flag for a particular coupling band is +1 if the power value, P, for each of the constituent sub-bands is greater than zero, and the phase flag is xe2x88x921 if the power value, P, for each of the constituent sub-bands is less than zero.
Another embodiment of the invention also provides a dual channel digital audio encoding apparatus wherein audio data frequency coefficients for first and second channels in a coupling frequency range are arranged in a sequence of sub-bands, comprising:
a correlation computation processor for computing a power value for each sub-band;
a coupling coefficient generator for generating a sequence of sub-band coupling coefficients using a coupling coefficient generation scheme selected for each sub-band on the basis of the corresponding power value for that sub-band; and
a band structure processor for arranging adjacent coupling coefficient sub-bands in the sequence generated with the same generation scheme into bands.
The audio encoding apparatus preferably includes a phase estimation processor for generating a phase flag for each band on the basis of the generation scheme used for the constituent sub-bands of the corresponding band. The apparatus may further include a coupling coordinate generator for generating coupling coordinates for the first and second channels for each said band.
A sub-band based coupling channel generation strategy can ensure minimal information loss due to phase cancellation of the two coupled channels. The sub-band based coupling strategy may be considered as a generalisation of a channel based strategy. If the coupling strategy remains the same for all bands, the band based coupling strategy is equivalent to the channel based coupling strategy.
Even when exact phase cancellation does not occur, error due to phase cancellation can be noticeably large in cases where an appreciable phase lag exists between the two channels. The methods of the preferred embodiments of this invention use power calculations to minimize signal information loss due to coupling. Further, the coupling strategy of of the sub-bands is used to determine the banding structure. This approach reduces the phase estimation for a band to a simple decision, requiring no extra computation.

Selecting a coupling scheme for each subband for estimation of coupling parameters in a transform coder for high quality audio

STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific PTE Limited


Novel carbonyl hydrolase variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The variant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such variant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase, such as altered proteolytic activity, altered stability, etc. The substituted amino acid residues correspond to positions +76 in combination with one or more of the following residues +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +27, +105, +109, +126, +128, +135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260, +265 and/or +274 in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin.

The present invention relates to novel carbonyl hydrolase variants having an amino acid sequence wherein a plurality of amino acid residues of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase, specifically those at positions corresponding or equivalent to residue +76 in combination with one or more of the residues selected from the group consisting of +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +27, +105, +109, +126, +128, +135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260, +265 and/or +274 in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin, have been substituted with a different amino acid. Such mutant/variant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding a naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to encode the substitution of a plurality of these amino acid residues in a precursor amino acid sequence alone or in combination with other substitution, insertion or deletion in the precursor amino acid sequence.
Serine proteases are a subgroup of carbonyl hydrolase. They comprise a diverse class of enzymes having a wide range of specificities and biological functions. Stroud, R. Sci. Amer., 131:74-88. Despite their functional diversity, the catalytic machinery of serine proteases has been approached by at least two genetically distinct families of enzymes: the subtilisins and the mammalian chymotrypsin related and homologous bacterial serine proteases (e.g., trypsin and S. gresius trypsin). These two families of serine proteases show remarkably similar mechanisms of catalysis. Kraut, J. (1977), Ann. Rev. Biochem., 46:331-358. Furthermore, although the primary structure is unrelated, the tertiary structure of these two enzyme families bring together a conserved catalytic triad of amino acids consisting of serine, histidine and aspartate.
Subtilisin is a serine endoprotease (MW 27,500) which is secreted in large amounts from a wide variety of Bacillus species and other microorganisms. The protein sequence of subtilisin has been determined from at least four different species of Bacillus. Markland, F. S., et al. (1983), Hoppe-Sevler""s Z. Physiol. Chem., 364:1537-1540. The three-dimensional crystallographic structure of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin to 2.5 xc3x85 resolution has also been reported. Wright, C. S., et al. (1969), Nature, 221:235-242; Drenth, J., et al. (1972), Eur. J. Biochem., 26:177-181. These studies indicate that although subtilisin is genetically unrelated to the mammalian serine proteases, it has a similar active site structure. The x-ray crystal structures of subtilisin containing covalently bound peptide inhibitors (Robertus, J. D., et al. (1972), Biochemistry, 11:2439-2449) or product complexes (Robertus, J. D., et al. (1976), J. Biol. Chem., 251:1097-1103) have also provided information regarding the active site and putative substrate binding cleft of subtilisin. In addition, a large number of kinetic and chemical modification studies have been reported for subtilisin (Philipp, M., et al. (1983), Mol. Cell. Biochem., 51:5-32; Svendsen, B. (1976), Carlsberg Res. Comm., 41:237-291; Markland, F. S. Id.) as well as at least one report wherein the side chain of methionine at residue 222 of subtilisin was converted by hydrogen peroxide to methionine-sulfoxide (Stauffer, D. C., et al. (1965), J. Biol. Chem., 244:5333-5338) and the side chain of serine at residue 221 converted to cysteine by chemical modification (Polgar, et al. (1981), Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 667:351-354.)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,025 (U.S. Pat. RE No. 34,606) discloses the modification of subtilisin amino acid residues corresponding to positions in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin tyrosine xe2x88x921, aspartate +32, asparagine +155, tyrosine +104, methionine +222, glycine +166, histidine +64, glycine +169, phenylalanine +189, serine +33, serine +221, tyrosine +217, glutamate +156 and alanine +152. U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,204 discloses the modification of the amino acid +224 residue in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin and equivalent positions in other subtilisins which may be modified by way of substitution, insertion or deletion and which may be combined with modifications to the residues identified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,025 (U.S. Pat. RE No. 34,606) to form useful subtilisin mutants or variants. U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,033 discloses similar mutant subtilisins having a modification at an equivalent position to +225 of B. amyloliquefaciens subtilisin. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,185,258 and 5,204,015 disclose mutant subtilisins having a modification at positions +123 and/or +274. The disclosure of these patents is incorporated herein by reference, as is the disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/898,382, which discloses the modification of many amino acid residues within subtilisin, including specifically +99, +101, +103, +107, +126, +128, +135, +197 and +204. All of these patents/applications are commonly owned. U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,031 discloses certain subtilisin analogs, including a subtilisin modified at position +76. The disclosure of this patent is also incorporated herein by reference. The particular residues identified herein and/or the specific combinations claimed herein, however, are not identified in these references.
Accordingly, it is an object herein to provide carbonyl hydrolase (preferably subtilisin) variants containing the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the DNA encoding a precursor carbonyl hydrolase corresponding to positions +76 in combination with one or more positions selected from the group +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +27, +105, +109, +126, +128, +135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260, +265 and/or +274 in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin. Such variants generally have at least one property which is different from the same property of the carbonyl hydrolase precursor from which the amino acid sequence of said variant is derived.
It is a further object to provide DNA sequences encoding such carbonyl hydrolase variants, as well as expression vectors containing such variant DNA sequences.
Still further, another object of the invention is to provide host cells transformed with such vectors, as well as host cells which are capable of expressing such DNA to produce carbonyl hydrolase variants either intracellularly or extracellularly.
The references discussed above are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the instant case, and nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of a prior invention or priority based on earlier filed applications.
The invention includes non-naturally-occurring carbonyl hydrolase variants having a different proteolytic activity, stability, substrate specificity, pH profile and/or performance characteristic as compared to the precursor carbonyl hydrolase from which the amino acid sequence of the variant is derived. The precursor carbonyl hydrolase may be a naturally-occurring carbonyl hydrolase or recombinant hydrolase. Specifically, such carbonyl hydrolase variants have an amino acid sequence not found in nature, which is derived by replacement of a plurality of amino acid residues of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase with different amino acids. The plurality of amino acid residues of the precursor enzyme correspond to position +76 in combination with one or more of the following residues +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +27, +105, +109, +126, +128, +135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260, +265 and/or +274, where the numbered position corresponds to naturally-occurring subtilisin from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or to equivalent amino acid residues in other carbonyl hydrolases or subtilisins, such as Bacillus lentus subtilisin. The carbonyl hydrolase variants of the present invention comprise replacement of amino acid residue +76 in combination with one or more additional modifications. Preferably the variant enzymes of the present invention comprise the substitution, deletion or insertion of amino acid residues in the following combinations: 76/99; 76/101; 76/103; 76/104; 76/107; 76/123; 76/99/101; 76/99/103; 76/99/104; 76/101/103; 76/101/104; 76/103/104; 76/104/107; 76/104/123; 76/107/123; 76/99/101/103; 76/99/101/104; 76/99/103/104; 76/101/103/104; 76/103/104/123; 76/104/107/123; 76/99/101/103/104; 76/99/103/104/123; 76/99/101/103/104/123; 76/103/104/128; 76/103/104/260; 76/103/104/265; 76/103/104/197; 76/103/104/105; 76/103/104/135; 76/103/104/126; 76/103/104/107; 76/103/104/210; 76/103/104/126/265 and/or 76/103/104/222. Most preferably the variant enzymes of the present invention comprise the substitution, deletion or insertion of an amino acid residue in the following combination of residues: 76/99; 76/104; 76/99/104; 76/103/104; 76/104/107; 76/101/103/104; 76/99/101/103/104 and 76/101/104 of B. amyloliquefaciens subtilisin.
The invention also includes variant DNA sequences encoding such carbonyl hydrolase or subtilisin variants. These variant DNA sequences are derived from a precursor DNA sequence which encodes a naturally-occurring or recombinant precursor enzyme. The variant DNA sequences are derived by modifying the precursor DNA sequence to encode the substitution of one or more specific amino acid residues encoded by the precursor DNA sequence corresponding to positions 76, 99, 101, 103, 104, 107, 123, 27, 105, 109, 126, 128, 135, 156, 166, 195, 197, 204, 206, 210, 216, 217, 218, 222, 260, 265 and/or 274 in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or any combination thereof. Although the amino acid residues identified for modification herein are identified according to the numbering applicable to B. amyloliquefaciens (which has become the conventional method for identifying residue positions in all subtilisins), the preferred precursor DNA sequence useful in the present invention is the DNA sequence of Bacillus lentus as shown in FIG. 6 (Seq ID No.11).
The variant DNA sequences of the present invention encode the insertion or substitution of the amino acid residue 76 in combination with one or more additional modification. Preferably the variant DNA sequences encode the substitution or insertion of amino acid residues in the following combinations: 76/99; 76/101; 76/103; 76/104; 76/107; 76/123; 76/99/101; 76/99/103; 76/99/104; 76/101/103; 76/101/104; 76/103/104; 76/104/107; 76/104/123; 76/107/123; 76/99/101/103; 76/99/101/104; 76/99/103/104; 76/101/103/104; 76/103/104/123; 76/104/107/123; 76/99/101/103/104; 76/99/103/104/123; 76/99/101/103/104/123; 76/103/104/128; 76/103/104/260; 76/103/104/265; 76/103/104/197; 76/103/104/105; 76/103/104/135; 76/103/104/126; 76/103/104/107; 76/103/104/210; 76/103/104/126/265 and/or 76/103/104/222. Most preferably the variant DNA sequences encode for the modification of the following combinations of residues: 76/99; 76/104; 76/99/104; 76/103/104; 76/104/107; 76/101/103/104; 76/99/101/103/104 and 76/101/104. These recombinant DNA sequences encode carbonyl hydrolase variants having a novel amino acid sequence and, in general, at least one property which is substantially different from the same property of the enzyme encoded by the precursor carbonyl hydrolase DNA sequence. Such properties include proteolytic activity, substrate specificity, stability, altered pH profile and/or enhanced performance characteristics.
The present invention encompasses the substitution of any of the nineteen naturally occurring L-amino acids at the designated amino acid residue positions. Such substitutions can be made in any precursor subtilisin (procaryotic, eucaryotic, mammalian, etc.). Preferably, the substitution to be made at each of the identified amino acid residue positions include but are not limited to: substitutions at position 76 including D, H, E, G, F, K, P and N; substitutions at position 99 including D, T, N, Q, G and S; substitutions at position 101 including G, D, K, L, A, E, S and R; substitutions at position 103 including Q, T, D, E, Y, K, G, R, S and A; substitutions at position 104 including all nineteen naturally-occurring amino acids; substitutions at position 107 including V, L, M, Y, G, E, F, T, S, A, N and I; substitutions at position 123 including N, T, I, G, A, C and S; substitutions at position 27 including K, N, C, V and T; substitutions at position 105 including A, D, G, R and N; substitutions at position 107 including A, L, V, Y, G, F, T, S and A; substitutions at position 109 including S, K, R, A, N and D; substitutions at position 126 including A, F, I, V and G; substitutions at position 128 including G, L and A; substitutions at position 135 including A, F, I, S and V; substitutions at position 156 including D, E, A, G, Q and K; substitutions at position 166 including all nineteen naturally-occurring amino acids; substitutions at position 195 including E; substitutions at position 197 including E; substitutions at position 204 including A, G, C, S and D; substitutions at position 206 including L, Y, N, D and E; substitutions at position 210 including L, I, S, C and F; substitutions at position 216 including V, E, T and K; substitutions at position 217 including all nineteen naturally-occurring amino acids; substitutions at position 218 including S, A, G, T and V; substitutions at position 222 including all nineteen naturally-occurring amino acids; substitutions at position 260 including P, N, G, A, S, C, K and D; substitutions at position 265 including N, G, A, S, C, K, Y and H; and substitutions at position 274 including A and S. The specifically preferred amino acid(s) to be substituted at each such position are designated below in Table I. Although specific amino acids are shown in Table I, it should be understood that any amino acid may be substituted at the identified residues.
Further, the invention includes expression vectors containing such variant carbonyl hydrolase DNA sequences, as well as host cells transformed with such vectors which are capable of producing such variants. The invention also relates to detergent compositions comprising the carbonyl hydrolase variants of the invention.

Subtilisin variants multiply-substituted subtilising variants having a substitution at position 76


A belt buckle is provided that is uniquely designed for securely holding a plier-like tool, such that a wearer has ready access to the tool when needed. The belt buckle is particularly designed for use with a tool of the type exemplified by a handtool commercially available under the name VISE GRIPS, which is characterized by jaws operated by a pair of bi-stable arms. The belt buckle utilizes the jaws and the arms of the tool to secure the tool to the buckle in a manner that exploits the ability of such a tool to grip an object without slipping.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to an improved multipurpose belt buckle. More particularly, this invention relates to a belt buckle that is uniquely designed to allow a tool to be securely attached to it, such that the wearer of the belt buckle has ready access to the tool.
2. Description of Prior Art
Buckles adapted to secure opposite ends of a belt together are typically attached to a fixed end of the belt while being removably attachable to an oppositely-disposed adjustment end of the belt. Buckles are often removably attachable with a pivotable arm or hook that the wearer engages with one of several holes formed in the adjustment end of the belt. Generally, when a person is wearing a belt, the position of the belt buckle is usually in the front at waist level, which is an extremely convenient location for attaching articles that the wearer may wish to be accessible. As a result, numerous attempts have been made to provide belt buckles whose utility is enhanced by combining-other uses with them. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,787 to Craighead teaches a belt buckle with a cavity adapted for concealing paper money. U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,267 to McKinney, Sr., et al. teaches a belt buckle equipped with a bottle opener, a can opener, a blade along one edge and a fish scaler, yielding a belt buckle that is particularly suited for use by sportsmen. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,249 to Bockoven teaches a belt buckle that is adapted to receive a revolver.
All of the above belt buckles suggest various additional uses for a belt buckle through the ability to securely attach another article to these buckles. As noted previously, the central location of a belt buckle enables an article carried by the buckle to be readily accessible for frequent use. For example, the belt buckles taught by McKinney, Sr. et al. and Bockoven enable the wearer to have ready access to various tools and a revolver, respectively. However, none of the belt buckles discussed above are capable of effectively securing a tool, and particularly of the type routinely used by mechanics, machinists and hobbyists while away from their tool supplies. Tools of this type generally have a multipurpose construction, and include various forms of pliers that are adapted to allow the user to grasp, adjust and remove components. An exemplary type of such a tool is commercially available under the name VISE GRIPS, though various manufacturers produce similar tools having comparable versatility. Those who frequently require the use of tools while away from their tool box will appreciate that this type of tool serves as a reliable alternate for specialty tools that are sized or designed for a specific function or purpose, but are so specialized as to have limited additional uses and are therefore typically not carried with the user.
Therefore, what is needed is a belt buckle that is adapted to secure a plier-type tool to the belt, while allowing the wearer ready access to the tool. Such a belt buckle would be extremely useful in applications where the wearer requires access to a versatile tool under circumstances where they are unlikely or unable to carry the tool in their hands. As a result, such a belt buckle would provide increased safety and efficiency to the wearer.