An example embodiment is a device for containing, transporting or otherwise holding a granular substance and for facilitating the mixture of the granular substance with a liquid. The device is typically used to mix powdered drink mixes into water contained in a screw-cap container such as a water bottle, for human consumption.

Concentrated powders are commonly mixed into liquid containers for purposes of flavoring or fortifying beverages. Most commercially produced liquid containers, including water bottles, have openings that are too small to receive poured powder. This prevents mixing of powders, including powdered medicine, with liquid in those containers.
Drink mixes, including protein powders, nutritional supplements, flavor enhancers and energy-drink supplements, are commonly mixed with water. Dry mixes are often preferred to pre-mixed liquids because a dry mix has a longer shelf life than a premixed liquid. Other granular substances include powdered baby formula or granular snack foods.
Currently available powder drink-mix containers are sold in sealable pouches, spouted pouches or rigid containers, which tend to be large; usually more than two quarts in volume. Bulky containers are difficult to pack in luggage and inconvenient to carry. Powder stored in a bag is easier to pack but can burst. Pre-packaged, small volumes are available but are proportionally more expensive.
Powder substances are commonly poured into a container or dispensed out of a container through an opening, or mouth. Currently available, funnel-shaped powder containers, or containers that narrow at the mouth, are designed to fit inside the mouth of a typical beverage container. Powder is difficult to transfer through narrowing openings. Wider openings facilitate a powder's transfer.
Mechanisms for connecting containers and making seals are in the field of the present invention. A detent is a mechanism that temporarily keeps one part in a certain position relative to that of another, and can be released by applying force to one of the parts An O-ring is an annular form of often pliable material used as a seal against a mated, form to prevent the flow of fluid. A gasket is a pliable material fitted to an opening between two rigid parts to form a fluid-tight seal.
The present disclosure refers to apparatus that conveys granular material. A spout is a pipe, tube, or liplike projection through or through which a liquid is conveyed or discharged. In other embodiments, a spout is a trough or shoot for discharging or conveying grain, flour, or a granular substance.


A multi-processor system with a portion of content-addressable memory (CAM) configured as a tuple space to control data flow between processing element. A writing processor may write to a tuple space followed by a reading processor reading from the tuple space. However the system may control access to the tuple space so that no read operations may be performed for a particular tuple space before that space is written to. Further, no write operations may be performed to the tuple space prior to previous written data being read from the tuple space. A processor wishing to use the tuple space before being permitted to do so may be stalled, thus controlling data flow between operating processors.

In conventional multiprocessor systems, processors may exchange data with each other to facilitate multiprocessor communication. The data exchange may be performed using a direct transport over a link layer. Additionally, the data exchange may be performed using a shared data memory region protected by an exclusion protocol such as a mutual exclusion semaphore or a mutex.

Content addressable memory (CAM) implemented tuple spaces


Barrier assemblies including ultrathin barrier laminates and methods of making the barrier assemblies are provided. A barrier assembly includes a thermoplastic polymer skin layer having opposite first and second major surfaces, and a barrier stack coated on the first major surface of the thermoplastic polymer skin layer to form an integral protective layer having a thickness no greater than about 0.5 mil (about 12.7 microns). The removable carrier film has a major surface releasably attached to the second major surface of the thermoplastic polymer skin layer. In some cases, the removal of the carrier film results in ultrathin barrier laminates.

Many electronic devices such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic and inorganic photovoltaics (PV), quantum dot (QD) devices require protection from oxygen and/or water ingress. Barrier coatings or films have been developed to protect electronic devices, for example, in the field of flexible electronics. Available barrier coatings or films generally are a stack of continuous layers including a substrate and a barrier film overlaying the substrate, where the substrate and barrier film as a whole can provide protection for electronic devices.


The Frequency response of a Microstrip Interdigital Filter (MIDF) is improved by providing a specially dimensioned top cover separated from the MIDF ground plane along one or both of its edges by a dielectric layer comprised of thin dielectric sheets. While the upper frequency skirt is mainly determined by the MIDF itself, the bandwidth may be reduced and the slope of the lower frequency skirt may be enhanced by providing the cover in accordance with the invention. The thickness of the dielectric layer can be chosen to further improve the slope of the low frequency skirt by effectively moving the filter zero closer to the desired low frequency cut-off of the filter. The particular choice of the dielectric thickness will not substantially affect the filter bandwidth.

The Microstrip Interdigital Filter (MIDF) which utilizes non-TEM propagation of microwave energy as disclosed in co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 934,460 has a frequency characteristic generally indicated in FIG. 1c. While the filter performs well at its upper frequency skirt, the rejection of undesired energy below the intended passband has been found to be insufficient in some applications since the frequency drop-off at the lower frequency skirt is more gradual than the drop-off at the upper skirt.

Quasi-elliptic function microstrip interdigital filter


Methods and compositions for immunotherapeutic treatment of prostate cancer are disclosed. Patients are treated with compositions comprising HLA-binding peptides derived from prostate-associated antigenic molecules, either with or without immunological adjuvants.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men with a reported incidence of 346,000 patients and approximately 87,000 deaths in Europe in 2006. It is the most common cancer diagnosis and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in men in the United States. Because of the increasing sensitivity of prostate specific antigen (PSA) monitoring assays, prostate cancer is detected at an earlier and clinically localized stage, in which curative treatments like surgery and radiation can be performed. Nevertheless, these patients have a 10-60% chance of experiencing an asymptomatic increase of PSA within 10 years, known as a "biochemical relapse." Biochemical relapse often indicates a hidden local recurrence of the cancer or the onset of still undetectable metastases.
Therapeutic options in this situation include external radiotherapy and androgen deprivation (also known as hormone ablation). However, neither therapeutic approach has been proven effective, especially with respect to prolonging the patient's long-term survival. Moreover, both treatments are hampered by a number of side effects, including the increased risk of cardiovascular difficulties, osteoporosis, weight gain, neurocognitive decline, development of urethral strictures, loss of libido and impotence, the risk of a reduction in skeletal calcium salts in terms of osteoporosis, and a markedly increased risk of pathologic bone fractures. In addition, there is some concern that androgen deprivation permits early development of androgen-independent neoplastic clones, ultimately resulting in further and faster long-term tumor progression. Moreover, the optimal timing for initiation of androgen deprivation therapy is debated, particularly for biochemical relapses characterized by low PSA values or long mean doubling times (DT's). Given these risks, both androgen deprivation therapy and external radiotherapy are of questionable therapeutic value for patients experiencing an early biochemical relapse.
Tumor associated antigens ("TAAs") have been identified as potential cancer immunotherapeutic agents. Numerous TAAs specific for a variety of different tumor and tissue types have been identified, including those associated with the prostate. The identification of T-cells specific for TAAs in prostate tumor tissue, tumor-draining lymph nodes, and the peripheral circulatory system of cancer patients, as well as the increase of specific T-cell responses after immunotherapy, all suggest that manipulation of the immune system using TAAs could be useful in treating prostate cancer.
Various systems for in vivo antigenic presentation of prostate-specific TAAs have been tested in clinical trials, including: (1) vaccine therapy with autologous or allogeneic tumor cells; (2) autologous tumor cells engineered to express granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; (3) dendritic cells pulsed ex vivo with HLA I and II-binding peptides; (4) tumor-mRNA transfected dendritic cells; and (5) recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing TAAs. However, most of these studies have been conducted in patients with androgen resistant prostate carcinoma. Little information is available about vaccination therapy in androgen-sensitive patients with a biochemical relapse prior to androgen deprivation therapy.
Therefore, new treatment options are needed for patients with prostate cancer, particularly patients with early biochemical relapse.

HLA-binding peptides derived from prostate-associated antigenic molecules and methods of use thereof


A method and a device is disclosed for the generation of a lens device including a plate of ferroelectric material, the transmission phase gradient of which is be varied over the lens by means of a controllable static electric field. The lens may involve an entire antenna aperture, e.g. a feeder horn or constitute a body covering a slotted wave-guide antenna, be a portion of an antenna aperture or an element in a conventional array aperture. The division of the aperture depends on the number of degrees of freedom to be controlled simultaneously. In a general case N lobes and M nulls are to be controlled at the same time. In the most simple case with N=1 and M=0 the lens should be the entire antenna aperture. The invention is based on the fact that the direction of the wires of the control grids (1, 2) in the lens device must run perpendicular to the direction of the E-field direction of a penetrating high frequency radio wave. To obtain a full steering capability of an antenna lobe both in the X-Z plane and the Y-Z plane static electric fields are created by means of voltage sources (26, 36) along the wires of one grid or across the wires of the other grid of the continuous scanning lens.

Sometimes it is desirable to be able to quickly change radiation direction of an antenna. In other words the antenna lobe is to be quickly shifted or swept between different directions. The demand regarding time is often such that an arrangement for mechanical motions of the antenna is not feasible.
Today antenna arrays are used which contain elements in which a signal phase at each element may be individually set to achieve a control of the main direction of the antenna lobe. Another technique to achieve a control of a radiation lobe is to utilize what is normally referred to as an "optical phased array", which includes an adaptable lens which, for instance, is disclosed in a document U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,583. This document describes a device utilizing a single plate of a material presenting ferroelectric properties. In a second embodiment disclosed the ferroelectric plate is provided with a ground-plane on one side and two orthogonal grids on the other side for radiation lobe control. Both the grids and the ground-plane are made in a light transparent material, indium/tin oxide. This document only refers to optical systems and does not discuss whether this is applicable to the microwave range.
However, in a microwave system, when the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave generally is much larger than the distance between conducting grid wires, it should be noted that only a grid wire direction being perpendicular to the E-field vector of the propagating wave can be utilized for controlling the refractive index of the ferroelectric plate. A grid wire direction parallel to the E field vector will result in a reflection of the electromagnetic wave. In the disclosed optical system the grid conductor wire distances are expected to be much larger than the wavelength of the light, i.e. .lambda.<<wire separation. Besides a conducting ground-plane will totally reflect the propagating microwave.
Two documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,094 and 4,636,799 both disclose a ferroelectric block between grids of parallel wires. According to the first document only controlling fields are used across the block, i.e. in the propagation direction of the wave. According to the other document the voltages at the wires are arranged such that the field may adopt arbitrary directions in the plane perpendicular to the wires. In the first document it is pointed out that the "normally" high conductive wires only transmits perpendicular, linear polarization but that they may be replaced by resistive wires being able to transmit also parallel polarization at some loss.
WO,A1,93/10571 demonstrates a development of U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,799 where only fields perpendicular to the wires are used. Here only one layer of wires is needed and the ferroelectric material has been divided into a plurality of blocks such that the grid of wires can be disposed in the middle of the ferroelectric layer.
However it will be noted that, the documents cited above are addressing the use of highly conductive wires and a voltage gradient is then achieved by applying different voltages to the individual wires according to a given pattern. Furthermore the devices described are related to utilizing the ferroelectric material for "electro-optic lenses" which primarily directs the utilization to frequencies corresponding to electromagnetic radiation in the nanometer range.
Furthermore none of the documents has disclosed a device being able to scan microwave radiation in two orthogonal planes in a single ferroelectric plate. Neither it has been shown that this can be done by using several layers of ferroelectric material without losses.
Therefore there is still a demand for a method and a device, which will operate even at a much lower frequency range, i.e., in the microwave range.


A trans-[hydridocarbonyl tris(triorganic phosphine) rhodium (I)]is produced by reducing a trans-[chlorocarbonyl bis(triorganic phosphine) rhodium (I)]with a tetrahydroborate in the presence of a triorganic phosphine in a solvent by heating, an improvement characterized in that the reduction is carried out in the presence of carbon monoxide or a mixture of more than 50 vol. % of carbon monoxide and an inert gas and the reaction mixture if cooled to O.degree. to 30.degree. C. in an atmosphere of carbon monoxide or a mixture of more than 50 vol. % of carbon monoxide and an inert gas and the crystal is separated. The trans-[hydridocarbonyl tris(triorganic phosphine) rhodium (I)]having high purity is obtained at high yield.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved process for producing trans-[hydridocarbonyl tris(triorganic phosphine) rhodium (I)] [RhH(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.3 ] (wherein R represents an organic group such as phenyl, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy and aryloxy group) by reducing trans[chlorocarbonyl bis(triorganic phosphine) rhodium (I)] [RhCl(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.2 ] with tetrahydroborate in the presence of a triorganic phosphine (PR.sub.3) in a solvent.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
Recently, rhodium complexes especially RhH(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.3 (PR.sub.3 : triorganic phosphine) have been used as catalysts for a hydroformylation of an olefin, an isomerization and a hydrogenation in various fields. These compounds have been usually produced by using RhCl(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.2 as a starting material. In accordance with the conventional processes for producing RhH(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.3 from RhCl(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.2, however, a yield of the product is low and the product contains an impurity to be a low purity. It has been needed to overcome these disadvantages. Moreover, rhodium metal is remarkably expensive and accordingly, it is quite important to obtain these complexes having high purity at high yield from the economical viewpoint. It has been needed to develop an advantageous industrial process.
In the conventional process for producing RhH(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.3 from RhCl(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.2, an ethanol solution of trans-[chlorocarbonyl bis(triphenyl phosphine) rhodium (I)] [RhCl(CO)(PRh.sub.3).sub.2 ] and triphenylphosphine (PPh.sub.3) is refluxed in nitrogen gas atmosphere and then, an ethanol solution of sodium tetrahydroborate was added, to react them and the reaction mixture is separated by a hot filtration to obtain the object compound (Shin Jikken Kagaku Koza Vol. 12 Page 198 (1976) Maruzen). In accordance with the proposed process, the resulting trans-[hydridocarbonyl tris(triphenyl phosphine) rhodium (I)] [RhH(CO)(PPh.sub.3).sub.3 ] has a low purity and contains an impurity and are not advantageous, in an industrial use as a catalyst.
In the other conventional process, an ethanol solution of rhodium (III) chloride trihydrate is added dropwise to an ethanol solution of triphenyl phosphine under refluxing the mixture and then, an aqueous solution of formaldehyde and an ethanol solution of tetrahydroborate are added to the mixture to obtain the product (J. Chem. Soc. (A) 1968 Page 2664). In accordance with the proposed process, a purity of the product is low and an yield of the product is low so that a collection step and a recovery step for rhodium are needed since rhodium is expensive. Therefore, this process is not advantageous as an industrial process.
When the product of RhH(CO)(PR.sub.3).sub.3 having a low purity obtained by said process, is used with PR.sub.3 and a water miscible organic solvent in a hydroformylation of an olefin, a layer of an insoluble by-product contained in the complex (an interface material) is formed between the organic solvent layer and the water layer in a step of an extraction of the reaction product with water. Therefore, an extraction in the hydroformylation is not easily attained and a loss of the expensive rhodium component is caused. When the reduction and the cooling step are carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere, an yield of the rhodium product is not high enough. The present invention has been attained by increasing the yield of the rhodium product.


A control system includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller accepts a request to start communication between communication terminals. The first controller imposes a restriction so that a first communication terminal connected to the first controller does not start communication other than the communication performed according to the request. The first controller transmits, to the second controller, terminal identification information for identifying a second communication terminal connected to the second controller. The second controller imposes, based on the terminal identification information, a restriction so that the second communication terminal does not start any communication other than the communication performed according to the request. The second controller transmits, to the first controller, restriction information indicating that the restriction on the second communication terminal is completed. The first controller performs processing related to the start of the communication performed according to the request after the restrictions are completed.

Recently, communication systems performing communication via communication networks such as the Internet and exclusive lines have become widespread along with requests for reductions in business trip expenses and business trip times. Such a communication system establishes a session for transmitting and receiving content data such as image data and voice data between communication terminals, thereby achieving communication between the communication terminals.
It is known that, when communication between communication terminals is started, a communication system of a teleconference controls a session by a teleconference management system (refer to Patent Literature 1). In this case, a plurality of teleconference terminals are connected to one teleconference management system, and based on a request from any of the teleconference terminals, the teleconference management system performs processing related to the start of communication. Owing to this, when the number of the teleconference terminals connected to the teleconference management system increases, a large load associated with processing is imposed on the teleconference management system.
A method is known that, in order to reduce a load imposed on a server, provides a plurality of servers to perform processing, thereby distributing the load imposed on the server (refer to Patent Literature 2).
However, when a plurality of controllers are provided in order to perform processing related to the start of communication between communication terminals, a problem arises in that when plural requests to start communication for the same communication terminal are respectively accepted by different controllers at the same time, the different controllers perform processing according to the requests in a duplicate manner.

Control system, communication system, computer program, controlling method, and computer program product


A beverage bag having a porous holder for receiving a beverage making component and a tab secured to the porous holder is disclosed. The tab comprises a first and a second layer. While the first layer is impervious to liquids, the second layer, secured to the first layer is formed of a moisture absorbent material. The first and second layers form a butler for receiving the porous holder after the beverage has been made. Initially, the tab is folded to the size and shape of a standard tab, and is thereafter unfold-able to form the butler which is sized to receive the porous holder.

The present invention relates generally to beverage preparation bags of the type which may be used for brewing or preparing tea, coffee or other hot or cold beverages or the like, and more particularly, is directed to such a beverage preparing bag which includes an enhanced disposal feature.
Beverage bags of the type used for making tea, coffee or other such beverages are generally well known. Although tea bags are referenced throughout the remainder of the present specification, it will be appreciated that the present invention is equally applicable to coffee bags or other porous holders utilized for producing other hot or cold beverages.
A typical beverage bag such as a tea bag is comprised of a porous holder-like structure for housing the tea leaves and a fob, tag, tab or the like attached to the porous holder with a string. In preparing a cup of tea, the porous holder is dropped into a cup of hot water and the tab is draped over the edge of the cup permitting the brewing of the tea to proceed. When the tea has been brewed to the desired strength, the user typically utilizes the tab to lift the porous tea bag out of the cup and, after possibly squeezing additional tea from the tea bag, the user is faced with a problem, what to do with the used tea bag. If the user happens to have a saucer underlying the cup, the used tea bag can be placed on the saucer. With this solution, some of the liquid tea from the tea bag eventually leaks out of the tea bag and into the saucer whereupon it sticks to the undersurface of the cup resulting in a potentially messy situation when the cup is lifted for consumption of the tea. If the user is drinking the tea out of a mug, typically no such saucer is provided and the user is faced with a dilemma with respect to what to do with the tea bag. Typically, the user will either place the tea bag on a napkin or simply place the tea bag on a table or other supporting surface for later disposal. Neither one of these solutions is particularly desirable since neither is terribly attractive and both result in a mess on the table, which eventually must be cleaned up.
There is a need for convenient, elegant solution to the problem of how to depose of a used tea bag in a conventional manner which is not unsightly and will not require additional clean up. The present invention provides an elegant solution to the problem.

Beverage bag assembly for preparing hot or cold beverages


A scroll compressor (100) comprises an orbiting scroll component (160); a fixed scroll component (150); sealing components (PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, PS6), wherein the sealing components match a concave part (158) on the orbiting scroll component (50) so as to form a back pressure chamber (BC) together, and the sealing components are constructed to separate the back pressure chamber from a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side in the scroll compressor (100); and a leakage path (L), wherein the leakage path (L) is constructed to allow fluid in the back pressure chamber (BC) to leak.

The contents in this section only provide background information relating to the present disclosures which does not necessarily constitute the prior art.
A scroll compressor generally includes a compression mechanism constituted by a non-orbiting scroll component and an orbiting scroll component. Typically, an end plate of the non-orbiting scroll component is formed thereon with a concave portion and a seal assembly is provided in the concave portion. The concave portion is in fluid communication with one of a series of compression chambers formed between the non-orbiting scroll component and the orbiting scroll component. The seal assembly is fitted in the concave portion to form a back pressure chamber which provides back pressure to the non-orbiting scroll component. In the cases that the scroll compressor works in different working conditions, sealing requirements for the seal assembly are also different. Therefore, there remains room for further improvement in the seal assembly.

Scroll compressor with back pressure chamber having leakage channel

Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.


An aqueous solution of a pyrazoloacridone compound or pharmaceutical salt is stabilized using an acid, placing the solution in a well-closed container, evacuating air in the container, and sealing the container.

The present invention relates to a method for stabilizing aqueous solutions containing a pyrazoloacridone derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and well-closed containers containing the aqueous solution.
Antioxidants are used to prevent drugs from oxidative decomposition. However, it is known that the antioxidants cannot be added to some drugs, since they would react with active ingredients or other additives in preparations (J. Pharm. Sci., 61, 708 (1972)).
It is known that pyrazoloacridone derivatives have a DNA intercalation activity and exhibit an antitumor effect (J. Med. Chem., 37, 1028 (1994)). Specific examples of such pyrazoloacridone derivatives are disclosed in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 1064/93.
Pyrazoloacridone derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are liable to decompose due to oxidation in aqueous solutions. Thus, there have been required stable aqueous solution preparations containing a pyrazoloacridone derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which can be stored over a long period of time.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for stabilizing aqueous solutions containing a pyrazoloacridone derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and well-closed containers containing the aqueous solution.
The present invention relates to a method for stabilizing aqueous solutions containing a pyrazoloacridone derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising adding an acid to an aqueous solution containing a pyrazoloacridone derivative represented by the following formula (I) (hereinafter referred to as Compound (I)):
wherein R1a, R1b, R1c and R1d independently represent hydrogen, a lower alkyl group, xe2x80x94(CH2)pxe2x80x94X (wherein p is an integer of 1 to 6; and X represents a hydroxyl group, a lower alkoxy group, or xe2x80x94NR2aR2b (wherein R2a and R2b independently represent hydrogen, a lower alkyl group, xe2x80x94(CH2)mxe2x80x94Y (wherein m is an integer of 1 to 6; and Y represents a hydroxyl group, a lower alkoxy group, or xe2x80x94NR3aR3b (wherein R3a, and R3b independently represent hydrogen or a lower alkyl group)), or R2a and R2b form a heterocyclic group together with the nitrogen atom adjacent thereto)), or xe2x80x94CH((CH2)nOH)2 (wherein n is an integer of 1 to 5) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; substituting the air in a well-closed container containing the aqueous solution with an inert gas; and sealing the container.
The present invention further relates to well-closed containers containing an aqueous solution containing Compound (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an acid, wherein the air in the well-closed container is substituted with an inert gas.
The lower alkyl group and the alkyl moiety in the lower alkoxy group in the definition of formula (I) include linear or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and the like. The heterocyclic group formed together with the adjacent nitrogen atom includes pyrrolidinyl, piperidino, piperazinyl, morpholino, thiomorpholino, quinolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, and the like. Among these, pyrrolidinyl, piperidino, piperazinyl and morpholino are preferred.
Examples of the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of Compound (I) include inorganic acid salts, such as hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates, phosphates, and the like, and organic acid salts, such as acetates, oxalates, malonates, maleates, fumarates, tartrates, succinates, citrates, and the like.
Compounds (I) are known compounds, which can be produced by, for example, the production method described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 1064/93.
The concentration of Compound (I) in the aqueous solution is preferably from 0.1 to 1,000 mM, more preferably from 1 to 100 mM, and particularly preferably from 10 to 50 mM.
Examples of Compound (I) are shown in Table 1.
Examples of the acid include inorganic acids, organic acids, and inorganic salts thereof.
Examples of the inorganic acid include phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and the like.
Examples of the organic acid include organic acids represented by the following formula (II) (hereinafter referred to as Compound (II)):
R4R5CHxe2x80x94COOHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
wherein R4 represents hydrogen or hydroxy; and R5 represents hydrogen, carboxy, or alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which may be substituted with hydroxy or carboxy. Examples of the alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the definition of formula (II) include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and the like. The substitution number of the hydroxy or carboxy is 1 or 2. Examples of Compound (II) include lactic acid, glyceric acid, tartronic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and the like. Lactic acid is particularly preferred as the organic acid.
Examples of the inorganic acid salt include alkali metal salts, such as lithium salts, sodium salts, potassium salts, and the like; and alkaline earth metal salts, such as beryllium salts, magnesium salts, calcium salts, and the like.
The concentration of the acid in the aqueous solution is preferably from 1 to 1,000 mM, more preferably from 5 to 500 mM, and particularly preferably from 10 to 200 mM.
The material and shape of the well-closed container is not particularly limited, so long as it can prevent the permeation of oxygen. Examples of such material include glass, metals, resins, and the like. Examples of the resin include polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, 6-nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like, with a resin having a small coefficient of oxygen permeation being preferred. Examples of the resin having a small coefficient of oxygen permeation include resins having a coefficient of oxygen permeation less than 0.1xc3x9710xe2x88x9211 cm3 (STP) cmxe2x88x921sxe2x88x921cmHgxe2x88x921, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene chloride, and the like. Examples of such shape of the container include an ampul, a vial, a syringe, and the like.
The pH of the aqueous solution is from 1 to 7, preferably from 2 to 6, and particularly preferably from 3 to 5. The pH can be adjusted using an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or the like, or an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or the like.
The aqueous solution can contain a pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidant, solubilizing agent, isotonizing agent, surfactant, soothing agent, and the like, if desired. Examples of the antioxidant include ascorbic acid, vitamin E, L-cysteine, and the like. Examples of the solubilizing agent include polyethylene glycol and the like. Examples of the isotonizing agent include glycerine, glucose, sodium chloride, and the like. Examples of the surfactant include HCO-60 (manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.), and the like. Examples of the soothing agent include benzyl alcohol, lidocaine, and the like.
Examples of the inert gas include a nitrogen gas, an argon gas, a helium gas, carbon dioxide, and the like. Among these, a nitrogen gas is preferred.
The substitution of the air in the well-closed container with the inert gas can be carried out by a conventional method. For example, the inert gas may be poured after the well-closed container is depressurized by drawing off the air therein with a vacuum pump or the like. Alternatively, the aqueous solution can be poured into the container in an inert gas atmosphere. Thus, the expression xe2x80x9csubstituting the air in a well-closed container containing the aqueous solution with an inert gasxe2x80x9d as used in the present specification includes methods wherein the aqueous solution is poured into the container in an inert gas atmosphere, followed by sealing, and the expression xe2x80x9cthe air in the well-closed container is substituted with an inert gasxe2x80x9d includes conditions wherein the aqueous solution is poured into the container in the inert gas atmosphere, followed by sealing. When the air in the container is substituted with the inert gas, it is preferred that the inert gas concentration in the gas in the container is increased to 90% (v/v) or more. In the present invention, the inert gas concentration in the gas in the container is more preferably 95% (v/v) or more, and particularly preferably 99% (v/v) or more. The concentration of the inert gas in the gas in the container can be determined by directly measuring the inert gas concentration by a known method or by measuring the oxygen gas concentration. The concentration of oxygen in the gas can be measured, for example, using a trace oxygen analyzer RO-102-SP (manufactured by Iijima Electronics Corporation).
Hereinafter, Examples, Comparative Examples and Test Examples of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention is not limited to these Examples. A concentration (%) of nitrogen is shown by v/v.

Method of stabilizing aqueous pyrazoloacridone derivative solution


Screening tests and bioassay of von Willebrand's factor (platelet aggregating factor) in human and animal blood plasma are effected using a reagent of blood platelets and snake venom having a positive platelet aggregating cofactor effect. The reagent and tests may also suitably employ dried blood platelets. The reagent may comprise dried platelets and either ristocetin or active snake venom as the platelet aggregating cofactor.

The present invention is concerned with certain improvements in test reagents for screen testing and the bioassay of von Willebrand's factor and platelet aggregating factor in human and animal plasmas as well as a new procedure therefore.
The chemistry and makeup of human and animal blood plasma has long been a topic of study in medical science. The coagulation of blood is a subject of much interest and complexity. One of the blood plasma proteins that is needed by the body for the prevention of hemorrhage is variously referred to as von Willebrand's factor (vWF), platelet aggregating factor (PAF), factor VIII:vWF, ristocetin cofactor, or as vWF/PAF. This plasma factor is reduced or absent in a bleeder disease, so-called von Willebrand's disease or vascular hemophilia, which occurs in both man and animals (e.g. dog and pig). This plasma factor is also altered in other disease states, and may be important in the development of atherosclerosis by recruiting platelets to the site of pre-atherosclerotic vascular injury.
Currently, there are two main procedures used in clinical laboratory diagnosis and blood plasma analysis for the determination of this plasma factor, sometimes referred to hereinafter as vWF/PAF. Both of these procedures utilize the following reagents:
(1) citrated plasma or other body fluid being tested for amount of vWF/PAF;
(2) a suspension of blood platelets for the determination of the presence or absence of platelet aggregation, and where present, its rate;
(3) a cofactor ristocetin which for certain plasma-platelet preparations (as human plasma with human platelets) is required in addition to vWF/PAF for platelet aggregation.
Ristocetin has been described by Howard et al (Ristocetin--a new tool in the investigation of platelet aggregation. Thromb. Diath. Haemorrh. 26:362-69, 1971) as capable of precipitating fibrinogen from plasma in vitro as well as producing platelet aggregation. It is a substance of uncertain chemical structure isolated from Nocardia lurida and is available in lyophilized form from Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, Ill. However, Fehlner et al have recently studied the structure of ristocetin and found that upon hydrolysis, a number of amino acids of unusual structure are obtained (See Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., Vol. 69, No. 9, pp. 2420-2421, September 1972).
According to Weiss et al (Quantitative assay of a plasma factor deficient in von Willebrand's disease that is necessary for platelet aggregation. J. Clin. Invest. 52:2708-16, 1973) ristocetin is used in an aggregometer in order to quantitatively determine the von Willebrand's platelet aggregating factor. The "end point" employed according to this method is a tracing based on changes in light transmission through a platelet suspension upon the addition of vWF/PAF. Unfortunately this method is technically laborious and the number of samples which may be run in a half-day is very limited. Furthermore, tracings take time to record and require expensive instrumentation. The method further requires the use of washed platelet suspensions which are time consuming to prepare and many preparations are discarded due to spontaneous aggregation.
The second commonly used diagnostic method measures the macroscopic platelet aggregation time (i.e. determination of the rate of aggregation of a platelet suspension). Sarji et al (Nature of von Willebrand's factor: a new assay and a specific inhibitor. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 71:2937-41, 1974 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) describe the use of ristocetin in this simplified test procedure utilizing the macroscopic platelet aggregation time for the determination of von Willebrand's factor. Aggregation times commonly are in the neighborhood of 30 seconds or less and the end point is observed visually. The number of samples which can be run in a half-day greatly exceeds that of the aggregometry method of Weiss et al. Nonetheless, this method also suffers the technical problem of laborious preparation of platelets.
More recently, it has been discovered that platelets fixed with (para)formaldehyde could be used as readily as fresh platelets resulting in the advantage that a batch of fixed platelets could be prepared and preserved for use for a period of one to two months (see Allain et al--Platelets fixed with paraformaldehyde: a new reagent for assay of von Willebrand's factor and platelet aggregating factor. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 85:318-28, 1975 which is incorporated herein by reference). The fixed platelets when employed in the macroscopic test of Sarji et al have been found to result in a shorter aggregation time using ristocetin as a cofactor than when fresh platelets are employed (i.e. 10-20 seconds as compared with 30 seconds). The fixed platelets have been shown to be equally as useful in the assay of platelet aggregating factor (PAF) in animal plasma which clumps human platelets. Platelet aggregating factor is an activity of the same plasma protein as von Willebrand factor of human plasma detected by ristocetin-induced aggregation of human platelets. The use of fixed platelets resulted in the additional advantage that they were insensitive to other platelet aggregating agents which might be present in the plasma sample being tested, such as thrombin or adenosine diphosphate or thromboxanes, prostaglandin derivatives.
However, two exceptions were encountered regarding the use of ristocetin cofactor reagent in the test for von Willebrand's factor and platelet aggregating factor. The first related to the ability of types of animal plasmas (e.g. pig and cow) to aggregate fresh or fixed human platelets without ristocetin. Secondly, certain plasmas such as dog would not aggregate either human or dog platelets if ristocetin were present, and thus no assay could be readily obtained on these plasmas.
Furthermore, it was found that both patients with von Willebrand's disease as well as with other diseases may acquire an inhibitor to the vWF/PAF, i.e. a plasma gamma globulin antibody. Both the procedures of Weiss et al and Sarji et al may be employed to detect presence of the inhibitor and by serially diluting the patients' plasma, the titer of the inhibitor can be determined with these tests.
Accordingly, it is the principle object of the present invention to provide a test reagent for the bioassay of von Willebrand's factor and platelet aggregating factor in blood plasmas which meets the requirements set forth above and obviates difficulties and disadvantages encountered with prior art test reagents.
A further specific object of the present invention is to provide and modify prior test reagent compositions thereby providing a more effective and accurate means of determining the von Willebrand's factor and platelet aggregating factor in human and animal blood plasmas.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a procedure for the accurate determination of von Willebrand's factor and platelet aggregating factor in human and animal blood plasmas.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for the inclusion of dried platelets as a reagent for the testing of vWF/PAF in human and animal blood plasmas.
These and other objects will be apparent from the description of the invention which follows hereinbelow.


A method for treating waste gases contaminated with toxic or odorous compounds in the form of a mist using a regenerative incinerator system is provided. The contaminated waste gas is passed through a first regenerator so that the waste gas is heated by contact with the packing material contained therein. This hot contaminated waste gas is passed through a combustion chamber to oxidize the compounds in the waste gas. The hot treated waste gas is passed through another regenerator to cool the gas and heat the packing material contained therein. The cleaned gas is discharged. Part of the cleaned gas is heated and passed through the regenerator to volatilize and/or remove compounds remaining in the regenerator after passage of the waste gas, thereby cleaning the regenerator.

In order to protect health and the environment, it is necessary to eliminate undesirable odors and toxic gases from the ventilation air or waste gases occurring as by-products of many manufacturing processes before their discharge to the environment. A known method for removing odors and other organic impurities contained in air or ventilation gases consists in heating the fouled air or gases in a thermal regenerative incinerator system. Such a system which is disclosed by way of example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,474, generally comprises at least two and preferably three heat accumulation chambers or regenerators each containing a suitable packing material such as ceramic spheres or nodules, and a combustion chamber positioned to cooperate with both regenerators to effect oxidation of the impurities.
Such an incinerator system has an operating cycle including a plurality of successive steps. In the first step, the waste gases are caused to flow through one of the regenerators in such a manner as to be heated by contact with the packing that has previously been heated, and then to the combustion chamber where total oxidation of the fumes takes place. The hot combustion products are thereafter directed to a second regenerator wherein their heat content is transferred to the packing material. The gases are finally exhausted to the atmosphere. In a second step, the waste gases are directed in the reverse way through the second regenerator, where they are heated. After combustion, they are cooled by passage through the first regenerator and exhausted. Heat losses are made up by injection of auxiliary fuel in the combustion chamber.
In current practice, the incinerator system usually comprises a third regenerator which is added thereto in order to allow for the purging of the waste gases remaining in a regenerator after the waste gas heating period but prior to the introduction of the purified gases.
Regenerative incinerator systems of the above mentioned type are well known apparatuses that have found application for some years for the treatment of waste air or gas streams containing volatile organic compounds in gaseous form, like those produced during the preparation or application of solvent based paints, varnishes or other coatings.
A number of problems arise however when this process is used for the treatment of waste gas or air streams containing condensible organics in the form of aerosols or suspensions of fine liquid particles, like those produced during the impregnation of roofing felts with asphalt base coatings. When treating such waste gases, the condensed vapors or liquid aerosols are carried into the regenerator bed and deposited as a thin liquid film on the inside surfaces of this regenerator and on the packing material in the entrance zone of the regenerator. Upon reversal of the flow, the soiled surfaces are heated by contact with the hot exhaust gases, causing some of the organic liquid film to evaporate and contaminate the otherwise clean gases. This has the effect of materially reducing the destruction efficiency of the process. In addition, any portion of the liquid deposited which is not evaporated remains on the packing and adds up during subsequent cycles, causing a run-off of excess liquid in the gas plenum of the regenerators. This liquid wets the regenerator and packing surfaces and upon evaporation increases the contamination of the exhaust gases. Further, this excess liquid is slowly distilled in contact with the hot gases, leaving behind deposits of tarry substances on the packing and on the walls of the plenum chambers as well as on the valve chambers and moving parts. These deposits can impair the operation of the process and, if allowed to accumulate, can ignite and cause severe overheating and failure of mechanical parts.

Incineration of waste gases containing contaminant aerosols


Phosphosulfurized hydrocarbyl oxazoline reacted with nitrogen-containing compounds and certain olefins are novel compounds effective for reducing friction and wear when added to a lubricant.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is concerned with a novel group of compounds and their use in lubricants as friction reducers, antioxidants and antiwear corrosivity reducers (e.g. copper corrosion reducers).
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
It is known that sliding or rubbing metal or other solid surfaces are subject to wear under conditions of extreme pressure. Wearing is particularly acute in modern engines in which high temperatures and contact pressures are prevalent. Under such conditions, severe erosion of metal surfaces can take place even with present generation lubricants unless a load carrying or antiwear additive is present therein.
Friction is also a problem any time two surfaces are in sliding or rubbing contact. It is of especial significance in an internal combustion engine and related power train components, because loss of a substantial amount of the theoretical mileage possible from a gallon of fuel is traceable directly to friction.
With respect to the novel compounds of this invention, they are made by (1) forming an oxazoline from one mole of monocarboxylic acid and one mole of a hydroxyamine (e.g. 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, also known as tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, (2) reacting this with phosphorus sulfide and (3) forming a nitrogen-containing compound, an activated olefin or an epoxide derivative. The reaction to prepare the oxazoline is known, as is the reaction of the two hydroxyl groups thereof with P.sub.2 S.sub.5 to form the ashless derivatives. However, no art is known that teaches or suggests the novel compounds or their use as lubricant additives.

Phosphorus-containing compounds and lubricants containing same


A particle detecting apparatus has a condensing and growing unit to condense and grow a condensing component over particles contained in a gas while the gas imported through an inflow port is transported from a low temperature portion to a high temperature portion, a particle detector to detect a concentration of the particles contained in the gas discharged from an outflow port of the condensing and growing unit, a particle feeder to feed, to the inflow port of the condensing and growing unit, a test gas containing test particles whose particle diameter and the number of particles per unit volume are known, and a first determinator to determine whether a concentration of the test particles contained in the test gas detected by the particle detector has a predetermined value.

Particle detecting apparatuses that have been used hitherto often aim to detect particles having a particle diameter of at least 100 nm. However, particles floating in a clean room in the manufacturing process of, for example, a semiconductor device have a particle diameter smaller than 100 nm.
To detect particles having such a small particle diameter, the particles may be condensed with a condensing component, such as moisture, to increase the particle diameter before the detection.
To condense the particles with the condensing component, it is necessary to introduce the particles into a condensing and growing unit and transport the particles therethrough while the interior of the condensing and growing unit is in a supersaturation state.
It is, however, difficult to detect whether the interior of the condensing and growing unit attains a desired supersaturation level. The particles are not sufficiently condensed with the condensing component immediately after the measurement is started and, as a result of this, a significantly small number of particles are detected. Thus, the detection accuracy of the particles is deteriorated.


The present invention provides an image processing unit, an image processing system, and an image processing method capable of achieving a higher speed and a higher efficiency in a rendering and implementing a low cost of the system. The image processing unit according to the present invention comprises a main storing portion for storing information of three-dimensional objects, a plurality of calculating portions for processing images based on three-dimensional object information which are read from the main storing portion, and a hierarchical storing portion having a plurality of hierarchies and connected between the main storing portion and the plurality of calculating portions to store a part of information at a lower level into a higher level sequentially, wherein image processing by the plurality of calculating portions are performed in parallel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing unit for generating three-dimensional computer graphics and, more particularly, an image processing unit for performing the image processing in parallel by using a plurality of computers, an image processing system using this image processing unit, and an image processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
The image process in which characters, still pictures, and moving pictures (animation) are processed by the computer is a process to take a very heavy load because of the size of image data. Therefore, the image process such as the rendering process, or the like need an expensive equipment such as a super computer, a high end workstation, etc.
Meanwhile, the image process in which a three-dimensional object is divided into polygons and then the drawing is performed using such polygons as a process unit can be achieved as a low cost system. However, if it is tried to draw an image which has a good surface quality with the high definition, reflection and refraction of the ray, motion of particles of the smoke, etc. must be reproduced. In other words, in order to draw the object as if it exists actually in a three-dimensional space, while taking account of arrangement of the object (a part of the remotely located object is hidden by a nearly located object), adjustment of the ray (portions faced to the light source are bright, but portions located oppositely to the light source are dark), quality of material on the object (the specular surface can reflect the ray emitted from the light source, but the transparent object can transmit the ray), etc., it must be calculated how the object can be seen based on above circumstances. As a result, an expensive system or an enormous computing time are needed after all.
In recent years, it has been strongly desired that the three-dimensional graphics having the good surface quality with the high definition, which have not been achieved up to now unless the expensive super computer or the expensive workstation is employed, should be implemented by the low cost system.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing unit which is capable of achieving a higher speed and a higher efficiency in a rendering process and also implementing a low cost system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing system which includes a plurality of image processing units which can achieve a higher speed and a higher efficiency in an image process, and implements a low cost system.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an image processing method which is capable of achieving a higher speed and a higher efficiency in a rendering process and also implementing a low cost system.
In order to achieve the above objects, a first aspect of the present invention is that an image processing unit comprises a main storing portion for storing information of three-dimensional objects; a plurality of calculating portions for processing images based on three-dimensional object information which are read from the main storing portion; and a hierarchical storing portion having a plurality of hierarchies, and connected between the main storing portion and the plurality of calculating portions to store a part of information at a lower level into a higher level sequentially; wherein image processing by the plurality of calculating portions are performed in parallel.
A second aspect of the present invention is that, in the image processing unit according to the first aspect, the information of the three-dimensional object are stored in the main storing portion in a situation that a space containing the three-dimensional object is divided into a plurality of small spaces which are composed of the plurality of hierarchies. And, the three-dimensional object exists in a four-dimensional space which is defined by three-dimensional coordinate axes and a time axis, and is composed of at least one of a first plane figure defined by a plurality of points, a first solid figure defined by a combination of a plurality of second plane figures defined by a plurality of points, and a second solid figure defined by at least one function.
A third aspect of the present invention is that, in the image processing unit according to the first aspect, a storing portion constituting an uppermost level of the hierarchical storing portion is a plurality of dependent storing portions which are dependent on corresponding calculating portions and can be rapidly accessed. And, each of data areas of the dependent storing portions are logically or physically divided into an area for storing a hierarchical structure of a three-dimensional space and an area for storing the information of the three-dimensional object. Also, each of data areas of the dependent storing portions are physically divided into a first area for storing a hierarchical structure of a three-dimensional space and a second area for storing the information of the three-dimensional object, and the second area includes a memory portion for holding the information of the three-dimensional object, a table portion for indicating arrangement of the information of the three-dimensional object in the memory portion, and a control portion for replacing a part of the memory portion with a part of the main memory unless the information of the three-dimensional object requested by the corresponding calculating portions do not exist in the memory portion, and then reading requested information of the three-dimensional object.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is that, in the image processing unit according to the first aspect, the communication media which connects the plurality of image processing units mutually includes a queue means for combining these access requests if the plurality of calculating portions issue access requests to a same or neighboring access area.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is that an image processing method of executing intersection decision between a half-line passing from a viewpoint to one pixel on a screen and a three-dimensional object and executing an image process of the pixel based on a result of the intersection decision, comprises a first step of selecting one of a plurality of three-dimensional objects in a three-dimensional space and acquiring information of a selected three-dimensional object; a second step of executing the intersection decision of all pixels on the screen based on acquired information; and a third step of applying the first step and the second step to all three-dimensional objects in the three-dimensional space.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is that an image processing method of generating a continuous image of a three-dimensional object, comprises the steps of dividing one frame of a screen on which the continuous image is displayed; allocating a plurality of divided areas to a plurality of calculating portions; processing allocated areas in parallel by the plurality of calculating portions; and dividing one succeeding frame in response to a result of the process such that respective processing times of the plurality of calculating portions are made equal.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is that an image processing method of generating an image of a three-dimensional object, comprises the steps of dividing a screen on which the image is displayed; allocating a plurality of divided areas to a plurality of calculating portions; and parallel-processing allocated areas by the plurality of calculating portions; wherein, in the parallel-processing step, the calculating portion which has completed the process in an allocated area processes an unfinished area allocated to another calculating portion.

Image processing unit, image processing system using the same, and image processing method


A friction applying engine starter which includes a chassis having a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge. A gasoline fuelled two cycle engine mounted on the chassis. The engine has an output shaft. A fuel tank is mounted on the chassis and is coupled with the engine to supply fuel. A friction roller is rotatably mounted at a first end of the chassis. A gear assembly is provided including a plurality of gears that are rotatably mounted on the chassis. The gear assembly is coupled to the output shaft of the engine and the friction roller. The gear assembly creates a gear reduction such that a plurality of revolutions of the output shaft of the engine are required for every revolution of the friction roller. Handles are secured to the chassis wjereby the chassis is manipulated to position the friction roller in a working position.

In order to reduce costs, most engines used in the petroleum and natural gas industry on well sites do not have automatic starters. These engines must have a manual force applied to their flywheel in order to get them started. For years the manual force was applied by means of a crank. In more recent years the manual force has been applied by means of a friction applying engine starter. Friction applying engine starters have rotating wheels that are brought in contact with the flywheel. Friction is exerted by the rotating wheel of the engine starter rubbing against the flywheel of the engine imparts a rotational force to the flywheel causing the engine to start.
Friction applying engine starters that are currently in use are not very efficient. They have electric motors. The power to the electric motors is supplied from the battery of the service vehicle used by the maintenance crew through booster cables.

Liquid fuel friction applying engine starter


An MTC device activates an MTC service by first performing an MTC device attachment procedure to attach to a mobile communication network. After the MTC device is attached to the mobile communication network, the MTC device activates a packet data protocol context for the MTC device with the mobile communication network. After the packet data protocol context is activated, the MTC device activates an MTC service with an MTC server.

The present invention relates generally to machine type communication (MTC) devices, and, more particularly, to activating an MTC service in a mobile communication network.
The anticipated introduction of a large volume of machine-type communication (MTC) devices in the near future will greatly increase the demand on the resources of mobile communication networks. MTC devices are devices, such as meters or sensors, that collect and send data to an MTC server or other MTC devices over a communication network. It is expected that MTC devices will soon far outnumber non-MTC devices, such as user terminals for voice and data communications by human users.
Mobile communication networks have been traditionally designed for voice and data communication between human users. Increasingly though, MTC devices are conducting machine-to-machine communications over mobile communication networks.


In step S508, it is determined whether or not a power low signal SRC_LOSS outputted from the data latch is change. Generally Speaking, the power low signal SRC_LOSS outputted from the data latch would be changed according to the state of the power voltage of the power input terminal. When the power voltage of the power input terminal is charged/discharged to the common voltage, the power low signal SRC_LOSS outputted from the data latch may be changed from the logical high voltage to the logical low voltage or from the original logical low voltage to the logical high voltage. Since the mention above is design of selectiveness, the detailed description is omitted. When the determination is positive, the step S509 is performed. When the determination is negative, the step S511 is performed to re-detect.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit for battery power detecting, and more particularly to a power detecting circuit, a portable device and a method for preventing data loss.
2. Related Art
With the progress of the technology, the electronic technology has been progressed from the earliest vacuum tube and transistor to the integrated circuit chip, which has the quite wide applications. Thus, the electronic products have gradually become the indispensable essentials in the life of the modern human beings. Many articles are gradually electrionicized. The purpose of electrionization is for convenience by users. Whether a power source exists or not determines whether the whole system can be properly worked. Especially a portable device uses a battery to be a power source.
In conventional portable device, low-voltage detection is usually utilized to determine whether the power source is removed or not. When the power source is restored, POR (power on reset) is performed to restart the system. Generally speaking, a low-voltage detection circuit with constant power consumption is required so that the system can be maintained in preparation to restart when the power voltage is lower than the operating voltage.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram depicting a low-voltage detection circuit in the prior art. Referring to FIG. 1, the low-voltage detection circuit includes a comparator 101, a switch circuit 102, resistors R101, R102 and a reference voltage generating circuit 103. In order to conveniently describe, the circuit diagram further depicts an internal circuit 104, a power input terminal 105 and a capacitor C101. The switch circuit 102 is coupled between the internal circuit 104 and the power input terminal 105. The internal circuit 104 receives an external power supply voltage VSRC through the switch circuit 102. Generally speaking, the switch circuit 102 can be implemented by a P-type transistor. The reference voltage generating circuit 103 is used for generating a reference voltage VREF, wherein the circuit 103 can be implemented by a Bandgap voltage reference circuit to generate a reference voltage of low temperature drift and low power supply drift. The resistors R101 and R102 are used for dividing the external power supply voltage VSRC to generate a dividing voltage VDIV. The positive terminal of the comparator 101 receives the reference voltage VREF, and the negative terminal of the comparator 101 receives the dividing voltage VDIV. Particularly, the power supplies of the reference voltage generating circuit 103 and the comparator 101 are using an internal power supply voltage VKEEP rather than the external power supply voltage VSRC inputted from the power input terminal.
When battery power is consumed with its service time, the external power supply voltage VSRC is also reduced. When the external power supply voltage VSRC is decreased to a specific voltage, it represents that the battery is in very low capacity. If the battery is kept on being used, the external power supply voltage VSRC supplied from the battery will be rapidly reduced. At this time, the dividing voltage VDIV received by the negative terminal of the comparator 101 will be lower than the reference voltage VREF so that the voltage of the comparing signal CP outputted from the output terminal of the comparator 101 is changed from a negative saturation voltage to a positive saturation voltage. The switch circuit 102 is instantly shut off. Meanwhile, the unnecessary function block in the internal circuit 104 is shut off according to the comparing signal CP. In this time, an end user can replace the battery by a new battery.
With regard to most of system, the low-voltage detection circuit may not incur issue. However, some application, such as a universal remote control, still uses the static random access memory (SRAM) to be a storage element for storing the present status. When the battery is in very low capacity, even though the remote control function is shut off, the battery power is constantly consumed by the low-voltage detection circuit. Thus, the charge storing in the capacitor C101 can not be maintained for long to result in no enough time to replace the battery so that the data stored in the SRAM would be lost. Finally, when a new battery is reloaded, the user needs to redefine the universal remote control so as to induce the inconvenience.

Power detecting circuit, portable device and method for preventing data loss


A device for filling PET bottles employs a cam driven vertically movable carriage mounted on the outside of the liquid storage tank adjacent each filler valve inside of the tank. A bracket mounted to the lower end of each carriage has a flat plate extending horizontally under a filler valve. A bottle gripper, having an open side slot for engaging under the collar near the mouth of a PET bottle, is suspended on two bolts which extend slidably through the flat plate. Normally uncompressed springs are interposed between the heads of the bolts and the top of the plate to hold the gripper against the bottom of the flat plate. A cam lifts the carriage after the gripper engages a bottle under its collar to initiate a seal between the bottle mouth and filler valve and as the carriage continues upward by a small amount for latching to the tank. The springs are compressed and a gap forms between the flat plate and the gripper. The plate compresses the spring which generates the force to increase the sealing force. The carriage latching is frictional and is not maintained to suspend a bottle unless the carriage is loaded gravitationally by the weight of a bottle.

The invention relates to a continuously operating rotational bottle filling device.
So called PET bottles (polyethyleneterephthalate), which have relatively thick-walled collars near their openings but have walls and bottoms that are thin, are being used to an ever increasing degree to contain beverages. When these bottles are put in a filling machine having support surfaces that raise and lower, it often happens that excessive axial pressure occurs when the bottle is applied against the filling unit, and this pressure is not withstood by the walls of the bottles.
Bottle filling devices have therefore been developed which, instead of having supporting surfaces for the bottoms of the bottles, use a gripping device for lifting the bottle by stiff collars that surround the mouth of the bottle in order to avoid axial overload on the body of the bottles. DE-OS 35 06 250, (U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,684), for example, discloses a bottle filling installation with such gripping devices which are respectively fastened to a vertically movable carriage that mounts to the rotating liquid storage tank. The track for the carriage is then supported externally of the valve body of the filling unit and is rigidly attached at its lower end to the U-shaped gripping device used for engaging the bottle collar. In order to bring about the application force by which the opening of the bottle is pressed against the seal of the filling unit so as to ensure filling that is problem-free when the bottle is in the filling position, this known installation features a pressure spring engaged between the fixed valve body and the movable carriage, said pressure spring acting upwards on the carriage. The carriages have rollers that are respectively raised or lowered at the intake and outlet of the filling installation by a fixed control cam. Since the pressure spring, which is under a minimum of tension when it is in the upper filling position, must nevertheless provide the required sealing force at the bottle mouth, the spring force increases greatly when the bottles are lowered, so that considerable spring force must be absorbed by the control cam or the carriage. This leads to signs of wear, particularly at the control cams. If, on the other hand, the pressure spring is replaced by a work cylinder in this known bottle filling installation, there is a danger of contaminating the filling units and the bottles by the escape of hydraulic oil or lubricating oil in the compressed air, so this solution is thus also not satisfactory.
From EP-OS 222 208 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,138) another bottle filling device of the type mentioned in the introduction is known, by which excessive loads on the control paths are avoided. For this purpose, a locking device is provided which locks the carriage into the upper filling position while the required application force for the bottle mouth is brought about by the fact that the filling unit with its sealing element rests on the liquid-containing tank and is vertically movable by means of a pressure spring. With this known bottle filling device the filling unit is raised against the pressure of the spring under tension during the last phase of the bottle-lifting motion, until the locking device locks the carriage. With this type of construction, therefore, a spring force results which only generates the required sealing force. But since the sealing element of the filling unit is arranged so as to be vertically movable under the liquid-containing tank, the clearance between the sealing element onto which the bottle opening is applied during filling and the seat of the liquid valve is relatively large, which, for reasons relating to filling technology, is a disadvantage. Additionally, the hollow spaces and the annular clearance within the sliding sleeve that bears the sealing element are difficult to clean.
The invention at hand is thus given the task of further improving a rotational bottle filling device of the type being considered, such that it completely satisfies the requirements relating to filling technology, and such that its mechanical construction is simple and sturdy.

Continuously operating rotational bottle filling installation

Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik


The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for enabling RT subscribers (15, 25 and 35), in radio service areas (1, 2 and 3) serviced by a radio telephone control system (11, 21 and 31) (RTCS), to receive calls originally presented to non-servicing RTCSs (11, 21 or 31). In this effort the RTCS (11) currently serving the RT subscriber (15) receives information and a callback number indicating that a call, placed to the RT subscriber (15), is in progress at a remote RTCS (21 or 31). In response, the currently serving RTCS (11) pages the RT subscriber (15). Thereafter, upon receipt of the RT subscriber's page response, the currently serving RTCS (11) calls the callback number so as to connect the RT subscriber (15) to the call in progress.

Radiotelephone communications is one of the 20 fastest growing services currently offered by the telecommunications industry. The underlying technology which supports such services is well documented and well within the knowledge and understanding of those skilled in the art. For a more detailed discussion, the interested reader may refer to the following publications, each of which is incorporated herein by reference:
EIA/TIA Interim Standard IS-41-A: "Cellular Radiotelecommunications Intersystem Operations" January 1991;
EIA/TIA Interim Standard IS-54: "Cellular System Dual-Mode Mobile Station--Base Station Compatibility Standard" May 1990;
EIA/TIA Standard EIA/TIA-553: "Mobile Station--Land Station Compatibility Standard" September 1989; and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,340-Parker Et. Al. "System for the Extended Provision of Cellular Mobile Radiotelephone Service."
One of the attractive features of radiotelephone (RT) service is that it affords the RT subscriber more convenient access to and from the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Consequently, RT subscribers are accustomed to placing and receiving telephone calls, without the need for, or availability of PSTN telephones. The advent of portable RT units has only operated to further increase RT subscriber accessibility.
Unfortunately, certain features of currently existing radiotelephone communication systems are at direct odds with this trend towards greater accessibility. Heretofore, an RT subscriber's ability to receive incoming calls has been severely restricted when the subscriber is not physically present within a specified geographic area. For example, calls placed to a subscriber's phone number will frequently be answered by a message indicating that the subscriber cannot be found. This is often the case when the subscriber is "roaming". By definition, a subscriber using or attempting to use his radiotelephone in a service area different from his designated "home" area is said to be "roaming" and may therefore be considered a "roamer".
In a typical configuration of multiple, non-networked RT systems, in order for a roaming RT subscriber to receive incoming calls, would-be callers need to know in which geographic area the subscriber is physically present and the procedures for accessing the subscriber through the facilities of that geographic area's servicing system. Such systems typically have a ten digit roaming access number. Areas in which service is provided by both wire line and non-wire line carriers have at least two such access numbers, corresponding to the wire line and the non-wire line carrier, respectively.
Armed with the appropriate access number, the would-be caller must first dial the ten digit access number of the system serving the area he expects the subscriber to be within, followed by the RT subscriber's phone number. This offtimes awkward method can be further complicated by the dialing of incorrect access numbers, the subscriber having to prearrange delivery of incoming calls, subscriber absenteeisms, not to mention the steps required to satisfy various billing arrangements.
Since roaming is a condition unique to, yet frequently experienced by the average RT subscriber, demand dictates that improved service be offered this expanding sector of the RT subscriber population. It would be extremely advantageous therefore to provide a method for continuous RT subscriber accessibility, regardless of geographic location within a servicing RTN.
This problem has been the subject of substantial activity by committees of industry experts and by private companies over a number of years culminating in the specification of various schemes for "knitting together" multiple individual RT systems into a complete RT Network (RTN) within which RT subscribers may receive their normal services automatically regardless of their actual physical location within the RTN. For example, the
reference EIA/TIA Interim Standard IS-41-A: "Cellular Radiotelecommunications Intersystem Operations" provides an example of a public standard, while U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,340-Parker et. al. offers a proprietary solution for networked RT systems.
A major issue in the overall RTN solution has been the problem of how to establish a connection through the PSTN between the RTN element where an incoming call to a RT subscriber first appears in the RTN and the element then controlling the radio service area in which the RT subscriber is operating. Both the above cited references specify a technique employing a "Temporary Directory Number" (TDN) assigned by the current serving RTN element to establish the desired connection. The present invention takes a different approach to establishing the same connection.

Call delivery service within a radiotelephone communication system


The present invention is a method of recovering a gate-level netlist from a transistor-level netlist by functionally describing each gate to be recovered using a first transistor model; generating a signature for each gate to be recovered; receiving the transistor-level netlist; selecting a set of connected components from the transistor-level netlist; functionally describing the set of connected components using the first transistor model; generating a signature for the set of connected components; comparing the signature of the set of connected components to the signature of each gate to be recovered; if the signature of the set of connected components matches a signature of a to be recovered then determining if the corresponding functional descriptions match; if a match occurs then functionally describing the set of connected components using a second transistor model; comparing the functional descriptions generated for the set of connected components using the first and second transistor models; identifying the set of connected components as a gate to be recovered if its signature and functional description match those of a gate to be recovered and the functional descriptions of the set of connected components based on the first and second transistor models match; and redoing these steps if there is another set of connected components that is unidentified or a gate-level description at a higher level of abstraction is desired.

Electronic components include transistors, resistors, capacitors, and so on. Transistors come in various types (e.g., NMOS transistors, PMOS transistors, etc.). Electronic components may be connected to form an electronic circuit. Electronic circuits may be constructed to perform an analog function or a digital function. Electronic circuits are often integrated onto one piece of semiconductor material. Such a circuit is commonly referred to as an integrated circuit. Integrated circuits come in various forms such as custom designs, standard cell designs, gate array, field programable gate arrays, and so on.
A list of the electronic components that make up an integrated circuit is often useful for testing, debugging, archiving, and so on. The vast majority of integrated circuits manufactured today implement a digital circuit. Digital circuits may be constructed using just transistors. Therefore, a description of the transistors used in an integrated circuit and how they are connected together may fully describe the integrated circuit. Such a description is often referred to as a transistor-level netlist.
Initially, integrated circuits included a small number of transistors. Such integrated circuits are referred to as small scale integration (SSI). As the number of transistors increased, a number of levels of integration were crossed (e.g., medium scale integration (MSI), large scale integration (LSI), very large scale integration (VLSI), etc.). As the number of transistors grew, it became increasingly more difficult to convey the function of an integrated circuit by describing transistor connectivity. The level of abstraction was too low. A person viewing a dense transistor-level netlist may become overwhelmed with the details and lose sight of the big picture. It is not uncommon to have an integrated circuit contain over one million transistors. Trying to determine the functionality of such a circuit based on a transistor-level netlist would be very difficult, time-consuming, tedious, and prone to error. A higher level of abstraction is needed to describe such electronic circuits.
PMOS and NMOS transistors may be arranged to form all of the digital logic functions, or gates, such as the NAND gate, the NOR gate, the XNOR gate, etc. Digital logic gates are used to construct the vast majority of integrated circuits being manufactured today. Four, six, eight, or more transistors may be required to implement a particular gate. An abstraction was created for each gate so that a transistor-level description was no longer required to describe a gate. Gate-level abstractions may also be used to describe higher-level circuits (e.g., FLIP-FLOP, central processing unit, arithmetic logic unit, etc.). A higher-level circuit may be referred to as a macro.
Various computer-aided design tools have been created to quickly and accurately analyze an integrated circuit based on a transistor-level netlist and the physical implementation, or layout, of the integrated circuit. In many instances, the layout of the integrated circuit is not available. It may have been lost, never generated, or unavailable to a person doing reverse engineering. So, there is a need for a method of recovering a gate-level netlist from a transistor-level netlist of an integrated circuit where layout information of the gates included on the integrated circuit is unknown. The present invention is such a method.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,572, entitled "TOOL WHICH AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCES AN ABSTRACT SPECIFICATION OF A PHYSICAL SYSTEM AND A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A PHYSICAL SYSTEM USING SUCH A TOOL," discloses a method of producing a functional description of an electronic circuit from the components of the integrated circuits and the interconnections between these components. It appears that the method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,572 requires that the exact implementation of a function be known before its function may be identified. The present invention does not require that the exact circuit implementation of a function be known before that function may be identified. The method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,572 appears to employ straight pattern matching between each function of the integrated circuit design and a library of known circuit implementations. The present invention does not require a library of known circuit implementations in order to identify functions of interest. U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,572 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,524, entitled "LOGIC SYNTHESIZER"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,792, entitled "LOGIC CIRCUIT SYNTHESIZING METHOD UTILIZING BINARY DECISION DIAGRAM EXPLORED BASED UPON HIERARCHY OF CORRELATION BETWEEN INPUT VARIABLES"; each disclose a method of generating a layout for an integrated circuit from a functional description of the integrated circuit using pre-existing layouts for each function. The methods of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,438,524 and 5,712,792 each create an integrated circuit layout from a functional description whereas the method of the present invention starts with a layout of an integrated circuit in transistor netlist form and generates a gate-level netlist therefrom. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,438,524 and 5,712,792 are hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.

Method of recovering a gate-level netlist from a transistor-level

The United States of America as represented by the National Security Agency