Catalyst compositions include a reduced transition metal complex of structure (I) and a cocatalyst.

The invention relates to a catalyst composition comprising a reduced transition metal complex and a cocatalyst.
Catalyst compositions comprising a reduced transition metal complex and a cocatalyst are known from WO-A-96/13529.
In this patent application the reduced transition metal complex of the catalyst composition is represented by the following formula (I):
wherein the symbols have the following meanings:
M a reduced transition metal selected from group 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements;
X a multidentate monoanionic ligand represented by the formula: (Arxe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94)sY(xe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n)q;
Y a cyclopentadienyl, amido (xe2x80x94NRxe2x80x2xe2x80x94), or phosphido group (xe2x80x94PRxe2x80x2xe2x80x94), which is bonded to the reduced transition metal M;
R at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) a connecting group between the Y group and the DRxe2x80x2n group and (ii) a connecting group between the Y group and the Ar group, wherein when the ligand X contains more than one R group, the R groups can be identical to or different from each other;
D an electron-donating hetero atom selected from group 15 or 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements;
Rxe2x80x2 a substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, hydrocarbon radical and hetero atom-containing moiety, except that Rxe2x80x2 cannot be hydrogen when Rxe2x80x2 is directly bonded to the electron-donating hetero atom D, wherein when the multidentate monoanionic ligand X contains more than one substituent Rxe2x80x2, the substituents Rxe2x80x2 can be identical or different from each other;
Ar an electron-donating aryl group;
L a monoanionic ligand bonded to the reduced transition metal M, wherein at least one L is an electron-donating ligand bonded to M via a metal-carbon bond, and wherein this ligand L is not methyl or benzyl;
K a neutral or anionic ligand bonded to the reduced transition metal M, wherein when the transition metal complex contains more than one ligand K, the ligands K can be identical or different from each other;
m is the number of K ligands, wherein when the K ligand is an anionic ligand m is 0 for M3+, m is 1 for M4+, and m is 2 for M5+, and when K is a neutral ligand m increases by one for each neutral K ligand;
n the number of the Rxe2x80x2 groups bonded to the electron-donating hetero atom D, wherein when D is selected from group 15 of the Periodic Table of Elements n is 2, and when D is selected from group 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements n is 1;
q,s q and s are the number of (xe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n) groups and (Arxe2x80x94Rt) groups bonded to group Y, respectively, wherein q+s is an integer not less than 1; and
t the number of R groups connecting each of (i) the Y and Ar groups and (ii) the Y and DRxe2x80x2n, groups, wherein t is selected independently as 0 or 1.
It has now surprisingly been found that when at least one of the monoanionic ligands L in the reduced transition metal complex is bonded to the reduced transition metal M via a covalent metal-carbon bond and additionally this L is capable to non-covalently interact with the metal via one or more functional groups the catalyst composition is more active during olefin polymerisation. A further advantage of the catalyst composition according to the invention is that the reduced transition metal complex is more stable, and can often be obtained as a solid. Therefore the transition metal complex is easier obtained in a pure form and is easier to handle when it is used for olefin polymerisation. When a catalyst composition that is used for olefin polymerization is more active, more polymer per unit of time is produced when using a fixed amount of this catalyst. This is very advantageous in olefin polymerization because polyolefins are produced in large amounts.
Various components of the transition metal complex are discussed below in more detail.
(a) The Transition Metal (M)
The transition metal in the complex is selected from groups 4-6 of the Periodic Table of Elements. As referred to herein, all references to the Periodic Table of Elements mean the version set forth in the new IUPAC notation found on the inside of the cover of the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 70th edition, 1989/1990, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The transition metal is present in reduced form in the complex, which means that the transition metal is in a reduced oxidation state. As referred to herein, xe2x80x9creduced oxidation statexe2x80x9d means an oxidation state which is greater than zero but lower than the highest possible oxidation state of the metal (for example, the reduced oxidation state is at most M3+ for a transition metal of group 4, at most M4+ for a transition metal of group 5 and at most M5+ for a transition metal of group 6).
(b) The X Ligand
The X ligand is a multidentate monoanionic ligand represented by the formula: (Arxe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94)sY(xe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n)q.
As referred to herein, a multidentate monoanionic ligand is bonded with a covalent bond to the reduced transition metal (M) at one site (the anionic site, Y) and is bonded either (i) with a coordinate bond to the transition metal at one other site (bidentate) or (ii) with a plurality of coordinate bonds at several other sites (tridentate, tetradentate, etc.). Such coordinate bonding can take place, for example, via the D heteroatom or Ar group(s). Examples of tridentate monoanionic ligands include, without limitation, Yxe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2nxe2x88x921xe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n and Y(xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n)2. It is noted, however, that heteroatom(s) or aryl substituent(s) can be present on the Y group without coordinately bonding to the reduced transition metal M, so long as at least one coordinate bond is formed between an electron-donating group D or an electron donating Ar group and the reduced transition metal M.
R represents a connecting or bridging group between the DRxe2x80x2n and Y, and/or between the electron-donating aryl (Ar) group and Y. Since R is optional, xe2x80x9ctxe2x80x9d can be zero. The R group is discussed below in paragraph (d) in more detail.
(c) The Y Group
The Y group of the multidentate monoanionic ligand (X) is preferably a cyclopentadienyl, amido (xe2x80x94NRxe2x80x2xe2x80x94), or phosphido (xe2x80x94PRxe2x80x2xe2x80x94) group.
Most preferably, the Y group is a cyclopentadienyl ligand (Cp group). As referred to herein, the term cyclopentadienyl group encompasses substituted cyclopentadienyl groups such as indenyl, fluorenyl, and benzoindenyl groups, and other polycyclic aromatics containing at least one 5-member dienyl ring, so long as at least one of the substituents of the Cp group is an Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n group or Rtxe2x80x94Ar group that replaces one of the hydrogens bonded to the five-member ring of the Cp group via an exocyclic substitution.
Examples of a multidentate monoanionic ligand with a Cp group as the Y group (or ligand) include the following (with the (xe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n) or (Arxe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94) substituent on the ring):
The Y group can also be a hetero cyclopentadienyl group. As referred to herein, a hetero cyclopentadienyl group means a hetero ligand derived from a cyclopentadienyl group, but in which at least one of the atoms defining the five-member ring structure of the cyclopentadienyl is replaced with a hetero atom via an endocyclic substitution. The hetero Cp group also includes at least one Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n group or Rtxe2x80x94Ar group that replaces one of the hydrogens bonded to the five-member ring of the Cp group via an exocyclic substitution. As with the Cp group, as referred to herein the hetero Cp group encompasses indenyl, fluorenyl, and benzoindenyl groups, and other polycyclic aromatics containing at least one 5-member dienyl ring, so long as at least one of the substituents of the hetero Cp group is an Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n group or Rtxe2x80x94Ar group that replaces one of the hydrogens bonded to the five-member ring of the hetero Cp group via an exocyclic substitution.
The hetero atom can be selected from group 14, 15 or 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements. If there is more than one hetero atom present in the five-member ring, these hetero atoms can be either the same or different from each other. More preferably, the hetero atom(s) is/are selected from group 15, and still more preferably the hetero atom(s) selected is/are phosphorus.
By way of illustration and without limitation, representative hetero ligands of the X group that can be practiced in accordance with the present invention are hetero cyclopentadienyl groups having the following structures, in which the hetero cyclopentadienyl contains one phosphorus atom (i.e., the hetero atom) substituted in the five-member ring:
It is noted that, generally, the transition metal group M is bonded to the Cp group via an xcex7s bond.
The other Rxe2x80x2 exocyclic substituents (shown in formula (III)) on the ring of the hetero Cp group can be of the same type as those present on the Cp group, as represented in formula (II). As in formula (II), at least one of the exocyclic substituents on the five-member ring of the hetero cyclopentadienyl group of formula (III) is the Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n group or the Rtxe2x80x94Ar group.
The numeration of the substitution sites of the indenyl group is in general and in the present description based on the IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry 1979, rule A 21.1. The numeration of the substituent sites for indene is shown below. This numeration is analogous for an indenyl group:
The Y group can also be an amido (xe2x80x94NRxe2x80x2xe2x80x94) group or a phosphido (xe2x80x94PRxe2x80x2xe2x80x94) group. In these alternative embodiments, the Y group contains nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) and is bonded covalently to the transition metal M as well as to the (optional) R group of the (xe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n) or (Arxe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94) substituent. The Y group can also be a boratabenzene group. In this alternative embodiment, the Y group is a six membered aromatic ring containing 5 carbons and a boron atom. The boratabenzene ring may be substituted.
(d) The R Group
The R group is optional, such that it can be absent from the X group. Where the R group is absent, the DRxe2x80x2n or Ar group is bonded directly to the Y group (that is, the DRxe2x80x2n or Ar group is bonded directly to the Cp, amido, or phosphido group). The presence or absence of an R group between each of the DRxe2x80x2n groups and/or Ar groups is independent.
Where at least one of the R groups is present, each of the R group constitutes the connecting bond between, on the one hand the Y group, and on the other hand the DRxe2x80x2n group or the Ar group. The presence and size of the R group determines the accessibility of the transition metal M relative to the DRxe2x80x2n or Ar group, which gives the desired intramolecular coordination. If the R group (or bridge) is too short or absent, the donor may not coordinate well due to ring tension. The R groups are each selected independently, and can generally be, for example, a hydrocarbon group with 1-20 carbon atoms (e.g., alkylidene, arylidene, aryl alkylidene, etc.). Specific examples of such R groups include, without limitation, methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, phenylene, whether or not with a substituted side chain. Preferably, the R group has the following structure:
(xe2x80x94ERxe2x80x22xe2x80x94)pxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IV)
wherein p is 1, 2, 3, or 4 and wherein E is an element from group 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and wherein each E may be the same or different. The Rxe2x80x2 groups of formula (IV) can each be selected independently, and can be the same as the Rxe2x80x2 groups defined below in paragraph (g).
In addition to carbon, the main chain of the R group can also contain silicon or germanium. Examples of such R groups are: dialkyl silylene (xe2x80x94SiRxe2x80x22xe2x80x94), dialkyl germylene (xe2x80x94GeRxe2x80x22xe2x80x94), tetra-alkyl silylene (xe2x80x94SiRxe2x80x22xe2x80x94SiRxe2x80x22xe2x80x94), or tetraalkyl silaethylene (xe2x80x94SiRxe2x80x22CRxe2x80x22xe2x80x94). The alkyl groups in such a group preferably have 1-4 carbon atoms and more preferably are a methyl or ethyl group.
(e) The DRxe2x80x2n Group
This donor group consists of an electron-donating hetero atom D, selected from group 15 or 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements, and one or more substituents Rxe2x80x2 bonded to D. The number (n) of Rxe2x80x2 groups is determined by the nature of the hetero atom D, insofar as n being 2 if D is selected from group 15 and n being 1 if D is selected from group 16. The Rxe2x80x2 substituents bonded to D can each be selected independently, and can be the same as the Rxe2x80x2 groups defined below in paragraph (g), with the exception that the Rxe2x80x2 substituent bonded to D cannot be hydrogen.
The hetero atom D is preferably selected from the group consisting of nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S); more preferably, the hetero atom is nitrogen (N). Preferably, the Rxe2x80x2 group is an alkyl, more preferably an n-alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms, and most preferably an n-alkyl having 1-8 carbon atoms. It is further possible for two Rxe2x80x2 groups in the DRxe2x80x2n group to be connected with each other to form a ring-shaped structure (so that the DRxe2x80x2n group can be, for example, a pyrrolidinyl group). The DRxe2x80x2n group can form coordinate bonds with the transition metal M.
(f) The Ar Group
The electron-donating group (or donor) selected can also be an aryl group (C6Rxe2x80x25), such as phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, mesityl, cumenyl, tetramethyl phenyl, pentamethyl phenyl, a polycyclic group such as triphenylmethane, etc. The electron-donating group D of formula (I) cannot, however, be a substituted Cp group, such as an indenyl, benzoindenyl, or fluorenyl group.
The coordination of this Ar group in relation to the transition metal M can vary from xcex71 to xcex76.
(g) The Rxe2x80x2 Group
The Rxe2x80x2 groups may each separately be hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical with 1-20 carbon atoms (e.g. alkyl, aryl, aryl alkyl and the like). Examples of alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl and decyl. Examples of aryl groups are phenyl, mesityl, tolyl and cumenyl. Examples of aryl alkyl groups are benzyl, pentamethylbenzyl, xylyl, styryl and trityl. Examples of other Rxe2x80x2 groups are halides, such as chloride, bromide, fluoride and iodide, methoxy, ethoxy and phenoxy.
Also, two adjacent hydrocarbon radicals of the Y group can be connected with each other to define a ring system; therefore the Y group can be an indenyl, a fluorenyl or a benzoindenyl group. The indenyl, fluorenyl, and/or benzoindenyl can contain one or more Rxe2x80x2 groups as substituents. Rxe2x80x2 can also be a substituent which instead of or in addition to carbon and/or hydrogen can comprise one or more hetero atoms of groups 14-16 of the Periodic Table of Elements. Thus, a substituent can be, for example, a Si-containing group, such as Si(CH3)3.
(h) The L Group
The transition metal complex contains one monoanionic ligand L1 bonded to the reduced transition metal center M via a covalent metal-carbon bond and additionally L1 is capable to non-covalently interact with M via one or more functional groups and wherein L1 is not a cyclopentadienyl group, an amido or phosphido group or an unsubstituted benzyl group.
The functional group mentioned above can be one atom, but also a group of atoms connected together. The functional group is preferably an atom of group 17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements or a group containing one or more elements from groups 15, 16 or 17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Examples of functional groups are F, Cl, Br, dialkylamino and alkoxy groups.
L1 can for instance be a phenyl group in which at least one of the ortho-positions is substituted with a functional group capable of donating electron density to the transition metal M. L1 can also be a methyl group in which one or more of the alpha-positions is substituted with a functional group capable of donating electron density to the transition metal M.
Examples of methyl groups substituted in one or more of the alpha-positions are benzyl, diphenylmethyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl substituted with a functional group capable of donating electron density to the transition metal M. Preferably at least one of the ortho-positions of a benzyl-group is substituted with a functional group capable of donating electron density to the transition metal M.
Examples of L1 groups are: 2,6-difluorophenyl, 2,4,6-trifluorophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, 2-alkoxyphenyl, 2,6-dialkoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-tri(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, 2,6-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, 2-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-(dialkylamino)benzyl and 2,6-(dialkylamino)phenyl. Most preferably L1 is pentafluorophenyl or 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl because when these L1 groups are used very stable transition metal complexes are formed. L2 is an anionic ligand with the exclusion of a cyclopentadienyl group, an amido or phosphido group. Examples of L2 are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl aryl or aralkyl group, an alkoxy or aryloxy group. Preferably, L2 is a halogenide or an alkyl or aryl group; more preferably, a Cl group and/or a C1-C4 alkyl or a benzyl group. The L2 group can also be connected to L1 to form a dianionic bidentate ring system. Optionally L2 is equal to L1.
(i) The K Ligand
The K ligand is a neutral or anionic group bonded to the transition metal M. When K is a neutral ligand K may be absent, but when K is monoanionic, the following holds for Km:
m=0 for M3+ and M selected from groups 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of the Elements,
m=1 for M4+ and M selected from groups 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of the Elements,
m=2 for M5+ and M selected from group 6 of the Periodic Table of the Elements,
On the other hand, neutral K ligands, which by definition are not anionic, are not subject to the same rule. Therefore, for each neutral K ligand, the value of m (i.e., the number of total K ligands) is one higher than the value stated above for a complex having all monoanionic K ligands.
The K ligand can be a ligand as described above for the L2 group or a Cp group (xe2x80x94C5Rxe2x80x25), an amido group (xe2x80x94NRxe2x80x22) or a phosphido group (xe2x80x94PRxe2x80x22). The K group can also be a neutral ligand such as an ether, an amine, a phosphine, a thioether, among others.
If two K groups are present, the two K groups can be connected with each other via an R group to form a bidentate ring system.
As can also be seen from formula (I), the X group of the complex contains a Y group to which are linked one or more donor groups (the Ar group(s) and/or DRxe2x80x2n group(s)) via, optionally, an R group. The number of donor groups linked to the Y group is at least one and at most the number of substitution sites present on a Y group.
With reference, by way of example, to the structure according to formula (II), at least one substitution site on a Cp group is made by an Rtxe2x80x94Ar group or by an Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n group (in which case q+s=1). If all the Rxe2x80x2 groups in formula (II) were Rtxe2x80x94Ar groups, Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n groups, or any combination thereof, the value of (q+s) would be 5.
One preferred embodiment of the catalyst composition according to the present invention comprises a transition metal complex in which a bidentate/monoanionic ligand is present and in which the reduced transition metal has been selected from group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements and has an oxidation state of +3.
In this case, the catalyst composition according to the invention comprises a transition metal complex represented by formula (V):
where the symbols have the same meaning as described above for formula (I) and where M(III) is a transition metal selected from group 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements and is in oxidation state 3+. Most preferably M(III) is Ti(III) or Cr(III).
Such a transition metal complex has no anionic K ligands (for an anionic K, m=0 in case of M3+).
It should be pointed out that in WO-A-93/19104, transition metal complexes are described in which a group 4 transition metal in a reduced oxidation state (3+) is present. The complexes described in WO-A-93/19104 have the general formula:
Cpa(ZY)bMLcxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(VI)
The Y group in this formula (VI) is a hetero atom, such as phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen bonded covalently to the transition metal M (see p. 2 of WO-A-93/19104). This means that the CPa(ZY)b group is of a dianionic nature, and has the anionic charges residing formerly on the Cp and Y groups. Accordingly, the CPa(ZY)b group of formula (VI) contains two covalent bonds: the first being between the 5-member ring of the Cp group and the transition metal M, and the second being between the Y group and the transition metal. By contrast, the X group in the complex according to the present invention is of a monoanionic nature, such that a covalent bond is present between the Y group (e.g., the Cp group) and transition metal, and a coordinate bond can be present between the transition metal M and one or more of the (Arxe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94) and (xe2x80x94Rtxe2x80x94DRxe2x80x2n) groups. This changes the nature of the transition metal complex and consequently the nature of the catalyst that is active in the polymerization. As referred to herein, a coordinate bond is a bond (e.g., H3Nxe2x80x94BH3) which when broken, yields either (i) two species without net charge and without unpaired electrons (e.g., H3N: and BH3) or (ii) two species with net charge and with unpaired electrons (e.g., H3N.+ and BH3.xe2x88x92). On the other hand, as referred to herein, a covalent bond is a bond (e.g., CH3xe2x80x94CH3) which when broken yields either (i) two species without net charge and with unpaired electrons (e.g., CH3. and CH3.) or (ii) two species with net charges and without unpaired electrons (e.g., CH3+ and CH3:xe2x88x92). A discussion of coordinate and covalent bonding is set forth in Haaland et al. (Angew. Chem Int. Ed. Eng. Vol. 28, 1989, p. 992), the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The following explanation is proposed, although it is noted that the present invention is in no way limited to this theory.
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, the transition metal complexes described in WO-A-93/19104 are ionic after interaction with the co-catalyst. However, the transition metal complex according to WO-A-93/19104 that is active in the polymerization contains an overall neutral charge (on the basis of the assumption that the polymerizing transition metal complex comprises, a M(III) transition metal, one dianionic ligand and one growing monoanionic polymer chain (POL)). By contrast, as shown in FIG. 1, the polymerization active transition metal complex of the catalyst composition according to the present invention is of a cationic nature (on the basis of the assumption that the polymerizing transition metal complexxe2x80x94based on the formula (V) structurexe2x80x94comprises, a M(III) transition metal, one monoanionic bidentate ligand and one growing monoanionic polymer chain (POL)).
Transition metal complexes in which the transition metal is in a reduced oxidation state, but have the following structure:
Cpxe2x80x94M(III)xe2x80x94L2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(VII)
are generally not active in co-polymerization reactions. It is precisely the presence, in the transition metal complex of the present invention, of the DRxe2x80x2n or Ar group (the donor), optionally bonded to the Y group by means of the R group, that gives a stable transition metal complex suitable for polymerization.
Such an intramolecular donor is to be preferred over an external (intermolecular) donor on account of the fact that the former shows a stronger and more stable coordination with the transition metal complex.
It will be appreciated that the catalyst system may also be formed in situ if the components thereof are added directly to the polymerization reactor system and a solvent or diluent, including liquid monomer, is used in said polymerization reactor.
The catalyst composition of the present invention also contains a co-catalyst. For example, the co-catalyst can be an organometallic compound. The metal of the organometallic compound can be selected from group 1, 2, 12 or 13 of the Periodic Table of Elements. Suitable metals include, for example and without limitation, sodium, lithium, zinc, magnesium, and aluminum, with aluminum being preferred. At least one hydrocarbon radical is bonded directly to the metal to provide a carbon-metal bond. The hydrocarbon group used in such compounds preferably contains 1-30, more preferably 1-10 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable compounds include, without limitation, amyl sodium, butyl lithium, diethyl zinc, butyl magnesium chloride, and dibutyl magnesium. Preference is given to organoaluminium compounds, including, for example and without limitation, the following: trialkyl aluminum compounds, such as triethyl aluminum and tri-isobutyl aluminum; alkyl aluminum hydrides, such as di-isobutyl aluminum hydride; alkylalkoxy organoaluminium compounds; and halogen-containing organoaluminium compounds, such as diethyl aluminum chloride, diisobutyl aluminum chloride, and ethyl aluminum sesquichloride. Preferably, aluminoxanes are selected as the organoaluminium compound.
In addition or as an alternative to the organometallic compounds as the co-catalyst, the catalyst composition of the present invention can include a compound which contains or yields in a reaction with the transition metal complex of the present invention a non-coordinating or poorly coordinating anion. Such compounds have been described for instance in EP-A-426,637, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such an anion is bonded sufficiently unstably such that it is replaced by an unsaturated monomer during the co-polymerization. Such compounds are also mentioned in EP-A-277,003 and EP-A-277,004, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such a compound preferably contains a triaryl borane or a tetraaryl borate or an aluminum or silicon equivalent thereof. Examples of suitable co-catalyst compounds include, without limitation, the following:
dimethyl anilinium tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate [C6H5N(CH3)2H]+ [B(C6F5)4]xe2x88x92;
dimethyl anilinium bis(7,8-dicarbaundecaborate)-cobaltate (III);
tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetraphenyl borate;
triphenylcarbenium tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate;
dimethylanilinium tetraphenyl borate;
tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane; and
tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate.
As described for instance in EP-A-500,944, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the reaction product of a halogenated transition metal complex and an organometallic compound, such as for instance triethyl aluminum (TEA), can also be used.
The molar ratio of the co-catalyst relative to the transition metal complex, in case an organometallic compound is selected as the co-catalyst, usually is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 10,000:1, and preferably is in a range of from about 1:1 to about 2,500:1. If a compound containing or yielding a non-coordinating or poorly coordinating anion is selected as co-catalyst, the molar ratio usually is in a range of from about 1:100 to about 1,000:1, and preferably is in a range of from about 1:2 to about 250:1.
As a person skilled in the art would be aware, the transition metal complex as well as the co-catalyst can be present in the catalyst composition as a single component or as a mixture of several components. For instance, a mixture may be desired where there is a need to influence the molecular properties of the polymer, such as molecular weight and in particular molecular weight distribution.
The catalyst composition according to the invention can be used by a method known as such as a catalyst component for the polymerization of an olefin. The olefin envisaged in particular is an olefin chosen from the group comprising xcex1-olefin, internal olefin, cyclic olefin and di-olefin. Mixtures of these can also be used.
The invention relates in particular to a process for the polymerization of an xcex1-olefin. The xcex1-olefin is preferably chosen from the group comprising ethene, propene, butene, pentene, heptene, octene and styrene (substituted or non-substituted), mixtures of which may also be used. More preferably, ethene and/or propene is used as xcex1-olefin. The use of such olefins results in the formation of (semi)crystalline polyethene homo- and copolymers, of high as well as of low density (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, etc.), and polypropene, homo- and copolymers (PP and EMPP). The monomers needed for such products and the processes to be used are known to the person skilled in the art.
The process according to the invention is also suitable for the preparation of amorphous or rubber-like copolymers based on ethene and another xcex1-olefin. Propene is preferably used as the other xcex1-olefin, so that EPM rubber is formed. It is also quite possible to use a diene besides ethene and the other xcex1-olefin, so that a so-called EADM rubber is formed, in particular EPDM (ethene propene diene rubber).
The catalyst composition according to the invention can be used supported as well as non-supported. The supported catalysts are used mainly in gas phase and slurry processes. The carrier used may be any carrier known as carrier material for catalysts, for instance SiO2, Al2O3 or MgCl2.
Polymerization of the olefins can be effected in a known manner, in the gas phase as well as in a liquid reaction mediun. In the latter case, both solution and suspension polymerization are suitable, while the quantity of transition metal to be used generally is such that its concentration in the dispersion agent amounts to 10xe2x88x928xe2x88x9210xe2x88x924 mol/l, preferably 10xe2x88x927xe2x88x9210 xe2x88x923 mol/l.
The process according to the invention will hereafter be elucidated with reference to a polyethene preparation known per se, which is representative of the olefin polymerizations meants here. For the preparation of other polymers on the basis of an olefin the reader is expresely referred to the multitde of publications on this subject.
The preparation of polyethene relates to a process for homopolymerization or copolymerization of ethene with one or more xcex1-olefins having 3-12 carbons atoms and optionaly one or more non-conjugated dienes. The xcex1-olefins that are suitable in particular are propene, butene, hexene and octene. Suitable dienes are for instance 1,7-octadiene and 1,9-decadiene. It has been found that the catalyst composition of the present invention is especially suitable for solution or suspension polymerization of ethene.
Any liquid that is inert relative to the catalyst system can be used as dispersion agent in the polymerization. One or more saturated, straight or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as butanes, pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, pentamethyl heptane or mineral oil fractions such as light or regular petrol, naphtha, kerosine or gas oil are suitable for that purpose. Aromatic hydrocarbons, for instance benzene and toluene, can be used, but because of their cost as well as on account of safety considerations, it will be preferred not to use such solvents for production on a technical scale. In polymerization processes on a technical scale, it is preferred therefore to use as solvent the low-priced aliphatic hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof, as marketed by the petrochemical industry. If an aliphatic hydrocarbon is used as solvent, the solvent may yet contain minor quantities of aromatic hydrocarbon, for instance toluene. Thus, if for instance methyl aluminoxane (MAO) is used as co-catalyst, toluene can be used as solvent in order to supply the MAO in dissolved form to the polymerization reactor. Drying or purification is desirable if such solvents are used; this can be done without problems by the average person skilled in the art.
Such a solution polymerization is preferably carried out at temperatures between 150xc2x0 C. and 250xc2x0 C.; in general, a suspension polymerization takes place at lower temperatures, preferably below 100xc2x0 C.
The polymer solution resulting from the polymerization can be worked up by a method known per se. In general the catalyst is de-activated at some point during the processing of the polymer. The de-activation is also effected in a manner known per se, e.g. by means of water or an alcohol. Removal of the catalyst residues can mostly be omitted because the quantity of catalyst in the polymer, in particular the content of halogen and transition metal is very low now owing to the use of the catalyst system according to the invention.
Polymerization can be effected at atmospheric pressure, but also at an elevated pressure of up to 500 MPa, continuously or discontinuously. If the polymerization is carried out under pressure the yield of polymer can be increased additionally, resulting in an even lower catalyst residue content. Preferably, the polymerization is performed at pressures between 0.1 and 25 MPa. Higher pressures, of 100 MPa and upwards, can be applied if the polymerization is carried out in so-called high-pressure reactors. In such a high-pressure process the catalyst according to the present invention can also be used with good results.
The polymerization can also be performed in several steps, in series as well as in parallel. If required, the catalyst composition, temperature, hydrogen concentration, pressure, residence time, etc. may be varied from step to step. In this way it is also possible to obtain products with a wide molecular weight distribution.
The invention also relates to a polyolefin that can be obtained by means of a polymerization process with utilization of the catalyst composition according to the invention.

Catalyst composition comprising a reduced transition metal complex and a cocatalyst

Abstract: where, L1 and L2, may be the same or different, are anionic ligands, other than cyclopentadienyl group, amido group or phosphidino group. At least L1 is able to non-covalently interact with reduced transition metal M via one or more functional groups; for example, L1 can be a phenyl group in which at least one of the ortho-positions is substituted with a functional group capable of donating electron density to the transition metal M. L1 can also be a methyl group in which one or more or the alpha-positions is substituted with a functional group capable of donating electron density to the transition metal M. X, K, and m are defined in the specification. These catalysts may be easily formed as solids and provide improved catalytic performance.


A method includes producing an elastic strip material (12) by sandwiching an elastic member (4) between two webs (10, 11) under a stretched state in the longitudinal direction of the webs (10, 11), halving the elastic strip material (12) in the widthwise direction so that protrusions (12a) and recesses (12b) alternately appear, separating a first elastic strip material and a second elastic strip material obtained by halving in the widthwise direction, shifting the phases of the first and second elastic strip materials in the longitudinal direction so that the protrusions and the recesses become in phase, reducing the shrinking force of the elastic member near the protrusions (12a) of the first and second elastic strip materials (12A and 12B), and attaching an absorber (12c) onto parts (12c) of the first and second elastic strip materials (12A) where the shrinking force is reduced.

Body fluid absorbent wearing articles of the disposable underpants type include pants-type diapers, underpants and training pants for infants and small children and incontinence underpants. A method for producing such disposable wearing articles is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-113042.
What is required for the method for producing disposable wearing articles is to maximally reduce trims (loss parts) produced by cutting webs (sheet-shaped backing materials such as nonwoven fabric) in the production process. This enables the production cost for wearing articles to be decreased.
Further, when a produced disposable wearing article is worn, the tensions (shrinking forces) of elastic members adhered to sheet materials covering a front part and a back part are required not to differ. Since this makes it unlikely for the front part and the back part to be wrinkled, the disposable wearing article can look nicer to improve the product value thereof.
In order to meet the above requirements, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing disposable wearing articles that can reduce the production costs and improve the product value.

Method for producing disposable wearing article


A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes: a wiring board; a semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring board; and a resin-containing layer bonded on the wiring board so as to fix the semiconductor chip to the wiring board. The resin-containing layer contains a resin-containing material having a breaking strength of 15 MPa or more at 125° C.

In order to achieve miniaturization, speed-up, high functionality, and the like of a semiconductor device, a semiconductor package of a semiconductor memory device having a structure in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are stacked and sealed in one package has been put to practical use. The semiconductor memory device includes the structure in which a FOD (Film On Device) material is bonded on a wiring board while a controller chip being embedded in the FOD material and memory chips are stacked in multistage on the FOD material, for example. In the semiconductor device constituting such a semiconductor memory device, the stack number of memory chips is increased, and the memory chips are stacked with the number of stages such as 16 stages, 24 stages, or 32 stages. The semiconductor device having the semiconductor chips stacked in multistage is required to suppress a crack of an adhesive layer such as the FOD material because there is a possibility that the crack occurs in the FOD material bonded to the wiring board, board wiring undergoes rupture, and defects are caused thereto.

Semiconductor device having a resin layer sealing a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked on first semiconductor chips


A consumable management device includes a life determining unit that determines whether a consumable reaching a life end exists in an object apparatus which operates with a plurality of consumables or not, a stop process unit that, when the life determining unit determines that a consumable reaching a life end exists, performs a stop process of stopping the operation of the object apparatus, an additional replacement determining unit that, when the object apparatus is to be stopped, determines whether, in addition to replacement or replenishment of the consumable, a consumable which is to be replaced or replenished exists or not, and a notification process unit that, when the additional replacement determining unit determines that a consumable which is to be additionally replaced or replenished exists, performs a notification process of notifying an operator that the consumable which is to be additionally replaced or replenished is to be replaced or replenished.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a consumable management device, an image forming apparatus, and a computer readable medium storing a program.
2. Related Art
An image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, or a facsimile apparatus performs an image forming operation by using consumables typified by an ink, a toner, and the like. In an apparatus of this kind, therefore, the remaining amount of the consumable is periodically detected, a timing of replacement of each consumable is estimated based on a result of the detection, and, when the replacement timing approaches, a warning indicative of this is displayed on an operation screen for the operator, thereby prompting replacement of the consumable.

Consumable management device, image forming apparatus, computer readable medium storing a program, and consumable management method


We have invented an improved apparatus for electronically measuring fluid flow. The apparatus includes a radiation detection means for indicating the position of a flow indicator in a chamber of a variable area flowmeter and has a reliability, versatility and functional accuracy not obtainable with known variable area flowmeters. The invention may also include a variable area flowmeter with the flow indicator in a tapered fluid flow chamber with a wall and a long axis, the chamber having a front side, a back side, and an operational length substantially parallel to the long axis. The invention has no moving parts and is not intrusive so mechanical malfunction and unwanted leaks can not occur. Useful embodiments include, for example, compact self contained apparatus useful for fitting around existing flowmeters, systems that include flowmeters and systems able to work with some fluids that are visually opaque.

Variable area flowmeters also known as rotameters have been used as a flow rate monitoring device for several hundred years. One of the limitations has been that rotameters must be visually read in order to determine a flow rate and totalizing was estimated by multiplying the observed flow rate by a time interval. The accuracy of the results was dependent on a correct calibration of the rotameter and an assumption that that the flow rate remained constant over the time interval used in the calculation. When rotameters are used in industry, flow rates can and do vary considerably. Also, when totalization is needed, rotameters without a means of transmitting a signal are frequently unsatisfactory. These difficulties have become more serious in recent years with an increased need for greater reliability and precision. This is particularly true for industries such as semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacture.
Rotameters have been disclosed with monitoring systems designed to address the problem associated with a need for visual observation. However most of theses systems are at least partly mechanical and contain moving parts that decrease reliability because they are exposed to mechanical failures. A few systems are photoelectronic without moving parts. One, using Charged Coupled Device (CCD) technology has an inherently limited physical range of use that increases system complexity and reduces precision. Another, employing a float shadow detection means and widely spaced light sensors requires complex programming and circuit design and does not achieve precision greater than that available by visually monitoring a graduated scale on the chamber of the flowmeter.
There is still a need for a rotameter system that is more reliable and has greater precision. There is also a need for a more reliable and precise system that can also be retroactively used with existing rotameters.

Precision variable area flowmeter apparatus


A voltage regulator includes a pass element, a buffer, and an error amplifier. The voltage regulator further includes a fast push-pull driver that has an inverter type amplification structure, is connected between a power output and a control input of the pass element, and reduces positive and negative peaks of the power output at a speed faster than a speed of a main feedback loop.

Embodiments of the disclosure described herein relate to a power supply device, and more particularly, relate to a voltage regulator easily incorporated on-chip.
As high-end mobile devices such as a smart phone, a tablet PC, etc., are developed, various attempts are being made for improvement of performance, cost reduction, and decrease in defect rate.
As one of such attempts, a study on low-power consumption is being made to use a battery of a mobile device longer. Moreover, a study on supplying of power to an electronic device in a mobile device is being made to secure a reliable operation of the mobile device.
A low drop-out voltage regulator supplies power to an electronic device such as an application processor or a memory controller in a system on chip and must have a function of maintaining a constant power output regardless of a variation in a power input or a variation in a load current.
The low drop-out voltage regulator is a type of voltage regulator in which a level difference between an input voltage and an output voltage is relatively small.
Ripple occurs at an output voltage of the voltage regulator when a current consumed by an electronic device in a chip is sharply varied. A relatively great capacitance of a capacitor is installed inside or outside the chip to stabilize an output voltage by reducing the ripple, thereby increasing production cost and increasing a defect rate.

Dual loop voltage regulator based on inverter amplifier and voltage regulating method thereof


Placing a clad plate, comprising a resistor having a specific resistance at least two times that of aluminum, between two aluminum plates or between an aluminum plate and non-aluminum plate metal plate to be welded, and supplying an electric current through the aluminum plates to be welded and the clad plate. The clad plate itself may have aluminum plates sandwiching the resistor, the thickness each of the aluminum plate of the clad plate is from 1/4 to 6 times that of the resistor. The resistor can be made of iron, steel, titanium, tantalum, nickel, zirconium, and alloys thereof.

The present invention relates to resistance welding of an aluminum alloy (hereunder referred to merely as aluminum), including resistance welding of aluminum to aluminum, aluminum to steel, aluminum to titanium, and aluminum to other foreign metals.
Joining of aluminum and aluminum can be carried out by arc welding or resistance welding using a large welding current. On the other hand, joining of aluminum and steel, and aluminum and titanium, for example, is usually carried out by mechanical means, because welding does not give a satisfactory bonding strength. However, mechanical joining methods using bolts, screws, and fittings have problems such as less reliability and loosening of joints during use.
Furthermore, since it is becoming more popular to assemble apparatuses, machines, or structures by means of welding, it is desirable that resistance welding of the aluminum, and especially the resistance welding of aluminum plates be practiced in industry using a small welding current.
There is a recent trend to employ increasing amounts of aluminum plates for the manufacture of car bodies in order to save weight and energy. For automotive manufacture it is necessary to develop a practical method of carrying out spot welding of aluminum plates.
A simple and reliable method for joining thick aluminum plates has recently been proposed. This method uses a cladded plate produced by bonding different kinds of metal plates prior to welding as an insert. The opposing sides of a plate and the insert are made of the same metal and are arc welded.
Japanese Unexamined patent application Publication No. 51-72947/1976 discloses an aluminum alloy plate spot welded to a steel plate using as an insert a previously cladded aluminum-steel plate between the aluminum and steel plates to be welded. The purpose of using the insert is to avoid formation of intermetallic compounds of aluminum. However, that application does not disclose any practical method to achieve spot welding of aluminum in an easy way using a small welding current.
Aluminum has high thermal and electrical conductivity compared with steel materials. This means that heat generation in aluminum is rather small compared with steel when the same electric current is supplied to carry out electric resistance welding. In addition, heat, once generated, is easily dissipated through the aluminum. Therefore, highly concentrated heating is required to achieve bonding of aluminum by applying a large electric current in a very short time.
When spot welding of steel plates and spot welding of aluminum plates having the same thickness are carried out for comparative purposes, a welding electric current in an amount three times larger than that for spot welding steel plates must be passed through the aluminum plates to be welded in a period of time only 1/7-1/8 of that for steel plates. Therefore, the spot welding of aluminum to aluminum is carried out with a welding apparatus of a large capacity using an electric current of 20-50 kA in a cycle of 5-10.
In the case of electric resistance welding of aluminum plates to steel plates, when an aluminum clad plate is employed as an insert, an aluminum-to-aluminum bonding interface must be welded by supplying a larger electric current in a much shorter time compared with the current and time required for welding a steel-to-steel interface, sometimes resulting in a variation in bonding strength depending on the location due to formation of uneven nuggets.
Japanese Unexamined patent application Publication No. 4-55066/1992 discloses a method of performing spot welding of an aluminum plate to a steel plate with an aluminum-steel clad plate being inserted between the aluminum and steel plates. In a first stage, an electric current in an amount suitable to effect welding of steel plates is passed through the plates, and then in a second stage a large electric current suitable to effect welding of aluminum plates is used. According to this method, however, two different melting conditions must be created, one for welding steel and the other for welding aluminum. It is rather difficult, therefore, to apply this process to an existing spot welding line from a practical viewpoint. In addition, sometimes excess generation of heat might occur to degrade bonding in the interface between an aluminum plate and the other plate of the clad plate.
Japanese Unexamined patent application Publication No. 4-1288/1992 discloses a method of effecting laser welding of an aluminum plate and a steel plate using a clad plate as an insert. In this method, laser welding is carried out under conditions such that each occurrence of welding takes place locally, i.e., in a very limited area without melting of different types of metals. From a practical viewpoint, it is quite difficult to effect welding in such a limited area even when laser welding is employed. In particular, laser welding is not applicable for welding thin aluminum plates such as outer panels, hood panels, and door panels for use in manufacturing car bodies .


The tensile strength and flexural strength of glass fiber reinforced aromatic polycarbonate resin/poly(butylene terephthalate) resin blends is improved by employing a glass fiber reinforcing agent treated with a sizing agent selected from epoxy functional cyanurates and isocyanurates. The reinforced blends are useful for making molded articles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to glass fiber reinforced blends of polycarbonate resin/polyester resin, and more particularly relates to thermoplastic compositions containing (a) an aromatic polycarbonate resin, (b) a polyester resin, and (c) a glass fiber reinforcing agent treated with an epoxy functionalized cyanurate or isocyanurate sizing agent.
2. Description of Related Art
Polyester-polycarbonate blends having increased melt viscosity containing a poly (O- or N-epoxy alkyl substituted) cyclic amide, imide, or imidate such as triglycidyl isocyanurate are set out in U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,251. However, the reference does not teach using the triglycidyl isocyanurate as a glass sizing agent to improve the flexural and impact strengths of reinforced blends of aromatic polycarbonate/polyester.
Glass fiber reinforced blends of polyester resins with polycarbonate resins are known, see for example, Kawase, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,539 and Wambach, U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,692. While these reinforced blends exhibit useful properties, it is desired to improve the impact strength and flexural strength of such reinforced blends.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide fiber reinforced blends of polyester resins with polycarbonate resins exhibiting enhanced levels of physical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength.

Glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate/polyester blends


A control system for hybrid vehicles, in which a second prime mover is connected to an output member to which a power is transmitted from a first prime mover through a transmission in which a torque capacity is varied in accordance with an oil pressure, and which has a first hydraulic pump driven by the first prime mover for establishing an oil pressure to be fed to the transmission, and a second hydraulic pump arranged in parallel with the first hydraulic pump and driven by an electric motor. A torque limiter limits an output torque of the second prime mover temporarily to a predetermined torque which is lower than a maximum output torque, at a starting time of the first prime mover.

One example of the hybrid vehicle equipped with a so called "mechanical distribution type drive unit" is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-225578, and a construction thereof will be described briefly hereafter. In the disclosed hybrid vehicle, an engine torque is inputted to a carrier of a single pinion type planetary gear mechanism which constitutes a distributing mechanism, a first motor generator is connected to a sun gear, and an output member such as a counter drive gear etc. is connected to a ring gear. A second motor generator is connected to the output member or the ring gear through a transmission. The downshift when a clamping pressure for the belt is insufficient due to a shortage of the oil pressure or the like.
On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-230442, there is disclosed an invention, which is constructed to inhibit halt of the engine and to establish an oil pressure by a mechanical oil pump in a hybrid vehicle having the mechanical oil pump and an electric oil pump, in case a cumulative load obtained on the basis of a cumulative operating time, a cumulative number of revolution and so on of the electric oil pump exceeds a durable load. In addition, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-112114, there is disclosed an invention, which is constructed to restrict an operation of an electric motor, in case an operating state of the electric motor exceeds a preset heat rating.
As described above, a hybrid vehicle comprises a plurality of prime movers such as an engine and an electric motor, and is capable of running using not only both of those prime movers, but also using any one of those prime movers. Accordingly, in order to ensure the oil pressure when the engine is halted, it is conceivable to provide an electric hydraulic pump which is capable of generating the oil pressure even when the engine is halted, in addition to a hydraulic pump which is driven by the engine. In the construction disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-225578, the transmission is arranged between the second motor generator and the output member. In this construction, in case of running the vehicle by using the second motor generator as the prime mover, the mechanical oil pump is halted in accordance with a cessation of the engine. Therefore, it is necessary to feed the oil pressure to the transmission by driving the electric hydraulic pump so as to put the transmission into a torque transmittable state. In this state, it is required that the oil pressure corresponding to the torque which can maintain the running of the vehicle by the second motor generator, so that it is sufficient for the electric hydraulic pump to have such capacity. As a result of this, the entire construction of the hybrid vehicle can be downsized.
However, according to the construction disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-225578, in case the engine is started due to increase of a demand torque and so on, the first motor generator is operated as the motor so as to carry out a motoring (i.e., or cranking) of the engine by using the motive power, but the torque of the first motor generator is transmitted to the engine through the distributing mechanism composed of the planetary gear mechanism, so that the torque acts on the output member in the direction to rotate the output member backward. Accordingly, it is desirable to output the torque further from the second motor generator at the starting time of the engine, so as to countervail the torque acting on the output member as a result of the motoring by the first motor generator. The torque outputted from the second motor generator at the motoring time is to be added to the torque of the second motor generator to run the vehicle. Therefore, the torque larger than that in the case of running the vehicle by the second motor generator acts on the transmission. It is necessary to raise the oil pressure in order to enable the transmission to transmit the torque sufficiently, even under such condition. However, if the oil pressure is outputted only by the electric hydraulic pump, there arise an disadvantage in that the electric hydraulic pump grows in size. Moreover, since an electric power is supplied from a power source such as the battery to both the first motor generator for the motoring and the electric hydraulic pump simultaneously, there is another disadvantage in that a load on an electric power source increases.
On the other hand, the oil pressure can be established sufficiently when the mechanical oil pump is driven by the engine, so that it is unnecessary to drive the electric hydraulic pump. Therefore, according to the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-41067, in which the electric pump is driven prior to halt the engine, if the electric pump is driven when the mechanical pump is driven by the engine and generating sufficient oil pressure, the oil pressure is generated excessively, and may cause a power loss. Moreover, in case the electric hydraulic pump is provided as a supplemental means to the mechanical oil pump driven by the engine, it is desirable for the electric hydraulic pump to have a required minimum capacity so as to minimize its size. However, the oil pressure is required in various situations, and there may be a case in which the oil pressure higher than the permissible limit of the electric hydraulic pump is required. Therefore, there is room for developing an effective means for determining the permissible limit of the electric hydraulic pump or controlling when the permissible limit is determined.


Exemplary dispensers and refill units having collapsible outlet tubes are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump having an outlet that is movable in a reciprocating motion and a flexible tube. A first end of the flexible tube is in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and a second end connectable to a dispenser. When the second end is connected to a dispenser, the second end is stationary and movement of the pump outlet away from the second end causes the pump to dispense fluid and movement of the pump outlet toward the second end causes the flexible tube to collapse.

Liquid dispenser systems, such as liquid soap and sanitizer dispensers, provide a user with an amount of liquid upon actuation of the dispenser. Often times after a dispenser dispenses a dose of fluid, and in particular, fluid in the form of foam, and the user moves her hands away from the outlet, residual liquid or foam drips from the outlet nozzle. In addition, fluid often dries in the outlet of dispensers and refill units that are not used frequently due to air contacting the residual fluid in the outlet. Embodiments of the present invention provide an economical solution that prevents or minimizes dripping and drying out of residual fluid in the outlet.

Dispensers and refill units having collapsible outlet tubes


Treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia comprises administration of an effective amount of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonist (GLP1RA) alone or in combination with an amylinomimetic agent or any anti-gastric emptying agent. Patients suffering from hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery experience particular benefit, as there is no current method effective for their treatment. Prevention or reduction of acute adverse effects of postprandial hypoglycemia, such as palpitations, tremor, weakness, sweating, confusion, fatigue, blurred vision, seizures, or loss of consciousness, and prevention of chronic adverse effects of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, such as cognitive impairment, can be achieved by treatment with GLP1RA.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), widely performed for medically complicated obesity, cures type 2 diabetes in 85% of cases. The physiologic mechanisms mediating diabetes resolution is controversial, but the reduction in glucose excursions prior to weight loss has led to postulates that the incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), may play an important role. GLP-1 stimulates the secretion of insulin by pancreatic beta cells and is responsible for the "incretin" effect: incretin hormones enhance the glucose-dependent secretion of insulin, such that pancreatic beta cells will secrete more insulin after an oral glucose load than after an isoglycemic IV glucose load. Enhanced secretion of GLP-1 after RYGB, and a resultant elevation in insulin secretion, may play a primary role in the resolution of diabetes after RYGB. Indeed GLP-1 analogs have been developed to treat diabetes.
However, as the use of bariatric surgical procedures continues to increase worldwide, a severe complication—hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia—is increasingly reported. Present in 1-6% of RYGB patients, this disorder leads to severe symptomatic hypoglycemia that plagues patients often multiple times daily, with glucose concentrations low enough (20-40 mg/dL) to cause seizures, altered mental status, loss of consciousness, cognitive dysfunction, disability, and death. Quality of life is severely diminished, and many patients cannot care for themselves or others, work, drive, or be left alone. There is no effective treatment and severe cases have been managed with near-total to total pancreatectomy, which results in insulin-dependent diabetes and is associated with a 6% surgical mortality risk.
Given the severity of this chronic disorder with unmet clinical need, an effective therapeutic treatment is urgently needed. It would thus be useful to provide a method for the treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia post bariatric surgery and prevention of its acute symptoms and chronic outcomes, and a pharmaceutical composition for such therapeutic.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Treatment of post-bariatric hypoglycemia with GLP-1 antagonists

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY


The present invention pertains to a transmission apparatus for generating an encrypted text by encrypting a plaintext, which includes a parameter storage unit for storing a random parameter (the number of terms whose coefficients indicate 1) adapted to an encryption key and an encryption apparatus and a decryption apparatus; an encryption unit for generating, from the plaintext, the encrypted text using the encryption key and the random parameter stored in the parameter storage unit, complying with an encryption algorithm based on the NTRU™ method; and a key updating unit for updating the random parameter stored in the parameter storage unit and the encryption key, as time passes.

Encrypted communication using a public key encryption is one of a plurality of methods utilized to realize confidential communications between a transmission apparatus and a receiving apparatus. In the public key cryptosystem, the transmission apparatus encrypts the contents of the communications using a public key possessed by the receiving apparatus and transmits it to the receiving apparatus, and the receiving apparatus then receives the encrypted contents and obtains the original contents by decrypting it with the use of its own private key. This method is published in detail, for example, in Modern Cryptography. Mathematics in Information Science. Ser. Tatsuaki Okamoto, and Hirosuke Yamamoto, Sangyo Tosyo, 1997.
Under the common encryption system using this method, plural transmission apparatuses and receiving apparatuses exist. The transmission apparatus firstly acquires a public key possessed by the destination receiving apparatus. The public key makes a pair with the private key possessed by the destination receiving apparatus and is released in the encryption system. Then, the transmission apparatus encrypts and transmits the data to be communicated using the public key obtained as above whereas the receiving apparatus receives the telecommunication data encrypted by the transmission apparatus, decrypts the data using its own private key and obtains the original data.
Here, if the private key possessed by the destination receiving apparatus is disclosed, the encryption system is not secure any more because the contents of communications encrypted using the public key possessed by the destination receiving apparatus can be decrypted by an outsider who has the disclosed private key. Therefore, it is required that the private key possessed by the receiving apparatus be placed under strict control so that it is not leaked to outsiders.
However, there is a possibility that the private key could be disclosed by an accident of some sort. It is necessary, therefore, to stop the usage of the public key paired with the disclosed private key in the case in which the private key possessed by the receiving apparatus is disclosed or any such doubt arises.
As an example of such a method, a method to stop the usage of the public key paired with the disclosed private key, using a data structure called Certificate Revocation List (CRL), when the private key possessed by the receiving apparatus is disclosed, is suggested. This method is published, for example, in Digital Signature and Cryptographic Technology. Shinichiro Yamada. Trans. Pearson Education Inc., 1997: pp. 159-214.
As another example, a method to use SRM (System Renewability Messages) is suggested in DTCP (Digital Transmission Content Protection Messages) for protecting the digital contents transmitted on a serial bus complying with the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 Standard. With the use of the SRM, it is possible to stop the usage of the public key possessed by the receiving apparatus when the private key possessed by the receiving apparatus is disclosed. This method is published, for example, in "Digital Transmission Content Protection Specification Revision 1.2 (Informational Version) Jul. 11, 2002.
The following describes these methods briefly.
The public key is associated with identification information to identify a person or an object that possesses it and is converted into a format to which a serial number or the like is attached by a reliable third party. Moreover, the digital signature of the third party is attached to the public key in order to prevent falsification attempted by others. This digital signature is called a public key certificate. In the CRL and the SRM issued by the third party, the serial number of the public key certificate of the public key whose usage has to be stopped for the reason such as the disclosure of the private key or the like is described. Therefore, it is possible to stop the usage of the public key paired with the disclosed private key by examining the serial number described in the CRL and the SRM.
Here, the application of this method to the encryption system for encrypted communications between the transmission apparatus and the receiving apparatus is considered. The transmission apparatus confirms the digital signature for the public key certificate of the destination receiving apparatus, obtains the public key and the serial number based on the public key certificate and also acquires the CRL and the SRM issued by the third party. The transmission apparatus then stops the usage of the public key when the serial number of the obtained public key certificate is contained in the CRL and the SRM. Thus, the usage of the public key paired with the disclosed private key is ceased when the private key possessed by the receiving apparatus is disclosed. Consequently, safe encrypted communications can be realized between the transmission apparatus and the receiving apparatus.
However, the method using the CRL and the SRM described above contains the following problems.
(1) Even though the private key possessed by the receiving apparatus is disclosed, the transmission apparatus cannot always stop the usage of the public key possessed by the receiving apparatus when the updated CRL and SRM cannot be obtained. Therefore, with the conventional art, there is a risk that the content of the encrypted communications transmitted by the transmission apparatus continues to be decrypted by the receiving apparatus operated by an outsider having the disclosed private key. Namely, there is a risk that the disadvantage on the sender's side cannot be prevented when the private key is disclosed in a case of transmitting digital works such as music.
(2) It is desirable to regularly renew the key in order to assure the security for the encrypted communications. However, with the conventional art, it is difficult to urge the user operating the receiving apparatus to update the key since the receiving apparatus functions normally without the regular updating of the key.
(3) The CRL and the SRM issued by the reliable third party is required.
The following describes in detail the problems (1), (2) and (3), mentioned above.
Firstly, with the method using the CRL and the SRM, there is a case in which the usage of the public key possessed by the receiving apparatus cannot be stopped even if the private key possessed by the receiving apparatus is disclosed, since the transmission apparatus cannot obtain the updated CRL and SRM. For example, a system in which digitalized movie content data is recorded on a storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) is considered here. The movie content data is encrypted with an encryption key possessed by each player, namely, a receiving apparatus, and is recorded onto a disk. The player, having a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key, decrypts the encrypted movie content data recorded on the disk and replays the movie. A certain player is an unauthenticated apparatus aiming to prevent the replay operated by the player and the CRL or the SRM in which the player's public key is described are recorded on the storage medium like DVD and then issued.
Assume that it is proved that the private key of the receiving apparatus is disclosed. From now on, the updated CRL and SRM in which the serial number of the public key certificate of the receiving apparatus is additionally described are recorded on the DVD and then issued. However, on the DVD distributed before, only the old versions of the CRL and the SRM are recorded and thereby the serial numbers of the latest public key certificates are not recorded. Consequently, the transmission apparatus cannot necessarily stop the usage of the public key used by the unauthenticated receiving apparatus since the former can obtain only the old versions of the CRL and the SRM as far as it uses the DVD with old information.
Also, in the DTCP standard using the SRM, the old version of SRM possessed by the apparatus is updated to the new version possessed by other apparatuses between the apparatuses connected via the IEEE 1394 serial bus. Namely, due to this system, a new version of the SRM can be obtained not only from the storage medium like DVD but also from other apparatuses. This system, however, does not assure completely in obtaining the latest version of the SRM. Thus, the transmission apparatus cannot necessarily stop the usage of the public key possessed by the receiving apparatus. Therefore, the content of the encrypted communications transmitted by the transmission apparatus risk being decrypted continuously by the outsider having the disclosed private key. Namely, there is a risk that the disadvantage on the sender's side cannot be prevented when the private key is disclosed in a case of transmitting digital works such as music.
Secondly, with the method using the CRL and the SRM, it is hard to urge a person operating the receiving apparatus to update its own public key or private key. This attributes to the fact that the receiving apparatus can continue to decrypt the encrypted communications completely until the transmission apparatus stops using the public key possessed by the receiving apparatus, using the CRL and the SRM.
With the conventional art, it has been required to obtain the latest version of the CRL and the SRM from the third party for stopping the usage of the public key paired with the disclosed private key and check the serial numbers described in the CRL and the SRM. However, in general, there are many cases in which a person operating the transmission apparatus performs encrypted communications either without the knowledge to check the CRL and the SRM or ignoring the checking since it is a hassle to obtain the latest versions of the CRL and the SRM from the server. This is because both of the transmission apparatus and the receiving apparatus operate normally without regular updating of the key and perform encrypted communications without checking through the CRL and the SRM, when the transmission apparatus obtains the public key used by the receiving apparatus. When the transmission apparatus performs encrypted communications without checking the CRL and the SRM, the person operating the receiving apparatus will not update its own public key/private key since the receiving apparatus operates normally without regularly updating the key. It is also conceivable to use a method to set an effective period for the public key certificate so that the transmission apparatus stops the usage of the public key whose effective period is not valid and the transmission apparatus does not perform encrypted communications towards the receiving apparatus as long as the receiving apparatus does not update the key. However, in this case, there are many cases in which the person operating the transmission apparatus performs encrypted communications either without knowing the checking of the effective period or ignoring the checking as is the case of the method using the CRL and the SRM. As a result, the person operating the receiving apparatus will not update regularly its own public key/private key since the receiving apparatus operates normally without the regular updating of the key.
Lastly, with the method using the CRL and the SRM, it is presupposed that the CRL and the SRM are issued by the reliable third party. The problem is that the presence of such CRL and SRM has to be presumed.

Encryption apparatus, decryption apparatus and encryption system

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The present invention provides a sound field correcting system and a reverberation adjusting apparatus capable of correcting a reverberation time characteristic by an easy operation without setting a complicated parameter. A surround system 100 has a sound reproducing apparatus 120 for adjusting a reverberation component of sound on the basis of a reverberation characteristic of a listening room 10 and amplifying the sound by a speaker system 130; and a microphone 140 for collecting the amplified sound in a specific listening position in the listening room 10. The sound reproducing apparatus 120 includes: a test signal generating device 124 for generating a test signal; a space characteristic analyzer 127 for recognizing an attenuation characteristic indicative of attenuation with time in the listening room on the basis of the obtained amplified test signal, and calculating attenuation time in the listening position of the amplified sound on the basis of the recognized attenuation characteristic; and a signal processor 200 for adjusting the reverberation characteristic of the listening room 10.

In recent years, at the time of reproducing sound source such as music, a reproducing apparatus such as an AV amplifier that performs correction of a sound field in a sound field space in which the sound source is reproduced is practically used. Recently, attention is being paid to a technique of correcting a reverberation characteristic of sound source on the basis of the characteristics of a sound field space in which sound is reproduced and performing a reverberation control on the sound field space. In particular, as the technique of correcting the reverberation characteristic, there is a known method of performing addition of reverberation and other corrections on each of a high-frequency component and a low-frequency component and correcting a sound field in which reverberation time is not uniform due to the difference between the characteristic of a high frequency and that of a high frequency.
Specifically, such a sound field correcting system for correcting a sound field space adds reverberation time to a high frequency component and adds reverberation to a low frequency component while adjusting amplitude and a phase characteristic by using an FIR filter. By adding the components finally, reverberation time is arbitrarily set for each of the frequency bands. Thus, a sound field having uniform reverberation time characteristic in the frequency bands can be provided (for example, Patent Document 1).
There is another method proposed (for example, Patent Document 2). When an ideal reverberation characteristic for correcting the reverberation characteristic, for example, reverberation time is set at the time of correcting the reverberation characteristic of amplified sound, sound is amplified in a listening room by using an FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter on the basis of the predetermined reverberation characteristic. The reverberation characteristic of amplified sound obtained in an arbitrary listening position is approximated.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 7-64582
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2003-255955

Reverberation adjusting apparatus, reverberation adjusting method, reverberation adjusting program, recording medium on which the reverberation adjusting program is recorded, and sound field correcting system


Disclosed is an electrowetting device. The electrowetting device includes a conductive or polar liquid material, and an electrode applying voltage to the liquid material through a dielectric layer. In the electrowetting device, the dielectric layer is formed as an anodized portion made of a metal oxide formed by anodizing the electrode, and a voltage applying unit applying voltage between the electrode and the liquid material and a polar capacitor are placed between the electrode and the liquid material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrowetting device utilizing an electrowetting (electrocapillary) phenomenon, and a varifocal lens, an optical pickup device, an optical recording/reproduction device, a droplet operation device, an optical element, a zoom lens, an imaging device, a light modulating device, and a display device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Varioptic S.A. of France and Royal Philips Electronics N.V. of the Netherlands disclose varifocal lens devices, for example, as electrowetting devices utilizing electrowetting phenomena (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2001-519539 and S. Kuiper et al., "Variable-focus liquid lens for miniature cameras", Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 85, No. 7, 16 Aug. 2004, pp. 1128-1130, for example).
A varifocal lens described in the aforementioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication and Applied Physics Letters will be described with reference to schematic cross-sectional views of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
The varifocal lens basically includes a container 310 having a cylindrical shape or the like; a conductive liquid material 301 packed in the container 310; and an insulating liquid material 302 made of a material not mixed with the conductive liquid material 301 and packed in the container 310. The conductive liquid material 301 and the insulating liquid material 302 are both light transmissive, have different refractive indices, and have an equal density (specific gravity). In this example, first electrodes 305 are each continuously formed on inner walls, one edge, and outer surfaces of the container, and dielectric films 304 are formed inside the inner walls. The edge of the container 310 covered with the first electrodes 305 is fluid-tightly sealed by a light transmissive material 309 made of glass, a light transmissive resin, or the like. A water repellent material 303, also called a water repellent coating, is attached to a bottom surface formed by the light transmissive material 309 and the dielectric films 304 on the inner walls of the container 310.
Second electrodes 307 having a ring shape or the like are placed on the other edge (lid side edge) of the container 310 in contact with the conductive liquid material 301. The other edge is fluid-tightly sealed by a light transmissive material 308 made of glass, a light transmissive resin, or the like through a hydrophilic material 306, also called a hydrophilic coating. In this case, edges of the ring-shaped second electrodes 307 are formed to extend on an outer periphery of the light transmissive material 308.
Edges of the first electrodes 305 on an inner surface of the container 310 are formed to separate the first electrodes 305 from the second electrodes 307. In the example shown in the figure, the dielectric films 304 are similarly formed.
In such a configuration, appropriate voltage is applied between the first electrodes 305 and the second electrodes 307 by a voltage application unit 311 to change a curvature of an interface between the conductive liquid material 301 and the insulating liquid material 302. Accordingly, it is possible to change a lens effect on incident light indicated by an arrow Li from outside the light transmissive material 309 and change a focal length.
More specifically, when voltage is not applied to the first and second electrodes 305 and 307, the interface between the conductive liquid material 301 and the insulating liquid material 302 forms part of a spherical surface having a certain radius, as shown in FIG. 1A, by having a balance in surface tension of the packed liquid materials 301 and 302 and inner wall surfaces of the container 310. For example, when salt-containing water is used for the conductive liquid material 301 and silicone oil is used for the insulating liquid material 302, the salt water, that is, the conductive liquid material 301 forms convexity of the interface as shown in FIG. 1A. Here, a contact angle of the conductive liquid material 301 is indicated as θ(0).
When applying voltage between the first electrodes 305 and the second electrodes 307 by the voltage application unit 311, "wettability" of the conductive liquid material 301 to the inner wall surface of the container 310 is improved (this phenomenon is called electrowetting). Thus, the interface between the liquid materials 301 and 302 is changed to increase a radius of curvature of the interface and reduce a contact angle θ(V), for example, as shown in FIG. 1B.
When light is incident from the light transmissive material 309 as indicated by the arrow Li and emitted from the other light transmissive material 308, a lens effect is generated by a difference in refractive index between the liquid materials 301 and 302 and an interface curvature. Furthermore, the liquid interface curvature is changed due to electrowetting by applying voltage, so that a focal length of the lens is changed.
The varifocal lens utilizing such an electrowetting phenomenon is advantageous in that: current is essentially not flown in the varifocal lens except when discharging, causing power consumption extremely small; and the varifocal lens does not have a mechanical drive and thus has a life longer than that of a varifocal lens of the related art moved by a motor or the like. Further, the varifocal lens may save space and provide an auto-focus mechanism with a simple configuration, since the lens does not have to include a motor.

Electrowetting device and varifocal lens, optical pickup device, optical recording/reproduction device, droplet operation device, optical element, zoom lens, imaging device, light modulating device, and display device using the same


This invention relates to network apparatus for the interconnecting personal computers and workstations, for the purpose of efficiently sharing the use of multimedia type computer applications such as programs and files. Multimedia computer programs are those that display on the user's monitor, text information, computer generated graphical information, and all type of picture image information both moving and still images. Disclosed is apparatus for deploying user input/output components of said personal computers and workstations at a desktop location several kilometers from the physical location of said personal computers. The invention embodied herein uses fiber optics transmission and user controlled optical switching. User control is via the Public Switched Telephone Network. The invention provides three advantages to a user such as an educational institution, software savings, hardware savings, and software security.

This invention relates to apparatus for the networking of personal computers and workstations, for the purpose of sharing access to and usage of computer programs and files, particularly those of the multimedia type, in a cost effective manner.
Said personal computers and workstations are computers intended for use on, or in close proximity to, the user input/output devices, such as a keyboard, computer mouse and video display screen that are typically located on an individual user's desktop. Disclosed herein is computer interconnection apparatus that is adapted to permit deploying the user input/output components of said personal computers and workstations at a desktop location remote from the physical location of said personal computers and their associated programs and files. The disclosed apparatus permits a plurality of users at different remote locations to use said personal computer apparatus on a shared basis. Said remotely located user apparatus is referred to herein as workstation terminals, or workstations.
Multimedia computer programs are those that display on the user's video display monitor, text type information, computer generated graphical information, and all types of picture image type information. Including full color, still and animated line drawings, photograph quality still pictures, and full motion moving pictures. Multimedia programs are also capable of delivering high fidelity, stereo sound to said user terminal.
Local Area Networks (LAN's ) are data communications networks that provide data paths among personal computers or workstations that are localized to a single building, or to a numerically small and physically close, group of buildings. Computer networks that are comprised of an interconnected set of LAN's within a specific area, such as an industrial park, a residential network of public schools, a university campus, or a small urban community, are typically referred to in the art as Metropolitan Area Networks or MANS. The network apparatus described herein is of the metropolitan area type in that it is intended to permit the interconnection of personal computers or workstations to remotely located user-operable input/output devices (i.e. keyboard, mouse and display tube) throughout a metropolitan area. Typically, computer networks need to serve workstations that use different computer operating systems, such as Microsoft MS-DOS workstations (Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation), IBM OS/2 workstations (IBM and OS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation), and Apple Macintosh workstations (Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.).
There are three advantages to operating multimedia computing in a network environment compared with an individual workstation environment. The first is software cost savings. Multimedia software packages and associated files are expensive. Networkable versions of said software can often be purchased at considerable cost savings when compared with the purchase of individual workstation copies. The second advantage is hardware savings. With a multimedia network it is possible to maintain all source software and associated program data at one location only. Without such a network, each workstation operates individually in a non-network environment thus requiring each workstation to have its own CD ROM apparatus for storage of the source software and associated program data. Accordingly, with a multimedia network, the larger the number of workstations on the network the greater the software and hardware savings. The third advantage is software security a centralized network controller that is accessible over the network to users of workstations attached to the network, can incorporate security features to ensure that files are protected from unauthorized users. Additional economies may be had through the use of diskless workstations for network users. Moreover use of diskless workstations prevents program data and software file data from being downloaded to disks for unauthorized copying. Diskless workstations also keep the computing environment healthy as users cannot enter personal files at the workstation. Said user files being potentially infected by system crippling computer sabotage known as software viruses.
One important application of multimedia computing is the education system. Educators wish to take advantage of the opportunities that multimedia computer assisted teaching offers. However educational budgets are a limited resource. In order to reduce the cost of a multimedia installation it would be advantageous if a plurality of schools, and a plurality of classrooms and other locations within said schools, could access a central source of multimedia files.
It would also be advantageous if the workstation terminal, could be at a cost lower than that of a personal computer. Personal computers useful for multimedia type computer assisted instruction are expensive due to the requirement for fast processing speed and their requirement to drive high resolution video display monitors.
Educators need to be able to economically upgrade their workstation apparatus as the art advances. The more expensive the workstation the more difficult it is for educators, or other multimedia network operators, to afford a multimedia network and the more difficult it is for said network operators to keep an installed network technologically current and therefore compatible with the latest multimedia software.
Prior art that addresses the need for low cost workstations remotely located from the computer apparatus, utilizes non-intelligent terminals connected to the computer via telephone cable and communications modems. Such art is not suitable in a multimedia environment due to the low data transmission speeds. High resolution, full color, full motion moving pictures require data rates of 200 Mb/s or greater, or 45 Mb/s or higher should the latest video compression apparatus be incorporated.
There is a need for the said multimedia system to be comprised of a network to serve user locations up to 7 kilometers from the central file server location. For example should said file server be located in a secondary school (or high school) said secondary school could serve nearby primary schools and junior high schools.
Prior art that extends MAN operating distance by the use of fiber optics could meet the distance requirements and perhaps provide adequate video quality. One example of which is the Fiber Distributed Data Interface, or FDDI, (FDDI operates at 100 Mb/s). But said art would be more expensive than the invention embodied herein as said art makes no provision for simplified multimedia workstations. FDDI is a fiber optic system standard approved by the International Organization for Standards and the American National Standards Institute.
There is a need for the remotely located multimedia workstations to operate with a performance effectively equivalent to workstations located adjacent to the file server that is user indistinguishable with respect to, video picture quality, data file access speed, and input keyboard and mouse response speed.
Mice and keyboard apparatus are designed and manufactured to be positioned within a few meters of the personal computer that they are connected to. Should such apparatus be moved several kilometers from said computers then the transmission link connecting said apparatus to said computers must meet the timing requirements of the original design. One example of such a mouse/keyboard input apparatus is the Apple Macintosh ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) system (Apple Desktop Bus is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.). The ADB Bus apparatus uses a polling scheme to interrogate such bus connected devices as a mouse and a keyboard. A mouse movement for example, causes the mouse apparatus to process and store movement information until such time as the ADB bus apparatus requests that the data be transferred from the mouse apparatus to the computer apparatus. The maximum time permitted from the time the computer sends a data request demand to a device and the device is required to respond is 260 micro-seconds for the ADB bus apparatus. Should said ADB bus system interface a computer with said mice/keyboard apparatus located several kilometers apart, said transmission link is required to be sufficiently fast that said timing requirements are met.
There is a need for the previously said plurality of remotely located low cost workstations to share access to and use of a lesser number of centrally located personal computer apparatus. Said shared usage network requires some kind of communication and control apparatus so that said remote user can initiate the connection of said low-cost workstation to one of said personal computers.
The invention embodied herein uses the public telephone system for initiating workstation connections. The advantages of using the public switched telephone network are that connection times are short to establish the workstation link on the network thus permitting one telephone circuit to service a large plurality of users. The telephone network is inexpensive and already in place, and the art of decoding dual-tone multiple frequency telephone signals is well known. One example of prior art that uses the public telephone system to permit the user to control centrally located non-telephone company equipment is: Bradley, Stretten, Stretten, and Wentzel (U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,245).
The general object of this invention is to provide a low cost, high quality, network of remote workstations which provide a plurality of users with access to and use of a centralized data base of multimedia computer files and programs.
It is an object of this invention that said remote workstations shall be able to be located up to 7 kilometers distant from said centrally located data base. The transmission system connecting said workstations to said central data base must be capable of delivering video quality to any remote workstation equal in quality to that viewed on any monitor located at the central data base location. Said monitors being of the type suitable for multimedia applications, that is being capable of displaying photograph quality color images. Said monitors would typically, be of the RGB type, be capable of displaying 1024.times.768 dots of resolution, have a video bandwidth of up to 3.2 MHz for each of the three RGB signals, have a horizontal scan rate of up to 35 KHz, and have a vertical scan rate up to 70 Hz.
It is a further object of this invention that the said workstation terminals be of a cost lower than that typical of personal computer workstations capable of the high quality of color video performance specified in the previously said objective.
It is an object of this invention that the transmission system connecting said remote workstations to said central data base be capable of providing an input response time that is user indistinguishable from that provided by a similar user operated workstation located at the central data base location. For both said remote workstations and said centrally located workstations said users will perceive no operational degrading delay with respect to both user generated keyboard inputs and user generated mouse inputs. The maximum permitted time from input device interrogation until the reception of the response shall be a maximum of 50% of the time that the Apple Computer ADB bus system permits, or 130 mseconds. The two way transmission time for a 7 kilometer glass fiber transmission line link between a central file server location and a remote workstation location is about 70 mseconds. This leaves a margin of about 60 mseconds for ADB bus and mouse response time, and auxiliary electronic delays at both ends of the transmission line. Therefore the electronic apparatus that interfaces the computing equipment at each end of the transmission line, for both directions of transmission, should not introduce more than 10 mseconds of delay each.
It is an object of this invention that the transmission system will support high fidelity, stereo audio signals. High fidelity being defined as an audio signal with a 3 dB power bandwidth from 50 to 15 KHz.
It is a further object of this invention that the transmission system will provide an Electronic Industries Association (EIA) RS232C compatible communication channel between the centrally located personal computers and the remotely located workstations for most printers, plotters and other such terminal devices.

Apparatus for networking computers for multimedia applications