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Method for determining effective parathormone activity in a sample |
Method for determining the active parathyroid hormone content in a sample, wherein the component of parathyroid hormone polypeptide chains which are oxidized at one or more sites near the PTH receptor binding structure having the amino acids 15 to 22 are specifically excluded from the content determination. Oxidation of the parathyroid hormone occurs in particular in dialysis patients, their blood plasma being exposed to an oxidation stress in the dialysis. The invention is based on the use of antibodies which bind specific conformation epitopes of the oxidised or reduced parathyroid hormone and its fragments. Further, there is provided a test system for the quantitative determination of parathyroid hormone and active fragments hereof in a sample. |
1. Method for determining the effective parathyroid hormone content in a sample of a body fluid, characterized in that there are specifically excluded from the content determination intact parathyroid hormone polypeptide chains and N-terminal intact fragments hereof which are oxidized at one or more sites near the PTH receptor binding structure having the amino acids 15 to 22. 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the methionine at position 8 or 18 of the parathyroid hormone polypeptide chain, or at both positions, is oxidized. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein antibodies are employed which bind to a PTH epitope which is formed of at least one oxidized methionine group at position 8 and/or 18. 4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein antibodies are employed which bind specific parathyroid hormone polypeptide chains or fragments hereof which are oxidized at methionine 8 and/or 18. 5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein antibodies are employed which bind specific conformation epitopes of the oxidized or native, reduced parathyroid hormone. 6. Method according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the antibody employed is purified or selected by means of a binding to parathyroid hormone which is oxidized at position 8 and/or 18. 7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein intact parathyroid hormone and fragments hereof are oxidized and/or reduced and then the total content of intact parathyroid hormone and its active fragments is determined. 8. Method according to claim 7, whereby the total content of oxidized and reduced intact parathyroid hormone and its fragments is determined. 9. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the contents of oxidized intact parathyroid hormone and fragments hereof are separately determined. 10. Method according to any preceding claim, whereby antibodies according to claim 3 or 4 are put to use for masking of oxidized parathyroid hormone and its fragments, so that exclusively reduced, biologically active parathyroid hormone and its fragments are determined. 11. Method according to any preceding, including the following steps: treating the sample with an antibody which recognizes an epitope which is formed from the ends of the N-terminal amino acids 1 to 3 of the parathyroid hormone; treating the sample with an antibody which recognizes an epitope in the region of the receptor binding site between amino acids 15 and 22 of human parathyroid hormone, and determination of the molecules which are recognized by the two antibodies. 12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the binding of the two antibodies is effected in the presence of 0.05 to 0.1 weight % of a mild detergent such as Tween™ or Triton™X-100. 13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the sample is treated with antibodies against oxidized parathyroid hormone in accordance with claim 3 or 4, so that antibodies which bind in the region of the receptor binding site of the parathyroid hormone cannot bind to the oxidized parathyroid hormone chain. 14. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein the antibodies for masking of oxidized parathyroid hormone and fragments hereof are of a type different from the antibodies for building the sandwich complex. 15. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the antibodies carries a marking selected from a fluorescing or chemiluminescing group or an enzyme for catalysis of a detection reaction. 16. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the antibodies is a monoclonal antibody marked with a ruthenium complex and recognizes an epitope in the region of the amino acids 15 to 22 or 26 to 32. 17. Method according to any preceding claim, whereby one of the antibodies is biotinylated. 18. Method according to any preceding claim, whereby antibodies are employed which bind to the parathyroid hormone polypeptide chain with amino acids 4 to 14 or 15 to 35v39. 19. Test system for the quantative determination of parathyroid hormone and fragments-hereof in a sample, characterized by antibodies which bind to or near to the PTH receptor binding structure of the parathyroid hormone, and by antibodies which bind the epitopes of the parathyroid hormone having oxidized methionine 8 and/or 18. 20. Test system according to claim 19, wherein the polyclonal antibody against the N-terminal fragment 1 to 37 of the parathyroid hormone is purified by means of affinity chromatography of antibodies which bind to methionine 8 and/or 18 of the oxidized parathyroid hormone fragment. 21. Test system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein there are determined intact parathyroid hormone and N-terminal fragments hereof having the amino acids 1 to 3 in the reduced structure. 22. Diagnosis of oxidation stress in dialysis patients, characterized by the employment of an in vitro test for the quantitative determination of parathyroid hormone and its active fragments in accordance with any preceding claim. |
Immunotherapeutic combinations for the treatment of tumours that overexpress gangliosides |
The present invention is related to the field of immunology and more specifically with immunotherapeutic combinations used for controlling growth and/or cell proliferation of tumors. By means of the present invention a therapeutic effect against tumors is observed by the combination of idiotypic vaccines whose principle active is an anti-ganglioside antibody (Ab1), with idiotypic vaccines whose principle active is anti-idiotype antibody (Ab2) obtained against an anti-ganglioside antibody, or vaccines whose principle active is one or more gangliosides. Combinations of these vaccines are described that cause a synergic therapeutic effect against tumors. The referred combinations can be applied to patients in different clinical conditions of tumors that express gangliósidos. |
1. An immunotherapeutic combination for the immunotherapy of tumors that over-express gangliosides, comprising at least two of the following components: (A) An idiotypic vaccine comprising a murine anti-ganglioside monoclonal antibody (Ab1); (B) An idiotypic vaccine comprising an specific murine anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody (Ab2), against an anti-ganglioside monoclonal antibody; (C) A ganglioside vaccine. 2. An immunotherapeutic combination according to claim 1, wherein said combination comprises A plus B or A plus C or B plus C. 3. An immunotherapeutic combination according to claim 1, wherein said vaccine A comprises the murine anti-ganglioside MAb P3 (Deposit Number ECACC 94113026). 4. An immunotherapeutic combination according to claim 1, wherein said vaccine B comprises the murine anti-idiotype antibody 1E10 (Deposit Number ECACC 97112901). 5. An immunotherapeutic combination according to claim 1, wherein said vaccine C comprises the NeuGcGM3 ganglioside. 6. Immunotherapeutic combination according to claim 1, wherein said vaccine C comprises the NeuAcGM3 ganglioside. 7. Immunotherapeutic combination according to claims 1, wherein A and B or A and C or B and C are administered simultaneously or alternately. 8. Use of any of the immunotherapeutic combinations of the claim 1 for the treatment of tumors that over-express gangliosides. 9. Use according to claim 8, for treatment of tumor of breast, lung, digestive system, urogenital system, melanomas, sarcomas and those from neuroectodermic tissues. 10. A method for controlling growth and/or cell proliferation of tumors that over-express gangliosides, comprising the administration to a mammal of an immunotherapeutic combination of claim 7. 11. Method according to claim 10, wherein said mammals are human. |
<SOH> TECHNICAL FIELD <EOH>This invention relates to human medicine, and especially to therapeutic vaccines that induce an immune response to tumors that over-express gangliosides. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES <EOH>FIG. 1 . Mice Balb/c euthymic and athymic mice were immunized subcutaneously with 100 μg of the murine MAb P3 in CFA followed by a re-immunization with 50 μg of the MAb emulsified in IFA. After three days, lymph nodes cells were collected and it was carried out the proliferation assay with different concentrations of the MAbs P3, A3, 1E10 and C5. FIG. 2 . Mice Balb/c were immunized subcutaneously with 100 pg of the chimeric antibody P3 in CFA followed by a re-immunization with 50 μg of the antibody emulsified in IFA. After three days, lymph nodes cells were collected and it was carried out the proliferation assay with different concentrations using murine and chimeric antibodies as control. FIG. 3 . Kinetics of growth for murine B16 tumor in mice immunized with the immunotherapeutic combinations, specifically the idiotypic vaccine comprising the Ab2 MAb1E10 and of the GM3-VSSP ganglioside vaccine, as it is detailed in the Example 3. FIG. 4 : Evolution of skin metastases in melanoma patient. The pictures were taken previous to the immunization with the vaccine NeuGcGM3/VSSP/ISA 51, 2 and 4 months after the treatment. Uncolored halos around some lesions are observed, stabilized lesions, in one lesion a diminished size was observed and in one lesion increment was detected. FIG. 5 : Evolution of lung metastases in a melanoma patient. The lung right vertex observed by computer assisted axial tomography, the lesion size was 18×20 mm before the immunization with the vaccine NeuGcGM3/VSSP/ISA 51 and 4 months after the immunization stabilization of the lesion is observed. FIG. 6 : Recognition of F(ab′)2 fragments from Ab2 MAb1E10 and from other MAbs with the same isotype by serum from patients immunized with the idiotypic vaccine containing Ab2 MAb1E10 and aluminum hydroxide gel as adjuvant. FIG. 7 : Recognition of GM3(NeuGc) and GM3(NeuAc) gangliosides serum from patients immunized with the idiotypic vaccine containing Ab2 MAb1E10 and aluminum hydroxide gel as adjuvant. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="tail"? |
Device and method for data flow exchange between a client device and a server |
The invention concerns a device for data flow exchange between a client device (3) provided with an Internet file and a server (4) adapted to provide on request from the client device (3), at least a service for transforming said file, the communication between the client (3) and the server (4) being based on a protocol of adaptation of Internet file content of the Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (iCAP) type. The device comprises a adaptor (5) of iCAP type data flows into files adapted to be used directly by said server (4) or by said client device (3); the adaptor (5) comprises means for communicating with the client device (3) and the server (4) and configuration file wherein is/are stated the transformation service(s). |
1. Device for exchanging flows between a client device (3) that has an Internet file and a server (4) able to provide, at the request of the client device (3), at least one service for converting said file, with communication between the client device (3) and the server (4) being based on an iCAP Internet file content adaptation protocol, characterised in that it comprises an adapter (5) of iCAP flows into files able to be used directly by said server (4) or said client device (3); and in that the adapter (5) includes means for communicating with the client device (3) and the server (4) and a configuration file in which the conversion service (services) is (are) declared. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (5) comprises a communication module (50) able to manage communication with the client device (3). 3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (5) comprises an Internet file header and content extraction module (51). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the adapter (5) comprises a header pre-analysis module (2). 5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (5) comprises at least one module (53a or 53b or 53c or 53d) for creating interface files between the adapter (5) and the server (4). 6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (5) comprises a module (54) is for calling up the adaptation service of the server (4). 7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (5) comprises a response module (55). 8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (5) comprises a module (56) for checking the integrity of the converted file intended for the client device (3). 9. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (5) comprises a module (57) for restoring the converted file intended for the client device (3). 10. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (5) is integrated with the server (4). 11. Method for exchanging flows between a client device that has an Internet file, and a server able to provide at least one file conversion service, with communication between the client and the server being based on an iCAP Internet file content adaptation protocol, characterised in that it consists in placing an adapter of iCAP flows into files able to be used between the client and the server and in that it comprises the following steps: a—the sending of an Internet file by said client device to the adapter, b—the adaptation of the Internet file by the adapter and the sending of the adapted file to said server, c—the execution of the conversion of the adapted file by said server and the sending of the converted file to said adapter, d—the adaptation of the converted file by the adapter e—the sending of the converted and adapted file to said client device. 12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that step b—consists for the adapter in extracting the headers and possibly the content of the Internet file provided by the client device, pre-analysing the headers, generating interface files, calling up the server's conversion service, awaiting a response from the server. 13. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that step d—consists for the adapter in verifying the call return parameter and checking the integrity of the converted file, when the integrity check requests it, restoring the converted file. 14. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that it comprises a previous adapter initialisation step consisting in declaring the conversion service or services in an adapter configuration file. |
Method for eliminating metal halides that are present in a liquid or gaseous, organic or non-organic effluent |
The invention relates to a method for eliminating metal halides which are present in a liquid or gaseous, organic or non-organic effluent. According to the invention, the elimination is carried out by absorption of said metal halides on alumina agglomerates. The inventive method is characterised in that: the specific surface area of said agglomerates is between 50 and 350 m2/g, preferably between 70 and 300 m2/g and, better still, between 80 and 250 m2/g; and the V80Å thereof is greater than or equal to 20 ml/100 g, preferably greater than or equal to 25 ml/100 g, better still greater than or equal to 30 ml/100 g and, optimally, greater than or equal to 35 ml/100 g. |
1. A method of eliminating metal halides that are present in a liquid or gaseous, organic or non-organic effluent, in which this elimination is carried out by adsorption of said metal halides on alumina agglomerates, characterized in that wherein: said agglomerates have a specific surface area of between 50 and 350 m2/g, preferably between 70 and 300 m2/g and even more preferably between 80 and 250 m2/g; and wherein said agglomerates have a V80Å of greater than or equal to 20 ml/100 g, preferably greater than or equal to 25 ml/100 g, even more preferably greater than or equal to 30 ml/100 g and optimally greater than or equal to 35 ml/100 g. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said agglomerates have a V400Å of greater than or equal to 10 ml/100 g, preferably greater than or equal to 15 ml/100 g and even more preferably greater than or equal to 20 ml/100 g. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said agglomerates have a V37Å of greater than or equal to 45 ml/100 g and preferably greater than or equal to 55 ml/100 g. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said agglomerates comprise one or more dopant compounds selected from compounds of alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals and rare earths, having a maximum content of 20%, preferably less than 10%. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said agglomerates are in the form of beads. 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said beads have a diameter of less than or equal to 8 mm, preferably between 1 and 5 mm. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said agglomerates are in the form of extruded materials. 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said extruded materials are of cylindrical shape. 9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said extruded materials are of polylobate shape. 10. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said extruded materials have an inscribed diameter of their cross section of less than or equal to 4 mm. 11. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said alumina agglomerates are in the form of powder. 12. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein-said effluent is a dichloroethylene-based medium and in that said metal halide is ferric chloride. |
Semi-continuous photochemical method and device therefor |
In the photochemical synthetic process in semi-continuous mode according to the invention, a reactor comprising two zones is used, the radiating portion of the lamp(s) being totally immersed in a first zone which is completely filled with reaction medium and spills off via an overflow into a second zone whose volume is sufficient to contain the volume of reaction medium originating from the first zone and corresponding substantially to the volume of the reagent(s) gradually introduced. |
1. Photochemical synthetic process in semi-continuous mode in which at least one of the reagents is introduced, from the start of the reaction, in total into the photochemical reactor, the other reagent(s) then being introduced gradually, characterized in that the process is performed in a reactor comprising two zones, the radiating portion of the lamp(s) being totally immersed in a first zone which is completely filled with reaction medium and spills off via an overflow into a second zone whose volume is sufficient to contain the volume of reaction medium originating from the first zone and corresponding substantially to the volume of the reagent(s) gradually introduced. 2. Process according to claim 1, in which the reagent initially introduced in total into the first zone is a mercaptan or hydrogen sulphide, the reagent gradually introduced being an alkene. 3. Process according to claim 1, in which a photoinitiator is also introduced gradually. 4. Process according to claim 1, in which one or more lamp(s) delivering UV radiation of wavelengths between 200 and 400 nm is(are) used. 5. Process according to one of claim 1, which is performed at a pressure ranging from 0.1 to 50 bar relative. 6. Process according to one of claim 1, which is performed at a temperature of between −20 and 120° C. 7. Process according to claim 1, which is performed at a temperature of between 10 and 90° C. 8. Process according to claim 2, in which the mercaptan is methyl mercaptan and the alkene is ethylene. 9. Process according to claim 1, in which the ratio of the volume of the first zone to the volume of the second zone is between 0.4 and 0.7. 10. Process according to claim 5, which is performed at a pressure of between 2 and 10 bar relative. 11. Device for carrying out the process according to claim 1, characterized in that it essentially comprises: a first zone 1 in which at least one lamp 2 is placed such that at least all of its radiating portion 2a is totally immersed, a second zone 3 adjacent to the zone 1 and serving as an overspill therefor, pipes 4 and 5 and a distributor 9 for ensuring, via at least one pump 6 and a heat exchanger 7, circulation of the reaction medium from the zone 3 to the zone 1, at least one pipe 8 for introducing the reagents, a degassing vent 10, and a discharge pipe 11. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The expression “process performed in semi-continuous mode” means here a process in which at least one of the reagents is, from the start of the reaction, introduced in total into the photochemical reactor while at least one of the reagents is introduced gradually into the reactor as it is consumed. Such a procedure is occasionally found to be necessary in order to observe the optimum synthetic conditions. In a photochemical process operating in liquid medium, it is necessary for the radiating portion of the lamp to be constantly fully immersed in the liquid reaction medium. This total immersion is essential so as not to illuminate a gas phase whose behaviour, under ultraviolet irradiation, may prove to be hazardous or an inconvenience for the reaction under consideration. Thus, for example, in the synthesis of sulphides and mercaptans by photochemical reaction of an alkene with a mercaptan or hydrogen sulphide, UV irradiation of the gas phase may produce elemental sulphur which is a well-known inhibitor of free-radical reactions such as those carried out to produce sulphides or mercaptans. Moreover, total immersion of the radiating portion of the lamp also makes it possible to remove, via the reaction medium, the heat emitted by the lamp; this arrangement simplifies the process and minimizes the equipment required (jacket, cooling-water circuit, exchangers, etc.). However, this arrangement is incompatible with the use of a semi-continuous process in which the gradual introduction of at least one of the reagents entails an increase in the volume of the reaction medium in a reactor of fixed geometry. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to the invention, this problem has been solved by carrying out the photochemical process in a reactor comprising two zones, the radiating portion of the lamp being totally immersed in a first zone which is completely filled with reaction medium and spills off via an overflow into a second zone whose volume is sufficient to contain the volume of reaction medium originating from the first zone and corresponding substantially to the volume of the reagent(s) gradually introduced. |
Dual core photonic crystal fibers(pcf) with special dispersion properties |
An optical fibre for transmitting light, said optical fibre having an axial direction and a cross section perpendicular to said axial direction, said optical fibre comprising: (1) a first core region comprising a first core material having a refractive index Nco,1; (2) a microstructured first cladding region surrounding the first core region, said first cladding region comprising a first cladding material and a plurality of spaced apart first cladding features or elements that are elongated in the fibre axial direction and disposed in the first cladding material, said first cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,1 and each said first cladding feature or element having a refractive index being lower than Ncl,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl, 1? of the first cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,1; (3) a second core region surrounding said first cladding region, said second core region comprising a second core material having a refractive index Nco,2, and (4) a second cladding region surrounding the second core region, said second cladding region comprising a second cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,2, wherein the first core material, the first cladding material and the first cladding features, the second core material, and the second cladding material are selected and arranged so that Nco,1>Nge,cl,1, Nco,2>Nge,cl,1, and Nco,2>Ncl,2. |
1-103. (canceled) 104. An optical fiber for transmitting light, said optical fiber having an axial direction and a cross section perpendicular to said axial direction, said optical fiber comprising: (1) a first core region comprising a first core material having a refractive index Nco,1, (2) a microstructured first cladding region surrounding the first core region, said first cladding region comprising a first cladding material and a plurality of spaced apart first cladding features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the first cladding material, said first cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,1 and each said first cladding feature or element having a refractive index being lower than Ncl,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl,1 of the first cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,1, (3) a second core region surrounding said first cladding region, said second core region comprising a second core material having a refractive index Nco,2, and (4) a second cladding region surrounding the second core region, said second cladding region comprising a second cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,2, wherein the first core material, the first cladding material and the first cladding features, the second core material, and the second cladding material are selected and arranged so that Nco,1 >Nge,cl,1, Nco,2 >Nge,cl,1, and Nco,2>Ncl,2. 105. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second cladding region is homogeneous. 106. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second core region is micro-structured having a plurality of spaced apart second core features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the second core material, each said second core feature or element having refractive index, Nco,2 being higher than a refractive index, Nco,back,2, of the second core material, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,co,2 of the second core region is higher compared to Nco,back,2. 107. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein Ncl,2 is equal to or lower than Nco,back,2. 108. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein Ncl,2 is equal to or lower than Ncl,1. 109. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second cladding region is micro-structured having a plurality of spaced apart second cladding features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the second cladding material, each said second cladding feature or element having a refractive index being lower than Ncl,2, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl,2 of the second cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,2. 110. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the first core region is a solid core region. 111. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein Nco,1 is larger than Nco,2. 112. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein Nco,1 is identical to Nco,2. 113. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein Nco,1 is lower than Nco,2. 114. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said second core region is a homogeneous region. 115. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second core region is micro-structured having a plurality of spaced apart second core features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the second core material, each said second core feature or element having a refractive index being lower than Nco,2 whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,co,2 of the second core region is lowered compared to Nco,2, and wherein Nge,co,2>Nge,cl,1, and Nge,co,2>Nge,cl,2. 116. The optical fiber according to claim 106 wherein the second core region further comprises low index second core features. 117. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the first cladding features or elements are positioned equidistantly with respect to a center of the fiber. 118. The optical fiber according to claim 117 wherein the first cladding features or elements are of similar size. 119. The optical fiber according to claim 106 wherein the second core features or elements are positioned equidistantly with respect to a center of the fiber. 120. The optical fiber according to claim 119 wherein the second core features are of similar size. 121. The optical fiber according to claim 117 wherein the size of the second core features is larger or equal to the size of the first cladding features. 122. The optical fiber according to claim 117 wherein the size of the second core features is smaller or larger than the size of the first cladding features. 123. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the optical fiber comprises silica glass and Nco,2 is equal to or larger than 1.444. 124. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the number of first cladding features is in the range from 6 to 18. 125. The optical fiber according to claim 106 wherein the number of second core features is in the range from 6 to 18. 126. The optical fiber according to claim 125 wherein the second core features are characterized by a representative center-to-center distance, Λco,2 between two adjacent second core features. 127. The optical fiber according to claim 126 wherein the second core features are characterized by a cross-sectional dimension in the range from 0.2Λco,2 to 0.9Λco,2. 128. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein Nco,1 is in the range from 1.45 to 1.49, and Ncl,1 is in the range from 1.43 to 1.45, and Nco,2 is in the range from 1.44 to 1.47, and Ncl,2 is in the range from 1.43 to 1.45. 129. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the first core region is micro-structured having one or more spaced apart first core features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the first core material, each said first core feature having a refractive index being lower than Nco,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,co,1 of the first core region is lowered compared to Nco,1, and wherein Nge,co,1>Nge,cl,1. 130. The optical fiber according to any one of the claim 104 wherein the first core region is micro-structured having one or more spaced apart first core features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the first core material, each said first core feature or element having a refractive index being higher than Nco,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,co,1 of the first core region is higher compared to Nco,1. 131. The optical fiber according to claim 130 wherein the optical fiber comprises one first core feature or element. 132. The optical fiber according to claim 131 wherein the first core feature or element is not making contact with the first cladding features or elements. 133. The optical fiber according to claim 131 wherein the first core feature or element has a diameter in the range from 2 μm to 4 μm, such as in the range from 2.5 μm to 3.0 μm. 134. The optical fiber according to claim 131 wherein the first core feature or element has a diameter in the range from 0.5 to 0.8 times a center-to-center distance between two adjacent first cladding features or elements. 135. The optical fiber according to claim 131 wherein the first core region has a background material being identical to the first cladding background material. 136. The optical fiber according to claim 129 wherein Nge,co,1 is larger than Nge,co,2. 137. The optical fiber according to claim 129 wherein Nge,co,1 is identical to Nge,co,2. 138. The optical fiber according to claim 129 wherein Nge,co,1 is lower than Nge,co,2. 139. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the first core material is a background material of the first core region, the first cladding material is a background material of the first cladding region, the second core material is a background material of the second core region, and/or the second cladding material is a background material of the second cladding region. 140. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the first cladding region has a substantially annular shape in the cross section. 141. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second core region has a substantially annular shape in the cross section. 142. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second cladding region has a substantially annular shape in the cross section. 143. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the fiber is dimensioned for transmitting or guiding light of one or more predetermined wavelengths. 144. The optical fiber according to claim 143 wherein one of said predetermined wavelengths is in the range from 1.3 μm to 1.7 μm, such as in the range of 1.5 μm to 1.62 μm. 145. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first core region has a first inscribed core diameter, Dco,1, being larger than 3 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 5 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 7 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 10 times said predetermined wavelength. 146. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first core region has a first inscribed core diameter, Dco,1, in the range from 4 μm to 25 μm, such as in the range from 4.0 μm to 5.0 μm, such as in the range from 5.0 μm to 6.5 μm, such as in the range from 6.5 μm to 10.0 μm, such as in the range from 10.0 μm to 25.0 μm. 147. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first core region has a varying refractive index profile, said varying refractive index profile having a highest refractive index equal to Nco,1 and said varying index profile being characterized by an α-profile, where α is in the range from 0 to 100, such as α equal to 2, 3 or higher. 148. The optical fiber according to claim 106 wherein said second core features are positioned substantially circularly symmetric with respect to a center of said first core region. 149. The optical fiber according to claim 106 wherein said second core features are arranged in a single layer surrounding said first core region, such that a distance from a second core feature to a center of said first core region is substantially identical for all second core features. 150. The optical fiber according to claim 106 wherein said second core features are arranged in two or more layers surrounding said first core region. 151. An optical fiber according to claim 106 wherein Λco,2 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm. 152. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first cladding features are positioned substantially circularly symmetric with respect to a center of said first core region. 153. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first cladding features are arranged in a single layer surrounding said first core region, such that a distance from a first cladding feature to a center of said first core region is substantially identical for all first cladding features. 154. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first cladding features are arranged in two or more layers surrounding said first core region. 155. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the number of said first cladding features is equal to or larger than 3, such as equal to or larger than 6, such as equal to or larger than 8, such as equal to or larger than 18. 156. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first cladding features have a diameter Dcl,1 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest first cladding features of Λcl,1, and Dcl,1/Λcl,1 is in the range from 0.2 to 0.8, such as from 0.4 to 0.6. 157. The optical fiber according to claim 156 wherein Dcl,1 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 10 μm. 158. The optical fiber according to claim 156 wherein Λcl,1 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm, such as from 3.0 μm to 5.0 μm. 159. The optical fiber according to claim 106 wherein said second cladding features have a diameter Dcl,2 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest second cladding features of Λcl,2, where Dcl,2/Λcl,2 is in the range from 0.01 to 0.5, such as from 0.1 to 0.2. 160. The optical fiber according to claim 159 wherein Dcl,2 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 5 μm. 161. The optical fiber according to claim 159 wherein Λcl,2 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm. 162. The optical fiber according to claim 159 wherein Λcl,1 is larger than Λcl,2, such as larger than or equal to 3Λcl,2. 163. The optical fiber according to claim 159 wherein Λcl,1 is substantially identical to Λcl,2. 164. The optical fiber according to claim 159 wherein Dcl,1 is larger than Dcl,2. 165. The optical fiber according to claim 159 wherein Dcl,1/Λcl,1 and Dcl,2/Λcl,2 are substantially identical. 166. The optical fiber according to claim 103 wherein said optical fiber comprises one or more glass materials. 167. The optical fiber according to claim 166 wherein said optical fiber comprises silica. 168. The optical fiber according to claim 103 wherein said optical fiber comprises polymer. 169. The optical fiber according to claim 166 wherein said first cladding features, second core features, and/or second cladding features are voids comprising vacuum, air, or another gas. 170. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said optical fiber has a non-circular shape of the outer cladding, such as a non-polygonal shape, such as an elliptical shape. 171. The optical fiber according to claim 170 wherein said outer shape has a predetermined orientation in the cross section, the predetermined orientation being determined from the position of said first cladding features. 172. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first core region has a non-circular shape in the cross section, such as an elliptical shape, providing a high birefringence in the optical fiber. 173. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said first cladding region has a non-circular, inner shape in the cross section, such as an elliptical, inner shape, providing a high birefringence in the optical fiber. 174. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said optical fiber guides light at a predetermined wavelength in a single mode. 175. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said optical fiber guides light at a predetermined wavelength in a higher order mode. 176. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second core has a diameter larger than 10 μm, such as in the range from 10 μm to 15 μm, such as in the range from 15 μm to 20 μm. 177. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the first core has a diameter larger than 3 μm, such as in the range from 4 μm to 8 μm, such as in the range from 4 μm to 6 μm. 178. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the first core and the second core are separated by a distance of at least 3 μm, such as at least 4 μm. 179. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the first core has a non-zero distance to a low-index feature of the first cladding, such as a distance larger than 0.5 μm, such as larger than 1.0 μm. 180. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein light is propagating substantially in the first core. 181. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein light is coupled substantially to the first core. 182. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second core has a larger area than the first core. 183. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second core has an effective refractive index, nco2,eff being larger than (nco,1,eff+ncl,2,eff)/2 or larger than (nco,1,eff+ncl,1,eff)/2, where nco,1,eff is an effective refractive index of the first core region, ncl,1,eff is an effective refractive index of the first cladding region, and ncl,2,eff is an effective refractive index of the second cladding region. 184. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein the second core has a mean or geometric refractive index, nco2,g being larger than (nco,1,g+ncl,2,g)/2 or larger than (nco,1,g+ncl,1,g)/2, where nco,1,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the first core region, ncl,1,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the first cladding region, and ncl,2,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the second cladding region. 185. The optical fiber according to claim 104 wherein said fiber is dimensioned to guide light in a single mode in the first core region at a first wavelength, λ1, being in the range from 1500 to 1640 nm, and said optical fiber exhibits negative dispersion at λ1. 186. The optical fiber according to claim 185 wherein the optical fiber is dimensioned to guide light in the second core region for light shorter than a cut-off wavelength, λc, where λc is more than 30 nm shorter than λ1. 187. An article comprising a module, said module being employed for dispersion compensation in an optical communication system, said module comprising an optical fiber according to claim 104. 188. An optical fiber for transmitting light, said optical fiber having an axial direction and a cross section perpendicular to said axial direction, said optical fiber comprising: (1) a first core region comprising a first core material having a refractive index Nco,1 and at least one first core feature having a refractive being lower than Nco,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,co,1 of the first core region is lowered compared to Nco,1, (2) a micro-structured first cladding region, said first cladding region surrounding the first core region, and said first cladding region comprising a first cladding material and a plurality of spaced apart first cladding features that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the first cladding material, said first cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,1 and each said first cladding feature having a refractive index being lower than Ncl,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl,1 of the first cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,1, (3) a second core region, said second core region surrounding said first cladding region, and said second core region comprising a second core material having a refractive index Nco,2, and (4) a micro-structured second cladding region, said second cladding region surrounding the second core region, and said second cladding region comprising a second cladding material and a plurality of spaced apart second cladding features that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the second cladding material, said second cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,2 and each said second cladding feature having an refractive index being lower than Ncl,2, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl,2 of the second cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,2, wherein the first core material, the first cladding material and the first cladding features, the second core material, and the second cladding material and the second cladding features are selected and arranged so that Nco,1>Nge,cl,1, Nco,2>Nge,cl,1, Nco,2>Nge,cl,2, Nge,co,1<Nge,cl,2, and the second cladding features are placed in a substantially two dimensionally periodic structure, whereby the second cladding region exhibits photonic band gap effect. 189. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein said second cladding features are placed in a substantially two dimensional periodic structure. 190. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein said second cladding features are placed in a radial periodic structure. 191. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein the second core has a diameter larger than 10 μm, such as in the range from 10 μm to 15 μm, such as in the range from 15 μm to 20 μm. 192. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein the first core has a diameter larger than 3 μm, such as in the range from 4 μm to 8 μm, such as in the range from 4 μm to 6 μm. 193. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein the first core and the second core are separated by a distance of at least 3 μm, such as at least 4 μm. 194. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein the first core has a non-zero distance to a low-index feature of the first cladding, such as a distance larger than 0.5 μm, such as larger than 1.0 μm. 195. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein light is propagating substantially in the first core. 196. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein light is coupled substantially to the first core. 197. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein the second core has a larger area than the first core. 198. The optical fiber according claim 188 wherein the second core has an effective refractive index, nco2,eff being larger than (nco,1,eff+ncl,2,eff)/2 or larger than (nco,1,eff+ncl,1,eff)/2, where nco,1,eff is an effective refractive index of the first core region, ncl,1,eff is an effective refractive index of the first cladding region, and ncl,2,eff is an effective refractive index of the second cladding region. 199. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein the second core has a mean or geometric refractive index, nco2,g being larger than (nco,1,g+ncl,2,g)/2 or larger than (nco,1,g+ncl,1,g)/2, where nco,1,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the first core region, ncl,1,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the first cladding region, and ncl,2,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the second cladding region. 200. The optical fiber according to claim 188 wherein said fiber is dimensioned to guide light in a single mode in the first core region at a first wavelength, λ1, being in the range from 1500 to 1640 nm, and said optical fiber exhibits negative dispersion at λ1. 201. The optical fiber according to claim 200 wherein the optical fiber is dimensioned to guide light in the second core region for light shorter than a cut-off wavelength, λc, where λc is more than 30 nm shorter than λ1. 202. An article comprising a module, said module being employed for dispersion compensation in an optical communication system, said module comprising an optical fiber according to claim 188. 203. An optical transmission line, comprising at least: (1) a length of standard transmission fiber with a positive dispersion and a positive dispersion slope at least at a wavelength, λ1, of 1550 nm, and (2) a length of dispersion compensating fiber, such as a length of dispersion compensating fiber spooled in a fiber module, wherein said dispersion compensating has negative dispersion with a numerical value of the dispersion being larger than 500 ps/nm/km at λ1. 204. An optical transmission line, comprising at least: (1) a length of standard transmission fibre with a positive dispersion and a positive dispersion slope at least at a wavelength, λ1, of 1550 nm, and (2) a length of dispersion compensating fibre, such as a length of dispersion compensating fibre according to claim 188 spooled in a fibre module, wherein said dispersion compensating has negative dispersion with a numerical value of the dispersion being larger than 500 ps/nm/km at λ1. 205. The optical transmission line according to claim 203 wherein the dispersion compensating fiber has a relative dispersion slope of more than 0.01 nm−1, such as more than 0.02 nm−1. 206. An optical fiber for transmitting or guiding light, said optical fiber having an axial direction and a cross section perpendicular to said axial direction, said optical fiber comprising: (1) a first core region comprising a first core material having a refractive index Nco,1, (2) a microstructured first cladding region surrounding the first core region, said first cladding region comprising a first cladding material and a plurality of spaced apart first cladding features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the first cladding material, said first cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,1 and each said first cladding feature or element having a refractive index being lower than Ncl,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl,1 of the first cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,1, (3) a second core region surrounding said first cladding region, said second core region comprising a second core material having a refractive index Nco,2, and (4) a micro-structured second cladding region surrounding the second core region, said second cladding region comprising a second cladding material and a plurality of spaced apart second cladding features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the second cladding material, said second cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,2 and each said second cladding feature or element having an refractive index being lower than Ncl,2, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl,2 of the second cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,2, wherein the first core material, the first cladding material and the first cladding features or elements, the second core material, and the second cladding material and the second cladding features or elements are selected and arranged so that Ncl,1>Nge,cl,1, Nco,2>Nge,cl,1, and Nco,2>Nge,cl,2. 207. The optical fiber according to claim 206 wherein the second core region is micro-structured having a plurality of spaced apart second core features or elements that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the second core material, each said second core feature or element having a refractive index being higher than Nco,2, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,co,2 of the second core region is higher compared to Nco,2. 208. The optical fiber according to claim 207 wherein Nco,1 is larger than Nge,co,2. 209. The optical fiber according to claim 207 wherein Nco,1 is identical to Nge,co,2. 210. The optical fiber according to claim 207 wherein Nco,1 is lower than Nge,co,2. 211. The optical fiber according to claim 207 wherein the number of said second core features is equal to or larger than 6, such as equal to or larger than 18. 212. The optical fiber according to claim 207 wherein said second core features have a diameter Dco,2 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest second core features of Λco,2, and Dco,2/Λco,2 is in the range from 0.01 to 0.5, such as from 0.1 to 0.2. 213. The optical fiber according to claim 212 wherein Dco,2 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 5 μm. 214. The optical fiber according to claim 206 wherein said first cladding features have a diameter Dcl,1 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest first cladding features of Λcl,1, and Dcl,1/Λcl,1 is in the range from 0.2 to 0.8, such as from 0.4 to 0.6. 215. The optical fiber according to claim 214 wherein Dcl,1/Λcl,1 is larger than Dco,2/Λco,2. 216. An optical fiber for transmitting light, said optical fiber having an axial direction and a cross section perpendicular to said axial direction, said optical fiber comprising: (1) a first core region comprising a first core material having a refractive index Nco,1 and at least one first core feature having a refractive being lower than Nco,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,co,1 of the first core region is lowered compared to Nco,1, (2) a micro-structured first cladding region, said first cladding region surrounding the first core region, and said first cladding region comprising a first cladding material and a plurality of spaced apart first cladding features that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the first cladding material, said first cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,1 and each said first cladding feature having a refractive index being lower than Ncl,1, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl,1 of the first cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,1, (3) a second core region, said second core region surrounding said first cladding region, and said second core region comprising a second core material having a refractive index Nco,2, and (4) a micro-structured second cladding region, said second cladding region surrounding the second core region, and said second cladding region comprising a second cladding material and a plurality of spaced apart second cladding features that are elongated in the fiber axial direction and disposed in the second cladding material, said second cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,2 and each said second cladding feature having an refractive index being lower than Ncl,2, whereby a resultant geometrical index Nge,cl,2 of the second cladding region is lowered compared to Ncl,2, wherein the first core material, the first cladding material and the first cladding features, the second core material, and the second cladding material and the second cladding features are selected and arranged so that Nco,1>Nge,cl,1, Nco,2>Nge,cl,1, Nco,2>Nge,cl,2, Nge,co,1<Nge,cl,2, and the second cladding features are placed so that the second cladding region exhibits photonic band gap effect. 217. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein the second core has a diameter larger than 10 μm, such as in the range from 10 μm to 15 μm, such as in the range from 15 μm to 20 μm. 218. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein the first core has a diameter larger than 3 μm, such as in the range from 4 μm to 8 μm, such as in the range from 4 μm to 6 μm. 219. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein the first core and the second core are separated by a distance of at least 3 μm, such as at least 4 μm. 220. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein the first core has a non-zero distance to a low-index feature of the first cladding, such as a distance larger than 0.5 μm, such as larger than 1.0 μm. 221. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein light is propagating substantially in the first core. 222. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein light is coupled substantially to the first core. 223. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein the second core has a larger area than the first core. 224. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein the second core has an effective refractive index, nco2,eff being larger than (nco,1,eff+ncl,2,eff)/2 or larger than (nco,1,eff+ncl,1,eff)/2, where nco,1,eff is an effective refractive index of the first core region, ncl,1,eff is an effective refractive index of the first cladding region, and ncl,2,eff is an effective refractive index of the second cladding region. 225. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein the second core has a mean or geometric refractive index, nco2,g being larger than (nco,1,g+ncl,2,g)/2 or larger than (nco,1,g+ncl,1,g)/2, where nco,1,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the first core region, ncl,1,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the first cladding region, and ncl,2,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the second cladding region. 226. The optical fiber according to claim 216 wherein said fiber is dimensioned to guide light in a single mode in the first core region at a first wavelength, λ1, being in the range from 1500 to 1640 nm, and said optical fiber exhibits negative dispersion at λ1. 227. The optical fiber according to claim 226 wherein the optical fiber is dimensioned to guide light in the second core region for light shorter than a cut-off wavelength, λc, where λc is more than 30 nm shorter than λ1. 228. An article comprising a module, said module being employed for dispersion compensation in an optical communication system, said module comprising an optical fiber according to claim 216. 229. The article according to claim 228 wherein the dispersion compensating fiber has a relative dispersion slope of more than 0.01 nm−1, such as more than 0.02 nm−1. 230. An optical transmission line, comprising at least: (1) a length of standard transmission fiber with a positive dispersion and a positive dispersion slope at least at a wavelength, λ1, of 1550 nm, and (2) a length of dispersion compensating fiber, such as a length of dispersion compensating fiber spooled in a fiber module, wherein said dispersion compensating has negative dispersion with a numerical value of the dispersion being larger than 500 ps/nm/km at λ1. 231. An optical transmission line, comprising at least: (1) a length of standard transmission fibre with a positive dispersion and a positive dispersion slope at least at a wavelength, λ1, of 1550 nm, and (2) a length of dispersion compensating fibre, such as a length of dispersion compensating fibre according to claim 216 spooled in a fibre module, wherein said dispersion compensating has negative dispersion with a numerical value of the dispersion being larger than 500 ps/nm/km at λ1. 232. The optical transmission line according to claim 230 wherein the dispersion compensating fiber has a relative dispersion slope of more than 0.01 nm−1, such as more than 0.02 nm−1. 233. An article comprising a module, said module being employed for dispersion compensation in an optical communication system, said module comprising an optical fiber according to claim 216. 234. An optical fiber having an axial direction and a cross section perpendicular to said axial direction, the optical fiber having negative dispersion in the vicinity of a predetermined wavelength and being employed for dispersion compensation; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT; said optical fiber comprises: (1) a first core region being positioned substantially in a center of the optical fiber, the first core region comprising a first core material of refractive index, Nco,1; 2) a first cladding region surrounding the first core region, the first cladding region comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart first cladding features that are elongated in the axial direction and disposed in the first cladding material, said first cladding material having a refractive index Ncl,1; (3) a second core region surrounding the first cladding region, the second core region comprising a second core material of refractive index, Nco,2, and the second core region having a substantially annular shape in the cross section; (4) a second cladding region surrounding the second core region, the second cladding region comprising a second cladding material of refractive index, Ncl,2, and the second cladding region having a substantially annular shape in the cross section. 235. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said predetermined wavelength is in a range from 1.3 μm to 1.7 μm, such as from around 1.5 μm to 1.62 μm. 236. The optical fiber according to claim 235 wherein Nco,1 is larger than Nco,2. 237. The optical fiber according to claim 235 wherein Nco,1 is identical to Nco,2. 238. The optical fiber according to claim 235 wherein Nco,1 is lower than Nco,2. 239. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said first cladding region has a substantially annular shape in the cross section. 240. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said optical fiber has a first inscribed core diameter, Dco,1, being larger than 3 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 5 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 7 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 10 times said predetermined wavelength. 241. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein Dco,1 is in the range from 4 μm to 25 μm, such as in the range from 4.0 μm to 5.0 μm, such as in the range from 5.0 μm to 6.5 μm, such as in the range from 6.5 μm to 10.0 μm, such as in the range from 10.0 μm to 25.0 μm. 242. The optical fiber according to claim 241 wherein said first core region has a varying refractive index profile, said varying refractive index profile having a highest refractive index equal to Nco,1, and said varying index profile being characterized by an α-profile, where α is in the range from 0 to 100, such as α equal to 2, 3 or higher. 243. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said second core region is a homogeneous region. 244. The optical fiber according to claim 234, wherein said second core region comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart second core features that are elongated in the axial direction and disposed in the second core material. 245. The optical fiber according to claim 244 wherein said second core features are positioned substantially circularly symmetric with respect to a center of said first core region. 246. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said second core features are arranged in a single layer surrounding said first core region, such that a distance from a second core feature to a center of said first core region is substantially identical for all second core features. 247. The optical fiber according to claim 244 wherein said second core features are arranged in two or more layers surrounding said first core region. 248. The optical fiber according to claim 244 wherein the number of said second core features is equal to or larger than 6, such as equal to or larger than 18. 249. The optical fiber according to claim 244 wherein said second core features have a diameter Dco,2 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest second core features of Λco,2, and Dco,2/Λco,2 is in the range from 0.01 to 0.5, such as from 0.1 to 0.2. 250. The optical fiber according to claim 249 wherein Dco,2 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 5 μm. 251. The optical fiber according to claim 249 wherein Λco,2 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm. 252. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said first cladding features are positioned substantially circularly symmetric with respect to a center of said first core region. 253. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said first cladding features are arranged in a single layer surrounding said first core region, such that a distance from a first cladding feature to a center of said first core region is substantially identical for all first cladding features. 254. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said first cladding features are arranged in two or more layers surrounding said first core region. 255. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein the number of said first cladding features is equal to or larger than 3, such as equal to or larger than 6, such as equal to or larger than 8, such as equal to or larger than 18. 256. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said first cladding features have a diameter Dcl,1 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest first cladding features of Λcl,1, and Dcl,1/Λcl,1 is in the range from 0.2 to 0.8, such as from 0.4 to 0.6. 257. The optical fiber according to claim 256, wherein Dcl,1 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 10 μm. 258. The optical fiber according to claim 256 wherein Λcl,1 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm. 259. The optical fiber according to claim 256 wherein Dcl,1/Λcl,1 is larger than Dco,2/Λco,2. 260. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said second cladding region comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart second cladding features that are elongated in the axial direction and disposed in said second cladding material. 261. The optical fiber according to claim 260 wherein said second cladding features have a diameter Dcl,2 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest second cladding features of Λcl,2, where Dcl,2/Λcl,2 is in the range from 0.01 to 0.5, such as from 0.1 to 0.2. 262. The optical fiber according to claim 261 wherein Dcl,2 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 5 μm. 263. The optical fiber according to claim 261 wherein Λcl,2 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm. 264. The optical fiber according to claim 261 wherein Λcl,1 is larger than Λcl,2, such as larger than or equal to 3Λcl,2. 265. The optical fiber according to claim 261 wherein Λcl,1 is substantially identical to Λcl,2. 266. The optical fiber according to claim 261 wherein Dcl,1 is larger than Dcl,2. 267. The optical fiber according to claim 261 wherein Dcl,1/Λcl,1 and Dcl,2/Λcl,2 are substantially identical. 268. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said optical fiber comprises one or more glass materials. 269. The optical fiber according to claim 268 wherein said optical fiber comprises silica. 270. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said optical fiber comprises polymer. 271. The optical fiber according to claim 268 wherein said first cladding features, second core features, and/or second cladding features are voids comprising vacuum, air, or another gas. 272. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said optical fiber has a non-circular shape of the outer cladding, such as a non-polygonal shape, such as an elliptical shape. 273. The optical fiber according to claim 272 wherein said outer shape has a predetermined orientation in the cross section, the predetermined orientation being determined from the position of said first cladding features. 274. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said first core region has a non-circular shape in the cross section, such as an elliptical shape, providing a high birefringence in the optical fiber. 275. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said first cladding region has a non-circular, inner shape in the cross section, such as an elliptical, inner shape, providing a high birefringence in the optical fiber. 276. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said optical fiber guides light at predetermined wavelength in a single mode. 277. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said optical fiber guides light at predetermined wavelength in a higher order mode. 278. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein the second core has a diameter larger than 10 μm, such as in the range from 10 μm to 15 μm, such as in the range from 15 μm to 20 μm. 279. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein the first core has a diameter larger than 3 μm, such as in the range from 4 μm to 8 μm, such as in the range from 4 μm to 6 μm. 280. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein the first core and the second core are separated by a distance of at least 3 μm, such as at least 4 μm. 281. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein the first core has a non-zero distance to a low-index feature of the first cladding, such as a distance larger than 0.5 μm, such as larger than 1.0 μm. 282. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein light is propagating substantially in the first core. 283. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein light is coupled substantially to the first core. 284. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein the second core has a larger area than the first core. 285. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein the second core has an effective refractive index, nco2,eff being larger than (nco,1,eff+ncl,2,eff)/2 or larger than (nco,1,eff+ncl,1,eff)/2, where nco,1,eff is an effective refractive index of the first core region, ncl,1,eff is an effective refractive index of the first cladding region, and ncl,2,eff is an effective refractive index of the second cladding region. 286. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein the second core has a mean or geometric refractive index, nco2,g being larger than (nco,1,g+ncl,2,g)/2 or larger than (nco,1,g+ncl,1,g)/2, where nco,1,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the first core region, ncl,1,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the first cladding region, and ncl,2,g is a mean or geometric refractive index of the second cladding region. 287. The optical fiber according to claim 234 wherein said fiber is dimensioned to guide light in a single mode in the first core region at a first wavelength, λ1, being in the range from 1500 to 1640 nm, and said optical fiber exhibits negative dispersion at λ1. 288. The optical fiber according to claim 287 wherein the optical fiber is dimensioned to guide light in the second core region for light shorter than a cut-off wavelength, λc, where λc is more than 30 nm shorter than λ1. 289. An article comprising a module, said module being employed for dispersion compensation in an optical communication system, said module comprising an optical fiber according to claim 234. 290. An optical transmission line, comprising at least: (1) a length of standard transmission fiber with a positive dispersion and a positive dispersion slope at least at a wavelength, λ1, of 1550 nm, and (2) a length of dispersion compensating fiber, such as a length of dispersion compensating fiber spooled in a fiber module, wherein said dispersion compensating has negative dispersion with a numerical value of the dispersion being larger than 500 ps/nm/km at λ1. 291. An optical transmission line, comprising at least: (1) a length of standard transmission fibre with a positive dispersion and a positive dispersion slope at least at a wavelength, λ1, of 1550 nm, and (2) a length of dispersion compensating fibre, such as a length of dispersion compensating fibre according to claim 234 spooled in a fibre module, wherein said dispersion compensating has negative dispersion with a numerical value of the dispersion being larger than 500 ps/nm/km at λ1. 292. The optical transmission line according to claim 290 wherein the dispersion compensating fiber has a relative dispersion slope of more than 0.01 nm−1, such as more than 0.02 nm−1 claim 293. An article comprising a module, said module being employed for dispersion compensation in an optical communication system, said module comprising an optical fiber according to claim 234. |
<SOH> 1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to new designs of microstructured fibers providing improvements with respect to dispersion compensation (including dispersion slope compensation) for fiber optical communication systems and with respect to non-linear optical fibers for applications at near-infrared wavelengths. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an optical fiber having an axial direction and a cross section perpendicular to said axial direction. The optical fiber has negative dispersion in the vicinity of a predetermined wavelength. The optical fiber is characterised by a number of regions: 1) a first core region being positioned substantially in a center of the optical fiber, the first core region comprising a first core material of refractive index, N co,1 . In the present context, “positioned substantially” means that it is desired to have the first core placed in the center, but manners of production may introduce minor structural deviations such that a center of the first core region and a center of the whole optical fiber may not coincide. Also, the optical fiber may have a non-circular outer shape in the cross section, making the definition of a center of the optical fiber less stringent. In the case of a non-circular outer shape, the center is determined as the center-of-gravity of a two-dimensional element with the same outer shape as the optical fiber. 2) a first cladding region surrounding the first core region, the first cladding region comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart first cladding features that are elongated in the axial direction and disposed in the first cladding material, said first cladding material having a refractive index N cl,1 ; 3) a second core region surrounding the first cladding region, the second core region comprising a second core material of refractive index, N co,2 , and the second core region having a substantially annular shape in the cross section. Since the interface between the inner cladding and the outer core may be an interface where at least on one side there is a microstructure (the inner cladding region), the interface may not necessarily be seen as a smooth interface (e.g. in the case of the two regions having identical background refractive indices). Therefore, the shape of the outer core region may not necessarily be a viewed as a smooth ring-like shape—hence the wording “substantially annular shape”; 4) a second cladding region surrounding the second core region, the second cladding region comprising a second cladding material of refractive index, N cl,2 , and the second cladding region having a substantially annular shape in the cross section. In the present context, the wording “substantially annular shape” is used for the same reasons as discussed above. Typically, the predetermined wavelength is in a range from 1.3 μm to 1.7 μm, such as from around 1.5 μm to 1.62 μm. In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber has a higher refractive index in the first core region than in the second core region. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber has identical refractive index in the first core region and in the second core region. This allows for example to manufacture the fiber in a single material, such as e.g. pure silica. In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber has a lower refractive index in the first core region than in the second core region. This allows for example to have a very large mode field diameter. In another preferred embodiment, the first cladding region has a substantially annular shape in the cross section. The wording “substantially” being used for the same reasons as previously discussed. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber has a first inscribed core diameter, D co,1 , being larger than 3 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 5 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 7 times said predetermined wavelength, such as larger than 10 times said predetermined wavelength. In another preferred embodiment, D co,1 is in the range from 4 μm to 25 μm, such as in the range from 4.0 μm to 5.0 μm, such as in the range from 5.0 μm to 6.5 μm, such as in the range from 6.5 μm to 10.0 μm, such as in the range from 10.0 μm to 25.0 μm. In another preferred embodiment, the first core region has a varying refractive index profile, said varying refractive index profile having a highest refractive index equal to N co,1 , and said varying index profile being characterised by an □-profile, where □ is in the range from 0 to 100, such as □ equal to 2, 3 or higher. In another preferred embodiment, the second core region is a homogeneous region. In another preferred embodiment, the second core region is microstructured. This increases the effective refractive index ranges that are available for the second core region without the use of doping. In another preferred embodiment, the microstructured features in the second core are positioned substantially circularly symmetric with respect to a center of said first core region. This is preferred in order to lower polarisation mode dispersion (PMD) in the fiber. An optical fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second core features are arranged in a single layer surrounding said first core region, such that a distance from a second core feature to a center of said first core region is substantially identical for all second core features. This is preferred in order to lower PMD, and further preferred for ease of fabrication. In another preferred embodiment, the second core features are arranged in two or more layers surrounding said first core region. This is preferred to reduce bending losses. In another preferred embodiment, the number of second core features is equal to or larger than 6, such as equal to or larger than 18. A high number is preferred to modify the effective refractive index of the second core region. In another preferred embodiment, the second core features have a diameter D co,2 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest second core features of Λ co,2 , and D co,2 /Λ co,2 is in the range from 0.01 to 0.5, such as from 0.1 to 0.2. Generally, the microstructured features in the second core should be relatively small in order to ensure the possibility of the second core to support a limited number of modes. In another preferred embodiment, D co,2 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 5 μm. Typically, this is the design parameter range that provides strongest dispersion. In another preferred embodiment, λ/Λ co,2 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm. Typically, this is the design parameter range that provides strongest dispersion. In another preferred embodiment, the first cladding features are positioned substantially circularly symmetric with respect to a center of said first core region. This is preferred to lower PMD in the fiber. In another preferred embodiment, the first cladding features are arranged in a single layer surrounding said first core region, such that a distance from a first cladding feature to a center of said first core region is substantially identical for all first cladding features. This is preferred to lower PMD in the fiber. In another preferred embodiment, the said first cladding features are arranged in two or more layers surrounding said first core region. This is preferred to lower bending losses in the fibers and/or to provide stronger dispersion. In another preferred embodiment, the number of said first cladding features is equal to or larger than 3, such as equal to or larger than 6, such as equal to or larger than 8, such as equal to or larger than 18. This range of numbers of features allows for tailoring of the birefringence of the fiber to a large degree. Higher numbers of features may be desired to provide low PMD for example through more circular symmetric feature arrangements. In another preferred embodiment, the first cladding features have a diameter D cl,1 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest first cladding features of Λ cl,1 , and D cl,1 /Λ cl,1 is in the range from 0.2 to 0.8, such as from 0.4 to 0.6. To provide strong dispersion, relatively large features are required. Hence, the features should be large enough to provide a buffer region between the two cores. In another preferred embodiment, D cl,1 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 10 μm. Typically, this range provides the most attractive design parameter range in order to obtain strong dispersion for wavelengths around 1.55 μm. In another preferred embodiment, Λ cl,1 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm. Typically, this range provides the most attractive design parameter range in order to obtain strong dispersion for wavelengths around 1.55 μm. In another preferred embodiment, D cl,1 /Λ cl,1 is larger than D co,2 /Λ co,2 . This is preferred to ensure that the first cladding region acts as a buffer between the two cores. In another preferred embodiment, the second cladding region comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart second cladding features that are elongated in the axial direction and disposed in said second cladding material. This provides further means for tailoring the dispersion properties of the fiber. In another preferred embodiment, second cladding features have a diameter D cl,2 and a center-to-center spacing between nearest second cladding features of □cl,2, where D cl,2 /Λ cl,2 is in the range from 0.01 to 0.5, such as from 0.1 to 0.2. It is often preferred that these features are comparable to the features of the second core. It may be preferred that the second core is only weakly guiding or has a cut-off close to or around the operational wavelength. Hence the second cladding features may be preferred to have a limited size in order to not provide strong confinement for the second core—or alternatively not to provide confinement of a high number of modes in the second core. In another preferred embodiment, D cl,2 is in the range from 0.1 μm to 5 μm. In accordance with the above-stated preferred embodiment, this is preferred to have the second cladding features being comparable in size to the second core features. Similarly, it is further preferred that Λ cl,2 is in the range from 0.2 μm to 20 μm. In another preferred embodiment, Λcl, 1 is larger than Λ cl,2 . This is preferred in order to allow the first and second cladding regions to have the same background material, but the effective refractive index of the two regions to be different at a given wavelength, such as the predetermined wavelength. In particular, it is preferred to have Λ cl,1 larger or equal to 3Λ cl,2 as such a ratio may easily be realised using well known methods for fabricating microstructured fibers, such as methods employing stacking of capillary tubes. In another preferred embodiment, Λ cl,1 is substantially identical to Λ cl,2 . This may be preferred as similar pitches (i.e. center-to-center features spacing or lattice period in the case of cladding comprising periodic feature arrangements) often allow simple fabrication, thereby improving reproducibility of the fiber. In another preferred embodiment, D cl,1 is larger than D cl,2 . This is preferred in order for the first cladding region to have a lower effective, refractive index than the second cladding. In another preferred embodiment, D cl,1 /Λ cl,1 and D cl,2 /Λ cl,2 are substantially identical. This may be preferred as similar hole and pitch sizes provide the simplest fabrication, thereby improving reproducibility of the fiber. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber comprises one or more glass materials. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber comprises silica. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber comprises polymer. In another preferred embodiment, the first cladding features, second core features, and/or second cladding features are voids comprising vacuum, air, or another gas. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber has a non-circular shape of the outer cladding, such as a non-polygonal shape, such as an elliptical shape. This may be advantageous for a range of reasons—for example for fibers with high birefringence (for example for handling splicing issues), or to ensure bending in certain preferred directions. In another preferred embodiment, the outer shape has a predetermined orientation in the cross section, the predetermined orientation being determined from the position of said first cladding features. This may be preferred to further ensure bending in certain preferred directions with respect to the actual directions in the microstructure in and/or around the core region. Also for polarisation maintaining, dispersion compensating fibers this is preferred. In another preferred embodiment, the first core region has a non-circular shape in the cross section, such as an elliptical shape. This is preferred to provide a high birefringence in the optical fiber. In another preferred embodiment, the first cladding region has a non-circular, inner shape in the cross section, such as an elliptical, inner shape, providing a high birefringence in the optical fiber. This is further preferred for polarisation maintaining, dispersion compensating fiber applications. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber guides light at predetermined wavelength in a single mode. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber guides light at predetermined wavelength in a higher order mode. This is preferred as higher order modes may provide even stronger dispersion than the fundamental mode including the possibility of strong positive dispersion. In another preferred embodiment, the invention covers an article comprising a module, where the module is employed for dispersion compensation in an optical communication system, and the module comprising an optical fiber according to the invention. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to an optical fiber having an axial direction and a cross section perpendicular to said axial direction. The optical fiber has positive dispersion in the vicinity of a predetermined wavelength. The optical fiber is characterised by a number of regions: 1) a first core region being positioned substantially in a center of the optical fiber, the first core region comprising a first core material of refractive index, N co,1 . In the present context, “positioned substantially” means that it is desired to have the first core placed in the center, but manners of production may introduce minor structural deviations such that a center of the first core region and a center of the whole optical fiber may not coincide. Also, the optical fiber may have a non-circular outer shape in the cross section, making the definition of a center of the optical fiber less stringent. In the case of a non-circular outer shape, the center is determined as the center-of-gravity of a two-dimensional element with the same outer shape as the optical fiber. 2) a first cladding region surrounding the first core region, the first cladding region comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart first cladding features that are elongated in the axial direction and disposed in the first cladding material, said first cladding material having a refractive index N cl,1 ; 3) a second core region surrounding the first cladding region, the second core region comprising a second core material of refractive index, N co,2 , and the second core region having a substantially annular shape in the cross section. Since the interface between the inner cladding and the outer core may be an interface where at least on one side there is a microstructure (the inner cladding region), the interface may not necessarily be seen as a smooth interface (e.g. in the case of the two regions having identical background refractive indices). Therefore, the shape of the outer core region may not necessarily be viewed as a smooth ring-like shape—hence the wording “substantially annular shape”; 4) a second cladding region surrounding the second core region, the second cladding region comprising a second cladding material of refractive index, N cl,2 , and the second cladding region having a substantially annular shape in the cross section. In the present context, the wording “substantially annular shape” is used for the same reasons as discussed above. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined wavelength is in a range from 1.3 μm to 1.7 μm, such as from around 1.5 μm to 1.62 μm. In another preferred embodiment, the optical fiber guides light at the predetermined wavelength in a higher-order mode. This is preferred as a higher order mode in a fiber according to the present invention may exhibit a very high positive dispersion or a very high negative dispersion. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention covers an article (this being a fiber optical communication system or parts thereof) that includes a module being employed for dispersion compensation in an optical communication system. The module comprises an optical fiber according to the present invention. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention covers an article that comprises a mode-converter that enables coupling from a conventional single mode fiber to an optical fiber according to the present invention. Finally, it should be mentioned that the present invention covers both fibers that guide light by a modified version of total internal reflection as well as fibers that guide light by photonic band gap effects. Glossary and Definitions For microstructures, a directly measurable quantity is the so-called “filling fraction” that is the volume of disposed features in a microstructure relative to the total volume of a microstructure. For fibers that are invariant in the axial fiber direction, the filling fraction may be determined from direct inspection of the fiber cross-section, e.g. using inspection methods known in the art. In this application we distinguish between “refractive index”, “geometrical index” and “effective index”. The refractive index is the conventional refractive index of a homogeneous material—naturally, this is also used to describe the refractive indices of the various materials themselves in a microstructured medium. The geometrical index of a structure is the geometrically weighted refractive index of the structure. As an example, a micro-structure consisting of air features that occupy 40% of the structure (the air features themselves having a refractive index=1.0) and a background material of silica (the silica background material having a refractive index ≈1.45) has a geometrical index of 0.4×1.0+0.6×1.45=1.27. The procedure of determining the effective refractive index, which for short is referred to as the effective index, of a given micro-structure at a given wavelength is well-known to those skilled in the art (see e.g., Joannopoulos et al., “Photonic Crystals”, Princeton University Press, 1995, or Broeng et al., Optical Fiber Technology, Vol. 5, pp. 305-330, 1999). Usually, a numerical method capable of solving Maxwell's equation on full vectorial form is required for accurate determination of the effective indices of microstructures. The present invention makes use of employing such a method that has been well documented in the literature (see previous Joannopoulos-reference). In the long-wavelength regime, the effective index is roughly identical to the weighted average of the refractive indices of the constituents of the material, that is, the effective index is close to the geometrical index in this wavelength regime. |
Payment system |
An electronic transaction payment system is provided having a vendor terminal associated with a vendor who provides goods or services to a purchaser, a vendor smart-card and a vendor smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from the vendor smart-card. The system also includes a purchaser smart-card reader which is connected to the vendor terminal and which is operable for transmitting data to and receiving data from a purchaser smart-card. In operation, payment for goods purchased by the purchaser is made between the purchaser smart-card and the vendor smart-card. In a preferred embodiment, the payment data is encrypted using an encryption key specific to the transaction between the purchaser and the vendor. A third party registry terminal may also be provided for providing validation of the vendor and/or the purchaser. |
1. An electronic transaction payment system comprising: a vendor terminal associated with a vendor who provides goods or services to a purchaser; a vendor smart-card; a vendor smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said vendor smart-card; a purchaser smart-card; and a purchaser smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said purchaser smart-card; wherein said vendor terminal comprises: (i) means for processing requests for vendor goods or services from said purchaser; (ii) means for generating cost data identifying the cost of requested goods or services; (iii) means for interfacing with said vendor smart-card reader; (iv) means for interfacing with said purchaser smart-card reader; and (v) means for transmitting the cost data to said purchaser smart-card via said purchaser smart-card reader interface; wherein said purchaser smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said cost data from said vendor terminal; (ii) means for encrypting payment data to be transmitted to said vendor smart-card; and (iii) means 25 for outputting the encrypted payment data for transmission to said vendor smart-card; and wherein said vendor smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said encrypted payment data from said purchaser smart-card; and (ii) means for decrypting said encrypted payment data received from said purchaser smart-card to obtain payment for the requested goods or services. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises means for digitally signing said payment data using a purchaser digital signature and wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises means for reading the digital signature applied to the payment data to establish the origin of the payment. 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises means for generating receipt data describing the goods or services requested and the payment obtained from said payment data; means for digitally signing said receipt data using a vendor digital signature; and means for outputting the signed receipt data for transmission to said purchaser smart-card; and wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises means for receiving said signed receipt data and means for reading the vendor digital signature applied to the receipt data to establish the origin of the receipt. 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of each said digital signatures is generated using a time stamp. 5. A system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of each said digital signatures is generated using a random number. 6. A system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of each said digital signatures is generated using a smart-card identifier. 7. A system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said digital signatures is generated using a terminal identifier. 8. A system according to claim 3, wherein each of said digital signatures is different. 9. A system according to claim 3, wherein said digital signatures are the same. 10. An electronic transaction payment system according to claim 2, wherein said means for digitally signing said payment data comprises said encrypting means; and said means for reading said purchaser digital signature comprises said decrypting means. 11. A system according to claim 1, wherein: said vendor terminal further comprises means for receiving a request for data describing the vendor; and means for outputting said request to said vendor smart-card; and said vendor smart-card further comprises means for receiving said request for data describing the vendor; means for generating data describing the vendor in accordance with said request; and means for outputting the data describing the vendor to said vendor terminal. 12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises means for receiving said data describing the vendor from said vendor smart-card; and means for determining whether said data describing the vendor conforms to a predetermined condition to determine whether said payment data should be generated for transmission to said vendor smart-card. 13. A system according to claim 1, comprising: a registry; a registry smart-card; and a registry smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said registry smart-card; wherein said registry comprises: means for interfacing with said registry smart-card reader; and means for interfacing with said vendor terminal; wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises means for outputting a request for data describing the vendor for transmission to said registry smart-card; wherein said registry smart-card comprises: means for receiving said request for data describing the vendor from said purchaser smart-card; means for generating data describing the vendor in accordance with said request; and means for outputting the data describing the vendor for transmission to said purchaser smart-card; and said purchaser smart-card further comprises: means for receiving said data describing the vendor from said registry smart-card; and means for determining whether said data describing the vendor conforms to a predetermined condition to determine whether said payment data should be generated for transmission to said vendor smart-card. 14. A system according to claim 1 wherein: said vendor terminal further comprises means for receiving a request for data describing the purchaser; and means for outputting said request for transmission to said purchaser smart-card; and said purchaser smart-card further comprises: means data describing the for receiving said request for data purchaser; for generating data describing the purchaser in accordance with said request; and means for outputting the data describing the purchaser for transmission to said vendor terminal. 15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises: means for receiving said data describing the purchaser from said vendor smart-card; and means for determining whether said data 30 describing the purchaser conforms to a predetermined condition to determine whether said goods or services are to be provided to said purchaser or whether said payment data is to be accepted. 16. A system according to claim 1, comprising: a registry; a registry smart-card; and a registry smart-card reader for transmitting data 10 to and receiving data from said registry smart-card; wherein said registry comprises means for interfacing with said registry smart-card reader; and means for interfacing with said vendor terminal; wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises means for outputting a request for data describing the purchaser for transmission to said registry smart-card; wherein said registry smart-card further comprises: means for receiving said request for data describing the purchaser from said vendor smart-card; means for generating data describing the purchaser in accordance with said request; and means for outputting the data describing the purchaser for transmission to said vendor smart-card; and wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises: means for receiving said data describing the purchaser from said registry smart-card; and means for determining whether said data describing the purchaser conforms to the predetermined condition to determine whether said goods or services are to be provided to said purchaser 30 or whether said payment data is to be accepted. 17. A system according to claim 1, wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises a memory for storing an asymmetric encryption key pair comprising a vendor private key and a vendor public key; and means for outputting said vendor public key for transmission to said purchaser smart-card, wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises means for receiving said vendor public key; and is operable to encrypt said payment data using said vendor public key; and wherein said means for decrypting said payment data in said vendor smart-card is operable to decrypt the payment data using the vendor private key. 18. A system according to claim 17 wherein said asymmetric encryption key pair are generated using an RSA algorithm. 19. A system according to claim 17, wherein said asymmetric encryption key pair are generated using an elliptic curve algorithm. 20. A system according to claim 1, wherein said purchaser smart-card reader interface comprises means for communication via a computer network. 21. A system according to claim 1 wherein said purchaser smart-card reader interface comprises means for communication via the Internet. 22. A system according to claim 1 comprising: a registry; a purchaser registry smart-card associated with the purchaser; and a registry smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said purchaser registry smart-card; wherein said registry comprises means for 10 interfacing with said registry smart-card reader; means for interfacing with said vendor terminal; wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises: means for generating instruction data, for instructing 15 said purchaser registry smart-card to make a payment, to be transmitted to said vendor smart-card; and means for outputting the instruction data for transmission to said purchaser registry smart-card; wherein said purchaser registry smart-card further comprises means for receiving said instruction data from 20 said purchaser smart-card; means for generating payment data to be transmitted to said vendor smart-card; means for encrypting said payment data; and means for outputting the encrypted payment data for transmission to said vendor smart-card; and wherein said vendor smart-25 card further comprises: means for receiving said encrypted payment data from said purchaser registry smart-card. 23. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a registry; a vendor registry smart-card; and a registry smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said vendor registry smart-card; wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises means for outputting said encrypted payment data for transmission to said vendor registry smart-card; wherein said vendor registry smart-card comprises: means for receiving said encrypted payment data from said purchaser smart-card; means for decrypting said encrypted payment data received from said purchaser smart-card to obtain payment for the requested goods or services; means for generating acknowledgement data describing the obtained payment; and means for outputting said acknowledgement data for transmission to said vendor smart-card; and wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises means for receiving said acknowledgement data from said 20 vendor registry smart-card. 24. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a purchaser terminal associated with the purchaser, the purchaser terminal comprising: (i) means for generating a request for vendor goods or services from said purchaser; (ii) means for interfacing with said purchaser smart-card reader; (iii) means for interfacing with said vendor terminal; and (iv) means for transmitting said purchaser requests to said vendor 30 terminal via said purchaser smart-card. 25. A system according to claim 24, wherein data transmitted between said purchaser terminal and said vendor terminal is encrypted before transmission by the respective smart-cards. 26. An electronic transaction payment system comprising: a vendor terminal associated with a vendor who provides goods or services to a purchaser; a vendor smart-card; a vendor smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said vendor smart-card; a purchaser smart-card; and a purchaser smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said purchaser smart-card; wherein said vendor terminal comprises: (i) means for processing requests for vendor goods or services from said purchaser; (ii) means for generating cost data identifying the cost of requested goods or services; (iii) means for interfacing with said vendor smart-card reader; (iv) means for interfacing with said purchaser smart-card reader; and (v) means for transmitting the cost data to said purchaser smart-card via said purchaser smart-card interface; wherein said purchaser smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said cost data from said vendor terminal; (ii) means for digitally signing payment data to be transmitted to said vendor smart-card; (iii) means for outputting the signed payment data for transmission to said vendor smart-card; wherein said vendor smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said signed payment data from said purchaser smart-card to obtain payment for the requested goods or services; (ii) means for reading the digital signature applied to the payment data to establish the origin of the payment; (iii) means for generating receipt data describing the goods or services and the payment obtained from said payment data; (iv) means for digitally signing said receipt data; and (v) means for outputting 10 the signed receipt data for transmission to said purchaser smart-card, wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises: (iv) means for receiving said signed receipt data; and (v) means for reading the digital signature applied to the receipt data to establish the origin of the receipt. 27. An electronic transaction payment system comprising: a vendor terminal associated with a vendor who provides goods or services to a purchaser; a vendor smart-card; a vendor smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said vendor smart-card; a purchaser smart-card; and a purchaser smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said purchaser smart-card; wherein said vendor terminal comprises: (i) means for processing requests for vendor goods or services from said purchaser; (ii) means for generating cost data identifying the cost of requested goods or services; (iii) means for interfacing with said vendor smart-card reader; (iv) means for interfacing with said purchaser smart-card; and (v) means for transmitting the cost data to said purchaser smart-card via said purchaser smart-card reader interface; wherein said purchaser smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said cost data from said vendor terminal; (ii) means for generating a request for data describing the vendor; and (iii) means for outputting the request for data describing the vendor for transmission 10 to said vendor smart-card; wherein said vendor smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said request for data describing the vendor from said purchaser smart-card; (ii) means for generating data describing the vendor in accordance with said request; and (iii) means for outputting the data describing the vendor for transmission to said purchaser smart-card; wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises: (iv) means for receiving said data describing the vendor from said vendor smart-card; (v) means for determining whether said data describing the vendor conforms to a predetermined condition; (vi) means for, if said data describing the vendor conforms to said predetermined condition, generating payment data to be transmitted to said vendor smart-card; and (vii) means for outputting the payment data for transmission to said vendor smart-card; and wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises: (iv) means for receiving said payment data from said purchaser smart-card to obtain payment for requested goods or services. 28. An electronic transaction payment system comprising: a vendor terminal associated with a vendor who provides goods or services to a purchaser; a vendor smart-card; a vendor smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said vendor smart-card; a purchaser smart-card; and a purchaser smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said purchaser smart-card; wherein said vendor terminal comprises: (i) means for processing requests for vendor goods or services from said purchaser; (ii) means for generating cost data identifying the cost of requested goods or services; (iii) means for interfacing with said vendor smart-card reader; (iv) means for interfacing with said purchaser smart-card reader; and (v) means for transmitting the 20 cost data to said purchaser smart-card via said purchaser smart-card reader interface; wherein said purchaser smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said cost data from said vendor terminal; wherein said vendor smart-card comprises: (i) means for generating a request for data describing the purchaser; and (ii) means for outputting the request for data describing the purchaser for transmission to said purchaser smart-card; wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises: (ii) means for receiving said request for data describing the purchaser from said vendor smart-card; (iii) means for generating data describing the purchaser in accordance with said request; and (iv) means for outputting the data describing the purchaser for transmission to said vendor smart-card; wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises: (iii) means for receiving said data describing the 10 purchaser from said purchaser smart-card; (iv) means for determining whether said data describing the purchaser conforms to a predetermined condition; (v) means for, if said data describing the purchaser conforms to said 15 predetermined condition, generating acceptance data to be transmitted to said purchaser smart-card; and (vi) means for outputting the acceptance data for transmission to the purchaser smart-card; and wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises: (v) means for receiving said acceptance data from said vendor smart-card; (vi) means for generating payment data to be transmitted to said vendor smart-card; and (vii) means for outputting the payment data for transmission to said vendor smart-card; and wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises: (viii) means for receiving said payment data from said purchaser smart-card to obtain payment for the requested goods or services. 29. An electronic transaction payment system comprising: a vendor terminal associated with a vendor who provides goods or services to a purchaser; a vendor smart-card; a vendor smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said vendor smart-card; a purchaser smart-card; and a purchaser smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said purchaser smart-card; wherein said vendor terminal comprises: (i) means for processing requests for vendor goods or services from said purchaser; (ii) means for generating cost data identifying the cost of requested goods or services; (iii) means for interfacing with said vendor smart-card 15 reader; (iv) means for interfacing with said purchaser smart-card; and (v) means for transmitting the cost data to said purchaser smart-card via said purchaser smart-card reader interface; wherein said purchaser smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said cost data from said vendor terminal; (ii) means for generating a request for data describing the vendor; and (iii) means for outputting the request for data describing the vendor for transmission to said vendor smart-card; wherein said vendor smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said request for data describing the vendor from said purchaser smart-card; (ii) means for receiving data describing the vendor in accordance with said request; and (iii) means for outputting the data describing the vendor for transmission to said purchaser smart-card; wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises: (iv) means for receiving said data describing the vendor from said vendor smart-card; (v) means for outputting said data describing said vendor to the purchaser; (vi) means for receiving an indication whether or not said data describing the vendor is acceptable to the purchaser; and (vii) means for, if said data describing the vendor is acceptable, causing payment data to be transmitted to said vendor smart-card; and wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises: (iv) means for receiving said payment data to obtain payment for the requested goods or services. 30. An electronic transaction payment system comprising: a vendor terminal associated with a vendor who provides goods or services to a purchaser; a vendor smart-card; a vendor smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said vendor smart-card; a purchaser smart-card; and a purchaser smart-card reader for transmitting data to and receiving data from said purchaser smart-card; wherein said vendor terminal comprises: (i) means for processing requests for vendor goods or services from said purchaser; (ii) means for generating cost data identifying the cost of requested goods or services; (iii) means for interfacing with said vendor smart-card reader; (iv) means for interfacing with said purchaser smart-card reader; and (v) means for transmitting the cost data to said purchaser smart-card via said purchaser smart-card reader interface; wherein said purchaser smart-card comprises: (i) means for receiving said cost data from said vendor terminal; wherein said vendor smart-card comprises: (i) means for generating a request for data describing the purchaser; and (ii) means for outputting the request for data describing the purchaser for transmission to said purchaser smart-card; wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises: (ii) means for receiving said request for data describing the purchaser from said vendor smart-card; (iii) means for receiving data describing the purchaser in accordance with said request; and (iv) means for outputting the data describing the purchaser for transmission to said vendor smart-card; wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises: (iii) means for receiving said data describing the purchaser from said purchaser smart-card; (iv) means for outputting said data describing the purchaser to the vendor; (v) means for receiving an indication whether or not said data describing the purchaser is acceptable to the vendor; (vi) means for, if said data describing the purchaser is acceptable, generating acceptance data to be transmitted to said purchaser smart-card; and (vii) means for outputting the acceptance data for transmission to the purchaser smart-card; and wherein said purchaser smart-card further comprises: (v) means for receiving said acceptance data from said vendor smart-card; (vi) means for generating payment data to be transmitted to said vendor smart-card; and (vii) means for outputting the payment data for transmission to said vendor smart-card; and wherein said vendor smart-card further comprises: (viii) means for receiving said payment data from said purchaser smart-card to obtain payment for the requested goods or services. 31. A smart-card programmed to be able to function as a purchaser smart-card according to claim 1. 32. A smart-card programmed to be able to function as a vendor smart-card according to claim 1. 33. A smart-card programmed to be able to function as a registry smart-card according to claim 13. 34. A smart-card comprises: means for interfacing with a card reader; means for receiving details of a new transaction from an external terminal via said interfacing means and said card reader; means for generating a unique session ID for the new transaction; means for storing the generated session ID; means for receiving message data relating to the new transaction from the external terminal via said card reader and said interfacing means; means for tagging the received message data by appending the stored session ID to the message data; and means for outputting the tagged message data to said external terminal via said interface means and said card reader. 35. A smart-card according to claim 34, further comprising means for encrypting said tagged message data. 36. A smart-card according to claim 34, further comprising means for receiving a session ID generated by another smart-card involved in the new transaction and wherein said tagging means is operable to append the generated session ID and the received session ID to the message data. 37. A smart-card according to claim 34, further comprising a money store for storing electronic money and wherein said tagging means is operable to tag said electronic money with said generated session ID and to output the tagged electronic money back to said external terminal via said interface means in said card reader. 38. A smart-card according to claim 37, comprising means for storing remote account data and wherein said smart-card is operable to receive an instruction identifying whether or not payment for a current transaction is to be made from electronic money stored on the card or from the remote account and wherein said tagging means is operable to tag said electronic money with said session ID if said instruction identifies that the payment should be made from the card and is operable to tag the stored account data if said instruction indicates that the payment is to be made from the remote account. 39. A smart-card according to claim 34, further comprising means for storing user validation data; means for receiving instructions to output user validation data; and wherein said tagging means is operable to tag the user validation data with the session ID prior to outputting the tagged validation data to said external terminal via said interface means and said card reader. 40. A smart-card according to claim 34, further comprising a transaction log store for storing details of data transmitted during each new transaction. 41. A smart-card comprising: means for interfacing with a card reader; a card controller operable for receiving instructions from an external terminal via said interface means and said card reader; means for storing electronic money; means for storing account data relating to a remote account; wherein said card controller is operable to either output electronic money from said money store or to output account details from said account storing means in dependence upon instructions received from an external terminal via said interfacing means and said card reader. 42. A smart-card according to claim 41, wherein said card controller is operable to tag the electronic money or the account data with a unique identifier relating to a current transaction. 43. An electronic transaction system comprising a vendor 15 terminal, a purchaser terminal and a third party registry for providing validation of a purchaser associated with the purchaser terminal and/or validation of a vendor associated with the vendor terminal. 44. A signal carrying processor implementable instructions for causing a smart-card to become programmed as a smart-card according to claim 31. 45. A storage medium storing processor implementable instructions for causing a smart-card to become programmed as a smart-card according to claim 31. 46. A computer terminal programmed to function as a vendor terminal according to claim 1. 47. A computer terminal programmed to function as a purchaser terminal according to claim 24. 48. An electronic transaction payment characterized by the step of using an electronic transaction payment system according to claim 1. |
Filter cartridge for a filter assembly |
A filter assembly including a replaceable filter cartridge for use with a reusable filter canister. The filter cartridge includes a cylindrical filter media having top and bottom ends respectively mounted within top and bottom end caps. The bottom end cap includes a sidewall that surrounds at least a lower portion of the filter media. A contaminant containment chamber is defined between the sidewall and an outer side of the filter media. When the cartridge is mounted within the canister, the radial sealing element engages an inner surface of the canister to provide a circumferential seal. The sidewall also includes a living hinge positioned below the sealing element. |
1. A filter cartridge comprising: a filter media having a top end and a bottom end; a top end cap mounted at the top end of the filter media; a bottom end cap mounted at the bottom end of the filter media, the bottom end cap including a bottom wall and a side wall, the side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and surrounding at least a lower portion of the filter element, the side wall having a top end; a circumferential sealing element that projects radially outwardly from the side wall at a location adjacent the top end of the side wall; and a circumferential living hinge defined by the sidewall at a location below the circumferential sealing element, wherein the living hinge is formed by a ring of reduced cross sectional thickness provided at the sidewall. 2. The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is spaced from an outer surface of the filter media such that a contaminant containment chamber is defined between the sidewall and the filter media. 3. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein the bottom wall defines a plurality drain openings located beneath the contaminant containment chamber. 4. The filter cartridge of claim 3, further comprising an outer filter element for filtering liquid that drains from the contaminant containment chamber through the drain holes. 5. The filter cartridge of claim 4, wherein the outer filter element is annular and is mounted at a bottom of the contaminant containment chamber. 6. The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the living hinge is defined by a circumferential notch defined within the sidewall. 7. The filter cartridge of claim 6, wherein the notch has a generally semi-circular cross-section. 8. The filter cartridge of claim 6, wherein the notch is defined in an inner surface of the sidewall. 9. The filter cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one relief notch defined through the sealing element. 10. The filter cartridge of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of relief notches defined through the sealing element. 11. The filter cartridge of claim 10, wherein the relief notches are uniformly spaced about the circumference of the sealing element. 12. The filter element of claim 11, wherein the relief notches include two relief notches spaced apart approximately 180 degrees about the circumference of the sealing element. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Although applicable to a number of fields, the present invention relates primarily to liquid filters such as hydraulic oil filters or engine oil filters. Filters have long been used to remove contaminants from oil. It is well known that, with time, oil filters become plugged or clogged with contaminants and are required to be replaced. A typical oil filter assembly includes a housing (e.g., a bowl or canister) containing a cylindrical filter element. The cylindrical filter element typically defines a central longitudinal opening in which a central core is mounted. The core provides support for preventing the filter element from collapsing inward during use. In use, oil is directed from a system into an annular channel defined between the housing and the outer surface of the filter element. Pressure from the system forces the oil from the annular flow passage, through the filter element, and into the central opening of the filter element. From the central opening of the filter element, the filtered oil is discharged from the filter assembly. Disposable or “throw-away” type fluid filters are well known in the art. In this type of filter assembly, the filter element is permanently sealed within the housing. When the filter element becomes clogged with contaminants, the entire filter assembly is discarded and replaced with a new unit. Oil filter assemblies having replaceable filter elements are also known in the art. Filter assemblies with replaceable filter elements are desirable because the housing can be reused thereby reducing the amount of waste that enters the waste stream. Consequently, as landfill costs increase, filter assemblies having replaceable filter elements will become increasingly more desirable. Contamination is an important consideration relating to filter assemblies having replaceable filter elements. For example, prior art systems having replaceable filter elements can experience the accumulation of contaminants within the reusable housings that cover the replaceable filter elements. If this occurs, the “clean” side of new filter elements inserted within the contaminated housings can immediately become contaminated. There is a need in the art to prevent this type of contamination from occurring. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>One aspect of the present invention relates to a filter assembly including a replaceable filter cartridge for use with a reusable filter canister. The filter cartridge includes a cylindrical filter media having top and bottom ends respectively mounted within top and bottom end caps. The bottom end cap includes a sidewall that surrounds at least a lower portion of the filter media. A contaminant containment chamber is defined between the sidewall and an outer side of the filter media. A radial sealing element is located adjacent a top end of the sidewall. When the cartridge is mounted within the canister, the radial sealing element engages an inner surface of the canister to provide a circumferential seal. The sidewall also includes a living hinge positioned below the sealing element. In use of the filter assembly, contaminants are accumulated on the outer side of the filter element. Larger contaminants fall downwardly and are captured in the contaminant containment chamber defined by the lower end cap. The radial sealing element prevents contaminants from by-passing the contaminant containment chamber. When the filter element is fully loaded with contaminants, the filter cartridge can be removed from the canister and replaced. The living hinge facilitates removal of the filter cartridge from the canister by reducing friction between the radial sealing element and the inner surface of the canister. A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. |
Phage display vector, phages encoded thereby, and methods of use thereof |
Filamentous bacteriophages are particularly efficient for the expression and display of combinatorial random peptides. Two phage proteins are often employed for peptide display: the infectivity protein, pIII and the major coat protein, pVIII. The use of pVIII typically requires the expression of two pVIII genes: the wild type and the recombinant pVIII genes to generate mosaic phages. “Type 88” vectors contain two pVIII genes in one phage genome. A novel “type 88” expression vector has been rationally designed and constructed, which can be used to express recombinant peptides as pVIII chimeric proteins in mosaic bacteriophages. This vector is not only genetically stable but also of high copy number and produces high titers of recombinant phages. |
1. A DNA molecule comprising the DNA of a filamentous phage into which has been inserted a recombinant DNA sequence comprising a multiple cloning site comprising a series of restriction sites that do not otherwise appear in said DNA of the filamentous phage, said recombinant DNA sequence being designed and inserted such that the multiple cloning site is placed between a terminator for the wild type pVIII gene and an initiator for the wild type pIII gene. 2. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 1, wherein a positive selection marker is present in the multiple cloning site. 3. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 1, wherein an additional bacteriophage gene is present in the multiple cloning site. 4. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 1, wherein said additional bacteriophage gene is a second pVIII gene. 5. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 1, wherein said additional bacteriophage gene is a second pIII gene. 6. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 1, wherein said recombinant DNA sequence is designed and inserted such that a DNA sequence encoding a foreign peptide is incorporated into the pIII gene at the N-terminal region thereof. 7. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multiple cloning site placed between said wild type pVIII gene (the first pVIII gene) and the wild type pIII gene comprises DNA encoding an additional pVIII protein (the second pVIII gene) and DNA encoding a polypeptide of interest other than pVIII. 8. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7, wherein the DNA encoding the second pVIII gene uses alternative codons which are other than the native codons for encoding one or more of the amino acid residues of the pVIII protein, such that no stretch of more than 30 bases of the native sequence appear therein. 9. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 8, wherein no stretch of more than 20 bases of the native sequence appear in the DNA encoding the second pVIII gene. 10. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7, wherein the native pVIII DNA sequence is separated from the recombinant pVIII DNA sequence by a terminator which is not native to the filamentous phage DNA. 11. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7, wherein DNA encoding the native amino acid sequence of the pVIII C-terminal/pIII −35 box is maintained at the region immediately upstream to the initiation of the pIII gene. 12. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 11, wherein said region encoding the pVIII C-terminal domain in said C-terminal/−35 box uses alternative codons which are other than the native codons, such that no stretch of more than 30 bases of the native sequence appear therein. 13. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 12, wherein no stretch of more than 20 bases of the native sequence appear in the region encoding the pVIII C-terminal/−35 box. 14. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7, wherein a positive selection marker is inserted between the native and recombinant pVIII genes. 15. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 14, wherein said positive selection marker is the tetracycline resistance gene. 16. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 15, wherein a unidirectional promoter is substituted for the native bidirectional tetracycline resistance gene promoter. 17. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7, wherein the native intergenic space region is present. 18. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7, wherein a promoter is used for the second pVIII gene and DNA encoding the peptide of interest, which promoter is not native to the native filamentous phage. 19. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7, wherein said recombinant DNA sequence is designed and inserted such that a DNA sequence encoding a second peptide of interest is incorporated into the pIII gene at the N-terminal region thereof. 20. A filamentous phage encoded by the DNA of claim 7. 21. A DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7 wherein said polypeptide of interest is a random peptide. 22. A library of filamentous phages encoded by a DNA molecule in accordance with claim 21, wherein said library comprises a plurality of phages each having a different random peptide as the polypeptide of interest. 23. A library in accordance with claim 22, wherein the polypeptides of interest in said plurality of phages comprise all possible random peptides of a given length or a fraction thereof which maintains the complexity thereof. 24. A filamentous phage encoded by a DNA molecule in accordance with claim 7, wherein said polypeptide of interest is a peptide which comprises a contiguous fragment of the sequence of an antigen of interest. 25. A library of filamentous phages in accordance with claim 24, wherein said library comprises a plurality of phages, said peptide in each of said plurality of phages comprising a different contiguous fragment of the sequence of the antigen of interest. 26. A library in accordance with claim 25, wherein the polypeptides of interest in said plurality of phages comprise all possible overlapping contiguous fragments of the antigen of interest. 27. A method of screening for a molecule which binds to a peptide of interest comprising bringing a molecule to be screened into contact with a filamentous phage in accordance with claim 20 which expresses said peptide of interest and, if said molecule binds to said peptide of interest, identifying and producing said molecule. 28. A method of screening for peptides which bind to a molecule of interest comprising bringing the molecule of interest into contact with a library of filamentous phages in accordance with claim 22; identifying any peptide expressed by a phage which binds to said molecule; and producing a polypeptide which comprises said peptide. 29. A method of screening for peptides which bind to a molecule of interest comprising bringing the molecule of interest into contact with a library of filamentous phages in accordance with claim 25; identifying any peptide expressed by a phage which binds to said molecule; and producing a polypeptide which comprises said peptide. 30. A DNA molecule comprising the DNA of a filamentous phage, into which has been inserted between the wild type pVIII gene (the first pVIII gene) and the wild type pIII gene, recombinant DNA sequence encoding an additional pVIII protein (the second pVIII gene) and DNA containing a region of bases flanked by two identical restriction enzyme sites, which sites do not appear anywhere else in the DNA molecule. 31. A DNA construct for insertion into the DNA of a filamentous phage, said construct comprising a multiple cloning site comprising a series of restriction sites that do not otherwise appear in the DNA of the phage into which the construct is intended to be inserted, said construct having one end compatible for ligation to a restriction enzyme site upstream of the pIII gene of the phage into which the construct is intended to be inserted and another end compatible for ligation to a restriction enzyme site downstream of the pVIII gene of the phage into which the construct is intended to be inserted. 32. A DNA construct in accordance with claim 31 further including a positive selection marker. 33. A DNA construct in accordance with claim 31 further including a second pVIII gene. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Combinatorial phage display peptide libraries provide an effective means to study protein:protein interactions. This technology relies on the production of very large collections of random peptides associated with their corresponding genetic blueprints (Scott et al, 1990; Dower, 1992; Lane et al, 1993; Cortese et al, 1994; Cortese et al, 1995; Cortese et al, 1996). Presentation of the random peptides is often accomplished by constructing chimeric proteins expressed on the outer surface of filamentous bacteriophages such as M13, fd and f1. This presentation makes the repertoires amenable to binding assays and specialized screening schemes (referred to as biopanning (Parmley et al, 1988)) leading to the affinity isolation and identification of peptides with desired binding properties. In this way peptides that bind to receptors (Koivunen et al, 1995; Wrighton et al, 1996; Sparks et all, 1994; Rasqualini et al, 1996), enzymes (Matthews et al, 1993; Schmitz et al, 1996) or antibodies (Scott et al, 1990; Cwirla et al, 1990; Felici et al, 1991; Luzzago et al, 1993; Hoess et al, 1993; Bonnycastle et al, 1996) have been efficiently selected. Filamentous bacteriophages are nonlytic, male specific bacteriophages that infect Escherichia coli cells carrying an F-episome (for review, see Model et al, 1988). Filamentous phage particles appear as thin tubular structures 900 nm long and 10 nm thick containing a circular single stranded DNA genome (the +strand). The life cycle of the phage entails binding of the phage to the F-pilus of the bacterium followed by entry of the single stranded DNA genome into the host. The circular single stranded DNA is recognized by the host replication machinery and the synthesis of the complementary second DNA strand is initiated at the phage ori(−) structure. The double stranded DNA replicating form is the template for the synthesis of single-stranded DNA circular phage genomes, initiating at the ori(+) structure. These are ultimately packaged into virions and the phage particles are extruded from the bacterium without causing lysis or apparent damage to the host. Peptide display systems have exploited two structural proteins of the phage; pIII protein and pVIII protein. The pIII protein exists in 5 copies per phage and is found exclusively at one tip of the virion (Goldsmith et al, 1977). The N-terminal domain of the pIII protein forms a knob-like structure that is required for the infectivity process (Gray et al, 1981). It enables the adsorption of the phage to the tip of the F-pilus and subsequently the penetration and translocation of the single stranded phage DNA into the bacterial host cell (Holliger et al, 1997). The pIII protein can tolerate extensive modifications and thus has been used to express peptides at its N-terminus. The foreign peptides have been up to 65 amino acid residues long (Bluthner et al, 1996; Kay et al, 1993) and in some instances even as large as full-length proteins (McCafferty et al, 1990; McCafferty et al, 1992) without markedly affecting pIII function. The cylindrical protein envelope surrounding the single stranded phage DNA is composed of 2700 copies of the major coat protein, pVIII, an α-helical subunit which consists of 50 amino acid residues. The pVIII proteins themselves are arranged in a helical pattern, with the α-helix of the protein oriented at a shallow angle to the long axis of the virion (Marvin et al, 1994). The primary structure of this protein contains three separate domains: (1) the N-terminal part, enriched with acidic amino acids and exposed to the outside environment; (2) a central hydrophobic domain responsible for: (i) subunit:subunit interactions in the phage particle and (ii) transmembrane functions in the host cell; and (3) the third domain containing basic amino acids, clustered at the C-terminus, which is buried in the interior of the phage and is associated with the phage-DNA. pVIII is synthesized as a precoat protein containing a 23 amino acid leader-peptide, which is cleaved upon translocation across the inner membrane of the bacterium to yield the mature 50-residue transmembrane protein (Sugimoto et al, 1977). Use of pVIII as a display scaffold is hindered by the fact that it can tolerate the addition of peptides no longer than 6 residues at its N-terminus (Greenwood et al, 1991; Iannolo et al, 1995). Larger inserts interfere with phage assembly. Introduction of larger peptides, however, is possible in systems where mosaic phages are produced by in vivo mixing the recombinant, peptide-containing, pVIII proteins with wild type pVIII (Felici et al, 1991; Greenwood et al, 1991; Willis et al, 1993). This enables the incorporation of the chimeric pVIII proteins at low density (tens to hundreds of copies per particle) on the phage surface interspersed with wild type coat proteins during the assembly of phage particles. Two systems have been used that enable the generation of mosaic phages; the “type 8+8” and “type 88” systems as designated by Smith (Smith, 1993). The “type 8+8” system is based on having the two pVIII genes situated separately in two different genetic units (Felici et al, 1991; Greenwood et al, 1991; Willis et al, 1993). The recombinant pVIII gene is located on a phagemid, a plasmid that contains, in addition to its own origin of replication, the phage origins of replication and packaging signal. The wild type pVIII protein is supplied by superinfecting phagemid-harboring bacteria with a helper phage. In addition, the helper phage provides the phage replication and assembly machinery that package both the phagemid and the helper genomes into virions. Therefore, two types of particles are secreted by such bacteria, helper and phagemid, both of which incorporate a mixture of recombinant and wild type pVIII proteins. The “type 88” system benefits by containing the two pVIII genes in one and the same infectious phage genome. Thus, this obviates the need for a helper phage and superinfection. Furthermore, only one type of mosaic phage is produced. The question arises, however, where one should introduce the second pVIII gene within the filamentous phage genome for efficient expression and genetic stability. The phage genome encodes 10 proteins (pI through pX) all of which are essential for production of infectious progeny (Felici et al, 1991). The genes for the proteins are organized in two tightly packed transcriptional units separated by two non-coding regions (Van Wezenbeek et al, 1980). One non-coding region, called the “intergenic region” (defined as situated between the pIV and pII genes) contains the (+) and the (−) origins of DNA replication and the packaging signal of the phage, enabling the initiation of capsid formation. Parts of this intergenic region are dispensable (Kim et al, 1981; Dotto et al, 1984). Moreover, this region has been found to be able to tolerate the insertion of foreign DNAs at several sites (Messing, 1983; Moses et al, 1980; Zacher et al, 1980). The second non-coding region of the phage is located between the pVIII and pIII genes, and has also been used to incorporate foreign recombinant genes as was illustrated by Pluckthun (Krebber et al, 1995). Regardless as to where a second pVIII gene is to be introduced, a major point for concern is the genetic stability of the ultimate vector and its derivatives. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is based on a critical examination of the attributes of the two non-coding regions of the fd filamentous phage as potential sites for insertion of a second recombinant pVIII gene and its genetic stability, resulting in the design and construction of an efficient “type 88” phage display expression system. The phage display expression system of the present invention includes a vector which is the DNA sequence of a filamentous phage into which a second pVIII gene, as well as DNA encoding a peptide of interest, are placed between the wild type pVIII and pIII genes. This allows production of type 88 phages displaying a peptide of interest with genetic stability and high copy number. The DNA encoding the second pVIII gene preferably uses alternative codons for encoding the amino acid residues of the pVIII protein. The native pVIII DNA sequence is separated from the recombinant pVIII sequence by a region encoding the wild type pVIII C-terminal domain and a terminator. The region encoding the wild type pVIII C-terminal domain is preferably designed to use alternative codons which are other than the native codons for encoding the same amino acids. In this way homologous recombination, slippage mechanisms and other genetic instabilities may be avoided. Preferably, the terminator at the end of the native pVIII DNA sequence is an HP terminator which is not native to the filamentous phage DNA. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a positive selection marker, such as the tetracycline or kanamycin resistant genes, is inserted between the native and recombinant pVIII genes. Preferably, a unidirectional promoter is substituted for the native bidirectional tetracycline resistant gene promoter. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the native intergenic space between pIV and pII is maintained. The present invention further relates to the filamentous phages encoded by the DNA discussed above. Such phages may be of any type, such as fd, M13 and f1, although fd is preferred. The peptide designed to be displayed by the phage of the present invention can be any peptide which is desired to be presented, such as a specific antigen. Indeed, any protein or peptide can be displayed on the phage of the present invention. The peptide displayed on the phage may be an epitope of an antigen, which phage can be used therapeutically as a vaccine. Furthermore, the peptide displayed on the phage may be a single-chain antibody, which phage can be used for passive immunization. Both of these embodiments are described in WO 01/18169. Alternatively, one can create a library of phages into which are incorporated, at the same site, each of a set of oligonucleotides that encode all possible random peptides of a given length, or a large subset of that set. Such a large subset should preferably represent a fraction of the full set with the theoretical complexity of the full set of random polypeptides of a given length. Libraries of phages can also be prepared which incorporate all, or a large subset of all, of the overlapping oligonucleotides that represent all of the overlapping peptides of a given antigen and, thus, create a phage display pepscan. Scrambled pepscans (PCT application no. WO 98/20169) and phage display two hybrid systems (PCT application no. WO 98/20159) may also be prepared by this technique. The phage display libraries of the present invention can be used in screening for molecules which bind to a particular displayed peptide of interest or in screening the peptides displayed on a library of phages to see which bind to a specific molecule of interest, all as is well known with respect to prior art phage display libraries. Once a molecule or peptide of interest is identified by means of the screen using the phages or phage display libraries of the present invention, the peptide or molecule so identified may be produced in a conventional manner. |
Enantiomerically selective cyclopropanation |
A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality said method comprising reacting together: a symmetrical 1,2-dioxine of the formula (1), wherein X and Y are the same and are groups in which a carbon atom is bonded to the dioxine backbone; and a phosphorus ylide or a phosphorus ylide precursor, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst containing a chiral ligand. |
1. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality said method comprising reacting together: i) a symmetrical 1,2-dioxine of the formula (1), wherein X and Y are the same and are groups in which a carbon atom is bonded to the dioxine backbone; and ii) a phosphorus ylide or a phosphorus ylide precursor; in the presence of iii) a cobalt catalyst containing a chiral ligand. 2. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, wherein the chiral ligand in the catalyst has the structure: —(OR′C═R′CR′C═NR′CHCHR′N═CR′CR′═COR′)— around the cobalt atom and wherein each R′ moiety may be independently selected from a wide range of groups including, but not limited to H, alkyl, aryl, keto, ester and a range of other functionalities. 3. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which the cobalt catalyst has the structure: Wherein R1 and R2 may be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl; R3 may be hydrogen, alkyl, t-alkyl, alkyl or aryl, alkoxy, aryl alkoxy; R3, R4, R5 and R6 may be independently H, alky, aryl, keto, or ester. 4. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 3, in which R1 and R2 are each the same and are selected from hydrogen, (CH2)4, or benzyl. 5. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 3, in which R3 is hydrogen, t-butyl, or benzyl ethyl, bornoxy, menthoxy, ethoxy or methyl. 6. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 3, in which R4 and R5 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, and t-butyl. 7. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1 in which the phosphorus ylide or phosphorus ylide precursor may be taken to mean a stabilized phosphorus ylide or a reactive compound capable of forming a phosphorus ylide in situ. 8. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which the phosphorus ylide or phosphorus ylide precursor is a compound of the formula: i) R7R8R9P=CZCO2R10; wherein R7, R8 and R9 may be the same or different and may be alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl; R10 represents a non bulky group such ac C1-4 alkyl or substituted alky, or a bulky group such as 1-adamantyl; and Z represents hydrogen or methyl; or ii) R7R8R9P═CONR10R11; wherein R7, R8, R9 and R10 have the values identified in (i) above and wherein R11 represents a C1-12 alkoxy grouping; iii) R7R8R9P═CN; or iv) (R70)2P(O)CH2CO2 R10 wherein R7 and R10 have the values identified in (i) above. 9. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which the phosphorus ylide is a non-bulky stabilized ylide. 10. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 9, in which the non-bulky stabilized ylide is benzyl 2-(triphenyl-λ-5 phosphanylidene) acetate. 11. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which the phosphorus ylide is a bulky ylide. 12. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which the bulky ylide is t-butyl 2-(triphenyl-λ-phosphanylidene) acetate. 13. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which the phosphorus ylide or phosphorus ylide precursor is selected from N,N-methoxymethyl-2-(1,1,1-triphenyl-λ5-phosphanylidene)acetamide; 2-(1,1,1-triphenyl-λ5-phosphanylidene) acetonitrile or methyl 2-(dimethoxyphosphoryl) acetate. 14. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which X and Y are selected from H, alkyl or aryl groups. 15. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, wherein the reaction is conducted in a solvent selected from acetonitrile, ethyl acetate/hexane admixtures, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, ether, toluene, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, and dichloromethane or mixtures thereof. 16. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which the reaction is conducted with catalyst concentration of up to 50 mol % catalyst relative to the 1,2-dioxine, and more preferably a catalyst concentration of 1-15 mol %. 17. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, wherein the optically enriched cyclopropanes are subjected to recrystallization or column chromatography. 18. A method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality according to claim 1, in which the enhanced chirality of the product, as determined by chiral shift n.m.r. techniques and expressed as an enantiomeric ratio may be as high as 90/10. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Cyclopropanes containing natural and non-natural products are receiving considerable attention as synthetic targets since the incorporation of the rigidified cyclopropyl skeleton into bioactive analogues leads to conformationally constrained molecules. Such modifications often have significant effects on bioactivities with concomitant medical implications. Cyclopropanes are also generated as transient species in primary and secondary metabolisms in man, plants and microorganisms. Thus, the great importance of functionalised cyclopropanes in organic synthesis spurs a continuing search for efficient stereo controlled cyclopropanation methodologies. Of particular importance is the deficiency in methods for the construction of diversely functionalised cyclopropanes that contain greater than di-substitution. Chemicals containing the cyclopropyl moiety may be used inter alia: in the preparation of cyclopropyl amino acids; the preparation of cyclopropyl pharmaceuticals; the preparation of cyclopropyl pesticides; the preparation of new cyclopropyl products for furrier biological evaluation by chemistry and biochemistry laboratories as well as the preparation of isotopically labelled cyclopropanes as bioactive probes. Cyclopropanes may be synthesised by a number of techniques including (i) the direct carbene transfer (both stoichiometric and catalytic) from a diazo precursor to an olefin utilizing transition metals (Rh, Cu, Zn, and Pd) and (ii) Michael addition of nucleophiles (usually sulphur ylides) to α, β-unsaturated ketones and esters followed by intra-molecular cyclization. Such methods, employing as they do, potentially explosive material or requiring reaction mixtures that are highly sensitive to moisture have certain practical drawbacks. An alternative reaction scheme for the synthesis of cyclopropanes involves the reaction between 1,2-dioxines and stabilised phosphorus ylides, is illustrated in reaction scheme 1. It is suggested that the ylide acts as a mild base inducing the ring opening of the 1,2-dioxine (1) to their isomeric cis γ-hydroxy enones (3) followed by Michael addition of the y]ide to the enone and attachment of the electrophilic phosphorus pole of the ylide to the hydroxyl moiety affording the intermediate 1-2λ-oxaphospholanes (4). Cyclization of the resultant enolate produces th cyclopropanes (5) in excellent yield. The cyclopropane products emerging from this reaction scheme have in the past been prepared as racemic mixtures. The present invention is directed to a synthetic route for the preparation of optically enriched cyclopropane compounds. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Therefore according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming a cyclopropane having enhanced chirality said method comprising reacting together: (i) a symmetrical 1,2-dioxine of the formula (1), wherein X and Y are the same and are groups in which a carbon atom is bonded to the dioxine backbone; and (ii) a phosphorus ylide or a phosphorus ylide precursor; in the presence of (iii) a cobalt catalyst containing a chiral ligand. Preferably, the cobalt catalyst hils one of the structures shown below wherein R1 and R2 may be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl; R3 may be hydrogen, alkyl, t-alkyl, alkyl or aryl, alkoxy, aryl alkoxy; R3, R4, R5 and R6 may be independently H, alkyl, aryl, keto, or ester In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a chiral cyclopropanation catalyst of the formulae shown below in Table 1 based on Cobalt Salen compounds and on Cobalt Beta-Ketoiminato compounds. |
Pyrazolecarboxamides, intermediates therefor and pest control agent comprising the same as active ingredients |
The present invention provides novel compounds with fungicidal and bactericidal activity as well as insecticidal and miticidal activity, which are useful for controlling hazardous biological organisms and belong to pyrazolecarboxamides represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 represents C1-C5 alkyl; R2 represents C1-C5 alkyl, C1-C5 haloalkyl, or the like; R3 represents hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl; R4 represents halogen, C1-C5 alkyl or the like; n is an integer of 0 to 4; R5 represents alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy or the like; n represents an integer of 1 to 5; and X represents hydrogen, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C3 alkoxy, halogen, C1-C3 haloalkoxy or nitro. |
1. Pyrazolecarboxamide represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 represents C1-C5 alkyl, R2 represents C1-C5 alkyl, C1-C5 haloalkyl, C1-C5 alkoxy or C1-C5 haloalkoxy, R3 represents hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl, R4 represents C1-C5 alkyl, C1-C5 haloalkyl, C1-C5 alkoxy, C1-C5 haloalkoxy or halogen, m is an integer of 0 to 4; R5 represents alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, haloalkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano, formyl, vinyl, alkoxycarbonyl, haloalkoxycarbonyl, acetyl, hydroxycarbonyl, alkylcarbamoyl or a group represented by wherein R7 and R8 each represents hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl, n represents an integer of 1 to 5, X represents hydrogen, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C3 alkoxy, halogen, C1-C3 haloalkoxy or nitro, or R2 and X may be taken together to form wherein R9 represents hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl. 2. The pyrazolecarboxamide according to claim 1, wherein R1 in formula (I) is methyl. 3. The pyrazolecarboxamide according to claim 1, wherein R2 in formula (I) is ethyl. 4. The pyrazolecarboxamide according to claim 1, wherein R5 in formula (I) is C1-C5 haloalkyl or C1-C5 haloalkoxy. 5. The pyrazolecarboxamide according to any one of claims 1 to 4 claim 1, wherein R3 in formula (I) is hydrogen. 6. The pyrazolecarboxamide according to claim 1, wherein X in formula (I) is hydrogen. 7. The pyrazolecarboxamide according to claim 1, wherein, in formula (I), m is an integer of 0 to 2 and n is 1 or 2. 8. Phenylbenzylamine represented by the following formula (II): wherein R3 represents hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl, R4 represents C1-C5 alkyl, C1-C5 haloalkyl, C1-C5 alkoxy, C1-C5 haloalkoxy or halogen, m is an integer of 0 to 4; n represents an integer of 1 to 5; and R6 represents haloalkyl or haloalkoxy, or an acid addition salt thereof. 9. A pest control agent comprising the pyrazolecarboxamide according to claim 1 as an active ingredient. 10. A fungicidal and bactericidal agent comprising the pyrazolecarboxamide according to claim 1 as an active ingredient. 11. An insecticidal and miticidal agent comprising the pyrazolecarboxamide according to claim 1 as an active ingredient thereof. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In the field of agriculture as well as horticulture and floriculture, various fungicides and bactericides, insecticides and miticides have been developed and used in a practical sense for the purpose of controlling various hazardous insects and plant diseases. However, it cannot be said that agricultural chemicals for common use in the related art have been satisfactory in terms of, for example, effect, spectrum and residual effect or have satisfied the demand to reduce the number and chemical dose to be applied. Additionally, the emergence of hazardous insects and plant diseases with acquired resistance against agricultural chemicals for common use in the related art is now problematic. For the cultivation of vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, teas, wheat, barley, oats, etc., rice plants and the like, various hazardous insects with acquired resistance against diverse types of insecticides of, for example, carbamate-series, pyrethroid-series, benzoyl urea-series, organic chloride-series, and organic phosphorus-series and various pathological microorganisms and bacteria with acquired resistance against various types of fungicides and bactericides of, for example, triazole-series, imidazole-series, pyrimidine-series, benzimidazole-series, dicarboximide-series, and phenylamide-series have emerged in various local regions. Therefore, it has been very tough increasingly year by year to control these various hazardous insects and pathological microorganisms and bacteria causing plant diseases, because of such emergence of these resistant hazardous insects. Thus, it has been consistently desired the development of a novel agricultural chemical of which a lower chemical dose can express a sufficient effect on the control of various pathological microorganisms and bacteria and hazardous insects with acquired resistance against insecticides and fungicides and bactericides for agriculture and horticulture and floriculture in the related art and which shows less adverse effects on environment. The present inventors found that N-benzylpyrazole-5-carboxamide derivatives had insecticidal and miticidal activity. Specifically, the publication of JP-A-64-25763 discloses the following compound with insecticidal and miticidal activity, and the like. Additionally, the publication of JP-A-3-81266 discloses that the following compound with phenoxy and the like have insecticidal and miticidal activity. However, Compound (III) with a structure similar to the compound of the present invention as disclosed in JP-A-64-25763 is so insufficient in view of the insecticidal and miticidal activity that the practical applicability of the compound is still low. Meanwhile, a compound with both fungicidal and bactericidal activity and insecticidal and miticidal activity is very useful for use in agriculture and horticulture and floriculture. Regarding fungicidal and bactericidal activity, it is known that only a compound with specific substituents among compounds described in JP-A-64-25763 has fungicidal and bactericidal activity (JP-A-3-206079). An object of the present invention to provide a new substance with a great effect on the control of various pathological microorganisms and bacteria and with usefulness in the control of insects and mites, particularly a highly safe substance with a great effect on the control of various hazardous insects and pathological bacteria causing plant diseases with acquired resistance against fungicides and bactericides and insecticides in the related art, because such a lower chemical dose thereof can express these effects that problems of residual toxicity and environmental pollution can be reduced. |
Radio communication interface module, and its use in a device reading, processing, transmitting and operating on a bar code |
A two-way radio communication interface module based on a predefined protocol for at least a user application, the module includes at least a radio circuit for transmitting and receiving digital signals and at least a programmable circuit with a radio microcontroller for managing the radio circuit. The radio microcontroller includes a software stack consisting of a first part called protocol stack topped by a second part called applicative abstraction stack, the software stack enabling adaptation based on the protocol between the digital signals and the data and instructions of the application, the applicative abstraction stack enabling at least the translation of the data and instructions of the application into data and instructions based on the protocol for processing in the protocol stack. |
1-31. (canceled) 32. Interface module (42) for two-way radiocommunication according to the <<Bluetooth®>> protocol for at least one user application having data and instructions to be communicated to an external device, the module including at least one radio electronic circuit (39, 40) for sending and receiving digital signals (43) and at least one programmable electronic circuit with a radio microcontroller (37) for managing the radio electronic circuit (39, 40), wherein the radio microcontroller (37) includes hardware means cooperating with software packages in the form of a software stack formed of a first section so-called protocol stack (38) topped with a second section so-called applicative abstraction stack (32), the software stack enabling adaptation according to the protocol between, on the one hand, the digital signals (43) and, on the other hand, the data and instructions of the user application, the applicative abstraction stack (32) enabling at least the translation of data and instructions of the user application into a corporate format in data and instructions according to the protocol for processing in the stack in order to enable the development of the application independently from the instructions and formats of the radiocommunication protocol, the module being a single hardware component also storing the user application in the form of a programme and ensuring its realization in the radio microcontroller (37), the software operation of the module being divided into tasks performed according to priorities, the tasks associated with the management of the radio circuit having higher priority than the execution tasks of the user application. 33. A module according to claim 32, wherein the applicative abstraction stack temporally manages the <<Bluetooth®>> connection mode, the interval of the running of the radio connection being modified according to the use of the module and in the course of time in order to manage the consumption of said module. 34. A module according to claim 33, wherein it includes, on the one hand, a radio printed circuit including an aerial, the radio electronic circuit for sending and receiving in the form of a radio and of a base band integrated circuit and the programmable electronic management circuit in the form of a microcontroller with storage means and, on the other hand, a printed circuit (41) interconnected with the radio printed circuit including at least one peripheral at least selected amongst: a digital input with possibly a comparator for level or transition detection, an analogue input with analogue-digital converter with possibly an analogue amplifier with programmable gain or not, a digital output, an analogue output with digital-analogue converter, a voltage controllable regulator or converter, an up/down counter, a real time clock, a charger circuit for battery, a logic circuit, a memory, a specialized programmable logic circuit notably selected amongst a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor or a dedicated circuit, a portion at least of the user application in the form of a programme being then stored in said specialized programmable logic circuit and said specialized programmable logic circuit ensuring then its realization, the applicative abstraction stack (32) may moreover comprise corporate software means for processing instructions for retrieving data from the peripheral and/or sending data to the peripheral. 35. A module according to claim 34, wherein it includes a reprogrammable memory as well as means enabling reprogrammation of said memory on the basis of data received by radiocommunication. 36. A module according to claim 35, wherein the user application is in the reprogrammable memory. 37. A module according to claim 36, wherein it is associated within a single box to an electrochemical supply source and at least one connector whereof the pins are linked with at least one interface of the module. 38. An application of the module according to claim 37 to the realization of symbol reading pen (1) support, the pen including in an optical sensor (2) a light source generating a light beam focused on the support and an optical detector intended to receive and convert the light reflected by the support into electric signals, the pen being stand-alone and including an internal electric power supply, the user application in the form of an operating programme including means for processing the electric signals of the optical detector and interfacing means via the radiocommunication module ensuring at least the transmission of said symbols according to said protocol to a data-processing equipment. 39. An application according to claim 38, wherein the symbols are barcodes. 40. An application according to claim 37 to the realization of a writing recognition reading pen, the pen including at least two accelerometers according to two axes X and Y corresponding to the writing plane and generating electric signals, the pen being stand-alone and including an internal electric power supply, the user application in the form of an operating programme including means for processing the electric signals and recognizing the writing, and interfacing means via the radiocommunication module ensuring at least the transmission of said writing according to said protocol to a data processing equipment. 41. An application according to claim 37 to the mains electric supply socket controlled by radiocommunication. 42. A method for reading, processing, transmitting and using a symbol on a support with a reading symbols pen according to claim 39, wherein: the symbol is read with the pen, said electric signals are processed in the interface module to generate digital and/or alpha-digital data, said digital and/or alpha-digital data are associated with a reader identifier in order to generate a chain of corporate data, and the chain of corporate data is transmitted in real time to at least one customer equipment including at least a software to carry out a command understandable by said customer equipment. 43. A method according to claim 42, wherein when a customer equipment is not available for reception, the chain of corporate data is stored in a memory of the reading pen. 44. A method according to claim 43, wherein in the customer equipment one associates moreover to the chain of corporate data at least one piece of data of customer equipment type in order to build a computer address depending then on the symbol, on the reader identifier and on the data of equipment type. 45. A method according to claim 44, wherein one implements a correspondence table in order to associate a computer address to the chain of corporate data, possibly associated with at least one piece of data of customer equipment type, the correspondence table being situated in a computer server distinct from the customer equipment. 46. A method according to claim 44, wherein one implements a correspondence table in order to associate a computer address with the chain of corporate data, possibly associated with at least one piece of data of customer equipment type, and that the correspondence table is stored in the customer equipment by selection according to a criterion in a global correspondence table situated in a computer server distinct from the customer equipment, the criterion including at least the reader identifier. 47. A method according to claim 46, wherein one encodes according to an encoding algorithm the digital and/or alpha-digital data before associating it with the reader identifier. 48. A method according to claim 46, wherein the computer address associated with the chain of corporate data is that of a computer server relaying an information request to another computer server. 49. A method according to claim 48, wherein the symbol is a barcode. 50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the support of the symbol is a display screen and that the symbols are barcodes corresponding to a successive temporal chaining of dark and clear surfaces on a display screen. 51. A method according to claim 33, wherein it includes, on the one hand, a radio printed circuit including a reprogrammable memory as well as means enabling reprogrammation of said memory on the basis of data received by radiocommunication. |
Method and divece for outputting data relating to information of a motor vehicle |
In a method for outputting data relating to user selectable information regarding a motor vehicle, a plurality of user selectable options relating to the information are represented, and data relating to the selected option is output. At least one context-dependent profile is defined, and a set of options determined by the profile is generated. Data are output as a function of the profiles and options. |
1-15. (canceled) 16. A method for outputting to a vehicle user, data relating to information concerning a motor vehicle, said method comprising: defining at least one context-dependent profile; generating user selectable options for at least one item of information, which options are characterized by the at least one context-dependent profile; and outputting data relating to a selected option, said data being selected from an entire data set as a function of the at least one profile. 17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein an operator control function which corresponds to the data which are output is executed as a function of the profiles and options. 18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a particular profile is provided for a predefinable user group. 19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a particular profile is provided for a predefinable vehicle environment. 20. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a particular profile is provided based on the type of vehicle. 21. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the options are presented and/or the data are output as a function of current vehicle parameters. 22. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: performing a plausibility check for a control operation that is carried out by the vehicle user; and presenting the options or outputting the data are output as a function of a result of said check. 23. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: storing preceding vehicle variables and/or preceding control operations; and presenting options or outputting the data, as a function of stored values. 24. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: processing the data further; and feeding the data to other systems in the motor vehicle. 25. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least part of a motor vehicle operating manual is presented as information. 26. A device for outputting to a vehicle user, data relating to information concerning a motor vehicle, said device comprising: a processing unit which generates, by reference to at least one defined context-dependent profile, a plurality of options which are associated with the at least one profile; interface means for representing the options generated by the processing unit; means for a user selecting at least one option from among the options generated by the processing unit and represented by the interface means; and means for outputting data relating to a selected option, as a function of the at least one profile. 27. The device as claimed in claim 26, further comprising at least one display unit for outputting data as a function of a data set which characterizes it. 28. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the selection means comprises a voice input. 29. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the selection means comprises a manual operator control element. 30. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein means are provided for audibly outputting options and/or data. 31. A method for selectively outputting vehicle related information to a vehicle user, comprising: providing an overall data set that includes data relating to said vehicle, said data being accessible according to a hierarchical classification structure, including a plurality of items of information, each of said items of information having associated therewith selected data from said overall data set, said selected data being selectively displayable according to a plurality of selectable options associated with said information; defining a plurality of context dependent profiles whose content is based on parameters characterizing at least one of said vehicle, its operation and said vehicle user; in response to designation of an item of information, generating a set of selectable options from among said plurality of selectable options, based on a particular context dependent profile; and outputting data relating to a selected option, as a function of the particular option. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention relates to a method and apparatus for outputting data providing information regarding a motor vehicle to a user of the motor vehicle. International Patent Document WO 98/34812 discloses a multimedia information and control system for a motor vehicle, in which the user selects the information of interest to him from a defined global set. Various options relating to the information are then offered, from which he can select at least one option and cause the respective data to be output. Furthermore, an operator control function which corresponds to the data that are output can be executed. One object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus of the generic type in which operating convenience for the user is increased and operating safety and traffic safety are improved. This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the method and apparatus, according to the invention, in which the type and number of the options generated with respect to the information is determined and the respective data are output, as a function of at least one context-dependent profile, thus providing the user with fast and simple access to data which are more wide ranging in that they describe the individual information more closely. As used herein, the word “information” designates a generic classification or heading under which various data can be grouped, for example “windshield wiper”. The data relating to particular information comprises assigned details which are stored in a memory and which can be output in different ways for the user: in the case of “windshield wiper”, for example, an introduction video for operator control or a brief audio explanation of the interval levels. The context-dependent profile relates to the characterization of at least one secondary factor in the interaction between the vehicle, the vehicle user and the environment (for example the user's age). By reference to the context dependent profile, the options which are associated with the “information” (e.g., windshield wipers) are conditioned in such a way that from a total set of options, only those options which are assigned to the context-dependent profile are generated. Furthermore, by using the context-dependent profile it is also possible to output data automatically, without the user's previously having selected an option. By means of the context-dependent profile the number of generated options from which the user can make a selection and the outputting of the data are determined in such a manner that a clearly organized and user-compatible representation is made possible. Thus, when an item of information relating to the motor vehicle is requested, a subset of the entire set of data relating to this information is selected as a function of the profiles. (The subset can of course also correspond to the entire data set.) The selected data are output in a way which is particularly data-optimized for the user. As a result, the sequence of selecting data and outputting data is shortened, depending on the context. The invention also makes a contribution both to convenience and to safety. For example, when a vehicle display lights up, the user is automatically offered an explanation of this vehicle display as a function of the profile, by reason of appropriate data being output. The user is thus immediately informed, without having to think about the explanation or even perform awkward control operations. Likewise it possible to provide the user with selective proposals as a function of the profiles and to instruct him about vehicle functions which are suitable to use in a specific situation. It is advantageous if an operator control function whose use is proposed with the data which is output, is triggered as a function of the profiles and options. As a result, the operating convenience is increased further, because the user does not need to search for the triggering means which are assigned to this operator control function by virtue of the fact that the proposed operator control function is triggered in an easy way which is optimized as much as possible with respect to time. Such direct triggering of the operator control function, without previous interrogation of the user makes it possible to trigger the operator control function much more reliably in particular in driving situations for which timing is critical. Alternatively, direct triggering of the operator control function may be provided. In this case, as a function of the profiles, a corresponding option is defined, said option being selected and then bringing about indirect triggering of the operator control function. An example of direct or indirect triggering occurs if the driver selects the reverse gear on his vehicle, and as a result, either an electrically movable rear roller blind is retracted (direct triggering) or the retraction of the rear roller blind is proposed as an option (indirect triggering). One advantageous embodiment of the invention selects, for a particular user, a context-dependent profile based on the assignment of that user to a defined user group. As a result, convenience is increased further in that a specific, group related information requirement is fulfilled. For example, the assignment of the user to a user group takes into account whether he or she is already familiar with the vehicle or the make of vehicle. For example, a first user group may comprise users for which the vehicle or the make of vehicle is new, and a second user group may comprise experienced users. If, for example, a user is assigned to the first user group, a specific context dependent profile is defined, bringing about an additional, explanatory outputting of data, for example relating to operator control elements. Alternatively or additionally, a brief explanation on the vehicle and its operator control elements is possible when the user is assigned to the first user group. The described assignment to user groups is carried out, for example, during visits for servicing of the vehicle. Thus, when the vehicle is handed back the “new user” profile can then be defined. On one of the subsequent visits to the workshop it is then possible to define the “experienced users” group. A further possibility of a predefinable user group is to select an “interested user” profile which, for example with respect to predefinable vehicle reactions, supplies data in the form of explanations or technical explanations on vehicle functions. By assigning the user to a user group for the disabled it is possible to output data as a function of the profile in order to support the user in specific situations. For example, given an assignment of the user to a “restricted hearing” user group, as a function of the profiles, supplementary visual data are output if according to standard practice an operator control element provides audible feedback in the vehicle. A user can also be assigned to more than one user group, so that more than one profile is assigned for him, preferably with different priorities assigned to different profiles. If a signal for representing options and/or for outputting data (below for the sake of simplification we only refer to the outputting of options or data) from two or more profiles is present, the options or data are output in correct order and as a function of the priority of the profile. Here, for example, the options or data with the highest priority are output immediately and additionally an option which the user can select in order to cause the further options or data to be output is illustrated. It is also possible to define separate profiles for a plurality of users, for example for a user who drives the vehicle, a user who is a front seat passenger, or a user who is sitting in the rear of the vehicle. In a profile which is defined for the driver of the vehicle, functions relating, for example, to driving safety are provided, while in a profile defined for the rear-seat passengers, audio and multimedia functions are provided, for example. In this manner, the operating reliability and thus the traffic safety are increased by the context-dependent profile for the driver of the vehicle. Similarly, for a rear-seat passenger the operating convenience is increased, and comprehensive information about the operator control functions which are available is provided. In addition it is also thus possible to define further profiles, for example it is possible to provide a specific profile for a service technician with a representation of options and/or outputting of data on the diagnostics of the vehicle. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention selects a context-dependent profile for a predefinable vehicle environment. Here, a user is informed about changes which have occurred in the course of his journey by presenting options and/or data which permit the user to prepare for changed conditions on his route, as a function of the profiles. For example, it is possible for him to obtain information about operator control functions which are suitable for the new conditions and to trigger these functions. Thus, in the case of a road in poor condition which is stored as an attribute in the digital road map of the vehicle, it is possible to present options as a function of the profiles and/or to output data relating to the operator control elements of a ride level controller (which sets the ground clearance of the motor vehicle). Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to define a country-specific profile. When it is detected that a national border has been crossed, information about country-specific traffic regulations are provided as a function of the profiles. A conventional device for locating the position of the vehicle is used, for example, to identify the border crossing. In a further refinement of the invention, context dependent profiles are defined with respect to the type of vehicle. As a result, a user is informed about changes which occur when the type of vehicle which he uses at a particular time changes. If the user changes, for example, from his previous vehicle model of his make of vehicle to a newer model, only options or data which relate to operator control elements which have changed or are new in comparison to his previously used vehicle are issued to him. This applies in an analogous way, for example, to retrofits or software updates of vehicles. In each case the differences between the current vehicle and the vehicle which is known to the user is determined first, and only those options or data which are associated with this difference for the user are output to the user as a function of the profiles. As a result, by virtue of the profiles, the user is informed about the possibilities which the currently used vehicle provides. These context-dependent profiles are preferably defined for a user individually according to a type of vehicle. It is possible, for example, for a “first user” profile to be present which explains innovations only a single time, while a “second user” profile explains these changes within a specific time period whenever a journey is begun. It is very advantageous to define context dependent profiles which output options and/or data as a function of at least one current vehicle variable, such as for example, currently measured sensor data or vehicle system states such as the heating level of the seat heating system or the range of the vehicle with the currently available quantity of fuel which is determined by the trip computer. As a result, a vehicle user can be informed particularly quickly about specific situations because, data corresponding to the situation indicated by the vehicle variables is issued to him, as a function of the profiles. For example, options or data relating to a TCS (Traction Control System) can be output if the wheels spin during the process of driving off. It is also possible to output, as a function of the profiles, instructions on “cutting free” (by the user briefly switching off the TCS during the process of driving off), by virtue of the fact that the operator control element for switching off the TCS is pointed out and/or direct triggering—i.e. deactivation—with or without previous interrogation of the user is brought about. In the case of a flat tire or an accident it is possible, for example, to issue options or data on the correct behavior in emergency situations and/or on the position of the warning triangle in the vehicle. The vehicle variables can also be transmitted from outside the vehicle, for example in wireless fashion by XFCD (“Extended Floating Car Data”). It is thus possible to transmit into the vehicle sensor data about weather conditions on the route ahead. The user is then issued with options or data as a function of the profiles such that the user can set an air conditioning system in his vehicle in a way which is advantageous for these conditions. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for a plausibility check for a control operation which is carried out by the user, with the options and/or the data being output as a function of the result of the plausibility check. This increases the operator control reliability and increases the convenience because a user is offered information about an operator control function or its operator control element as a function of the profile if he makes an operator control error or if an algorithm detects an operator control problem. As a result, it is possible, for example when there is multiple use of the operator control elements for main beam and/or indicator lights within a short period of time while it is raining at the same time, to offer and/or issue data on the operator control of the windshield wiper, in particular on how to switch it on, as options for selection. In a further configuration of the invention, vehicle variables and/or operator control operations are stored in a memory, which is initially interrogated before options are represented and/or data is output as a function of the profiles. If values relating to preceding vehicle variables or operator control operations are stored in the memory, these values are checked to determine whether they are to be taken into account in the representation of the current options and/or in the outputting of the current data. This further increases operating convenience because a rapid selection of options and/or data is matched individually to the user. As it were, a “memory” is provided by virtue of the fact that conclusions can be drawn relating to a current operator control operation, for example from analyzing preceding operator control operations. In the case of operator control steps which the user usually makes, it is thus possible to suppress a representation of information and outputting of data. The classification of operator control problems or the categorization of current vehicle variables is also improved by virtue of the fact that, for example, operator control steps which are specific to a user are detected and no longer classified as an operator control problem and explanatory data is output. Such a recognition can be achieved, for example, by using the methods of “artificial intelligence” (such as a neural network). By checking of values stored in the memory it is also possible to make modifications to the currently defined, context-dependent profile itself and/or retrieve and subsequently define a different context dependent profile. It is advantageous if at least part of an operating manual for the motor vehicle is represented as information relating to the motor vehicle. A method suitable for this purpose is described, for example, in the German Patent Application DE 199 59 755.3-21 whose content is included herein by reference. In this method, a current equipment variant of the motor vehicle is determined in a preceding step and a second database is generated from a first database as a function of this determined variant, this second database comprising only information on the operator control for the current equipment variant of the motor vehicle. In this way, a continuously updated information state relating to the motor vehicle and its operator control elements is ensured. The device according to the invention for processing and outputting data relating to information regarding a motor vehicle or its operator control elements comprises a display for representing options relating to the information (referred to below for short as first output means), a display for the user to select at least one option (referred to below for short as selection means), a display for outputting data relating to the selected option (referred to for short below as second output means) and a processing unit which generates, by reference to at least one defined, context-dependent profile, a number of options that are characterized by the profile and which processing unit outputs data as a function of the profiles and options. This processing unit may be embodied, for example, as a vehicle computer (a processing unit which is arranged in the vehicle). However, it can also be implemented by providing additional functions to a unit which is already present in the vehicle—for example a control device. The first output means and/or the second output means may be, for example, display units of conventional design such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or may be presented on the windshield (Head Up Display). It is advantageous here to embody the display unit as a function of the set of characteristics of the options and/or data (both of these are referred to below as data set). For example, a small data set may be output by means of a display which is already present in the vehicle, while a relatively large data set is output by means of a further relatively large display which is mounted on the dashboard or in the center console. In addition, further possibilities for displaying options and/or data are available. The outputting of the options and data can also depend on what technical equipment a vehicle has. For example, when a suitable display fails, it is possible to suppress the outputting of certain data (for example video sequences forming a short introduction to the vehicle for a new user). Of course, it is also possible to provide a joint display for outputting the options and data. In order to integrate the first and/or second output means with the selection means, a conventional touch-sensitive display (touch screen) is preferably provided. Alternatively or additionally, the selection means may be embodied as a voice operated controller, such as is already used today in motor vehicles, permitting the driver to concentrate his visual attention on the events on the road. Furthermore, the selection means may be embodied as a manual operator control element of conventional design, for example, in the form of a joystick, or as a combined rotary/pushbutton knob which has in each case a different number of latching positions depending on the number of options for the information. Such an operator control element is also already present in many vehicles (for example for controlling a navigation device), and can be used advantageously. Further possible operator control systems may be provided. In order to output the options or the selected data it is possible to provide means of a conventional design, for example audible outputs, such as an audio system, or haptic output (for example a force feedback operator control element, an opposing force being exerted at said operator control element when it is used). The means which is used for inputting and/or outputting may also be defined in a variable fashion as a function of the profiles, for example a visual output is replaced by an audible output as soon as the vehicle exceeds a defined limiting speed. Furthermore, the data which are output can be further processed and fed to other systems, in particular assistance systems in a motor vehicle. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention relates to a method and apparatus for outputting data providing information regarding a motor vehicle to a user of the motor vehicle. International Patent Document WO 98/34812 discloses a multimedia information and control system for a motor vehicle, in which the user selects the information of interest to him from a defined global set. Various options relating to the information are then offered, from which he can select at least one option and cause the respective data to be output. Furthermore, an operator control function which corresponds to the data that are output can be executed. One object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus of the generic type in which operating convenience for the user is increased and operating safety and traffic safety are improved. This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the method and apparatus, according to the invention, in which the type and number of the options generated with respect to the information is determined and the respective data are output, as a function of at least one context-dependent profile, thus providing the user with fast and simple access to data which are more wide ranging in that they describe the individual information more closely. As used herein, the word “information” designates a generic classification or heading under which various data can be grouped, for example “windshield wiper”. The data relating to particular information comprises assigned details which are stored in a memory and which can be output in different ways for the user: in the case of “windshield wiper”, for example, an introduction video for operator control or a brief audio explanation of the interval levels. The context-dependent profile relates to the characterization of at least one secondary factor in the interaction between the vehicle, the vehicle user and the environment (for example the user's age). By reference to the context dependent profile, the options which are associated with the “information” (e.g., windshield wipers) are conditioned in such a way that from a total set of options, only those options which are assigned to the context-dependent profile are generated. Furthermore, by using the context-dependent profile it is also possible to output data automatically, without the user's previously having selected an option. By means of the context-dependent profile the number of generated options from which the user can make a selection and the outputting of the data are determined in such a manner that a clearly organized and user-compatible representation is made possible. Thus, when an item of information relating to the motor vehicle is requested, a subset of the entire set of data relating to this information is selected as a function of the profiles. (The subset can of course also correspond to the entire data set.) The selected data are output in a way which is particularly data-optimized for the user. As a result, the sequence of selecting data and outputting data is shortened, depending on the context. The invention also makes a contribution both to convenience and to safety. For example, when a vehicle display lights up, the user is automatically offered an explanation of this vehicle display as a function of the profile, by reason of appropriate data being output. The user is thus immediately informed, without having to think about the explanation or even perform awkward control operations. Likewise it possible to provide the user with selective proposals as a function of the profiles and to instruct him about vehicle functions which are suitable to use in a specific situation. It is advantageous if an operator control function whose use is proposed with the data which is output, is triggered as a function of the profiles and options. As a result, the operating convenience is increased further, because the user does not need to search for the triggering means which are assigned to this operator control function by virtue of the fact that the proposed operator control function is triggered in an easy way which is optimized as much as possible with respect to time. Such direct triggering of the operator control function, without previous interrogation of the user makes it possible to trigger the operator control function much more reliably in particular in driving situations for which timing is critical. Alternatively, direct triggering of the operator control function may be provided. In this case, as a function of the profiles, a corresponding option is defined, said option being selected and then bringing about indirect triggering of the operator control function. An example of direct or indirect triggering occurs if the driver selects the reverse gear on his vehicle, and as a result, either an electrically movable rear roller blind is retracted (direct triggering) or the retraction of the rear roller blind is proposed as an option (indirect triggering). One advantageous embodiment of the invention selects, for a particular user, a context-dependent profile based on the assignment of that user to a defined user group. As a result, convenience is increased further in that a specific, group related information requirement is fulfilled. For example, the assignment of the user to a user group takes into account whether he or she is already familiar with the vehicle or the make of vehicle. For example, a first user group may comprise users for which the vehicle or the make of vehicle is new, and a second user group may comprise experienced users. If, for example, a user is assigned to the first user group, a specific context dependent profile is defined, bringing about an additional, explanatory outputting of data, for example relating to operator control elements. Alternatively or additionally, a brief explanation on the vehicle and its operator control elements is possible when the user is assigned to the first user group. The described assignment to user groups is carried out, for example, during visits for servicing of the vehicle. Thus, when the vehicle is handed back the “new user” profile can then be defined. On one of the subsequent visits to the workshop it is then possible to define the “experienced users” group. A further possibility of a predefinable user group is to select an “interested user” profile which, for example with respect to predefinable vehicle reactions, supplies data in the form of explanations or technical explanations on vehicle functions. By assigning the user to a user group for the disabled it is possible to output data as a function of the profile in order to support the user in specific situations. For example, given an assignment of the user to a “restricted hearing” user group, as a function of the profiles, supplementary visual data are output if according to standard practice an operator control element provides audible feedback in the vehicle. A user can also be assigned to more than one user group, so that more than one profile is assigned for him, preferably with different priorities assigned to different profiles. If a signal for representing options and/or for outputting data (below for the sake of simplification we only refer to the outputting of options or data) from two or more profiles is present, the options or data are output in correct order and as a function of the priority of the profile. Here, for example, the options or data with the highest priority are output immediately and additionally an option which the user can select in order to cause the further options or data to be output is illustrated. It is also possible to define separate profiles for a plurality of users, for example for a user who drives the vehicle, a user who is a front seat passenger, or a user who is sitting in the rear of the vehicle. In a profile which is defined for the driver of the vehicle, functions relating, for example, to driving safety are provided, while in a profile defined for the rear-seat passengers, audio and multimedia functions are provided, for example. In this manner, the operating reliability and thus the traffic safety are increased by the context-dependent profile for the driver of the vehicle. Similarly, for a rear-seat passenger the operating convenience is increased, and comprehensive information about the operator control functions which are available is provided. In addition it is also thus possible to define further profiles, for example it is possible to provide a specific profile for a service technician with a representation of options and/or outputting of data on the diagnostics of the vehicle. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention selects a context-dependent profile for a predefinable vehicle environment. Here, a user is informed about changes which have occurred in the course of his journey by presenting options and/or data which permit the user to prepare for changed conditions on his route, as a function of the profiles. For example, it is possible for him to obtain information about operator control functions which are suitable for the new conditions and to trigger these functions. Thus, in the case of a road in poor condition which is stored as an attribute in the digital road map of the vehicle, it is possible to present options as a function of the profiles and/or to output data relating to the operator control elements of a ride level controller (which sets the ground clearance of the motor vehicle). Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to define a country-specific profile. When it is detected that a national border has been crossed, information about country-specific traffic regulations are provided as a function of the profiles. A conventional device for locating the position of the vehicle is used, for example, to identify the border crossing. In a further refinement of the invention, context dependent profiles are defined with respect to the type of vehicle. As a result, a user is informed about changes which occur when the type of vehicle which he uses at a particular time changes. If the user changes, for example, from his previous vehicle model of his make of vehicle to a newer model, only options or data which relate to operator control elements which have changed or are new in comparison to his previously used vehicle are issued to him. This applies in an analogous way, for example, to retrofits or software updates of vehicles. In each case the differences between the current vehicle and the vehicle which is known to the user is determined first, and only those options or data which are associated with this difference for the user are output to the user as a function of the profiles. As a result, by virtue of the profiles, the user is informed about the possibilities which the currently used vehicle provides. These context-dependent profiles are preferably defined for a user individually according to a type of vehicle. It is possible, for example, for a “first user” profile to be present which explains innovations only a single time, while a “second user” profile explains these changes within a specific time period whenever a journey is begun. It is very advantageous to define context dependent profiles which output options and/or data as a function of at least one current vehicle variable, such as for example, currently measured sensor data or vehicle system states such as the heating level of the seat heating system or the range of the vehicle with the currently available quantity of fuel which is determined by the trip computer. As a result, a vehicle user can be informed particularly quickly about specific situations because, data corresponding to the situation indicated by the vehicle variables is issued to him, as a function of the profiles. For example, options or data relating to a TCS (Traction Control System) can be output if the wheels spin during the process of driving off. It is also possible to output, as a function of the profiles, instructions on “cutting free” (by the user briefly switching off the TCS during the process of driving off), by virtue of the fact that the operator control element for switching off the TCS is pointed out and/or direct triggering—i.e. deactivation—with or without previous interrogation of the user is brought about. In the case of a flat tire or an accident it is possible, for example, to issue options or data on the correct behavior in emergency situations and/or on the position of the warning triangle in the vehicle. The vehicle variables can also be transmitted from outside the vehicle, for example in wireless fashion by XFCD (“Extended Floating Car Data”). It is thus possible to transmit into the vehicle sensor data about weather conditions on the route ahead. The user is then issued with options or data as a function of the profiles such that the user can set an air conditioning system in his vehicle in a way which is advantageous for these conditions. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for a plausibility check for a control operation which is carried out by the user, with the options and/or the data being output as a function of the result of the plausibility check. This increases the operator control reliability and increases the convenience because a user is offered information about an operator control function or its operator control element as a function of the profile if he makes an operator control error or if an algorithm detects an operator control problem. As a result, it is possible, for example when there is multiple use of the operator control elements for main beam and/or indicator lights within a short period of time while it is raining at the same time, to offer and/or issue data on the operator control of the windshield wiper, in particular on how to switch it on, as options for selection. In a further configuration of the invention, vehicle variables and/or operator control operations are stored in a memory, which is initially interrogated before options are represented and/or data is output as a function of the profiles. If values relating to preceding vehicle variables or operator control operations are stored in the memory, these values are checked to determine whether they are to be taken into account in the representation of the current options and/or in the outputting of the current data. This further increases operating convenience because a rapid selection of options and/or data is matched individually to the user. As it were, a “memory” is provided by virtue of the fact that conclusions can be drawn relating to a current operator control operation, for example from analyzing preceding operator control operations. In the case of operator control steps which the user usually makes, it is thus possible to suppress a representation of information and outputting of data. The classification of operator control problems or the categorization of current vehicle variables is also improved by virtue of the fact that, for example, operator control steps which are specific to a user are detected and no longer classified as an operator control problem and explanatory data is output. Such a recognition can be achieved, for example, by using the methods of “artificial intelligence” (such as a neural network). By checking of values stored in the memory it is also possible to make modifications to the currently defined, context-dependent profile itself and/or retrieve and subsequently define a different context dependent profile. It is advantageous if at least part of an operating manual for the motor vehicle is represented as information relating to the motor vehicle. A method suitable for this purpose is described, for example, in the German Patent Application DE 199 59 755.3-21 whose content is included herein by reference. In this method, a current equipment variant of the motor vehicle is determined in a preceding step and a second database is generated from a first database as a function of this determined variant, this second database comprising only information on the operator control for the current equipment variant of the motor vehicle. In this way, a continuously updated information state relating to the motor vehicle and its operator control elements is ensured. The device according to the invention for processing and outputting data relating to information regarding a motor vehicle or its operator control elements comprises a display for representing options relating to the information (referred to below for short as first output means), a display for the user to select at least one option (referred to below for short as selection means), a display for outputting data relating to the selected option (referred to for short below as second output means) and a processing unit which generates, by reference to at least one defined, context-dependent profile, a number of options that are characterized by the profile and which processing unit outputs data as a function of the profiles and options. This processing unit may be embodied, for example, as a vehicle computer (a processing unit which is arranged in the vehicle). However, it can also be implemented by providing additional functions to a unit which is already present in the vehicle—for example a control device. The first output means and/or the second output means may be, for example, display units of conventional design such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or may be presented on the windshield (Head Up Display). It is advantageous here to embody the display unit as a function of the set of characteristics of the options and/or data (both of these are referred to below as data set). For example, a small data set may be output by means of a display which is already present in the vehicle, while a relatively large data set is output by means of a further relatively large display which is mounted on the dashboard or in the center console. In addition, further possibilities for displaying options and/or data are available. The outputting of the options and data can also depend on what technical equipment a vehicle has. For example, when a suitable display fails, it is possible to suppress the outputting of certain data (for example video sequences forming a short introduction to the vehicle for a new user). Of course, it is also possible to provide a joint display for outputting the options and data. In order to integrate the first and/or second output means with the selection means, a conventional touch-sensitive display (touch screen) is preferably provided. Alternatively or additionally, the selection means may be embodied as a voice operated controller, such as is already used today in motor vehicles, permitting the driver to concentrate his visual attention on the events on the road. Furthermore, the selection means may be embodied as a manual operator control element of conventional design, for example, in the form of a joystick, or as a combined rotary/pushbutton knob which has in each case a different number of latching positions depending on the number of options for the information. Such an operator control element is also already present in many vehicles (for example for controlling a navigation device), and can be used advantageously. Further possible operator control systems may be provided. In order to output the options or the selected data it is possible to provide means of a conventional design, for example audible outputs, such as an audio system, or haptic output (for example a force feedback operator control element, an opposing force being exerted at said operator control element when it is used). The means which is used for inputting and/or outputting may also be defined in a variable fashion as a function of the profiles, for example a visual output is replaced by an audible output as soon as the vehicle exceeds a defined limiting speed. Furthermore, the data which are output can be further processed and fed to other systems, in particular assistance systems in a motor vehicle. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. |
Trolley wheel assembly |
A trolley includes a front wheel assemblie (12) and a rear wheel assembly both assemblies mounted on a trolley frame. The front wheel assembly (12) includes a fixed wheel assembly (24) to aid control of the trolley. In one form the front wheel assembly (12) includes a pair of swivel castors (18) and a fixed wheel assembly (24) disposed between the castors (18). The front wheel assembly (12) is designed so that when the castors (18) swivel from their orientation for forward travel, the fixed wheel assembly (24) is caused to be lifted off the ground. The trolley also includes a camming device which is operative to lift the front wheel assembly (12) off the ground when the trolley is moved into a nested configuration with a like trolley. |
1. A trolley comprising a trolley frame, and front and rear wheel assemblies, one of the wheel assemblies including a pair of casters, each caster including a yoke mounted to the trolley frame in a manner that allows the caster to swivel about a first axis, and a caster wheel mounted to the yoke so as to be rotatable about a second axis which is transverse to said first axis, each caster being operative to adopt a first orientation for forward travel of said trolley, the one wheel assembly being configured so as to lift the trolley frame when the casters swivel about their first axes from the first orientation, wherein the one wheel assembly further comprises a fixed wheel assembly mounted to the trolley frame and including at least one wheel which has an axis of rotation which is orientated so that said fixed wheel assembly assists in maintaining directional control of said trolley in its forward travel, the wheel of the fixed wheel assembly being positioned to engage the ground when the castors are in the first orientation and to be off the ground when the trolley frame is lifted by swivelling of the casters about their first axes. 2. A trolley according to claim 1, wherein the one wheel assembly is configured to lift the trolley frame on swivelling of the casters from the first orientation by having the centre of the caster wheels radially displaced from their first axes and having the first axes inclined to the vertical and extending rearwardly of the trolley. 3. A trolley according to claim 1, wherein the fixed wheel assembly is disposed between the casters of the one wheel assembly. 4. A trolley according to claim 1, the one wheel assembly is the front wheel assembly. 5. A trolley according to claim 4, wherein the wheel of the fixed wheel assembly is aligned with the casters of the front wheel assembly. 6. A trolley according to claim 4 wherein the fixed wheel assembly is displaced either forward or rearward of the casters of the front wheel assembly. 7. A trolley according to claim 1, the other wheel assembly includes a pair of casters, each of the other wheel assembly casters including a yoke mounted to the trolley frame in a manner that allows the caster to swivel about a first axis, and a caster wheel mounted to the yoke so as to be rotatable about a second axis which is transverse to said first axis, each caster being operative to adopt a first orientation for forward travel of said trolley. 8. A trolley according to claim 1, wherein the fixed wheel assembly is the form of a fixed caster including a yoke mounted to the trolley frame, and a caster wheel rotatably mounted to the yoke. 9. A trolley comprising a trolley frame, and front and wheel assemblies, one of said wheel assemblies including a pair of casters each including a yoke mounted to the trolley frame which is operative to allow the casters to swivel about a first axis, and a caster wheel mounted to the yoke so as to be rotatable about a second axis which is transverse to said first axis, and an elongate member which extends through the respective yokes of said casters so as to maintain the casters in a first orientation for forward travel of said trolley and thereby prevent them swivelling about their respective first axes. 10. A trolley according to claim 9, wherein the elongate member forms the axle of the respective casters and thereby supports the caster wheels for rotational movement. 11. A trolley according to claim 9, wherein the trolley further comprises a fixed wheel assembly having at least one wheel and the elongate member forms the axle of the fixed wheel assembly and thereby supports the at least one wheel for rotational movement. 12. A trolley according to claim 11, wherein the caster wheels are smaller than the at least one wheel of the fixed wheel assembly. 13. A trolley according to claim 11, wherein the trolley is designed to be nested with another said trolley, wherein the front portion of one trolley is in overlapping relation with the rear portion of the other trolley, and wherein the trolley further includes lifting means which is operative to cause the wheels of the front wheel assembly of the one trolley to be lifted off the ground on nesting of the two trolleys. 14. A trolley according to claim 13, wherein the lifting means is in the form of complementary surfaces arranged to interengage during nesting of the trolleys. 15. A trolley according to claim 14, further comprising a camming device which includes a camming surface, the camming device being secured to the trolley so that the camming surface forms one of the complementary surfaces and engages a surface of the other trolley on nesting of the trolleys. 16. A trolley according to claim 15, wherein the trolley includes a basket having a rear gate, and wherein on nesting, the basket of the one trolley locates in the basket of the other trolley through the rear gate, and wherein the camming surface is positioned so as to engage a surface of the basket to cause lifting of the one trolley. 17. A trolley according to claim 16, wherein the camming device is mounted on a base surface of the basket and projects downwardly therefrom. 18. A trolley according to claim 16, the camming device is mounted to a base of the basket and projects upwardly therefrom. 19. A trolley according to claim 15, wherein the camming device comprises an elongate member having opposite ends and being profiled to form the camming surface intermediate the ends, the member further comprising engagement elements located at each end which are operative to be fixed to the basket of said trolley. 20. A trolley according to claim 19, wherein the basket of the trolley is formed from wire mesh and the engagement elements are in the form of eyelets which are operative to engage respective wire bars of the trolley basket. 21. A trolley comprising a trolley frame, and front and rear wheel assemblies mounted on said trolley frame, the trolley being designed to be nested with another trolley where a front portion of one trolley is in overlapping relation with a rear portion of the other trolley, and wherein the trolley further comprises lifting means operative to cause the wheels of the front wheel assembly of the one trolley to be lifted off the ground during nesting of the one trolley with the other trolley. 22. A camming device for a trolley, the camming device comprising an elongate member having opposite ends and being profiled to form a camming surface intermediate the ends, the member further comprising engagement elements located at each end that are operative to be fixed to the trolley. 23. A camming device according to claim 22, engagement elements are in the form of eyelets. 24. A camming device according to claim 22, wherein the camming device is made from sheet steel. 25. A method of retrofitting a trolley having front and rear wheel assemblies to incorporate a camming surface to improve nesting of the trolley with another trolley, the method comprising the steps of: providing a camming device comprising an elongate member having opposite ends and being profiled to form a camming surface intermediate the ends, and securing the camming device to the trolley in a position so that when the trolley is moved into a nested configuration with the other trolley, the camming surface is operative to engage the other trolley in the nested configuration so as to cause the rear trolley in the nested configuration to be lifted so that the front wheels of that trolley disengage the ground. 26. A method of securing a pair of casters mounted on a trolley body against swivelling, each caster having a wheel mounted on an axle passing through a yoke which is in turn rotatably mounted on said trolley body, said method including the steps of: providing an aperture in the yoke of each of said casters; positioning each caster wheel such that the rotation axes of the wheels are substantially coaxial; passing a rigid elongate member through each said aperture so as to maintain said rotational axis in a substantially coaxial relationship; and fixedly securing said elongate members to said yoke. 27. A pair of casters when secured against swivelling by a method according to claim 26. 28. (canceled) 29. (canceled) 30. (canceled) 31. (canceled) 32. (canceled) 33. (canceled) 34. (canceled) |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Shopping trolleys are typically configured with four fully swivelling casters, one caster being provided at each corner of the base of the trolley frame to form front and rear wheel assemblies. The use of four fully swivelling casters enables the shopping trolley to be manoeuvred forwards or sideways, however can render the trolley difficult to control, with steering a trolley around a corner or maintaining it in a straight path or on a sloped surface being particularly difficult. With the casters being free to swivel and therefore not providing any sideways resistance, altering the path of the trolley requires the operator to impart a moment directly on the trolley to rotate it as there are no fixed wheels about which the trolley can easily rotate. The difficulty in manoeuvring a trolley is increased when loaded with shopping, with the increased weight resulting in an increased moment being required to alter the path of the trolley. The applicant has found that a shopping trolley having the front pair of wheels fixed from swivelling, with the wheel axles in a co-axial relationship, and the rear wheels being able to swivel, not unlike a motor vehicle, is easier to manoeuvre. A trolley with such a configuration is able to pivot about the fixed set of wheels to alter its direction. The operator need only control this pivoting about the fixed wheels by applying a small sideways force to the trolley handle to direct the trolley along the required path. Whilst this arrangement is effective, the manoeuvrability of a trolley may be unduly limited, particularly when turning the trolley in tight situations. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Accordingly, an aim of the present invention is to ameliorate this problem whilst still utilising the advantages to trolleys of including a fixed wheel assembly. In its broadest terms, the invention is directed to a trolley including a trolley frame, and front and rear wheel assemblies, one of said wheel assemblies including a pair of casters, each including a yoke mounted to the trolley frame in a manner that allows the caster to swivel about a first axis, and a caster wheel mounted to the yoke so as to be rotatable about a second axis which is transverse to said first axis, each caster being operative to adopt a first orientation for forward travel of said trolley, and a fixed wheel assembly located between said casters, said fixed wheel assembly including at least one wheel which has an axis of rotation which is orientated so that said fixed wheel assembly assists in maintaining directional control of said trolley in its forward travel. In one form, the wheels of fixed wheel assembly and the casters in their first orientation are designed to engage the ground. In this arrangement, the fixed wheel assembly provides the directional control for the trolley, whilst the casters which are able to swivel provide the lateral stability for the trolley to prevent tipping. In another form, the wheel of fixed wheel assembly is designed to project below the level of the caster wheels when in their first orientation so that, in forward travel, the trolley is supported at said one wheel assembly by the fixed wheel assembly. The casters which may be fixed or swivelling, act as outrigger wheels to prevent sideways tipping of the trolley. In this latter arrangement, preferably the fixed wheel assembly includes a plurality of closely spaced wheels to provide more balanced support at the front of the trolley. The arrangement of the invention has significant advantages. By providing a central fixed wheel, enables the trolley to be manoeuvred more easily than is the case if the fixed wheels are widely spaced apart. Further, it provides a system which can be easily and inexpensively retrofitted to existing trolleys. It also maintains a useful purpose for the existing casters to enable the trolley to be stably supported. In particular, the arrangement enables the trolley to meet some government requirements whereby a trolley must be supplied with at least four wheels. In a particularly preferred form, when each caster adopts a second orientation which is angularly displaced from the first orientation about the first axis, the wheels of said casters are operative to extend below said wheel of said fixed wheel assembly so as to be operative to cause the wheel of the fixed wheel assembly to be off the ground. Preferably the second orientation is angularly displaced from said first orientation by 90 degrees. More preferably, the fixed wheel is operative to be lifted off the ground when either caster is displaced angularly from the first orientation by more than 20 degrees. Preferably, the caster wheel in each caster is offset from its first axis so that, in use, the caster wheel swivels about an arc around its first axis. In addition, preferably the caster is mounted to the trolley frame with the first axis inclined to the vertical so that in use, once swivelling of the casters about their respective first axes, the vertical displacement of the centre of the respective casters from a fixed point on the trolley varies. In a particularly preferred form, each caster is mounted to the trolley so that this vertical displacement is at a minimum when that caster is in its first orientation. This arrangement has particular advantage in that when either of the casters is caused to be angularly spaced about its first axis from the first orientation by a predetermined amount, that caster wheel is lower than the fixed wheel thereby lifting the fixed wheel off the ground. The degree of angular displacement required to provide adequate clearance to fully lift the fixed wheel off the ground will depend on the specific configuration of the wheel assembly, but the applicant has found that displacement of 10-20 degrees from the first orientation is ideal. Further, if the casters are operative to remain in contact with the ground at all times, they can be caused to swivel from the first orientation (and thereby lift the fixed wheel off the ground) simply by applying a sideways force to the trolley. This arrangement has the advantage that the fixed wheel assembly assists in controlling forward movement of the trolley, but does not inhibit sideways movement of the trolley as the caster wheels, as they pivot, would be caused to lift this fixed wheel assembly off the ground. In addition, the fixed wheel can inhibit the trolley inadvertently “running away” when it is stationery as it lessens the tendency to move sideways if parked on a sideways sloping surface. In one arrangement, the novel wheel assembly may be retrofitted to an existing trolley assembly by securing a fixed wheel assembly to the trolley body. This may be secured to the existing cross bar supporting the caster wheel assemblies or an additional cross bar may be installed. Further, the casters may be arranged to have their axes inclined to the vertical in the desired orientation merely by tilting the trolley frame which can be simply achieved by placing larger casters on the rear wheel assembly. Alternatively the caster swivel axis may be inclined by the addition of an appropriately tapered spacers mounted at the point of attachment of the caster to the trolley. In another form, an elongate rigid member is used to interconnect the frames of the caster wheel assemblies. In this latter arrangement, preferably the elongate member is used as the axle for the fixed wheel assembly. Appropriate spaces, or fixtures are provided on the axle to properly locate those fixed wheels in place. In a particularly preferred form of this latter arrangement, the elongate member extends through the frame axles of the respective casters. Further, the caster wheels from the pair of assemblies are removed and are used as part of the fixed wheel assembly. In their place, smaller outrigger wheels are used. The advantage of this arrangement is that the caster wheels are designed to be constantly in contact with the ground. As such, they are ideally suited to be used as the fixed wheel assembly. Further as the outrigger wheels are only used to prevent tipping of the trolley, an inferior wheel may be used as compared to the caster wheels, thereby further reducing the cost of retrofitting. In yet a further aspect, the invention is directed to a method of retrofitting a trolley using any one of the techniques described above. In a particularly preferred form, the front wheel assembly includes the fixed wheel assembly. In this arrangement preferably the rear wheel assembly includes pivoting casters, although other arrangements may be used. Whilst the design of the shopping trolley with a fixed wheel as part of the front wheel assembly aids control of an individual trolley, it may impede the manoeuvrability of the trolleys when in a nested configuration as a train as it significantly restricts the ability to be able to change the direction of the train of trolleys. Accordingly to a further aspect, the present invention provides a trolley including a trolley frame, and front and rear wheel assemblies mounted on said trolley frame, the trolley being designed to be nested with a like trolley where a front portion of one said trolley is in overlapping relation with a rear portion of another said trolley, and wherein the trolley further includes lifting means which is operative to cause the wheels of the front wheel assembly of the one trolley to be lifted off the ground during nesting of the one trolley with said other trolley. A trolley according to the above form has significant advantage. The trolley may exhibit improved manoeuvrability by having a fixed wheel assembly at the front wheel assembly according to any form described above. Further, the manoeuvrability of a train of nested trolleys in accordance with the invention is also significantly easier to manoeuvre by virtue of the lifting means which disengages each of the front wheels assemblies of the nested trolleys off the ground. With this arrangement, only the front wheel assembly of the front trolley in the train is in engagement with the ground. Therefore the train includes one fixed front wheel assembly with the remaining wheels being part of the individual trolleys rear wheels which are preferably casters. This provides an arrangement which is easier to manoeuvre than traditional trains of nested shopping trolleys which includes only swivelling casters. Further, by virtue of the fact that the front wheel assemblies of the nested trolleys is disengaged from the ground, the number of wheels actually in contact with the ground in any train is significantly reduced which further improves the manoeuvrability of the train of nested trolleys. In a preferred form, the lifting means is in the form of a camming surface arranged to engage a complementary surface on the like trolley during nesting. Through that engagement, the wheels on the front wheel assembly of the one trolley is caused to move off the ground. This camming arrangement may be located on any suitable part of the trolley such as on the basket, or trolley frame. In an alternative form, the front wheel assembly may be operative to move out of engagement with the ground using a different mechanism as the lifting means. For example, the wheel assemblies may be pivotable from an extended to a retracted configuration, and wherein on nesting of the one trolley with the like trolley, the front wheel assemblies may be caused to move from their extended position to their retracted position. In yet a further aspect, the present invention relates to the retrofitting of existing shopping trolleys so as to provide the enhanced manoeuvrability afforded by the shopping trolleys of the earlier aspects of the invention. In particular, in one aspect the invention is directed to retrofitting existing shopping trolleys so as to incorporate the lifting means. This aspect aims to use techniques which are inexpensive which thereby will not be prohibitively expensive to retrofit hundreds of shopping trolleys in a typical supermarket. In accordance with this further aspect, the invention relates to a camming device for a trolley, the camming device including a body incorporating a camming surface, and attachment means operative to fix the camming device to said shopping trolley, the trolley including a basket incorporating a rear gate and the trolley being designed so as to be able to adopt a nested configuration with a like trolley, where the basket of one trolley locate through the rear gate of another trolley so that when nested, a substantial portion of the basket of the one trolley is disposed within the basket of the like trolley, and wherein in use, when the camming device is fixed to the trolley, the camming surface is operative to engage the other trolley in the nested configuration so as to lift the one trolley as it is moved into the nested configuration so as to cause the front wheel assembly to disengage the ground. In a preferred form, the camming device includes an elongate member having opposite ends, the member being shaped so as to form a camming surface intermediate the ends, and wherein the attachment means comprises engagement elements located at each end which are operative to be fixed to the trolley. In a preferred form, the camming device is operative to be secured to the basket of the trolley and the engagement means is preferably in the form of eyelets which are operative to engage respective wire bars of the trolley basket. The advantage of this arrangement is that the camming device is inexpensive, and the method of attachment can be easily performed by providing the eyelets in partially open form on respective wire bars of the basket and merely clinching them to securely affix them in place. In yet a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of retrofitting a trolley to incorporate a camming device which includes the steps of providing a camming device in any form described above, and securing the camming device to the trolley in a position so that when the trolley is moved into a nested configuration with a like trolley, the camming device on one of the trolleys is operative to engage the other of the trolley in the nested configuration so as to cause the one trolley to be lifted so that the front wheels disengage the ground in the nested configuration. It is to be appreciated that the trolley including the lifting means in accordance with these aspects of the invention is ideally suited to be used in conjunction with a trolley including the front wheel assembly with a fixed wheel assembly in accordance with the earlier aspects of the invention. Alternatively, it may be used with trolleys having other arrangements of front wheel assemblies, whether they include a fixed wheel or not. In yet a further aspect, the invention relates to methods and systems to modify an existing pair of caster wheel assemblies so as to provide a fixed axle wheel arrangement using simple and inexpensive techniques. Accordingly, in this aspect, there is disclosed herein apparatus adapted to secure a pair of casters mounted on a trolley body against swivelling, each said caster having a wheel mounted on an axle passing through a yoke which is in turn rotatably mounted on said trolley body, said apparatus including: a rigid elongate member adapted to pass through an aperture provided in each said yoke such that the rotation axes of said wheels are substantially coaxial, and means for fixedly securing said elongate member to said yokes. Typically said elongate member has a circular cross-section toward each end therefor and is adapted to replace the axle of each of said casters. Typically said securing means includes a pair of nuts each respectively adapted to thread onto a threaded portion provided at each respective end of said elongate member so as to abut the respective said yoke. Typically said securing means includes means for abutting each said yoke on an opposing side thereof to the associated elongate member end. Preferably said abutting means includes a pair of circlips each adapted to be received in a groove provided in said elongate member, each said groove being positioned such that, in use, each said circlip abuts a said frame. Preferably said abutting means includes a pair of shoulders each defined by a change in cross-section of said elongate member. Alternatively the apparatus further includes a sleeve locatable over the elongate member and wherein opposite ends of the sleeve provides said abutting means. There is further disclosed herein a method of securing a pair of casters mounted on a trolley body against swivelling, each said caster having a wheel mounted on an axle passing through a yoke which is in turn rotatably mounted on said trolley body, said method including the steps of: providing an aperture in the yoke of each of said caster wheel assemblies; positioning each said caster such that the rotation axes of said wheels are substantially co-axial; passing a rigid elongate member through each said aperture so as to maintain said rotation axes in a substantially co-axial relationship, and fixedly securing said elongate member to said yokes. Typically said elongate member is circular in cross-section towards each end thereof and said step of providing an aperture in each yoke is achieved by removing the axle of each said caster, said elongate member replacing said axles so as to provide said axes of rotation of said wheels. There is still further disclosed herein a method of modifying the handling characteristics of a shopping trolley having four caster wheel assemblies mounted on the body thereof, said method including the step of securing either the front or rear pair of caster wheels against swivelling according to the above disclosed method. There is still further disclosed herein a trolley modified by the above method. Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel trolley and associated methods of modification of existing trolleys, which has the advantage of the fixed front wheels, but have improved manoeuvrability, and which may be inexpensively retrofitted to be incorporated into existing trolleys. |
Method for obtaining data relating to the sentiment on a stock exchange |
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining data relating to the sentiment of transactions on an (electronic) stock exchange, comprising the following steps of:—entering by a potential principal for stock exchange transactions electronically to one or more computers with one or more memories for storing therein one or more databases of transactions considered by this potential principal for a determined time period; and subsequently, i.e. after a predetermined closing time for entering the transactions, determining a stock exchange sentiment on the basis of the content of the databases. |
1. A method for obtaining data relating to the sentiment of transactions on an (electronic) stock exchange, comprising the steps of: entering by a potential principal for stock exchange transactions electronically to one or more memories for storing therein one or more databases of transactions considered by this potential principal for a determined time period; and subsequently, i.e. after a predetermined closing time for entering the transactions, determining a stock exchange sentiment on the basis of the content of the databases. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of inputting by the principal of data concerning the actually performed transactions. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step for determining differences between intended transactions and performed transactions. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step for inputting reasons for differences between intended transactions and performed transactions. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the period of time is a day. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising a step for: determining a fund score in respect of a stock exchange fund by relating data concerning desired transactions in a period of time to data concerning desired transactions in a subsequent period, wherein the closing price of the day is stored in the database if it is a significant sentiment. 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein a sentiment is significant if there is a difference in fund score of at least a predetermined percentage. 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step for determining a price prediction by relating the closing price from the databank in respect of desired transactions of the day to the closing price in respect of desired transactions after a second period of time, wherein there results a positive significant difference in a first price prediction and a negative significant difference in a second price prediction. 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step for determining the chance of a successful price prediction by relating a number of significant price predictions to the total number of price predictions. 10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step for supplying one or more of said data to principals. 11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transactions are purchase and/or sale transactions. 12. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second period of time is a period of for instance two weeks. 13. A system of one or more computers coupled via one or more networks to one or more other computers for performing the method as claimed in claim 1. 14. A system comprising one or more computers, comprising means for performing a method for obtaining data relating to the sentiment of transactions on an (electronic) stock exchange, further comprising: input means for entering by a potential principal for stock exchange transactions electronically to one or more computers with one or more memories for storing therein one or more databases of transactions considered by the potential principal for a determined time period, and processing means for subsequently, i.e. after a predetermined closing time for entering the transactions, determining a stock exchange sentiment on the basis of the content of the databases. 15. The system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising input means for performing a step for inputting of data by the principal concerning the actually performed transactions. 16. The system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising processing means for performing a step for determining differences between intended transactions and performed transactions. 17. The system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising input means for performing a step for inputting reasons for differences between intended transactions and performed transactions. 18. The system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising means comprising a parameter wherein the period of time is a day. 19. The system as claimed in claim 14, comprising: processing means for determining a fund score in respect of a stock exchange fund by relating data concerning desired transactions in a period of time to data concerning desired transactions in a subsequent period, wherein the closing price of the day is stored in the database if it is a significant sentiment. 20. The system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising processing means for determining that a sentiment is significant if there is a difference in fund score of at least a predetermined percentage. 21. The system as claimed in one or more of the claim 20, further comprising processing means for performing a step for determining a price prediction by relating the closing price from the databank in respect of desired transactions of the day to the closing price in respect of desired transactions after a second period of time, wherein there results a positive significant difference in a first price prediction and a negative significant difference in a second price prediction. 22. The system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising processing means for performing a step for determining the chance of a successful price prediction by relating a number of significant price predictions to the total number of price predictions. 23. The system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising processing means for performing a step for supplying one or more of said data to principals. 24. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the transactions are purchase and/or sale transactions. 25. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the second period of time is a period of for instance two weeks. |
Specific detection of proteolytic enzymes |
Specific detection of proteolytic enzymes is achieved by extinguishing dye fluorescence by the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is disposed on one side of the cutting site of a proteolytic enzyme while an amino acid marked with a dye is arranged on the other side. Extinction of fluorescence occurs prior to enzyme cutting. Spatial separation of the tryptophan and the dye takes place after cutting, whereby fluorescence extinction does not occur. The dye can then fluoresce and a signal increase occurs thereby indicating that cutting has been carried out and the presence of the enzyme. |
1. (canceled) 2. The peptide as claimed in claim 21, wherein the fluorescent dye is one of an oxazine derivative or a rhodamine derivative. 3. A method for the detection of an endopeptidase comprising the following steps: mixing the peptide as claimed in claim 21 and an enzyme to be detected in a solution; and determining an intensity of emission of the fluorophore in the solution. 4. A device on which a peptide as claimed in claim 21 is immobilized. 5. A device for immobilizing the peptide as claimed in claim 21, wherein the peptide is immobilized on the device in such a way that after cleavage by the enzyme to be detected, the fluorophore remains immobilized on a surface, whereas the quencher is no longer immobilized on the surface. 6. (canceled) 7. The peptide as claimed in claim 22, wherein the fluorescent dye is an oxazine derivative or a rhodamine derivative. 8. The peptide as claimed in claim 22, wherein: the quencher is at least one first fluorescent dye; the fluorophore is at least one second fluorescent dye; the at least one first and one second fluorescent dye can couple covalently to peptides or proteins; and the at least one first and second fluorescent dye can quench each other. 9. A method for the detection of an exopeptidase comprising the following steps: mixing a peptide as claimed in claim 22 and the enzyme to be detected in a solution; and determining the intensity of emission of the fluorophore in the solution. 10. A device on which a peptide as claimed in claim 22 s immobilized. 11. A device for immobilizing the peptide as claimed in claim 22, wherein the peptide is immobilized on the device in such a way that after cleavage by the enzyme to be detected, the fluorophore remains immobilized on the surface, whereas the quencher is no longer immobilized on the surface. 12. (canceled) 13. (canceled) 14. The peptide as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fluorescent dye is an oxazine derivative or a rhodamine derivative. 15. The peptide as claimed in claim 23, wherein the quencher is at least one first fluorescent dye; the fluorophore is at last one second fluorescent dye; the at least one first and second fluorescent dye can couple covalently to peptides or proteins; and the at least one first and second fluorescent dye can quench each other, 16. (canceled) 17. A method for the detection of an endopeptidase comprising the following steps; mixing a peptide as claimed in claim 23 at least one exopeptidase and the endopeptidase to be detected, in a solution; and determining the intensity of emission of the fluorophore in the solution. 18. (canceled) 19. (canceled) 20. Kit comprising the peptide as claimed in claim 23 and including at least one exopeptidase. 21. A peptide with the following properties, the peptide comprising an identification sequence of an endopeptidase and functioning as substrate for the endopeptidase and providing a cleavage site between two amino acids at the identification sequence in the peptide; and at least one fluorophore in the form of a fluorescent dye for covalently coupling to peptides or proteins and located at one side of the cleavage site; and at least one quencher in the form of tryptophan arranged on the other side of the cleavage site; and wherein the quencher is sufficiently proximate to the fluorophore so that before the substrate at the cleavage site between quencher and fluorophore is cleaved, at least a partial quenching of a fluorescent emission from the fluorophore is realized; and wherein after the substrate is cleaved by the endopeptidase at the cleavage site, emission by the fluorophore is increased. 22. A peptide with the following properties, comprising: an amino acid sequence, and at least one group containing tryptophan as a quencher and a fluorescent dye as a fluorophore on different amino acids; wherein the fluorescent dye is able to couple covalently to peptides or proteins and to emit fluorescence that is quenched by tryptophan; wherein the sequence contains sufficient spatial proximity between the quencher and the fluorophore so that as long as the amino acids carrying the quencher and the fluorescent dye have not been separated by an exopeptidase, at least a partial quenching of the emitted fluorescence of the fluorophore is realized; and wherein after the amino acids carrying the quencher and the fluorescent dye are separated by the exopeptidase, at least a partial increase in fluorescent emission of the fluorophore is realized. 23. A peptide with the following properties, the peptide comprising: an identification sequence of an endopeptidase and functioning as substrate for the endopeptidase and providing a cleavage site between two amino acids at the identification sequence in the peptide; and a stop group that prevents an exopeptidase from digesting the peptide and arranged at one end of the peptide; and wherein the identification sequence includes at least one group containing a quencher and a fluorophore on different amino acids and arranged downstream from the stop group; wherein the quencher and the fluorophore are sufficiently proximate, so that as long as the amino acids carrying the quencher and the fluorescent dye have not yet been separated by an exopeptidase, at least a partial quenching of the emission of the fluorophore is realized; and wherein after the amino acids carrying the quencher and the fluorescent dye are separated by an exopeptidase, a spatial distance is realized between the quencher or any other quencher and the fluorophore sufficient to realize an at least partial increase in emission the fluorophore. 24. The peptide as claimed in claim 23, wherein the fluorophore is a fluorescent dye for coupling covalently to peptides or proteins and the quencher is tryptophan for quenching the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent dye. |
Modifiable assembly of microscopic apertures |
The invention concerns a modifiable assembly of microscopic apertures comprising several plates (100, 110) coated with an opaque deposition except on transparent parts, for example (101, 114, 115), capable of sliding relative to one another, separated by an oil layer (117). The invention is applicable to microscopic apertures for single-point or multiple-point confocal microscopy. |
1. A modifiable set of at least one pinhole intended for filtering a light beam, comprising several plates (100, 110) each carrying at least one pinhole, one of these plates (110) carrying at least two pinholes, said several plates being placed against each other and being able to slide with respect to each other, in order to form the modifiable set of at least one pinhole by the superimposition of pinholes (114, 101) in said several plates, and to modify, by sliding said plates with respect to each other, the number and/or size of the pinholes in said modifiable set of at least one pinhole. 2. A modifiable set of at least one pinhole as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two plates (100, 110) are transparent windows on which said pinholes are produced by the deposition of an opaque layer by a lithographic method, and wherein said opaque layers of these two plates are turned towards each other, so that the space between said opaque layers is as small as possible. 3. A modifiable set of at least one pinhole as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one of said plates (1040; 1041) is a fine opaque sheet in which said pinholes are obtained by piercing. 4. A modifiable set as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plates (1040, 1041, 1042, 1051) consisting of fine opaque sheets are placed against each other and clamped between two thick plates, in order to prevent any deformation of said plates consisting of fine opaque sheets. 5. A modifiable set as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said plates are separated from each other by layers of a transparent lubricating liquid. 6. A modifiable set as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sliding of one of said plates with respect to an adjacent plate takes place by translation along an axis, and wherein these two plates are positioned with respect to each other by means of microscopic guide rails (1101, 1102,1103, 1111, 1112, 1113). 7. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in claim 6, comprising several microscopic guide rails. 8. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in claim 7, wherein the microscopic guide rails are produced by lithography. 9. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: it comprises a first intermediate set of pinholes (101) formed by one or more of said plates (100), and a second intermediate set of pinholes (115, 114, 113, 112, 111) formed by one or more of said plates (110), it comprises a means for making the second intermediate set slide with respect to the first intermediate set so as to pass from a first configuration to a second configuration, at least one hole in the second intermediate set which is superimposed on a hole in the first intermediate set in the first configuration is not superimposed on a hole in the first intermediate set in the second configuration, so that the number and/or size of the holes is determined by the number and/or size of the holes in the second intermediate set which are superimposed on the holes in the first intermediate set. 10. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in claim 9, wherein the number of holes in the second intermediate set (320) which are superimposed on holes in the first intermediate set (310) in the first configuration differs from the number of holes in the second intermediate set which are superimposed on holes in the first intermediate set in the second configuration, so that the number of holes in the modifiable set of pinholes in the second configuration differs from the number of holes in the modifiable set of pinholes in the first configuration. 11. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in claim 9, wherein the size of the holes in the second intermediate set (300) which are superimposed on holes in the first intermediate set (310) in the first configuration differs from the size of the holes in the second intermediate set which are superimposed on holes in the first intermediate set in the second configuration, so that the size of the holes in the modifiable set of pinholes in the second configuration differs from the size of the holes in the modifiable set of pinholes in the first configuration. 12. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, comprising means for continuously moving the plates (400) with respect to each other so that this continuous movement results in a continuous modification of the surface of each pinhole. 13. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in a reference position, the pinholes in said several plates (400) are exactly superimposed on each other. 14. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 12 or 13, comprising means for generating a translation movement of the ith plate in a direction oriented at 2 π N i radians in a reference frame common to the N plates constituting the set of pinholes. 15. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the pinholes are polygons with 2N sides, where N is the number of plates constituting the set of pinholes. 16. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in claims 14 and 15, wherein the directions of the translation movement of the plates with respect to each other are directed along midperpendiculars of the polygons. 17. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the sliding of the plates with respect to each other is obtained by means of an iris diaphragm mechanism (FIG. 16). 18. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 1 to 16, wherein one of the plates (110) is moved by means of a linear positioner along an axis. 19. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 1 to 16, wherein one of the plates (1051) is moved by means of a two-axis positioner. 20. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 1 to 19, comprising exactly two plates. 21. A modifiable set of pinholes as claimed in one of claims 1 to 20, comprising at least two pinholes. |
<SOH> TECHNICAL FIELD <EOH>The invention concerns a microscopic hole or a set of microscopic holes (pinholes), the number of these holes and/or their size being able to be modified easily. Such a set of pinholes is intended to be used for various applications in optics, in particular in confocal microscopy. |
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