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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1202672 filed Oct. 5, 2012. This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of transmission between a transmitter and a receiver using a mode of adaptive modulation and coding, wherein the modulation and coding are selected based on the comparison of a characteristic variable of the signal to noise ratio measured by the receiver with a threshold value plus a margin, which margin is variable depending on the prior change in the signal to noise ratio.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The transmissions, in particular by satellite in the Ka (K-above) and EHF (Extremely High Frequency) bands are sensitive to various different phenomena that can degrade the budget of the link between a transmitter and a receiver. These phenomena can lead to very rapid variations, such as masking or interference. The connection of the link can then be reduced by several decibels per second.
Other phenomena, such as weather related variations, in particular rain fade or antenna pointing errors have rapid effects that lead to a reduction of the gain by a few tenths of decibels per second.
Finally, other phenomena, such as the geographic location or situation of the receiver when it is mobile may result in slower variations of the gain of the link of the order of a hundredth of a decibel per second.
In order to be better adapted to these variations, mechanisms for adapting the modes of modulation and coding have been implemented. The goal is to dynamically adapt the parameters of the waveform so as to be well adapted to the link budget. This mechanism is known by the acronym AMC in English, for “Adaptive Modulation and Coding”.
As it is known per se, the AMC mechanism makes it possible, by comparing the signal to noise ratio to the baseline reference values to define the mode of modulation and coding adapted to the conditions of the link.
The propagation of information between the entities of the chain of transmission for transmitting the information pertaining to the state of communication and orders of change in modulation and coding requires a substantial amount of time, so that when the signal to noise ratio decreases, it takes a certain amount of time for the transmitter to be able to react to this decrease.
In order to ensure that the signal to noise ratio of the link is never less than a baseline reference signal to noise ratio necessary for the receiver, it is a well known practice to provide for a margin, added to the baseline reference signal to noise ratio in order to anticipate the losses of the link budget and to be able to change the modulation and coding early enough before the conditions become far too degraded.
This margin is called AMC margin.
The AMC margin depends on the worst case scenario variation of link budget to which the transmission system must be resistant as well as the reaction time of the system.
In general, the AMC margin is static and is of the order of 2 to 3 decibels for transmissions in the Ka band and the AMC margin may be higher in the EHF band.
When the conditions for signal propagation are stable, typically with a clear sky, the margin is unnecessary since the signal to noise ratio does not vary. The transmission power is thus 2 to 3 decibels higher than necessary thereby causing a decrease of the speed or the bandwidth of the order of 50% to 100%.
It is a known technique to make the AMC margin vary based on the historical information related to the change in the signal to noise ratio.
These solutions have the drawback of sometimes impose unnecessarily high AMC margins. The variation in signal to noise ratio may be of the order of 20 decibels, leading to the possibility of retaining an AMC margin of around several decibels, without this improving the communication, the phenomena deemed to have caused the variation in signal to noise ratio having been very brief and thus not having needed to be compensated for by a change in modulation or coding.
The aim of the invention is to provide a method of transmission with adaptive modulation and coding in which the changing of the AMC margin:
makes possible the optimisation of the transmission power when conditions for signal propagation are stable does not lead to changes in the mode of coding or modulation considered unnecessary, in particular in the event of masking or interference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To this end, the object of the invention relates to a method of transmission of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the margin changes based on a statistical function with an order greater than 1 of the characteristic variable of the signal to noise ratio measured by the receiver over at least one time horizon.
According to particular embodiments of implementation, the method comprises of one or more of the following characteristic features:
the margin changes based on a linear combination of statistical functions with an order greater than 1 of the characteristic variable of the signal to noise ratio measured by the receiver over several time horizons of different lengths; the number of time horizons considered is between 2 and 4; the or each time horizon has a duration between 2 and 90 seconds; the statistical function depends on the standard deviation of the characteristic variable of the signal to noise ratio measured by the receiver; the statistical function depends on the standard deviation of the characteristic variable of the signal to noise ratio measured by the receiver or on a predetermined maximum value of the standard deviation if the standard deviation of the characteristic variable of the signal to noise ratio measured by the receiver is greater than the maximum value; the said method includes the calculation of a predicted signal to noise ratio that corresponds to the difference between the measured signal to noise ratio minus at least one variable margin, and the modulation and coding are selected based on the comparison of the predicted signal to noise ratio with a threshold value plus a fixed margin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood upon reading the description which follows, provided solely by way of example and with reference made to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a transmission installation for the implementation of the method according to the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the algorithm for determination of the modes of modulation and coding in the transmission method according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1 a transmission installation 10 is represented that demonstrates the implementation of a transmitting station 11 a satellite 12 and a ground receiving station 14 . The transmission takes place for example by band or in EHF band from the transmitting station 11 to the ground station 14 via satellite 12 , by any known means considered suitable. In a similar fashion, the transmission also takes place in the reverse direction.
The transmission method implements a mechanism for adapting the modes of modulation and coding known by the acronym AMC in English for “Adaptive Modulation and Coding” that makes it possible to dynamically adapt the parameters of the waveform so as to be well adapted to the link budget.
The ground station 14 includes the means for transmitting to the station 11 via the satellite 12 the information concerning the measured characteristics of the transmission, and the requests made by the receiving station in order to satisfy its needs.
The station 11 comprises, as is known per se the means for determination of the mode of modulation and coding to be used for the transmission based on the information received from the station 14 , in particular depending on the signal to noise ratio required by the station 14 , this latter being denoted by C/N 0 — predicted .
By design, the station 11 is capable of determining the mode of modulation and coding selected by comparison of the signal to noise ratio required by the ground station 14 C/N 0 — predicted with a baseline reference signal to noise ratio C/N 0 — ref plus a fixed AMC margin, denoted by Margin fixe . The fixed AMC margin Margin fixe is for example equal to 0.5 decibels (dB).
This figure also provides an illustration of the clouds 16 , which can degrade the conditions of transmission, and thereby reduce the signal to noise measured by the ground station 14 , possibly requiring the modification of the mode of modulation and coding.
As is known per se, the transmission is carried out by frame, also called packet according to the mode of modulation and coding.
The algorithm described with reference to FIG. 2 is set to run continuously during the transmission partially in the ground station 14 and in the station 11 by the means for computing that deploy the appropriate computer programmes.
As illustrated in FIG. 2 , during the transmission and for each group of n of k frames a channel error denoted by ErrCanal(n) is calculated during the step 100 by the receiver, that is, the ground station 14 in the example considered. A group of k frames is called super frame SF (k is chosen in order for the duration of a super frame to be of the order of 100 ms so as to be statistically significant). This channel error is the difference between the signal to noise ratio measured by the ground station 14 over the super frame n denoted by ΔC/N 0 — meas — ST — n and the transmission power of the station 11 denoted by PIRE Consigne — ST — n .
Thus, ErrCanal(n)=ΔC/N 0 — meas — ST — n −PIRE Consigne — ST — n .
During the step 102 , and for several different time horizons numbered i, the standard deviation of the channel denoted by DACMMA_σ i is determined by the receiver over the N i last seconds constituting the time horizon i considered.
For example, the time horizons constitute periods of 3, 10, 30 and 60 seconds such that N 1 =3; N 2 =10; N 3 =30; N 4 =60.
Thus, the standard deviation of the channel error for a determined time horizon i is given by
DACMMA_σ i = [ 1 nST i ∑ n = 1 nST i ChannelErr ( n ) 2 - ( 1 nST i ∑ n = 1 nST i ChannelErr ( n ) ) 2 ] 1 / 2
wherein
nST i is the number of super frames in the time horizon i. During the step 104 a narrow (bounded) standard deviation is determined for each time horizon i by the receiver. This narrow standard deviation is denoted by Clip(i) and is given by Clip (i)=Min(DACMMA_σ i ; DACMMA MaxVariation) wherein DACMMA MaxVariation is a constant. Thus, the narrow standard deviation is equal to the standard deviation of the channel error if the latter is less than a predetermined maximum value of the standard deviation denoted by DACMMA MaxVariation or equal to the predetermined maximum value of the standard deviation if not, this being so in order to not take into account extremely large variations in the standard deviation.
During step 106 , the receiver determines a time variable margin constituted by a linear combination of narrow standard deviations Clip(i) calculated over the four time horizons. Thus, the time variable margin is written as follows Margin time variable =α 1 Clip (1)+α 2 Clip (2)+α 3 Clip (3)+α 4 Clip (4) where α 1 , α 2 , α 3 and α 4 are non zero positive real numbers. By default, the coefficients á 1 , á 2 , á 3 and á 4 are all taken to be equal to 1.
During the step 112 , the receiver calculates a predicted signal to noise ratio denoted by C/N 0 — predicted which corresponds to the difference between the measured signal to noise ratio minus the variable margin calculated in step.
Thus C/N 0 — predicted =C/N 0 — meas −Margin time variable .
It is conceivable that with such a method, the AMC margin can be maintained at a highly reduced level during periods of low variation in the signal to noise ratio, in particular the periods with clear skies and that the AMC margin is shown to be increased in a rapid manner during significant but not abrupt changes in the signal to noise ratio, thereby making it possible to adequately anticipate the modifications in mode of modulation and coding in order for the signal to noise ratio to be maintained in all circumstances at a level higher than the signal to noise ratio required by the receiver, without the signal to noise ratio however being constantly much higher than the signal to noise ratio required at the receiver, in particular during periods of clear weather conditions. | The method of transmission between a transmitter and a receiver using a mode of adaptive modulation and coding, wherein the modulation and coding are selected based on the comparison of a characteristic variable of the signal to noise ratio measured by the receiver with a threshold value plus a margin, which margin is variable depending on the prior change in the signal to noise ratio.
The margin changes based on a statistical function of a higher order than 1 of the characteristic variable of the signal to noise ratio measured by the receiver over at least one time horizon. | 13,351 |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/615,835 filed on Dec. 22, 2006, and is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/615,854 filed on Dec. 22, 2006, which applications claim priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/758,494 filed on Jan. 12, 2006. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for sewing fabrics and attaching rings to fabrics wherein the fabrics are, for example, usable in coverings for architectural openings and more particularly to an apparatus that takes a single or multi-ply sheet of material and either forms hems, tunnels, hobbles, and/or attaches rings to the material so it is suitable for connection to a control system for a covering for an architectural opening.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
While early forms of coverings for architectural openings consisted principally of draped fabrics or fabrics which were gathered along a top edge so as to form drapery, in recent years designer window coverings have taken on many numerous forms. Included in those forms are coverings that utilize fabric that can be raised or lowered and gathered in the process wherein rings or other guide systems are incorporated into the fabric to slidably confine lift cords or the like. Further, in Roman shade type products, horizontal droops in the fabric, otherwise referred to as hobbles, might be formed in the fabric for aesthetics.
While sewing machines have been used to form hobbles or attach rings to fabric, it was all hand operated with an operator literally moving and shifting the fabric as it was passed through an appropriate sewing machine for either stitching the fabric to provide hems or tunnels across the width of the fabric or to attach suitable guide rings.
There has, accordingly, been a need in the industry for automating the fabrication of fabric for use in coverings for architectural openings or in the use of fabrics that might have other uses wherein stitching, hobbles, the attachment of rings, or the like, is a requisite.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention includes a vertically oriented and adjustable lift rack to which a top edge of a fabric material can be secured with the remainder of the material hanging by gravity through a lower housing where clamps are utilized to control the fabric during operations thereon.
A sewing carriage including a pair of tandem sewing machines having different capabilities are mounted together for movement in unison in a reciprocal path back and forth across the width of the fabric. One sewing machine is adapted to stitch the fabric from one side edge to the other while the other sewing machine is adapted to attach horizontally spaced rings to the fabric in a return movement of the sewing machines across the width of the fabric. When stitching the fabric, which might be a dual layer or dual panel fabric, the layers can be handled separately so that one layer might have hobbles formed therein while the other layer remains flat. Tunnels are also defined by the stitching in which rigidifying bars might be inserted. When forming tunnels and/or attaching guide rings to the fabric, a tucker blade is utilized to advance a horizontal section of the fabric into a position for engagement by the sewing machines with the tucker blade being retractable before stitching or the attachment of rings to the fabric. A vacuum chamber is also utilized in one embodiment to gather a horizontal segment of one layer of the fabric to form a hobble while the other layer is unaffected by the vacuum so that both layers can be stitched together with a hobble being formed in one layer. In a second embodiment, the hobble is formed by manipulating the layers with the lift rack.
A lower releasable clamp in the first embodiment is positioned beneath the sewing machines and has three distinct positions with an open position permitting the free passage of at least a layer of material therethrough, a soft clamp position providing some resistance to movement of the fabric with brushes for removing lint wrinkles or the like from the fabric and a hard clamp position where the fabric can be positively gripped during a sewing operation.
When the sewing machines have completed one operation of stitching, forming hobbles and/or sewing rings to the fabric, they are repositioned at a home position so the fabric can be elevated or dropped a predetermined amount, depending on the embodiment, for a repeat of the afore-described operation whereby vertically adjacent rows of hobbles, tunnels, rings, or the like, are formed in the fabric until the entire fabric has been treated. It can then be removed from the lift rack and is suitable for attachment to a control system for a covering for an architectural opening in which the fabric forms an integral part.
Other aspects, features, and details of the present invention can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic fragmentary isometric of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front isometric of a fabric formed from the apparatus of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3 is a rear isometric of the fabric shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is an isometric similar to FIG. 1 showing the sewing machines separated as they might be for maintenance purposes.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic isometric of the apparatus illustrating a first step in treating a fabric.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic isometric similar to FIG. 5 showing a second step in the treatment of a fabric.
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic isometric similar to FIG. 6 showing a third step in the treatment of a fabric.
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic isometric similar to FIG. 7 showing a fourth step in the treatment of a fabric.
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic isometric similar to FIG. 8 showing a fifth step in the treatment of a fabric.
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic isometric similar to FIG. 9 showing a sixth step in the treatment of a fabric.
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic isometric similar to FIG. 10 showing a seventh step in the treatment of a fabric.
FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic isometric similar to FIG. 11 showing an eighth step in the treatment of a fabric.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged diagrammatic fragmentary section taken along line 13 - 13 of FIG. 5 .
FIG. 14 is an enlarged diagrammatic fragmentary section taken along line 14 - 14 of FIG. 7 .
FIG. 15 is a section similar to FIG. 14 showing the vacuum chamber advanced into a clamping position with the fabric.
FIG. 16 is a section similar to FIG. 15 with the vacuum chamber having drawn the fabric thereinto.
FIG. 17 is a section similar to FIG. 16 with one layer of fabric having been gripped by a lower clamp and removed from the vacuum chamber.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged diagrammatic section taken along line 18 - 18 of FIG. 8 .
FIG. 19 is a section similar to FIG. 18 with the tucker blade having been tilted.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged diagrammatic fragmentary section taken along line 20 - 20 of FIG. 9 .
FIG. 21 is an enlarged diagrammatic fragmentary section taken along line 21 - 21 of FIG. 10 .
FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic section similar to FIG. 21 showing hobbles and rings having been formed in the fabric in a plurality of horizontal rows.
FIG. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 23 - 23 of FIG. 20 .
FIG. 24 is a section taken along line 24 - 24 of FIG. 23 .
FIG. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 25 - 25 of FIG. 21 .
FIG. 26 is a fragmentary section taken along line 26 - 26 of FIG. 25 .
FIG. 27 is a section similar to FIG. 25 showing the ring and fabric having been shifted for receipt of the sewing needle within the ring.
FIG. 28 is a section taken along line 28 - 28 of FIG. 27 .
FIG. 29 is a fragmentary section taken along line 29 - 29 of FIG. 14 showing the lower clamp in a soft clamping position.
FIG. 30 is a section similar to FIG. 29 showing the lower clamp in a full clamping position.
FIG. 31 is a section similar to FIG. 29 showing the lower clamp in an open position.
FIG. 32 is a fragmentary section taken along line 32 - 32 of FIG. 14 .
FIG. 33 is a top plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 32 .
FIG. 34 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 34 - 34 of FIG. 32 .
FIG. 35 is a fragmentary section taken along line 35 - 35 of FIG. 26 .
FIG. 36 is a section taken along line 36 - 36 of FIG. 35 .
FIG. 37 is a section similar to FIG. 36 showing the ring clamp in an open position.
FIG. 38 is a section taken along line 38 - 38 of FIG. 14 .
FIG. 39 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to FIG. 38 showing the drive mechanism for linearly translating the sewing machines with the view taken at the left end of the apparatus when the sewing machines are positioned at the left end.
FIG. 40 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 39 with the sewing machines positioned at their home position at the right end of the apparatus.
FIG. 41 is an isometric of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 42 is a front isometric of a fabric formed from the apparatus of FIG. 41 having hobbles formed on the front face thereof.
FIG. 43 is a rear isometric of the panel shown in FIG. 42 showing tucks and rings sewed to the panel.
FIG. 44 is an isometric similar to FIG. 41 showing the sewing machines separated as for maintenance purposes.
FIG. 45 is a front isometric of the apparatus of FIG. 41 with the upper edge of two sheets of fabric material anchored to lift towers of the apparatus in preparation for processing a fabric as viewed in FIGS. 42 and 43 .
FIG. 46 is an isometric similar to FIG. 45 with the panels of fabric having been elevated by the lift towers prior to processing the fabric panels.
FIG. 47 is an isometric similar to FIG. 46 with the panels of fabric material having been dropped into a position for initial operation of the apparatus.
FIG. 48 is an isometric similar to FIG. 47 with the tucker blade having been advanced into the sheets of fabric material for forming a tuck in the material.
FIG. 49 is an isometric similar to FIG. 48 with the tucker blade having been removed from the fabric sheets and the ring sewing machine positioned for initiating an attachment stitch into the fold of the sheets of material.
FIG. 50 is an isometric similar to FIG. 49 with the ring sewing machine positioned to initiate a stitch into a ring for attachment to a fold in the sheets of material.
FIG. 51 is an isometric similar to FIG. 49 with a complete fabric having been formed showing the lift tower at its lowermost position.
FIG. 52 is an isometric similar to FIG. 51 with the lift tower having elevated the completed fabric.
FIG. 53 is an enlarged section taken along line 53 - 53 of FIG. 45 .
FIG. 54 is an enlarged section taken along line 54 - 54 of FIG. 46 .
FIG. 55 is an enlarged section taken along line 55 - 55 of FIG. 47 .
FIG. 56 is an enlarged section taken along line 56 - 56 of FIG. 48 .
FIG. 57 is a section similar to FIG. 56 with the stabilizing clamp having been energized.
FIG. 58 is a section similar to FIG. 57 with the stitching machine sewing a tuck into the sheets of material.
FIG. 59 is a section similar to FIG. 58 with the ring sewing machine positioned to initiate a stitch along a folded edge of the sheets of material.
FIG. 60 is an enlarged section taken along line 60 - 60 of FIG. 49 .
FIG. 61 is an enlarged section taken along line 61 - 61 of FIG. 60 .
FIG. 62 is an enlarged section taken along line 62 - 62 of FIG. 58 .
FIG. 63 is a section taken along line 63 - 63 of FIG. 62 .
FIG. 64 is a section similar to FIG. 61 where the ring sewing machine is positioned for sewing a ring to sheets of material that do not have a hobble but are merely formed with tucks to which rings are attached.
FIG. 65 is a rear isometric showing a panel of fabric material having tucks and rings sewn thereto but with no hobbles.
FIG. 66 is a section similar to FIG. 64 wherein the ring sewing machine is positioned to sew a ring to the panels of fabric material where no tuck is formed in the material.
FIG. 67 is a rear isometric showing a panel where rings are sewn to the panel but no tucks or hobbles are formed on the panel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Looking first at a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-40 , the apparatus 41 ( FIG. 1 ) can be seen to include a housing 42 on which a lift rack 44 is mounted. As will be described hereafter, the housing includes various components of the apparatus for handling fabric that is being treated while the lift rack supports an upper edge of the fabric and is vertically movable to raise or lower the fabric into or out of the housing. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a completed fabric 46 which could be formed with the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. It is shown to include a backing or rear layer 48 and a front layer 50 with the front layer secured to the backing layer along horizontal vertically spaced tucks 52 in the fabric in a manner whereby a plurality of vertically aligned horizontally disposed hobbles or droops 54 in the fabric are formed so the fabric resembles a Roman shade. A tunnel 56 can be formed along the top and bottom edges of the fabric for receipt of a stiffening bar (not seen) with the tunnel possibly being formed from two horizontal lines of stitching that are vertically spaced or by folding the edge and with one stitch forming a hemmed edge. The top tunnel would typically be formed in the fabric before the fabric is treated with the apparatus of the present invention. The top edge of the fabric is then supported in the lift rack 44 so the fabric is properly disposed for processing within the apparatus.
The lift rack 44 consists of a pair of horizontally spaced vertically extending support towers 58 that are interconnected at their top ends to support a horizontal drive shaft 60 and a motor 62 for reversibly rotating the drive shaft. The lift towers have lift cords (not seen) disposed therein with the lift cords being operably connected to opposite ends of a vertically adjustable horizontally extending transverse lift bar 66 which is referred to hereafter as an upper clamp. Reversible rotation of the drive shaft raises or lowers the upper clamp for purposes to be described hereafter.
The housing 42 includes a number of operative components which will be described hereafter and which are adapted to grip and manipulate a virgin fabric 68 ( FIGS. 5-9 ) to properly position the fabric so that one or both of a pair of sewing machines 70 and 72 mounted on the housing for reciprocal horizontal translating movement can direct sewing operations to the fabric in a preselected manner.
One of the sewing machines 70 is provided to stitch horizontal lines in the fabric while the other 72 is provided to attach guide rings 74 ( FIGS. 3 , 21 , 22 and 25 - 28 ) commonly found in certain coverings for architectural openings such as Roman Shades. Both sewing machines are conventional for their intended purpose and will therefore only be described broadly hereafter with specific regard to their operation and relationship to the fabric being treated.
The apparatus is designed to treat virgin fabric 68 in several different ways so the fabric can be formed with a plurality of hobbles 54 , a plurality of guide rings 74 attached thereto, a plurality of horizontal tunnels 56 on the front or rear of the fabric, and various combinations of the above. The treatments are accomplished in one continuous operation of the apparatus.
The apparatus is controlled through a conventional computer control module 76 that energizes various pumps, motors, and pneumatic pistons for achieving the various operations performed by the apparatus on the fabric. A detailed description of the software for driving the control module will not be described herein but suffice it to say the various operating mechanisms in the apparatus are controlled from the module and with an appropriate computer-controlled system.
The sewing machines 70 and 72 are mounted on two interconnected halves 78 and 80 , respectively, of a sewing machine carriage 82 with the halves typically being interconnected so the sewing machines move in unison but can be separated as shown in FIG. 4 for individual maintenance of the machines. One sewing machine 70 in the preferred embodiment is a walking foot/needle feed lock stitch machine used to stitch the fabric in a manner to become clear hereafter and might be for example a Seiko SSH-88LDC-DTFL machine manufactured by Seiko of Japan. The other machine 72 in the preferred embodiment is a conventional button sewing machine which might be for example a Pfaff 3307 button or ring-stitching machine manufactured by Pfaff of Belgium. The ring-stitching machine, while normally being used for sewing buttons, can sew rings of the type used as guide rings 74 on fabrics for coverings for architectural openings wherein the rings are retained in a hopper (not seen) on the machine and fed to the sewing head where they are connected to the fabric. It is not important which of the two sewing machines is on the right or on the left as they both move in unison across the entire width of the fabric being treated.
The interconnected halves 78 and 80 of the carriage 82 for the sewing machines 70 and 72 are mounted on a horizontally disposed linear bearing or guide track 84 for reciprocal horizontal movement as the carriage, with the sewing machines thereon, is reversibly translated across the width of the housing 42 . The sewing machines on the carriage are typically stationed at a home position at the right end of the apparatus as viewed in FIG. 1 and during one operation on a virgin fabric 68 , the carriage translates to the left for a stitching operation and then back to the right for a ring attaching operation where it remains in its home position until another row of operations is performed on the fabric. Movement of the carriage is accomplished with a tensioned timing belt 86 as best appreciated by reference to FIGS. 1 and 38 - 40 , which is anchored to the housing 42 at opposite ends with fixed brackets 88 . One of the carriage halves 78 has a motor (not seen) that reversibly drives a gear wheel 90 in operative engagement with the timing belt with the timing belt passing across idler pulleys 92 on opposite sides of the driven gear wheel. It can therefore be appreciated that rotation of the gear wheel in one direction causes the carriage 82 to translate linearly in one direction across the apparatus and rotation of the gear wheel in the opposite direction causes the carriage to translate linearly in the opposite direction so it can be moved from one side of the apparatus 41 to the other at predetermined and/or intermittent speeds.
FIGS. 5-12 illustrate diagrammatically the various steps that can be applied to a virgin fabric 68 with the apparatus 41 of the present invention in forming a completed fabric 46 of the type illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 . The completed fabric in the example shown includes a plurality of horizontal hobbles or loops 54 formed in vertically adjacent rows on the front layer of the fabric ( FIG. 2 ) and a plurality of horizontally extending vertically spaced tucks 52 having horizontally spaced guide rings 74 secured thereto formed on the rear layer 48 of the fabric as seen in FIG. 3 . Looking first at FIG. 5 , a virgin fabric consisting of two layers of sheet material that have been pretreated to form a tunnel 56 along a top edge thereof with a rigidifying slat (not seen) possibly inserted therein is clamped to the upper clamp 66 . The upper clamp includes a pair of horizontal bars 94 and 96 that can be clamped together or released. In the released position, the top edge of the virgin fabric 68 can be inserted between the bars and in the clamped position releasably secured between the bars. While the fabric could be positioned at any place across the width of the upper clamp, if in fact the fabric were narrower than the width of the lift rack 44 as illustrated, it is preferably positioned along one side edge (illustrated as the right side edge) for a purpose to be more clear hereafter.
After the virgin fabric 68 is secured to the upper clamp 66 , the upper clamp is elevated with the motor 62 and drive shaft 60 to the position of FIG. 6 so the fabric is substantially vertically suspended with its lower edge at the top of the housing 42 . The upper clamp is then lowered and depending upon the operations to be applied to the virgin fabric, the two layers of the fabric can be maintained together or separated so as to straddle various components within the housing. Once the layers of the fabric are positioned for the operations to be applied thereto within the housing, the upper clamp is lowered to an initial operative position shown in FIG. 7 . Thereafter, a hobble 54 is formed in the front layer 50 and a reciprocating horizontally disposed tucker blade 98 , which will be described in more detail later, which is normally in a retracted position adjacent to the front layer of the fabric, is advanced as shown in FIG. 18 to form a tuck 52 off the rear of the fabric on which the sewing machines 70 and 72 can operate. The tuck in the fabric is then gripped with a tuck clamp 100 (to be described later) and the tucker blade retracted so a first operation of the sewing machines as shown in FIG. 9 can be initiated with the sewing machines translating from their home position at the right end of the apparatus 41 to the left end of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 10 , a subsequent pass of the sewing machines from the left end of the apparatus back to their home position allows one of the sewing machines to perform a separate operation. For example, in the fabric 46 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 where both hobbles 54 and guide rings 74 are applied to the fabric, the movement from the home position to the left as shown in FIG. 9 would be used to form a horizontal stitch with one of the sewing machines 70 along the tuck to hold the two layers of material in the tuck together and the reverse movement of the sewing carriage 82 , as shown in FIG. 10 , would be used for attaching the guide rings with the other sewing machine 72 along the edge of the tuck. After one such operation, one row of a tunnel 56 , defined by a tuck, with its associated guide rings is completed along with a hobble and at that time, the upper clamp 66 is elevated a predetermined distance, i.e. the height of a hobble, and the operation is repeated. By repeating the operation a new row is formed and the upper clamp is again elevated a predetermined amount as shown in FIG. 11 until the entire fabric 46 has been completed as illustrated in FIG. 12 .
Referring to FIG. 13 , which is a vertical section through the apparatus 41 with the layers 48 and 50 of virgin fabric having been connected to the apparatus as shown in FIG. 5 with the upper clamp 66 , the internal working components of the apparatus are shown diagrammatically. It will there be seen beneath the upper clamp is the tuck clamp 100 that includes an elongated horizontally disposed generally U-shaped rail 101 extending the width of the apparatus and connected to a pair of pneumatic cylinders 102 mounted at opposite ends of the rail with mounting brackets 104 on the rear face of the rail. A lower edge of the rail carries a beveled strip 106 supporting a spring steel upper clamp jaw 108 with a gripping edge of material 110 secured on its lower face along a distal edge thereof. The pneumatic cylinders 102 are operative to raise or lower the rail and the upper clamp jaw in a manner such that in a lowered position of the tuck clamp, as seen for example in FIG. 19 , the upper clamp jaw engages a tuck 52 of material and presses the material against a platen 112 with a gripping upper surface mounted vertically therebeneath on the housing 42 . In the normal elevated position of the tuck clamp, a space is defined between the upper clamp jaw and the platen through which a tuck in the fabric can be advanced for proper positioning relative to the sewing machine carriage 82 as will be discussed later.
In horizontal opposing relationship to the tuck clamp rail 101 and positioned horizontally between the pneumatic cylinders 102 and beneath a support plate 114 in the housing is a vacuum clamp 116 . The vacuum clamp includes an elongated horizontally disposed plenum 118 where a low pressure is maintained and a horizontally aligned elongated vacuum chamber 120 communicating with the plenum and having a horizontal slot-like opening 122 in a front wall 124 thereof facing the tuck clamp rail. While the opening 122 extends the full length of the vacuum chamber, an extendable closure tape 126 ( FIGS. 32-34 ) is mounted at one end of the chamber to be selectively extended across a portion of the chamber to close a portion of the opening if the fabric is not wide enough to cover the entire length of the opening. The plenum and vacuum chamber are reciprocally mounted on the plungers 128 of a second pair of pneumatic cylinders 130 secured to the support plate 114 so that when the plungers for the cylinders are extended, the front wall 124 of the vacuum chamber is advanced into engagement with the tuck clamp rail 101 . Of course, retraction of the vacuum chamber with a retraction of the plungers 128 of the second pair of pneumatic cylinders 102 withdraws the chamber and moves it to the left as viewed in FIG. 13 so as to define a space between the rail of the tuck clamp and the vacuum chamber. The plenum for the vacuum chamber is connected with a conventional conduit to a selectively operable vacuum pump 132 positioned within the housing.
The tucker blade 98 is a horizontal elongated blade of thin profile extending the full width of the apparatus 41 and mounted on a horizontal support plate 133 secured to the rack 134 of a rack and pinion reciprocal drive system 136 ( FIG. 13 ). The pinion 138 of the drive system is reversibly driven by a motor (not seen). Obviously, rotation of the pinion in one direction drives the rack and the tucker blade horizontally to the right as viewed in FIG. 13 into an extended position as seen in FIG. 18 while rotation of the pinion in the opposite direction retracts the tucker blade to its retracted position of FIG. 13 . In the extended position shown in FIG. 18 , it is extended between the upper clamp jaw 108 and platen 112 of the tuck clamp 100 with the front elongated edge 140 of the tucker blade being positioned beyond the tuck clamp immediately adjacent to the sewing carriage 82 . The horizontal support plate 132 on which the tucker blade is mounted is supported on a lever arm 142 pivotal about a pivot shaft 144 by a pair of low-pressure pneumatic cylinders 145 which could in fact be a gas spring even though in the disclosed embodiment it is a pneumatic cylinder carrying low pressure. The pneumatic cylinders are therefore adapted to pivot the lever arm and thus the tucker blade about the pivot shaft for a purpose to become clear hereafter.
A lower clamp 146 is positioned beneath the tucker blade 98 at an elevation also beneath the platen 112 . The lower clamp has a horizontally movable vertically disposed bar 148 that supports pairs of large 150 and small 152 pneumatic cylinders which are probably best appreciated by reference to FIGS. 29-31 . The movable vertically disposed bar confronts a second vertically disposed bar 154 that is fixedly mounted on a vertically movable support plate 156 . The fixedly mounted bar has an upper horizontal rearwardly directed brush 158 with a plurality of flexible bristles that overlaps a similar elongated horizontally disposed brush 160 mounted on the movable bar 148 . The lower clamp is a three-position clamp and movable between an open position as shown in FIG. 31 wherein the brushes 158 and 160 are not vertically overlapping but rather define a vertical passage therebetween, a soft closed position as shown in FIG. 29 where the brushes partially overlap as seen for example in FIG. 13 as well as FIG. 29 and a fully closed clamping position as shown in FIG. 30 where the lower brush 160 carried by the movable bar is engaged against the fixed bar 154 .
The plungers 162 of the large cylinders 150 are secured at their distal end to the fixed bar 154 such that extension of the plungers causes the movable bar 148 to retract or move to the left relative to the fixed bar and retraction of the cylinders causes the movable bar to move to the right toward the fixed bar. The plungers 164 on the small cylinders 152 merely extend into the space between the fixed and movable bars regardless of whether or not they are extended or retracted.
To move the lower clamp 146 between its three positions, and again with reference to FIGS. 29-30 , in the open position of FIG. 31 , the large pneumatic cylinder plungers 162 are fully extended so as to fully separate the two bars 148 and 154 and the brushes 158 and 160 mounted thereon to define a vertical gap between the brushes. The plungers 164 of the smaller cylinders 152 are also fully extended but non-engaging with the fixed bar 154 due to their relatively short length. To move the clamp to the soft clamping position of FIG. 29 , the large cylinder plungers are retracted to pull the movable bar toward the fixed bar until the plungers of the small cylinders engage the fixed bar to fix the spacing between the movable and fixed bars of the lower clamp. To move the lower clamp to its fully closed and full clamping position of FIG. 30 , the plungers on the small cylinders are fully retracted as are the plungers on the large cylinders so the lower brush 160 on the movable bar closely approaches the fixed bar in which position the fabric can be positively gripped for purposes to be described hereafter. A positive grip is best established with a horizontal channel member 166 ( FIG. 19 ) opening off the face of the movable bar 148 and a fixed leg 168 with gripping pads 170 on the fixed bar with the leg being inserted into the channel when the clamp is fully closed.
The fixed bar 154 , as mentioned previously, is mounted on the support plate 156 that is of L-shaped configuration and itself vertically reciprocably mounted on another pair of pneumatic cylinders 172 , which can elevate the fixed bar and movable bar 148 of the lower clamp 146 to the position of FIG. 13 , for example, or lower the fixed and lower bars of the lower clamp to the position of FIG. 17 .
Also provided within the housing 42 near the bottom thereof are a pair of support rods 174 that support a flexible cradle 176 of any suitable material in which the virgin fabric 68 can gather when the upper clamp 66 is lowered to the position of FIG. 5 , for example. In fact, with reference to FIG. 14 , a virgin fabric 68 is shown in the position of FIG. 5 and is gathered in the cradle from which it can be removed as the upper clamp is raised during processing of the fabric.
Referring to FIG. 14 , the apparatus 41 is postured for forming a fabric 46 of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with hobbles 54 and guide loops 74 and for such a fabric, when the upper clamp 66 is lowered to the position of FIG. 5 , the rear layer 48 of the fabric is threaded through the lower clamp 146 , as shown in FIG. 14 , and the front layer 50 of the fabric is passed on the rear side of the movable bar 148 of the lower clamp so as to bypass the lower clamp. As will be appreciated from the description herein, the reference to the layers of the fabric as front 50 and rear 48 layers, for illustrative purposes, is the reverse of the reference to the parts of the apparatus since the fabric is mounted in the apparatus with its front layer facing the rear of the apparatus. It will also be appreciated in the positioning of the fabric in FIG. 14 , both layers of the fabric pass freely past the tuck clamp 100 and the vacuum clamp 116 and will also slide through the lower clamp even though the lower clamp is in its soft-clamping position with the rear layer of the fabric engaging the upper and lower brushes 158 and 160 of the lower clamp.
Referring to FIG. 15 , when forming the fabric 46 of FIGS. 2 and 3 , having both hobbles 54 and guide loops 74 , the first step in the operation is to grip the virgin fabric 68 with the vacuum clamp 116 so the fabric is pinched between the vacuum chamber 120 and the tucker rail 101 . The closure tape 126 can be pulled across the opening in the front wall of the vacuum chamber from the left edge of the opening to the left edge of the fabric to maintain adequate vacuum in the chamber. A vacuum is then drawn by energizing the vacuum pump 132 which pulls both layers of fabric into the vacuum chamber as seen in FIG. 16 as the upper clamp 66 is lowered to provide more fabric to the vacuum clamp. Typically, in a fabric of this type, the front layer 50 is less porous than the rear layer 48 so the vacuum is more effective on the front layer but there is enough vacuum to draw both layers into the vacuum chamber.
With both layers 48 and 50 of the fabric drawn a predetermined amount into the vacuum chamber 120 , which is permitted by the top clamp 66 being lowered a predetermined amount, the lower clamp 146 is moved into its full clamping position as shown in FIG. 17 so the rear layer of the fabric is fully gripped by the lower clamp but the front layer is free to move up or down. Thereafter, as also seen in FIG. 17 , the vacuum clamp 116 is withdrawn and simultaneously the lower clamp is lowered which pulls the rear layer of the fabric out of the vacuum chamber so it is relatively straight while the front layer still forms a loop within the vacuum chamber which will ultimately form a hobble 54 in the fabric.
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 18 , the tucker blade 98 is advanced with the rack and pinion system 136 while the tucker blade is in a horizontal orientation which forces both layers 48 and 50 of the fabric between the upper clamp jaw 108 and the platen 112 of the tuck clamp 100 thereby forming a tuck 52 in both layers of the fabric. Before the tucker blade is advanced, however, the lower clamp 146 is moved to its soft clamp position of FIG. 18 so the rear layer of the fabric is drawn through and across the lower clamp and across the brushes 158 and 160 to remove lint and any wrinkles while the front layer of the fabric, which is freely hanging can be moved therewith. When advancing the tucker blade in this manner, it will be appreciated that since both layers of the fabric are gripped by the vacuum clamp 116 , even though only the front layer 50 is drawn into the vacuum chamber 120 , all of the material is fed upwardly from below the tucker blade and therefore the material slides slightly across the leading edge 140 of the tucker blade 98 . If a hobble 54 was not being formed in the fabric during this step, the vacuum clamp would remain in a retracted position and there would be no loop or hobble of the front layer of fabric in the vacuum chamber. Rather, both layers would be in adjacent side-by-side relationship and by lowering the upper clamp as the tucker blade is advancing, equal amounts of material can be pulled downwardly from above the tucker blade as pulled upwardly from below the tucker blade to avoid having to draw the material across the leading edge of the tucker blade which minimizes any opportunity for damage to the fabric.
Referring to FIG. 19 , with the tucker blade 98 in the position of FIG. 18 , the tuck clamp 100 is lowered so the tuck 52 of fabric with the tucker blade therein is clamped between the upper clamp jaw 108 and the platen 112 of the tuck clamp and due to the bevel or inclination of the upper clamp jaw of the tuck clamp, the tucker blade is tilted which is permitted by pivoting of its support plate 132 about the pivot shaft 144 which is further permitted by the low pressure in the pneumatic cylinders 144 or if the pneumatic cylinders were replaced with a gas spring it would be permitted by the gas spring through minimal resistance to such pivotal movement.
The tucker blade 98 is coated with Teflon® or another low-friction material so that once the tuck 52 in the material has been gripped by the tuck clamp 100 , the tucker blade can be easily withdrawn, as shown in FIG. 20 , leaving the tuck of fabric positioned between the upper clamp jaw 108 and platen 112 of the tuck clamp. The low-friction coating of the tucker blade allows easy sliding removal of the tucker blade even though the tuck of fabric is positively gripped and held in position.
In the position of FIG. 20 , the sewing machine carriage 82 is energized so as to translate from the rest position at the right of the apparatus 41 to the left side of the apparatus and as it is making this pass, the stitching sewing machine 70 is activated while the ring-attaching sewing machine 72 is deactivated. The tuck 52 in material, as can be seen in FIGS. 20 and 23 , is aligned with the stitching needle 178 so that as the sewing machine carriage is advanced or translated across the apparatus, a stitch 180 ( FIG. 23 ) is formed in the fabric at a spaced parallel location from the fold 182 at the edge of the tuck. This establishes a tunnel 56 in the tuck between the stitching and the folded edge of the tuck in which a reinforcing bar (not shown) can be placed if desired.
After the stitch 180 has been formed and the carriage 82 is at the left side of the apparatus, the carriage is then driven to the right. The stitching machine 70 is deactivated and the ring-attaching sewing machine 72 is activated to attach rings 74 at predetermined spaced locations along the width of the fabric and along the folded edge 182 of the tuck 52 . The spacing of the rings is predetermined depending upon the number of rings desired per width of the fabric and this can all be calculated and computed within the control module.
As mentioned previously, the ring-attaching machine 72 is a conventional button sewing machine which includes a hopper (not seen) for a plurality of buttons or rings 74 and a ramp 184 ( FIG. 21 ) that might vibrate for example that confines a string of rings on a downward sliding path from the hopper to a linearly reciprocating ring gripper 186 as shown in FIGS. 21 , 25 - 28 , and 35 - 37 . In the Pfaff ring-stitching machine used in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sewing needle 178 on the head of the sewing machine 72 reciprocates up and down at a predetermined position but it is desired to stitch across one edge of a ring 74 so that some of the stitches are outside the ring and others are inside the ring so the ring is positively attached to the folded edge 182 of the tuck 52 . In order to establish the stitching across the ring, the ring gripper reciprocates forwardly and rearwardly shoving the ring and the edge of the fabric into one position for allowing the sewing needle to establish a stitch 188 ( FIG. 27 ) within the ring and then retracting the ring which allows the folded edge to also return therewith so the folded edge of the material is aligned with the needle. Accordingly, the next stitch 188 can go through the folded edge of the fabric. By repeating this operation, a predetermined number of threads secure an edge of the ring to the folded edge of the tuck. Thereafter, the ring-attaching machine is moved linearly toward its rest position until it is stopped by the control module at a location where the next ring is to be attached and the ring is attached at that location in the same manner.
With reference to FIGS. 25-28 and 35 - 37 , the ring clamp or gripper 186 has two spaced arms 190 with the distance between the spaced arms being adjustable in the Pfaff sewing machine so that in a gripping position shown in FIGS. 25-28 , 35 and 36 , the ring 74 is positively held so it can be advanced or retracted for desired alignment with the sewing needle 178 . After the ring has been attached to the tuck 52 , the arms of the ring clamp are retracted as shown in FIG. 37 and the ring clamp itself retracted so the sewing machine can be linearly advanced toward home base and once reaching its next position of attachment for a ring, the arms 190 receive the next ring in line which is dropped therebetween so it too can be gripped and handled as described previously.
As will be appreciated from the above, with one complete reciprocal pass of the sewing carriage 82 across the width of the fabric and back, a tunnel 56 can be formed along the edge of the fabric securing the tuck 52 and rings 74 can be attached at predetermined spaced locations to the tuck. On the opposite face or front layer 50 of the fabric, a hobble 54 is formed during the same operation as a loop of the front layer was confined during the operations within the vacuum chamber 120 . Accordingly, a hobble, tunnel and associated rings forming one row of the fabric are established each time the sewing carriage passes through a reciprocating path back and forth across the width of the fabric. After a row has been formed, the upper clamp 66 can be elevated a predetermined distance corresponding to the desired height of a hobble for another identical subsequent operation until a complete fabric 46 has been formed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . Once formed, the fabric is simply removed from the upper clamp where it is ready for incorporation into a control system for the architectural covering in which it is to be incorporated.
It will be appreciated from the above that by selecting various operations, a fabric 46 with hobbles 54 and guide rings 74 can be formed as described above or a one or more layer fabric can be formed with simply the guide rings by leaving the vacuum clamp 116 in an inoperative or retracted position so the hobbles are not formed. If tucks were desired with rings, both the stitching and ring attaching sewing machines would be used but if no tucks were desired in the finished fabric, a stitch would not be placed in the tuck established by the tucker blade but only rings would be attached at the folded edge established by the tucker blade. Similarly, if the rings were not desired for a fabric but the hobbles were, then the operation would be as described above except in the return path of the sewing carriage 82 , the ring-attaching sewing machine 72 would not be activated so a fabric would be formed with only hobbles.
If only tunnels 56 were desired for the fabric, the vacuum clamp 116 would again be deactivated or retained in its withdrawn position and the two layers 48 and 50 of the fabric would be handled together with both layers passing through the lower clamp 146 but other than this distinction, the formation of horizontal tunnels at vertically spaced locations would follow the above procedure. Again, however, only the stitching machine 70 would be operative and the ring-attaching machine 72 would be deactivated so that tucks 52 and tunnels were formed off the rear of the fabric along parallel vertically spaced lines. Of course, if the tunnels were desired on the front of the fabric, the virgin fabric 68 could be reversed in the upper clamp 66 so the tunnels were formed on the front of the fabric rather than the rear.
Clearly from the various options available with the apparatus, fabric for different types of coverings for architectural openings can be made automatically. Further, varying widths of fabrics can be handled up to the spacing of the lift towers on the lift rack.
The second embodiment 200 of the apparatus of the invention is shown in FIGS. 41-67 . This embodiment of the invention is somewhat similar to the previously described embodiment and accordingly, where appropriate, like parts have been given like reference numerals.
In the second embodiment, the vacuum clamp 116 of the first embodiment has been removed and replaced with a stabilizing clamp 202 so there is no longer a vacuum chamber 120 into which fabric is drawn when forming a hobble. Further, there is no lower clamp 146 . In addition, there are two lift racks 44 f and 44 r that are identical except the rear rack 44 r is higher than the front rack 44 f . The remainder of the apparatus is identical to the first-described embodiment including the sewing machines 70 and 72 and their mounting on a sewing machine carriage 82 . The tucker blade 98 is identical to that of the first-described embodiment and operates in the same manner so as to cooperate with the tuck clamp 100 and the sewing machines in forming tucks 52 and/or attaching rings 74 to the fabric. In the second embodiment to be described hereafter, the hobbles 54 are formed in a different manner since the vacuum system used for forming hobbles in the first embodiment has been removed.
The two lift racks 44 f and 44 r , as mentioned, are identical to each other and to the lift rack 44 of the first embodiment except the lift rack 44 r is slightly taller than the lift rack 44 f as can be seen in FIG. 41 .
With reference to FIG. 53 , the stabilizing clamp 202 can be seen to have replaced the vacuum clamp 116 of the first-described embodiment and includes a gripping head 204 for compressing engagement with the fabric to hold the fabric against the U-shaped rail 101 . The stabilizing clamp head is reciprocated with the pneumatic cylinder 130 in the same manner of operation as in the first-described embodiment. Similarly, the tuck clamp 100 is opened and closed through the use of the same pneumatic cylinder 102 which raises and lowers the upper clamp jaw 108 into and out of engagement with the lower clamp jaw or platen 112 . Also, the tucker blade 98 is again reciprocated in a horizontal plane with the rack and pinion reciprocal drive system 136 .
In initially describing the operation of the second embodiment of the apparatus, it will be described in connection with the fabrication of a fabric 46 as illustrated in FIG. 42 wherein a back or backing sheet of material 206 and a front sheet 208 are interconnected and horizontal hobbles 54 are formed in vertically spaced relationship with each other on the front sheet by forming loops of the front sheet material and securing the looped sheet material of the front sheet to the rear sheet. In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, the front and rear sheets of material that are sewn together with the apparatus of the invention are pre-treated as in the first described embodiment by sewing a lower edge of the sheets of material together preferably defining a hem 210 in which a weighted bottom rail or ballast bar 212 can be inserted. The back sheet 206 , which lies toward the front of the machine, is shorter than the front sheet 208 as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 46 , and is clamped along its upper edge to an upper clamp 66 on the front lift rack 44 f . The upper edge of the front sheet is attached to the upper clamp 66 associated with the rear lift rack 44 r . This can be done with both lift racks being lowered as shown in FIG. 45 where the clamps are readily accessible to an operator.
After the top edges of the front 208 and back 206 sheets are attached to the associated upper clamps 66 of the lift racks, the lift racks are elevated as shown in FIG. 46 so the sheets are vertically suspended in abutting face-to-face relationship with each other with the longer front sheet extending above the shorter back sheet. The lower edges of the sheets, of course, are coincident with the weighted bottom rail 212 retaining the sheets in a fully-extended condition and with the bottom edges slightly above the housing 42 of the apparatus.
To begin forming the fabric of FIG. 42 , the bottom rail at the bottom edges of the front and back sheets of material is dropped below the tucker blade 98 a predetermined amount as shown, for example, in FIG. 55 . It will also be appreciated the front sheet 208 , which appears on the left in FIG. 5 , has been dropped slightly further than the back sheet 206 with the difference in dropped distance being equivalent to the height desired for a hobble 54 that will be formed in the finished fabric. For example, if a hobble is to be four inches in depth from top to bottom, the front sheet will be dropped four inches further than the back sheet so as to form a loop 214 for the first hobble to be formed in the fabric. With the sheets of material positioned as shown in FIG. 55 , the tucker blade is advanced as shown in FIG. 56 a predetermined distance so as to form a tuck 52 in the fabric of a predetermined depth. As the tucker blade is being advanced, the upper clamps 66 for both the front and back sheets of material are lowered a corresponding amount to the depth of the tucks while the bottom rail is lifted that same amount so the fabric does not slide around the leading edge 140 of the tucker blade but rather both sheets of fabric are pulled down and up equivalent amounts as the tucker blade forms the horizontal tuck. After the tuck has been formed, the upper jaw 108 of the tucker clamp is lowered by the pneumatic cylinder 102 until the upper jaw clamps the tucked sheets of material and the tucker blade between the upper jaw and the platen 112 . After the tuck is secured with the tuck clamp 100 , the stabilizing clamp 202 is advanced into engagement with the fabric having the rail 101 as the backing plate by activating the pneumatic cylinder 130 . The stabilizing clamp thereby grips the fabric and stabilizes the fabric so there is no movement in the fabric above the tucker blade when the tucker blade is withdrawn as shown in FIG. 58 .
With the tucker blade 98 withdrawn, as shown in FIG. 58 , the stitching sewing machine 70 ( FIGS. 62 and 63 ) commences it traverse along the width of the sheets of material so as to sew a seam in the fabric defining a tuck or tunnel 52 to the right of the seam between the stitching and the folded edge of the sheets of material. After the seam has been sewn across the entire width of the sheets of material, the ring attaching sewing machine 72 is positioned as shown in FIG. 59 above the tuck in the sheets of material so it can initially place a stitch through the folded edge of the sheets of material as shown in FIG. 60 and then after withdrawing the needle 178 , the first ring 74 , which has been positioned for attachment to the sheets of material, is advanced beneath the needle, as described with the first embodiment, so the needle's next stitch goes through the open center of the ring and by reciprocating the ring back and forth along with the folded edge of the sheets of material in synchronization with reciprocation of the needle, the ring is attached to the folded edge. It should also be appreciated that a hobble or loop 54 has been formed in the front sheet 208 of material during this process, which was initially set up by lowering the front sheet a greater distance than the back sheet 206 prior to the stitching operations.
The above process is repeated as many times as is necessary to complete a fabric 46 of the size desired.
If it were not desired to form hobbles 54 in the fabric, but rather to simply sew rings 74 to a tuck 52 to form a fabric panel 216 as shown in FIG. 65 , when the front 208 and rear 206 sheets of material were first dropped into position, as shown in FIG. 55 , the front and rear sheets would be dropped equivalent distances rather than dropping the front sheet a greater distance than the rear sheet. Accordingly, no loops or hobbles would be formed in the front sheet. This is illustrated in FIG. 64 and it will be appreciated the tucks are formed and sewn identically to that previously described as are the rings.
If it were desired to attach rings to a fabric panel 218 , as shown in FIG. 67 with no tucks, the tuck would be formed with the tucker blade 98 , as previously described, but the stitching previously described as being applied with the first sewing machine 70 would not be applied. Rather, only rings would be attached with the ring attaching machine 72 to the formed but not sewn tuck, as shown in FIG. 66 . Accordingly, when the formed but not sewn tuck is released from the tuck clamp 100 , it will be appreciated a ring has been attached to the sheets of material, but there is no tuck in the material.
These different forms of fabric which can be made with the second embodiment of the machine of the present invention are similar to those made with the first embodiment with the primary distinction being in the manner in which the hobbles are formed.
Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood the disclosure has been made by way of example and changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. | An apparatus for forming fabrics for use, by way of example, in coverings for architectural openings includes a system for handling single or multi-layered fabrics by suspending the fabric from a lift tower, threading the fabric through various clamp systems within a housing for the apparatus, and subsequently forming horizontal rows of hobbles, tunnels, and/or attached rings by gripping and releasing the fabric with a vacuum clamp, upper and lower clamps, and a tucker blade clamp while a reciprocating tucker blade forms horizontal tucks in the fabric. Hobbles can also be formed in one layer of the fabric through use of the vacuum clamp which gathers a portion of one layer of the fabric while the other layer is handled differently. In doing so, hobbles are formed between tucks in the fabric with the hobbles establishing a fabric resembling a Roman shade. | 54,943 |
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the United States Government without the payment of royalties.
REFERENCE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING
Reference is made to the computer program listing accompanying this application that is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to polarimetric synthetic aperture radar. The synthetic aperture radar image is a two-dimensional image, with the two dimensions corresponding to cross-range (azimuth or travel direction) and slant-range (or lateral); each being perpendicular to each other. Synthetic aperture radar frequently uses a platform and the synthetic aperture correlates to the distance the SAR platform covers during the period in which a target can be observed from the forward extent of the azimuth view angle on the platform's approach to the aft extent of the azimuth view angle upon its departure. In addition, the electromagnetic radiation produced by synthetic aperture radar has a polarization. Such polarization is useful for identification of materials. Symmetric, man-made objects produce very different synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signatures when examined using different polarizations. This is especially noticeable when these objects are metal. By using radar pulses with a mixture of polarizations and receiving antennas with a specific polarization, different images can be collected from the same series of radar pulses.
The present invention also relates to detection of manmade objects. Since manmade objects often exhibit “left-right” symmetry not found in nature, sensors capable of detecting “left-right” symmetry have the capability of distinguishing manmade (symmetric) objects from naturally occurring (asymmetric) objects.
Detection of objects with specific sizes and shapes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,125,370 ('370 patent) to Rodgers, et al, hereby incorporated by reference. The '370 patent discloses a method for processing a polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image of a region in order to screen large areas to identify candidate pixels that correspond to a position in the image that contains a candidate object. To obtain polarimetric SAR images, the system disclosed in the '370 patent transmits and receives pulses with both horizontal and vertical polarization. Polarimetric SAR imagery consists of two, three or four independent channels of complex data (amplitude plus phase) consisting of HH (Horizontal transmit, Horizontal receive), HV (Horizontal transmit, Vertical receive), VV (Vertical transmit, Vertical receive), and VH (Vertical transmit, Horizontal receive). For a fully polarimetric or quad-polarization SAR system (four channels), all four combinations HH, HV, VV and VH are employed.
The processing of different polarizations is particularly useful when metal objects are encountered. For example, a co-pol (HH or VV) response will be very high in the pixels containing a metal object's points of “left-right” symmetry. This could include multiple downrange pixels, depending on the target size and image pixel size. Such pixels could represent, for example, the centers of unexploded ordinances, Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs), or even the centers of trihedrals. The cross-pol response, on the other hand, will be very small in the same image pixels. It is an object of the present invention to exploit this physical phenomenon to enhance the target response from symmetric, man-made objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system for detecting symmetric objects using fully polarimetric, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. While other inventions exploit calculated parameters of various representations of the polarization state, the present invention operates directly on the measured co- and cross-polarization data, utilizing spatial averaging to reduce pixel variability, and exploits anomaly detection concepts commonly used within single SAR images.
The present invention is directed to a preferred embodiment system for determining the location of a man-made object based upon symmetry of the object comprising:
at least one of a transmitter and receiver combination or transceiver for emitting and receiving mixtures of polarizations and using receiving antennas with a specific polarization to thereby collect images from radar pulses, the receiver-transmitter mixtures of polarizations comprising horizontal-horizontal polarimetric images, vertical-vertical polarimetric images, vertical-horizontal polarimetric images and horizontal-vertical polarimetric images,
at least one processor, the at least one processor configured to combine the horizontal-horizontal polarimetric images and vertical-vertical polarimetric images to form co-polarimetric images and operate on one or both of the vertical-horizontal polarimetric images and horizontal-vertical polarimetric images to form cross-polarimetric images;
the at least one processor configured to process the co-polarimetric and cross-polarimetric images individually; each of the co-polarimetric and cross-polarimetric images comprising a plurality of incrementally selected pixels under test, the at least one processor configured to select a pixel under test and analyze the surrounding pixels to determine whether a manmade object is present; the at least one processor configured to perform spatial averaging using the cross polarimetric image by replacing the pixel under test and the pixels adjacent to the pixel under test with an average pixel value calculated from the pixel under test and pixels adjacent thereto;
using the co-polarimetric image, the at least one processor configured to determine the intensity of the background of the pixel under test and the surrounding pixels in order to diminish the effect of background to produce clearer co-polarimetric and cross-polarimetric images;
the at least one processor is configured to locate the left-right point of symmetry indicative of a man-made object by comparing each pixel under test in the cross-polarimetric image to pixels in the vicinity and if the intensity of the pixel under test differs by at least 3 dB, the pixel under test is a determined to be a candidate pixel for locating a cross-range coordinate determinative of a point of symmetry indicating a man-made object.
Optionally, the at least one processor is configured such that if the pixel under test differs by at least 15 dB, the pixel under test is determined to be a candidate pixel for locating a cross-range coordinate determinative of a point of symmetry indicating a man-made object. Optionally, the at least one processor is configured to perform spatial averaging using the cross polarimetric image by replacing the pixel under test and the pixels above and below the pixel under test with an average pixel value calculated from the pixel under test and pixels located above and below the pixel under test.
Optionally, the at least one processor is configured to reduce the value of the pixel under test that is a candidate pixel for the left right point of symmetry using a normalization process using a predetermined number pixel of values in the cross-polarimetric image on both sides of the pixel under test at the left right point of symmetry to thereby reduce effects of background.
In the alternative, the at least one processor determines the intensity of the background using the pixels surrounding the pixel under test and calculating an average pixel value of the surrounding pixels in order to capture a background average for pixels on either side of the point of left-right symmetry. Optionally, the complex magnitude of each component image pixel may be utilized, thereby enabling the exploitation of spatial averaging for speckle reduction. Optionally, the polarimetric images are polarimetric SAR images, and the horizontal-horizontal polarimetric images, the vertical-vertical polarimetric images, and one or both of the vertical-horizontal polarimetric images and horizontal-vertical polarimetric images are co-registered SAR images, and a location in each of the images has a corresponding location in the other co-registered SAR images.
Alternatively, the at least one processor utilizes spatial averaging to compute a spatial average and the at least one processor is configured to divide the spatial average by the intensity of the background. The spatial average may be computed using the equation:
I filter ( x , y ) = ∑ l = 0 N p I ( x , y - ⌊ N p / 2 ⌋ + i )
where I filter (x,y) denotes the image from either co-polarimetric or cross polarimetric radar data pixel at (x,y), where x and y are coordinates, N p is the number of pixels used for spatial averaging, and └Np/2┘ denotes the largest integer less than or equal to N p /2, where N p could be equal to zero for the co-polarimetric image.
Optionally, the at least one processor is configured to refine the corresponding pixel under test in the filtered co-polarimetric image by dividing by the ratio of the spatial average to the intensity of the background. Optionally, the at least one processor, for each pixel in the filtered cross-pol image, determines the effect of background pixels in the cross polarimetric image using the equation:
I
cross
denominator
(
x
,
y
)
=
∑
i
=
m
+
1
M
I
filter
,
cross
(
x
-
i
,
y
)
+
∑
i
=
m
+
1
M
I
filter
,
cross
(
x
+
i
,
y
)
where, I filter, cross is the filtered cross-pol image and I cross denominator is used to determine the I cross contrast in the following equation where x and y are coordinates, M is the number of cross-range cells on either side of a pixel under test in the cross-polarimetric image, m is the number of guard cells on either side of the pixel under test to be skipped before calculating a background average, where m may be equal to zero, and using the image cross denominator.
Optionally, for each pixel in the cross-pol image the at least one processor calculates the contrast between the pixel under test and any high intensity values the surrounding pixels by calculating the cross image contrast using the equation:
I cross contrast ( x , y ) = I filter cross ( x , y ) I cross denominator ( x , y )
where I filter cross (x,y) is the filtered image at coordinates (x,y), and I cross denominator (x,y) correlates to the background intensity in the cross polarimetric image at coordinates (x,y) used as a denominator and, using the cross contrast of the surrounding pixels, the at least one processor calculates a polarimetric manmade object detector output statistic T PMOD using the equation:
T PMOD ( x , y ) = I filter , co ( x , y ) I cross contrast ( x , y ) ,
where I filter, co (x,y) denotes the filtered co-pol image at coordinates (x,y).
As a further option, the at least one processor is configured to incrementally select pixels under test, determine the spatial average, determine the background intensity, use the corresponding pixel under test in the filtered co-polarimetric image and divide by the ratio of the spatial average to the intensity of the background to compile a list of statistical values indicating the likelihood of a manmade object, and compare the statistical value to the correlated value of corresponding pixel under test in the co-polarimetric image and wherein if the pixel under test value of the copolarimatric image has a larger value, it is more likely to be indicative of a manmade object. Alternatively, the at least one processor is configured to determine whether the ratio of the statistical value to the correlated value of corresponding pixel under test in the co-polarimetric image is greater than 4 dB to indicate the presence of a man-made object.
The present invention is also directed to a preferred method for determining the location of a man-made object comprising the following steps, not necessarily in order;
inputting image data comprising four co-registered polarimetric SAR images of a common scene; the four co-registered polarimetric images comprising horizontal-horizontal, horizontal-vertical, vertical-vertical and vertical-horizontal polarimetric images, the inputted image data comprising pixel values representing the polarimetric SAR images, a location in each of the four co-registered SAR images having a corresponding location in the other three co-registered SAR images;
each of the four co-registered SAR images being inputted into at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to calculate a statistic indicating the likelihood that a manmade object is present by selecting a pixel under test and:
(i) using at least one processor, spatial averaging at a plurality of pixel locations in the vicinity of the pixel under test using the equation:
I filter ( x , y ) = ∑ l = 0 N p I ( x , y - ⌊ N p / 2 ⌋ + i )
where I(x,y) denotes the image from either co-polarimetric or cross polarimetric radar data at pixel (x,y), where x and y are coordinates, N p is the number of pixels used for spatial averaging, and └Np/2┘ denotes the largest integer less than or equal to N p /2, where N p could be equal to zero for the co-polarimetric image;
(ii) capturing a background average by determining the number of cross-range cells (M) on either side of a pixel under test in the cross-pol image to calculate a background average for pixels on either side of the point of left-right symmetry and then specifying m, the number of “guard” cells on either side of the pixel under test to be “skipped” before calculating this background average, where m could be equal to zero;
(iii) for each pixel in the filtered cross-pol image, calculating the quantity:
I
cross
denominator
(
x
,
y
)
=
∑
i
=
m
+
1
M
I
filter
,
cross
(
x
-
i
,
y
)
+
∑
i
=
m
+
1
M
I
filter
,
cross
(
x
+
i
,
y
)
where, I filter, cross is the filtered cross-pol image and I cross denominator is used to determine the I cross contrast in the following equation;
(iv) for each pixel in the cross-pol image calculating the quantity:
I
cross
contrast
(
x
,
y
)
=
I
filter
,
cross
(
x
,
y
)
I
cross
denominator
(
x
,
y
)
(v) calculating a polarimetric manmade object detector output statistic T PMOD using the equation:
T PMOD ( x , y ) = I filter , co ( x , y ) I cross contrast ( x , y ) ,
where I filter, co (x,y) denotes the filtered co-pol image;
(vi) processing the image (two-dimensional array) of polarimetric manmade object output detector values to determine if the object under investigation is man-made.
An alternative preferred embodiment system for determining the location of a man-made object comprises:
at least one input configured to input image data comprising four co-registered SAR images of a common scene, each scene comprising a plurality of pixel values, the pixel values representing a radar cross section of the same region in each of the four basis polarizations;
at least one processor, each of the four co-registered SAR images being inputted into the at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to calculate a statistical likelihood that a manmade object is present; the at least one processor configured to perform spatial averaging at a plurality of pixel locations according to the equation:
I filter ( x , y ) = ∑ l = 0 N p I ( x , y - ⌊ N p / 2 ⌋ + i )
where I(x,y) denotes the image from either co-polarimetric or cross polarimetric radar data at pixel (x,y), N p is the number of pixels used for spatial averaging, and └Np/2┘ denotes the largest integer less than or equal to Np/2, and Np possibly equal to zero for the co-polarimetric image;
the at least one processor configured to determine M, the number of cross-range cells on either side of a pixel under test in the cross-pol image in order to capture a background average for pixels on either side of the point of left-right symmetry;
the at least one processor configured to determine the number (m) of“guard” cells on either side of the pixel under test to be “skipped” before calculating this background average, where m may be equal to zero;
the at least one processor configured to calculate for each pixel in the filtered cross-polarimetric image the quantity:
I cross denominator ( x , y ) = ∑ i = m + 1 M I filter , cross ( x - i , y ) + ∑ i = m + 1 M I filter , cross ( x + i , y )
where, I filter, cross is the filtered cross-polarimetric image;
the at least one processor configured to, for each pixel in the cross-pol image, calculate the quantity:
I
cross
contrast
(
x
,
y
)
=
I
filter
,
cross
(
x
,
y
)
I
cross
denominator
(
x
,
y
)
;
the at least one processor configured to calculate a polarimetric manmade object detector output statistic using the equation:
T PMOD ( x , y ) = I filter , co ( x , y ) I cross contrast ( x , y ) ,
where I filter, co (x,y) denotes the filtered co-polarimetric image; and
the at least one processor configured to create a two-dimensional array of values to determine if the object under investigation is man-made.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an illustration representative of the physical target having a tetrahedral shape which was detected by the polarimetric manmade object detector to detect the left-right symmetry indicative of manmade objects,
FIG. 3A is an illustration showing the cross-polarimetric image of the SAR image produced from a target represented by FIG. 2 .
FIG. 3B is the co-polarimetric image produced by the SAR image formation software of the manmade object detector component 30 . The color scales are set relative to the maximum pixel value in the image. Note the region of lower radar cross section in the cross-polarimetric image.
FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting the processing of the SAR image formation including the processing steps performed in block 30 (see FIG. 1 ) of the polarimetric manmade object detector system.
FIG. 5 is an illustration showing examples of target signature enhancement achieved by the preferred embodiments of the present invention for different target emplacement geometries. Enhancements of 10.5 dB for target 1 and 6.8 dB for target 2 are shown.
A more complete appreciation of the invention will be readily obtained by reference to the following Description of the Preferred Embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which like numerals in different figures represent the same structures or elements. The representations in each of the figures are diagrammatic and no attempt is made to indicate actual scales or precise ratios. Proportional relationships are shown as approximates.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments of the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments of the invention. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the dimensions of objects and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the full scope of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
It will be understood that the terminology left-right or left right is based upon the orientation of the image and that if the image is rotated 90 degree, left right symmetry will appear as up and down symmetry. As used herein, pixels to the side of the pixel under test are those pixels appearing adjacent to the pixel in the left right direction (or if rotated 90 degrees, then in the up and down direction).
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. For example, when referring first and second components, these terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment polarimetric manmade object detection system. The preferred embodiment synthetic aperture radar sensor produces imagery having sufficient down-range and cross-range resolution to ensure that one image pixel encompasses the target's point of left/right symmetry without including contributions from non-target objects. The synthetic aperture radar images—collected simultaneously at different polarizations—contain information regarding the polarization state of the target. A preferred embodiment enhances target signatures by combining of co-polarimetric (VV and HH) and cross-polarimetric (HV and VH) radar data using co-polarimetric and cross-polarimetric radar images.
The polarimetric SAR receiver 10 comprises four input/output receiver/transmitters or “basis” channels 11 A to 11 D for inputting data into SAR receiver sections 12 A through 12 D through to the SAR processor 20 . The data is fully polarimetric and includes (A) horizontal antenna transmitted data which was received by a horizontal receiver antenna data (shown s horizontal Tx horizontal Rx in FIG. 1 ) transmitted and received at 11 A, (B) horizontal antenna transmitted data which was received by a vertical receiver antenna data (shown s horizontal Tx vertical Rx in FIG. 1 ) transmitted and received at 11 B, (C) vertical antenna transmitted data which was received by a horizontal receiver antenna data (shown as vertical Tx, horizontal Rx in FIG. 1 ) transmitted and received at 11 C and (D) vertical antenna transmitted data which was received by a vertical receiver antenna data (shown as vertical Tx, vertical Rx in FIG. 1 ) transmitted and received at 11 D. The synthetic aperture radar sensor produces imagery of high enough down-range and cross-range resolution to ensure that one image pixel encompasses the target's point of left/right symmetry without including contributions from non-target objects. The synthetic aperture radar images—collected simultaneously at different polarizations (A-D) contain information regarding the polarization state.
The inputted data is then focused to produce four co-registered SAR images 12 A- 12 D of a common scene, wherein a specified pixel value represents the radar cross section (RCS) of the same patch of ground in each of the four basis polarizations. The four images are then inputted through channels 14 A- 14 D to the polarimetric manmade object detector 30 , which calculates a statistic indicating the likelihood that a manmade object is present. The polarimetric manmade object detector 30 calculates a statistic indicating the likelihood that a manmade object is present.
FIG. 2 illustrates the physical target 31 having a tetrahedral shape which was detected by the polarimetric manmade object detector to detect the left-right symmetry indicative of manmade objects,
The SAR images focused using measured data are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B . A cursory examination of the imagery reveals that the radar cross section in the cross-polarimetric image drops suddenly at the pixel with cross-range coordinate encompassing the left-right point of symmetry (shown generally as 31 ). This well-documented effect is precisely the phenomenon exploited by the polarimetric manmade object detector 30 to detect symmetric objects. While HH (horizontal Tx and horizontal Rx) and HV (horizontal Tx and vertical Rx) are used to illustrate the co-pol and cross-pol channel behaviors, similar co- and cross-pol behavior will be observed in the VV (vertical Tx and vertical Rx) and VH (vertical Tx and horizontal Rx) channels.
FIG. 3A is an image of the tetrahedral target under consideration (represented in FIG. 2 ) processed by the SAR image formation software. The color scales are set relative to the maximum pixel value in the image. FIG. 3B is the co-polarimetric image produced by the SAR image formation software of the manmade object detector component 30 . The color scales are set relative to the maximum pixel value in the image. Note the region of lower radar cross section in the cross-pol image.
FIG. 4 depicts the processing steps of the polarimetric manmade object detector (PMOD) algorithm. From the diagrams, the polarimetric manmade object detector (PMOD) algorithm first performs spatial averaging to reduce speckle. It then reduces the value of the cross-pol pixel at the point of symmetry through normalization by stronger cross-pol values on either side of the point of symmetry. Finally, the polarimetric manmade object detector (PMOD) algorithm divides the co-pol pixel value (which is typically high for metallic, symmetric, man-made objects) by this reduced co-pol pixel value. In regions where left-right symmetry exists, the co- to cross ratio should tend to be higher. These steps can be summarized as:
(i) Select one co-pol channel (either HH or VV) and one cross-pol channel (either HV or VH) (see FIG. 1 ) for use by the polarimetric manmade object detector (PMOD) processor 30 . (ii) Determine the number of down-range cells, N p , for use in spatial averaging for polarization p=0 (co-polarimetric) and p=1 (cross-polarimetric), and perform spatial averaging at each pixel location according to:
I
filter
(
x
,
y
)
=
∑
l
=
0
N
p
I
(
x
,
y
-
⌊
N
p
/
2
⌋
+
i
)
,
(
1
)
where I(x,y) denotes the image (either HH, VV, HV, or VH) pixel at (x,y), and └Np/2┘ denotes the largest integer less than or equal to Np/2, where Np could be equal to zero for the co-polarimetric image.
(iii) specify, M, the number of cross-range cells on either side of a pixel under test (PUT) in the cross-pol image used to capture radar cross section levels (i.e., a background average) for pixels without left-right symmetry. Specify m, the number of “guard” cells on either side of the pixel under test to be “skipped” before calculating this background average, which could be equal to zero. For each pixel in the filtered cross-pol image, calculate the quantity
I
cross
denominator
(
x
,
y
)
=
∑
i
=
m
+
1
M
I
filter
,
cross
(
x
-
i
,
y
)
+
∑
i
=
m
+
1
M
I
filter
,
cross
(
x
+
i
,
y
)
,
(
2
)
where, I filter, cross is the filtered cross-pol image.
(iv) For each pixel in the cross-pol image calculate the quantity (Box 38 ):
I cross contrast ( x , y ) = I filter , cross ( x , y ) I cross denominator ( x , y ) ( 3 )
[Note that a large cross denominator is indicative of high intensity pixels in the area, which are in turn indicative of manmade object.]
(v) Calculate the polarimetric manmade object detector (PMOD) output statistic (Box 39 ) as:
T
PMOD
(
x
,
y
)
=
I
co
,
filtered
(
x
,
y
)
I
cross
contrast
(
x
,
y
)
,
(
4
)
where I filter, co (x, y) denotes the filtered co-pol image.
(vi) Process the image (two-dimensional array) of PMOD values to determine if the object under investigation is man-made.
FIG. 5 illustrates the enhanced target response produced by the preferred embodiment system for different target ranges. The labels within the imagery (e.g. 65.0 dB) indicate the peak pixel value on target, and the polarimetric manmade object detection system enhances the target response by 10.5 dB (target 1 ) and 6.8 dB (target 2 ) respectively, as shown in the lower four images of FIG. 5 . When a similar comparison is performed of clutter pixels, on average the polarimetric manmade object detection system-processed pixel values are within a fraction of a dB of the input co-pol pixel values. Hence, on average, an enhancement in clutter-to-target ratio is expected to be on the order of the target enhancement realized by the PMOD system. The two images on the top show results from a different data collection (wherein a difference of nearly 4 dB was observed) for the same target used to the bottom two images.
Advantages of the Invention
Various systems have already been proposed for the detection of the symmetries in fully polarimetric SAR. These systems, however, rely on the calculation of specific statistics produced by transformation of the underlying polarization states. For example, the asymmetry angle produced by polarimetric decompositions has been proposed for detection of symmetric objects in a SAR image. The value of this statistic is compared to expected values for man-made objects, and a decision is made as to whether or not a target is present in the scene. Such a method, however, is not inherently amenable to spatial averaging (i.e. speckle reduction). Hence, it is subject to the high variability commonly encountered in SAR image pixel values.
Some approaches increase the number of available SAR images by breaking the synthetic aperture into several sub-apertures, each sub-aperture producing a corresponding image of the scene. While increasing the number of images available for averaging, this approach has the side-effect of reducing the resolution in each of the new images. In addition it could also corrupt the inherent symmetry of a target object if too much squint is introduced within some of the sub-apertures. Still other methods proposed in the past combine the SAR images from each polarization channel (i.e. co-polarimetric and cross-polarimetric) to create a single image for use by downstream target detection algorithms. Such approaches have been leveraged to detect larger, tactical targets in high resolution imagery. While achieving optimum performance in terms of a specific measurement criterion, they fail to exploit the very explicit co-pol to cross-pol relationship present in symmetric, man-made objects.
The method of the preferred embodiment differs from the current state of the art in several respects. First, it operates on, inter alia, a full-aperture SAR image, thereby maintaining the highest possible underlying image resolution. Second, it utilizes the complex magnitude of each component image pixel, thereby enabling the exploitation of spatial averaging for speckle reduction. Finally, it leverages the fundamental concepts of anomaly detection to “amplify” the signal from symmetric, man-made targets while leaving signals from asymmetric, natural clutter objects essentially unchanged. This results in a greater contrast between target and non-target objects within the scene.
The present invention is designed to reduce the variability of statistics calculated to detect symmetric, man-made objects in SAR imagery. This is achieved via the incorporation of averaging and the utilization of non-coherent, magnitude data. Based on data examined to date, the algorithm increases the target-to-clutter ratio when targets are symmetric while leaving them nearly unchanged when targets are asymmetric.
The invention could also be used in imagery produced by other sensors if multiple channels are available, and the measured signals from targets of interest are larger in certain channels while remaining smaller in others. This method has, however, not yet been extended to other sensor data (such as hyperspectral or multispectral imagery).
The invention represents a novel extension of anomaly detection techniques to target detection in fully polarimetric SAR data. While SAR anomaly detection algorithms (e.g. constant false alarm rate (CFAR) prescreeners) typically operate on a single image, the present invention combines information from multiple channels to enhance the contrast between target and background.
Since manmade objects often exhibit left-right symmetry not found in nature, a sensor capable of distinguishing such symmetries effectively distinguishes manmade (symmetric) objects from naturally occurring (asymmetric) ones. The present invention comprises such a system for detecting symmetric objects in fully polarimetric, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. Other state-of-the-art systems rely on the calculation of specific statistics produced by transformation of the underlying polarization states. Since a single value is determined, typically without exploiting any sort of averaging, the result may be subject to a large amount of variance. Some approaches have addressed this problem through sub-aperture processing, thus increasing the number of available images. This approach, however, reduces the resolution of the imagery available for subsequent processing. Other methods combine the SAR images from each polarization channel (i.e. co-polarimetric and cross-polarimetric) to create a single image for use by downstream target detection algorithms. While achieving optimum performance in terms of a specific measurement criterion, they fail to exploit the highly specific co-polarimetric to cross-polarimetric relationship present in symmetric, man-made objects.
The present invention operates on a full-aperture SAR image, thereby maintaining the highest possible underlying image resolution. The present invention may incorporate the complex magnitude of each component image pixel, thereby enabling the exploitation of spatial averaging for reduction of pixel variability. Finally, it leverages well-established concepts of anomaly detection to “amplify” the signal from symmetric, man-made targets while leaving signals from asymmetric, natural clutter objects essentially unchanged.
POTENTIAL USES
Potential military uses include the detection of unexploded ordinances (UXOs) such as 155 shells and landmines, explosively formed penetrator (EFP), also known as an explosively formed projectile (a self-forging warhead, or a self-forging fragment), as well as general remote monitoring of the environment.
The present invention is not restricted to the illustrative examples described above. Examples are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Methods, apparatus, compositions, and the like described herein are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the claims.
As used herein, the terminology “symmetry” means the quality of being made up of substantially similar parts facing each other or around an axis. Alternatively, symmetry means substantially invariant to a transformation, such as for example, reflection but including other transforms too.
As used herein the terminology “point of left-right point of symmetry” means the point where substantial symmetry occurs or exists to the left and right of the “point of left-right symmetry.” If the object is rotated, the axis of symmetry will rotate correspondingly.
As used herein, the terminology “polarimetric” means relating to the rotation of the plane of polarization of polarized electromagnetic waves.
As used herein, the terminology “pixel under test” means the pixel being tested or the pixel chosen to undergo review.
As used herein, the terminology “polarimetry” means the process of measuring the polarization of electromagnetic waves, such as radar waves, generally in the context of waves that have traveled through or have been reflected, diffracted or refracted by a material or object.
In polarimetric systems, pulses are transmitted and received with both horizontal and vertical polarizations. As used herein, the terminology (a) “horizontal-horizontal” or HH means horizontal transmit, horizontal receive, (b) HV, horizontally transmit, Vertical receive, (c) VV, Vertical transmit, Vertical receive, and (d) VH, Vertical transmit, Horizontal receive).
As used herein, the terminology “co-polarimetric” radar data means horizontal-horizontal,” or horizontal transmit, horizontal receive, radar data, and VV, Vertical transmit, Vertical receive radar data.
As used herein the terminology cross polarimetric radar data means one or both of HV, horizontally transmit, Vertical receive and/or VH, Vertical transmit, Horizontal receive radar data.
As used herein, the terminology “patch” is a portion of the radar image.
As used herein, the term “complex magnitude” is determined by calculating the square root of the sum of the squares of the in-phase and quadrature components of the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image pixel.
Patents, patent applications, or publications mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by object to the same extent as if each individual document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by object.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments are intended to reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. | A system and method for locating a man-made object comprising a transmitter and receiver combination or transceiver configured to emit mixtures of polarizations comprising HH, VV, VH and or HV polarization images, at least one processor configured to form co-polarimetric and cross-polarimetric images, to select a pixel under test and analyze the surrounding pixels by performing spatial averaging using the cross polarimetric image, and to replace the pixel under test and the pixels adjacent thereto with an average pixel value calculated from the pixel under test and pixels adjacent thereto; the at least one processor configured to diminish background effects to produce clearer co-polarimetric and cross-polarimetric images and to locate the left-right point of symmetry indicative of a man-made object by comparing each pixel under test in the cross-polarimetric image to pixels in the vicinity to locate an intensity differential in excess of 3 dB. | 57,802 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-257389 filed in Japan on Nov. 26, 2012 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-035063 filed in Japan on Feb. 25, 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical scanning apparatus, a method for performing the same and an image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention performs image formation by an electrophotographic process.
That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be carried out as an optical printer such as a laser printer, an optical plotter, a digital electronic copier, a plain paper facsimile, and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, for an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a digital electronic copier, and a plain paper facsimile, colorization of formed images, an increase in the speed, and downsizing of the apparatus have been demanded.
In response to such demands, various image forming apparatuses that use a plurality of photoconductive photoreceptors have been proposed and realized.
As such an image forming apparatus, an apparatus that “shares a light source for optical scanning” with respect to a plurality of photoreceptors has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-145667).
As a light source for optical scanning in an image forming apparatus, a “semiconductor light-emitting element” such as a semiconductor laser or a surface-emitting semiconductor laser (so-called “vertical-cavity surface-emitting later (VCSEL)”) is generally used.
High-speed drive of these “semiconductor light-emitting elements” has been realized and a signal for modulating exposure energy based on image information becomes a “modulation signal of a higher frequency” from several to several tens of megahertz.
In a semiconductor light-emitting element used for such a “modulation signal of an extremely high frequency”, “offset light emission” is always performed for light-emission rise characteristics and stability of light-emitting power.
The offset light emission means to emit light with constant weak light emission intensity during optical scanning, even during a time when light emission does not contribute to image write based on image information.
When a semiconductor light-emitting element as a light source is shared by a plurality of photoreceptors and the “offset light emission” is performed by using the shared semiconductor light-emitting element, there are following problems.
For specific explanation, there is assumed a case where “one semiconductor light-emitting element is shared by two photoreceptors”, and an image A is formed on one of the photoreceptors and an image B is formed on the other.
The images A and B are, for example, a cyan image and a black image used for forming a color image.
In this case, when both the images A and B are formed, light emission from the semiconductor light-emitting element is continuously performed, and modulation is performed alternately by a modulation signal for writing the image A and a modulation signal for writing the image B.
When only the image A is formed, the photoreceptor for the image A is optically scanned by “modulated light”; however, the photoreceptor for the image B is optically scanned by “offset light emission”.
In this case, when the photoreceptor for the image B is stopped to save energy for driving the photoreceptor, the same spot of the photoreceptor is “optically scanned repeatedly by the offset light emission”.
Therefore, light-induced fatigue occurs in a “portion which is optically scanned repeatedly” of the photoreceptor, and the photosensitive property thereof tends to be deteriorated. Such deterioration of the photosensitive property occurs “in a line shape”.
When the image B is formed by using the “photoreceptor in which the photosensitive property is deteriorated in the line shape”, an abnormal image is formed such that streaky density unevenness appears due to the deterioration of the photosensitive property in the line shape.
Therefore, there is a need to provide an optical scanning apparatus that favorably prevents the abnormal image described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.
According to an aspect of the invention, an optical scanning apparatus for optically scanning at least one scanning target surface is provided. The optical scanning apparatus includes: a light source; a light-flux dividing unit disposed on a main optical path of a main light flux emitted from the light source, and the light-flux dividing unit configured to spatially divide the main light flux; an optical deflector disposed on a divided optical path of the divided light flux, and the optical deflector configured to deflect the divided optical path; an optical path opening/closing switch unit disposed on the divided optical path between the light-flux dividing unit and the optical deflector, and the optical path opening/closing switch unit configured to interrupt or pass at least one of the divided optical path; and a controller configured to control operation of interrupting or passing the at least one of the divided optical path by the optical path opening/closing switch unit.
According to another aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: at least one photoreceptor; an optical scanning apparatus set forth in claim 1 for writing an electrostatic image onto the at least one photoreceptor; and a transferring unit configured to superimpose different color of toner images and transferring the superimposed image onto a common sheet-like recording medium, and fixing the transferred image thereon.
According to further aspect of the invention, a method for performing an optical scanning apparatus for optically scanning at least one scanning target surface is provided. The optical scanning apparatus includes: a light source; a light-flux dividing unit disposed on a main optical path of a main light flux emitted from the light source, and the light-flux dividing unit configured to spatially divide the main light flux; an optical deflector disposed on a divided optical path of the divided light flux, and the optical deflector configured to deflect the divided optical path; an optical path opening/closing switch unit disposed on the divided optical path between the light-flux dividing unit and the optical deflector, and the optical path opening/closing switch unit configured to interrupt or pass at least one of the divided optical path; and a controller configured to control operation of interrupting or passing the at least one of the divided optical path by the optical path opening/closing switch unit. The method includes: emitting the main light flux from the light source; dividing spatially the main light flux; interrupting the at least one of the divided optical path; and deflecting the divided optical path passing the optical path opening/closing switch unit.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an optical scanning apparatus;
FIG. 3 is another explanatory diagram of the optical scanning apparatus;
FIG. 4 is still another explanatory diagram of the optical scanning apparatus;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of division of a light flux;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of optically scanning two scanning target surfaces with light fluxes from one light source;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of an example of optical path opening/closing by an optical-path opening/closing unit;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of another example of the optical path opening/closing by the optical-path opening/closing unit;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams of another example of the optical path opening/closing by the optical-path opening/closing unit;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of still another example of the optical path opening/closing by the optical-path opening/closing unit;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagram of still another example of the optical path opening/closing by the optical-path opening/closing unit; and
FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagram of a VCSEL as an example of a semiconductor light-emitting element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained below.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus is a “tandem color printer”.
A color printer denoted by reference sign 2000 is a multi-color printer that forms a full color image by superimposing four color images (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow).
The color printer 2000 includes two optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b.
The color printer 2000 also includes photosensitive drums 2030 a , 2030 b , 2030 c , and 2030 d as four photoreceptors.
A cleaning unit 2031 a , a charging device 2032 a , a developing roller 2033 a , and a toner cartridge 2034 a are arranged around the photosensitive drum 2030 a.
The photosensitive drum 2030 a , the cleaning unit 2031 a , the charging device 2032 a , the developing roller 2033 a , and the toner cartridge 2034 a form a “station K”.
The “station K” is an image forming station that forms a black image.
A cleaning unit 2031 b , a charging device 2032 b , a developing roller 2033 b , and a toner cartridge 2034 b are arranged around the photosensitive drum 2030 b.
The photosensitive drum 2030 b , the cleaning unit 2031 b , the charging device 2032 b , the developing roller 2033 b , and the toner cartridge 2034 b form a “station C”.
The “station C” is an image forming station that forms a cyan image.
A cleaning unit 2031 c , a charging device 2032 c , a developing roller 2033 c , and a toner cartridge 2034 c are arranged around the photosensitive drum 2030 c.
The photosensitive drum 2030 c , the cleaning unit 2031 c , the charging device 2032 c , the developing roller 2033 c , and the toner cartridge 2034 c form a “station M”.
The “station M” is an image forming station that forms a magenta image.
A cleaning unit 2031 d , a charging device 2032 d , a developing roller 2033 d , and a toner cartridge 2034 d are arranged around the photosensitive drum 2030 d.
The photosensitive drum 2030 d , the cleaning unit 2031 d , the charging device 2032 d , the developing roller 2033 d , and the toner cartridge 2034 d form a “station Y”.
The “station Y” is an image forming station that forms a yellow image.
A transfer belt 2040 , a transfer roller pair 2042 , and a fixing device 2050 are arranged below these stations K to Y.
A paper feed tray 2060 , a paper feed roller 2054 , and a timing roller pair 2056 are provided below these stations K to Y.
A paper delivery roller pair 2058 and a paper delivery tray 2070 are arranged in an upper part of the image forming apparatus body.
A communication control device 2080 , a printer control device 2090 that executes the overall control of the respective units, and the like are arranged in the upper part of the image forming apparatus body.
The communication control device 2080 controls bidirectional communication with a “higher-level device (for example, a computer)” via a network.
The printer control device 2090 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an AD converter circuit, and the like.
A program described in a code readable by the CPU, and various data to be used at the time of executing the program are stored in the ROM.
The RAM is a work memory, and the AD converter circuit converts analog data to digital data.
The printer control device 2090 transmits image information from the “higher-level device” to the optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b.
The printer control device 2090 also executes various controls of optical scanning performed by the optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b.
Circumferential surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d are respectively formed as a photoconductive photosensitive layer.
Surfaces of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d are “scanning target surfaces” subjected to optical scanning.
When the full color image is formed, the photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d are respectively rotated clockwise by a drive unit (not shown).
The respective photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d are uniformly charged by the corresponding charging device 2032 a to 2032 d.
In this exemplary embodiment, a corona discharge charging device is exemplified. However, the charging device is not limited thereto, and a contact/non-contact charging device such as a charging roller can be used.
Optical scanning is performed to the respective uniformly charged photosensitive drums by the optical scanning apparatus.
That is, the photosensitive drums 2030 a and 2030 b are optically scanned by the optical scanning apparatus 2010 a , and the photosensitive drums 2030 c and 2030 d are optically scanned by the optical scanning apparatus 2010 b.
Optical scanning is performed “between the charging device and the developing roller”.
The optical scanning apparatus 2010 a performs optical scanning based on the respective pieces of image information of black and cyan supplied from the higher-level device via the printer control device 2090 .
The photosensitive drums 2030 a and 2030 b are optically scanned by the optical scanning.
A “K latent image” corresponding to the black image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 2030 a by the optical scanning.
A “C latent image” corresponding to the cyan image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 2030 b.
Similarly, the optical scanning apparatus 2010 b performs optical scanning based on magenta image information and yellow image information supplied from the higher-level device via the printer control device 2090 .
The photosensitive drums 2030 c and 2030 d are optically scanned by the optical scanning.
With the optical scanning, an “M latent image” corresponding to the magenta image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 2030 c , and a “Y latent image” corresponding to the yellow image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 2030 d.
The K to Y latent images formed on the corresponding photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d are developed by the corresponding developing roller 2033 a to 2033 d , respectively.
That is, the toner cartridge 2034 a supplies black toner stored therein to the developing roller 2033 a.
The developing roller 2033 a visualizes the K latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2030 a by the supplied black toner.
The toner cartridge 2034 b supplies cyan toner stored therein to the developing roller 2033 b.
The developing roller 2033 b visualizes the C latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2030 b by the supplied cyan toner.
The toner cartridge 2034 c supplies magenta toner stored therein to the developing roller 2033 c.
The developing roller 2033 c visualizes the M latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2030 c by the supplied magenta toner.
The toner cartridge 2034 d supplies yellow toner stored therein to the developing roller 2033 d.
The developing roller 2033 d visualizes the Y latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2030 d by the supplied yellow toner.
In this way, a black image, a cyan image, a magenta image, and a yellow image are formed on the photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d , respectively.
That is, different toner images are formed by an electrophotographic process on the photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d , which are a plurality of photoconductive photoreceptors, respectively.
The color images of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow formed as described above are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 2040 at a predetermined timing.
Transfer of the respective color images onto the transfer belt 2040 can be performed by a known appropriate transfer unit, and the transfer unit is not shown in FIG. 1 .
The respective color images to be transferred are superimposed on each other on the transfer belt 2040 to form a “color image”.
Transfer of the respective color images from the respective photosensitive drums onto the transfer belt 2040 is referred to as “primary transfer”. The color image is transferred to and fixed on a recording sheet, which is a sheet-like recording medium.
That is, a recording sheet S onto which the color image is transferred and fixed is stacked and stored in the paper feed tray 2060 , and is delivered and fed one by one by the paper feed roller 2054 .
A front end of the fed recording sheet S is nipped between the timing roller pair 2056 .
The timing roller pair 2056 delivers the nipped recording sheet S toward a “secondary transfer portion”, which is a portion at which the transfer belt 2040 and the transfer roller pair 2042 face each other, at a predetermined timing.
The color image on the transfer belt 2040 is secondarily transferred to the recording sheet S, when the recording sheet S passes through the secondary transfer portion.
The color image transferred to the recording sheet S is fixed thereon by the effects of heat and pressure by the fixing device 2050 , and the recording sheet S is delivered onto the paper delivery tray 2070 by the paper delivery roller pair 2058 .
The respective cleaning units 2031 a to 2031 d remove “transfer residual toner” remaining on the surfaces of the corresponding photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d.
The surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums, from which the transfer residual toner has been removed, return to a position facing the corresponding charging device again.
The optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b are explained next. Because the optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b have the same configuration, the optical scanning apparatus 2010 a is explained below as an example.
An example of the optical scanning apparatus 2010 a is explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 .
In FIGS. 2 to 4 , reference sign 2200 A denotes a “single semiconductor light-emitting element” as a light source, reference signs QvA, Qa, and Qb denote a “quarter-wave plate” respectively, and reference sign 2201 A denotes a “coupling lens”.
Reference sign 2202 A denotes an “aperture plate”, reference sign 2203 A denotes a “light-flux dividing member”, which is a light-flux dividing unit, and reference signs 2204 a and 2204 b denote a “cylindrical lens” respectively.
Reference sign 2104 A denotes a “polygon mirror”.
Reference signs 2105 a and 2105 b denote “first scanning lenses”, and reference signs 2107 a and 2107 b denote “second scanning lenses”.
Reference signs 2106 a , 2106 b , 2108 a , and 2108 b respectively denote an “optical-path bending mirror”.
These are arranged in an “optical housing” (not shown) in a predetermined position relation with each other. In FIG. 2 and thereafter, a Z direction is a sub-scanning direction, and a Y direction is a main scanning direction.
The “main scanning direction” is a direction in which the optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b optically scan the corresponding photosensitive drums (scanning target surfaces).
Furthermore, the “sub-scanning direction” is a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction on the scanning target surface.
In the following descriptions, directions corresponding to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are referred to as “main scanning direction” and “sub-scanning direction”, respectively, even on an optical axis and an optical path of the light flux extending from the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A to each of the scanning target surfaces.
In FIG. 2 , the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A is a “semiconductor laser”, and emits a linearly polarized light flux (a single light flux) having a predetermined wavelength (in this example, a 780-nm band).
The emitted light flux enters into the quarter-wave plate QvA, and is provided with an “optical phase difference of a quarter-wavelength” and converted to circularly polarized light.
The quarter-wave plate QvA is inclined with respect to a surface orthogonal to a traveling direction of the light flux, and a light flux reflected by the quarter-wave plate QvA decreases an “amount returning to the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A”.
The light flux having passed through the quarter-wave plate QvA is changed to a substantially parallel light flux by the coupling lens 2201 A, and is so-called beam-shaped by an opening of the aperture plate 2202 A.
The light-flux dividing member 2203 A divides the beam-shaped light flux into two light fluxes.
Division of the light flux is explained with reference to FIG. 5 .
In FIG. 5 , reference sign L 0 denotes a light flux entering from the aperture plate 2202 A into the light-flux dividing member 2203 A. The light flux L 0 is “circularly polarized light”.
As shown in FIG. 5 , the light-flux dividing member 2203 A is formed by combining a triangular prism P 1 having a sectional shape of right-angled triangle and a square prism P 2 having a sectional shape of parallelogram.
A bonded surface of these prisms P 1 and P 2 forms a “polarization separation surface”, which transmits a light flux L 1 having a P polarization component of the light flux L 0 incident thereto, and reflects a light flux L 2 having an S polarization component.
The light flux L 1 transmitted through the polarization separation surface “is emitted from the light-flux dividing member 2203 A, with a direction of the incident light flux L 0 being maintained”.
The light flux L 2 reflected by the polarization separation surface is reflected by a “reflecting mirror surface” on an upper surface of the square prism P 2 , “is separated in parallel” from the light flux L 1 , and is emitted from the light-flux dividing member 2203 A.
That is, the light flux L 0 from the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A is divided into two light fluxes L 1 and L 2 parallel to each other in the sub-scanning direction by the light-flux dividing member 2203 A.
In other words, the light flux emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A as the light source is spatially divided into plural (two) by the light-flux dividing member 2203 A, which is the light-flux dividing unit.
That is, the division number of the light flux by the light-flux dividing member 2203 A is two.
Furthermore, the light flux is divided by the light-flux dividing member 2203 A by using the polarization property.
As shown in FIG. 3 , a first light flux (the light flux L 1 ), which is one of the two light fluxes emitted from the light-flux dividing member 2203 A, enters into the quarter-wave plate Qa and is converted to the circularly polarized light.
Similarly, a second light flux (the light flux L 2 ), which is the other of the two light fluxes emitted from the light-flux dividing member 2203 A, enters into the quarter-wave plate Qb and is converted to the circularly polarized light.
The light fluxes converted to the circularly polarized light in this manner enter into the cylindrical lens 2204 a , 2204 b , respectively and are focused in the sub-scanning direction (the Z direction in FIG. 3 ).
In the polygon mirror 2104 A as an “optical deflector”, a four-fold mirror having four deflective reflection surfaces is “arranged in two stages in the sub-scanning direction”.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , in the four-fold mirror (first polygonal mirror) on the first stage (an upper stage), the light flux (the light flux L 2 ) from the cylindrical lens 2204 b enters into the deflective reflection surface and is deflected.
In the four-fold mirror (second polygonal mirror) on the second stage (a lower stage), the light flux (the light flux L 1 ) from the cylindrical lens 2204 a is deflected.
The respective light fluxes L 1 and L 2 are imaged as a “line image long in the main scanning direction” near the deflective reflection surface of the four-fold mirror, to which the light fluxes enter, by the operations of the cylindrical lenses 2204 a and 2204 b.
In the “two-stage four-fold mirrors” forming the polygon mirror 2104 A, normal lines to the deflective reflection surfaces form 45 degrees with each other, and deflection for optical scanning is performed alternately on the first stage and the second stage.
In other words, the four-fold mirrors on the first stage and the second stage respectively “rotate with a phase being shifted by 45 degrees”.
The two first scanning lenses 2105 a and 2105 b shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 respectively have an “fθ function”.
That is, the first scanning lenses 2105 a and 2105 b have a function of equalizing the main scanning speed on the corresponding photosensitive drum surface by the light flux deflected at an equiangular speed with rotation of the polygon mirror 2104 A.
As shown in FIG. 4 , the first scanning lenses 2105 a and 2105 b are overlapped in the Z direction (the sub-scanning direction).
The first scanning lens 2105 a faces the “lower four-fold mirror”, and the first scanning lens 2105 b faces the “upper four-fold mirror”.
The light flux deflected by the “upper four-fold mirror” of the polygon mirror 2104 A is transmitted through the first scanning lens 2105 b , and the optical path thereof is bent by the optical-path bending mirror 2106 b.
The light flux is then emitted to the photosensitive drum 2030 b via the second scanning lens 2107 b and the optical-path bending mirror 2108 b to form an optical spot.
The optical spot scans the photosensitive drum 2030 b in the main scanning direction at the constant speed with the rotation of the polygon mirror 2104 A, thereby writing a cyan image.
Furthermore, the light flux deflected by the “lower four-fold mirror” of the polygon mirror 2104 A is transmitted through the first scanning lens 2105 a , and the optical path thereof is bent by the optical-path bending mirror 2106 a.
The light flux is then emitted to the photosensitive drum 2030 a via the second scanning lens 2107 a and the optical-path bending mirror 2108 a to form an optical spot.
The optical spot scans the photosensitive drum 2030 a in the main scanning direction at the constant speed with the rotation of the polygon mirror 2104 A, thereby writing a black image.
The respective optical-path bending mirrors are provided so that the respective optical path lengths from the polygon mirror 2104 A to the respective photosensitive drums match with each other.
The respective optical-path bending mirrors are also provided so that respective “incident positions and incident angles of the light flux to the photosensitive drum” are equivalent to each other.
The cylindrical lenses 2204 a and 2204 b and the second scanning lenses 2107 a and 2107 b corresponding thereto form a so-called “optical face tangle error correction system”.
That is, the “line image” described above formed by the cylindrical lens 2204 a and the scanning direction of the photosensitive drum 2030 a have a conjugate relation by the second scanning lens 2107 a in the sub-scanning direction.
The “line image” described above formed by the cylindrical lens 2204 b and the scanning direction of the photosensitive drum 2030 b have also a conjugate relation by the second scanning lens 2107 b in the sub-scanning direction.
The first scanning lenses 2105 a and 2105 b , the second scanning lenses 2107 a and 2107 b , and the optical-path bending mirrors 2106 a , 2106 b , 2108 a , and 2108 b form a scanning optical system.
The configuration described above is a configuration of the optical scanning apparatus 2010 a that optically scans the photosensitive drums 2030 a and 2030 b.
Therefore, the first scanning lens 2105 a , the second scanning lens 2107 a , and the optical-path bending mirrors 2106 a and 2108 a form a “scanning optical system of the station K”.
Similarly, the first scanning lens 2105 b , the second scanning lens 2107 b , and the optical-path bending mirrors 2106 b and 2108 b form a “scanning optical system of the station C”.
As described above, the optical scanning apparatus 2010 b that optically scans the photosensitive drums 2030 c and 2030 d have the same configuration as that of the optical scanning apparatus 2010 a.
An optical scanning area in the main scanning direction of each photosensitive drum in which image information is written is referred to as “effective scanning area”.
In FIG. 2 , reference sign 2301 A denotes a “synchronization lens”, and reference sign 2302 A denotes a “synchronization detection sensor”.
The synchronization lens 2301 A is used for detecting a deflected light flux (the light flux L 1 ) deflected by the “lower-stage four-fold mirror” of the polygon mirror 2104 A.
That is, the synchronization lens 2301 A is arranged on an optical path of the deflected light flux transmitted through a “non-power portion having no power in the main scanning direction” at an end on a −Y side of the first scanning lens 2105 b.
The deflected light flux is focused onto a light-receiving surface of the synchronization detection sensor 2302 A.
The synchronization detection sensor 2302 A outputs a signal corresponding to an amount of light of the light-received deflected light flux to the printer control device 2090 that controls optical scanning.
The printer control device 2090 determines a “write start timing with respect to the photosensitive drums 2030 a and 2030 b , based on the signal output from the synchronization detection sensor 2302 A.
The synchronization lens 2301 A and the synchronization detection sensor 2302 A constitute a “synchronization detection system”.
The deflected light flux light-received by the synchronization detection sensor 2302 A is referred to as “light flux for synchronization detection”.
The light flux for synchronization detection passes through the non-power portion of the first scanning lens 2105 a , and the optical path of the light flux for synchronization detection does not change regardless of deformation of the first scanning lens due to a change in the ambient temperature.
In this exemplary embodiment, when the two light fluxes L 1 and L 2 from the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A scan one of the photosensitive drums, the two light fluxes L 1 and L 2 do not reach the other photosensitive drum.
When the light flux L 1 optically scans the photosensitive drum 2030 a , a “light-source drive unit” (not shown) modulates and drives the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A based on the black image information.
Furthermore, when the light flux L 2 optically scans the photosensitive drum 2030 b , the light-source drive unit modulates and drives the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A based on the cyan image information.
A time chart for optical scanning with respect to the photosensitive drums 2030 a and 2030 b in this case is shown in FIG. 6 . In FIG. 6 , an “amount of light” of exposure is plotted on a vertical axis and “time” is plotted on a horizontal axis.
Exposure by the black image information and the cyan image information is performed by the light flux from the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A as a common light source.
That is, each of the spatially separated light fluxes L 1 and L 2 is “spatially separated” and deflected alternately by the polygon mirror 2104 A as the optical deflector.
Scanning of the different photoreceptor is performed by each of the deflected light fluxes.
The time chart shows a timing when the light is all turned on in the effective scanning areas of the photosensitive drums.
In FIG. 6 , a solid line corresponds to a portion of the black image information, and a broken line corresponds to a portion of the cyan image information.
In FIG. 6 , “scanning line 1 ” means a scanning line by the light flux L 1 (a trajectory of the optical spot that performs main scanning), and “scanning line 2 ” means a scanning line by the light flux L 2 .
When full-color image formation is performed, optical scanning of the respective photosensitive drums 2030 a to 2030 d is performed as described above by the optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b.
The image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 can perform “image formation using only a part” of the four image forming stations.
In this case, image formation is not performed by at least one of the four image forming stations.
As the simplest and most representative case, a case where “a black image is formed as a monochrome image by image formation by only the station K” is explained.
In this case, only the optical scanning apparatus 2010 a that is required for forming a black image is operated, and the operation of the optical scanning apparatus 2010 b is stopped.
Modulation drive of the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A that is required for forming a black image is performed after a determination of the write start timing of the black image and the cyan image by the synchronization detection system.
Therefore, until the write start timing is determined, the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A is forcibly lighted up and deflected, and the light flux for synchronization detection is received by the synchronization detection sensor 2302 A.
At this time, because the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A is forcibly lighted up, optical scanning is performed not only on the synchronization detection sensor 2302 A but also on the photosensitive drums 2030 a and 2030 b.
As described above, offset light emission is performed by the semiconductor light-emitting element for improving rise characteristics and power stability of optical power of the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A.
Due to the offset light emission, “offset beams” are always emitted, although in a limited amount of light.
After a determination of the write start timing, when the photosensitive drum 2030 a is optically scanned, modulation drive of the semiconductor light-emitting element 2200 A is performed based on the black image information.
In this case, the photosensitive drum 2030 b for forming a cyan image is exposed to the offset beams.
The exposure of the photosensitive drum 2030 b to the offset beams causes deterioration of the photosensitive drum 2030 b due to light-induced fatigue.
Particularly, at the time of forming the black image, when the rotation of the photosensitive drum 2030 b is stopped to reduce power consumption, it becomes a cause of the “abnormal image such as density unevenness” described above.
According to the present invention, this problem is solved by “at least one optical-path opening/closing unit and a control unit”.
The at least one optical-path opening/closing unit is arranged in at least one optical path of the light fluxes divided by the light-flux dividing unit to open or close the optical path independently.
The control unit controls opening/closing of the optical path by the at least one optical-path opening/closing unit.
FIGS. 7A and 7B depict one embodiment of the optical-path opening/closing unit.
In the present embodiment, a shielding member 2109 (and a drive unit (not shown)) are provided as the optical-path opening/closing unit between the light-flux dividing member 2203 A and the scanning target surface.
The shielding member 2109 is provided to open or close the optical path of one of the divided light fluxes (the light flux L 2 that performs write of a cyan image).
That is, the shielding member 2109 shields the light flux L 2 guided in the optical path that is opened or closed.
The position where the shielding member 2109 is installed can be basically any position from a position after the light flux from the semiconductor light-emitting element is divided into two by the light-flux dividing unit up to a position of the photosensitive drum surface.
However, a position before the light flux is deflected by the optical deflector is advantageous in view of the installation space and cost, because the size of the shielding member 2109 can be decreased.
In this exemplary embodiment, the shielding member 2109 is arranged on an optical path of the light flux L 2 at a position immediately after the light-flux dividing member 2203 A.
The shielding member 2109 is driven to move parallel to a Y direction orthogonal to the drawing by a drive unit (not shown, being controlled by the printer control device 2090 in FIG. 1 ).
Accordingly, the shielding member 2109 and the drive unit (not shown) form the “optical-path opening/closing unit”, and the printer control device 2090 forms the “control unit”.
The shielding member 2109 can switch the “opened or closed state of the optical path” depending on the input image information.
When the input image information requires all the divided light fluxes for image formation such as full color printing, the “optical paths of both light fluxes are opened” by the shielding member 2109 .
This state is shown in FIG. 7A . The shielding member 2109 is retreated from the optical path of the light flux L 2 , as shown by a broken line, and does not close any optical path.
When the input image information is used to form a monochrome image (forming a black image), only one of the divided light fluxes (the light flux L 1 ) is required, and the other (the light flux L 2 ) is not required.
In this case, the shielding member 2109 is displaced in the Y direction by the drive unit (not shown), so that only the optical path of the light flux L 2 is shielded. This state is shown in FIG. 7B .
With this method, the optical path of the light flux L 2 is closed by the shielding member 2109 . Therefore, the photosensitive drum 2030 b is not optically scanned by the light flux L 2 (offset beams).
Accordingly, light-induced fatigue of the photosensitive drum 2030 b due to unnecessary optical scanning by the offset beams can be suppressed, and an “abnormal image such as density unevenness” can be prevented, thereby enabling to form a high quality image for a long time.
In the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B , the shielding member 2109 moves into and out from the optical path of the light flux L 2 with simple parallel displacement to open or close the optical path.
That is, the drive unit that displaces and drives the shielding member 2109 causes the shielding member 2109 to perform simple reciprocating parallel displacement.
As the drive unit that causes the shielding member 2109 to perform simple parallel displacement, a “known appropriate parallel displacement mechanism” can be used, and opening/closing control of the optical path can be executed according to the image to be formed.
Another embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B .
In the present embodiment, a shielding unit as the optical-path opening/closing unit is provided between the light-flux dividing member 2203 A and the scanning target surface.
The shielding unit is provided to open or close the optical path of one of the divided light fluxes (the light flux L 2 that performs write of a cyan image).
The shielding unit includes a swingable shielding member 2110 and a drive unit 2111 that drives the shielding member 2110 . The drive unit 2111 is a “stepping motor”.
FIG. 8A depicts a state where the optical paths of both the light fluxes L 1 and L 2 are opened. FIG. 8B depicts a state where the optical path of the light flux L 2 is closed.
The light fluxes L 1 and L 2 are overlapped on each other in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the drawing.
The shielding member 2110 is rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees from the state in FIG. 8A by the stepping motor 2111 and is arranged in the optical path of the light flux L 2 .
The optical path of the light flux L 2 is closed by the arrangement of the shielding member 2110 .
When the shielding member 2110 is rotated clockwise 90 degrees from the state in FIG. 8B , the shielding member 2110 is retreated from the optical path of the light flux L 2 to open the optical path of the light flux L 2 .
The working speed of the shielding member 2110 can be such that an opening/closing operation is complete within a time (within several hundreds of milliseconds) from an input of the image information until synchronization detection light is emitted.
Accordingly, the stepping motor 2111 as the drive unit only needs to be operated while being matched with the time.
The stepping motor 2111 can rotate at a certain angle according to an input signal, and can perform the opening/closing operation without executing any complicated control.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B , an optical sensor 2112 b and an actuator 2112 a are provided. The actuator 2112 a is integrally provided with the shielding member 2110 .
In the state shown in FIG. 8A where the optical path of the light flux L 2 is opened, the actuator 2112 a puts the optical sensor 2112 b in a shielded state.
As shown in FIG. 8B , when the shielding member 2110 closes the optical path of the light flux L 2 , the actuator 2112 a puts the optical sensor 2112 b in an opened state, and the optical sensor 2112 b is turned ON.
Accordingly, it is detected that the optical path of the light flux L 2 is closed.
By including the actuator 2112 a , when the opening/closing state cannot be controlled at the time of a failure or the like of the drive part, this state can be detected, and unnecessary optical scanning by the light flux L 2 can be prevented.
By using a black “member emitted with the light flux” such as the shielding members 2109 and 2110 in a piled form, optical absorptance can be increased, and reflection and scattering of the shielded light flux can be suppressed.
Accordingly, adverse effects on the photosensitive drum and the optical sensor and the like installed in the apparatus can be prevented, thereby enabling to form a high quality image.
Three examples of other embodiments are explained with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B .
In FIGS. 9A and 9B , reference signs 2203 A, 2110 , and 2111 respectively denote the light-flux dividing member, the shielding member, and the stepping motor as in FIGS. 8A and 8B .
The shielding member 2110 can rotate in forward and reverse directions, and rotates around a rotation shaft 2110 A in the forward and reverse directions to open and close the optical path of the light flux L 2 . FIG. 9A depicts an opened state, and FIG. 9B depicts a shielded state.
A rotary drive unit 2110 B is integrally formed with the shielding member 2110 .
The rotary drive unit 2110 B is in a “U shape” in this example, and has a gap parallel to a longitudinal direction thereof.
A pin 2120 A 1 fixed and provided near the end of an arm 2120 A of the drive member is inserted into the gap with a backlash.
The drive member includes another arm 2120 B integrally formed with the arm 2120 A.
The drive member is rotated in the forward and reverse directions around a shaft orthogonal to the drawing of FIGS. 9A and 9B by the stepping motor 2111 as the drive unit.
A rotation shaft of the drive member is coaxial with a drive shaft of the stepping motor 2111 .
The arm 2120 A of the drive member, the rotary drive unit 2110 B, and the pin 2120 A 1 constitute a link mechanism.
The drive member is rotated counterclockwise a predetermined angle by the stepping motor 2111 , from a state shown in FIG. 9A where the optical path of the light flux L 2 is opened.
The rotary drive unit 2110 B is then rotated clockwise, and as shown in FIG. 9B , the shielding member 2110 closes the optical path of the light flux L 2 .
Although not shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B , the optical path of the light flux L 1 explained with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B is not opened or closed as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B .
In FIGS. 9A and 9B , a part denoted by reference sign 2130 is a signal input unit to the stepping motor 2111 .
When the drive member is rotated clockwise by the stepping motor 2111 , the shielding member 2110 rotates counterclockwise substantially 90 degrees from the state in FIG. 9B to open the optical path.
The working speed of the shielding member 2110 can be such that the opening/closing operation is complete within a time (within several hundreds of milliseconds) from an input of the image information until synchronization detection light is emitted.
Accordingly, the stepping motor 2111 as the drive unit only needs to be operated while being matched with the time. The operation control is also executed by the printer control device 2090 in FIG. 1 .
The stepping motor 2111 can rotate at a certain angle according to an input signal, and can perform the opening/closing operation without executing any complicated control.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B , the optical-path opening/closing unit constitutes the “link mechanism” as described above, and a displacement amount of the arm 2120 A of the drive member and the shielding member 2110 can be set differently from each other.
Accordingly, design flexibility and layout flexibility with respect to the optical-path opening/closing unit can be considerably improved by the drive unit, as compared to a case where the shielding member is directly operated.
As a result, the optical-path opening/closing unit can be installed at a “position having little room for layout” such as in a pre-deflection optical system.
There is a “dead point at which an operation amount of a driven part becomes smaller than that of the drive part” in the link mechanism because of the configuration of the link mechanism.
In the optical path opening/closing operation, it is desired to realize the state in FIG. 9A where the optical path of the light flux L 2 is fully opened and the state in FIG. 9B where the optical path is fully closed near the dead point of the link mechanism.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B realizes this state.
That is, in the state in FIG. 9A where the optical path is fully opened, the longitudinal direction of the gap in the rotary drive unit 2110 B is approximately parallel to a “shift direction of the pin 2120 A 1 due to the rotation of the drive member”.
Accordingly, when the drive member is rotated in the state in FIG. 9A , a rotation angle of the shielding member 2110 is smaller than that of the drive member.
Similarly, in the state in FIG. 9B where the optical path is fully closed, the longitudinal direction of the gap in the rotary drive unit 2110 B is approximately parallel to the “shift direction of the pin 2120 A 1 due to the rotation of the drive member”.
Accordingly, when the drive member is rotated counterclockwise in the state in FIG. 9B , the rotation angle of the shielding member 2110 is smaller than that of the drive member.
That is, an amount of displacement of the shielding member 2110 by the drive member of the optical path opening/closing member at the time of fully opening/closing the optical path is smaller than that at the time of halfway opening/closing the optical path.
The “fully opening/closing the optical path” means that opening/closing of the optical path is completely performed.
The “halfway opening/closing the optical path” means that opening/closing of the optical path is incomplete.
With this configuration, when the opening/closing state is switched by turning the drive member, even if a target amount of turn varies, fluctuations in the amount of rotation of the shielding member 2110 can be decreased.
Therefore, reliable opening/closing of the optical path of the light flux L 2 can be performed.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.
In the embodiment explained with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B , a planar shape of the drive member is not axisymmetric to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 2111 .
In this case, a center of gravity of the drive member is away from the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 2111 .
It is assumed here that a moment of inertia specific to the drive member is “I”, a distance between the rotation shaft of the stepping motor and the center of gravity of the drive member is “d”, and a mass of the drive member is “M”.
The moment of inertia associated with the rotation of the drive member by the stepping motor 2111 becomes “I+Md 2 ”.
That is, as the distance “d” increases, the moment of inertia increases, and a moment required for rotation of the drive member also increases.
A centrifugal force acting on the drive member at the time of rotation of the drive member also increases with an increase of the distance “d”, and counteraction thereof acts on the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 2111 .
The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment considering this point.
FIG. 10 depicts a state as viewed from below the stepping motor 2111 . To avoid complexity, like reference signs to those of FIGS. 9A and 9B are added to like parts in FIG. 10 , for which any confusion is unlikely to occur.
In FIG. 10 , reference sign 2120 denotes a “drive member”.
The drive member 2120 includes arms 2120 A and 2120 D.
The arm 2120 D has a different shape from that of the arm 2120 B shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B .
As shown in FIG. 10 , the drive member 2120 has a “structural portion” denoted by reference sign 2120 C.
The structural portion 2120 C includes a “half-cut hollow cylindrical portion” and a radial “half-cut wheel shaft portion”, and is integrally formed with the drive member 2120 .
The structural portion 2120 C is a “counter-balanced portion” with respect to the arms 2120 A and 2120 D.
By providing the structural portion 2120 C, the center of gravity of the drive member 2120 can be set near the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 2111 , thereby enabling to decrease the distance “d”.
Ideally, it is desired to form the structural portion 2120 C so as to be “d=0”. However, when d is sufficiently small, “d” does not need to be 0.
The moment of inertia “I+Md 2 ” decreases with a decrease of “d”, a rotation driving force is reduced, and a centrifugal force acting on the stepping motor as the counteraction also decreases.
Accordingly, rotation of the drive member 2120 can be stabilized and the opening/closing operation of the shielding member 2110 can be also stabilized.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B is an example in which a detecting unit 2140 that detects the opened/closed state of the optical path by the optical-path opening/closing unit is provided with respect to the embodiment explained with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B .
As shown in FIG. 11A , the end of the arm 2120 B provided in the drive member is bent.
The end of the arm 2120 B is bent substantially parallel to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 2111 .
The bent portion is a shielding portion 2120 B 1 with respect to an optical sensor 2140 .
That is, the shielding portion 2120 B 1 shields “between a light emitting part and a light receiving part” of a sensor unit 2140 A of the optical sensor 2140 shown in FIG. 11B .
In a state (a state in FIG. 11A ) where the shielding member 2110 does not shield the optical path of the light flux L 2 , the shielding portion 2120 B 1 is positioned between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the sensor unit 2140 A.
This state is a “Hi” state of the optical sensor 2140 .
When the drive member is rotated by the stepping motor 2111 and becomes a state of FIG. 11B , the optical path of the light flux L 2 is shielded.
At this time, the shielding portion 2120 B 1 is retreated from between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the sensor unit 2140 A, and the optical sensor 2140 is in a “Lo” state.
The “Hi” and “Lo” of the optical sensor 2140 are switched in this manner while being associated with the rotation of the drive member by the stepping motor 2111 .
According to this configuration, the opened/closed state of the optical path of the light flux L 2 can be reliably detected.
With this configuration, when the opened/closed state cannot be controlled at the time of a failure of the drive unit or the like, the state can be detected, thereby enabling to prevent unnecessary optical scanning by the light flux L 2 .
Even in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 , the “member emitted with the light flux” of the shielding member 2110 can be formed in a black piled form to increase optical absorptance, and reflection and scattering of the shielded light flux can be suppressed.
Accordingly, adverse effects on the photosensitive drum and the optical sensor and the like installed in the apparatus can be prevented, thereby enabling to form a high quality image.
The shielding portion can be integrally formed with the shielding member 2110 instead of being provided in the drive member as shown in FIG. 11 , so that rotation of the shielding member 2110 can be directly detected.
In this case, the opened/closed state of the optical path can be detected more reliably.
By detecting the opened/closed state of the optical path, occurrence of an abnormal image due to incomplete shielding of the optical path can be prevented, thereby enabling to form a high quality image for a long time.
In the embodiment in FIG. 10 , the structural portion 2120 C is formed as a “counter balance” in the drive member.
Needless to mention, the structural portion 2120 C can be formed in the drive member in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 .
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has four photoreceptors, and forms a four-color toner image thereon that is required for forming a color image.
The various types of optical scanning apparatuses explained above can be used as the optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b used in the image forming apparatus.
The present invention is not limited thereto, and any one of the optical scanning apparatuses 2010 a and 2010 b can be used to carry out an image forming apparatus that forms a two-color image such as red and black.
A case where the “semiconductor laser that emits a single laser beam” is used as a light source has been explained above as an example.
However, the light source is not limited thereto, and a light source “that includes a plurality of light emitting parts and can emit a plurality of light fluxes independently” can be also used.
That is, the light source is not limited to the one described above, and can be an edge-emitting semiconductor laser array or a surface-emitting semiconductor laser (VCSEL).
In such a semiconductor light-emitting element, “a plurality of light fluxes” are emitted from a single element.
In this case, a “light flux emitted from a light source” claimed in claim 1 means an “aggregate of light fluxes” to be emitted.
Accordingly, the light-flux dividing unit divides the light flux into a plurality of light fluxes, in a unit of “aggregate of light fluxes”, and the divided “one unit of light flux” includes a plurality of light fluxes.
Therefore, the divided one unit of light flux is focused as “two or more optical spots” on the surface to be optically scanned. “Multi-beam scanning” is performed by these plural spots.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams of a “VCSEL” as an example of the semiconductor light-emitting element that emits the light fluxes independently.
As shown in FIG. 12A , a VCSEL 100 includes “32 light emitting parts” two-dimensionally arranged on the same substrate, and electrode pads and wiring members arranged and connected to surround these light emitting parts.
FIG. 12B depicts an arranged state of the light emitting parts.
The 32 light emitting parts are arranged such that adjacent light emitting parts are arranged in the main scanning direction (a direction corresponding to the main scanning in FIG. 12A ) with a gap: X.
Furthermore, the light emitting parts are arranged such that adjacent light emitting parts are arranged in the sub-scanning direction (a direction corresponding to the sub-scanning in FIG. 12B ) with a gap: d 2 .
In “one line of the light emitting parts” in the main scanning direction, the adjacent light emitting parts are “displaced” by a distance: d 1 in the sub-scanning direction.
This displacement is set so that a projected gap of the light emitting parts becomes an equal gap: d 1 , when all the light emitting parts are “orthographically projected on a virtual line extending in the sub-scanning direction”.
According to the optical scanning apparatus of the present invention, an optical path to a scanning target surface, which does not need to be optically scanned, among a plurality of scanning target surfaces can be closed.
Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth. | An optical scanning apparatus for optically scanning at least one scanning target surface, the optical scanning apparatus including: a light source; a light-flux dividing unit disposed on a main optical path of a main light flux emitted from the light source, and the light-flux dividing unit configured to spatially divide the main light flux; an optical deflector disposed on a divided optical path of the divided light flux, and the optical deflector configured to deflect the divided optical path; an optical path opening/closing switch unit disposed on the divided optical path between the light-flux dividing unit and the optical deflector, and the optical path opening/closing switch unit configured to interrupt or pass at least one of the divided optical path; and a controller configured to control operation of interrupting or passing the at least one of the divided optical path by the optical path opening/closing switch unit. | 60,803 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to "pots" or traps for capturing crabs and, more particularly, to entrance gate apparatus for allowing entry of crabs into, while preventing escape of crabs from, a crab trap.
One type of crab trap that is in common use today is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,283 issued to Robert E. Wyman, a coinventor of the entrance gate apparatus disclosed here. Such traps are formed by steel rods welded together to form a generally rectangular box frame structure, the walls of which are formed by nylon netting. As shown in the '283 Patent, entry tunnels, formed by netting, extend inwardly from opposite ends of the trap and terminate in a rectangular frame that is secured to the netting, providing an opening through which the crabs fall into, and to the bottom of, the trap. Bait of pieces of meat such as herring or horse meat is secured by a hook or canister in a central region of such traps.
In recent years, the crab fishing industry has faced declining harvests of crabs and has been subjected to substantially shortened fishing seasons imposed by fishery authorities to preserve the future supply of crabs. To make matters worse, fishery authorities have also been concerned about, and have made allowances for, the effects of the so-called "bycatch" problem that exists when fishing for one crab species results in capture of crabs of other species that are out of season. For example, when fishing for a smaller species, such as the Opilio tanner crab, larger species such as king crab or Bairdi tanner crab are often captured. Handling of such out of season crabs results in a certain mortality percentage for those tossed back into the sea after being removed from the pots. This mortality factor is particularly significant when larger out of season crabs are in the molting state, at which time they are unusually vulnerable to injury. This bycatch mortality problem has prompted fishery closure dates that leave millions of pounds of the established quota for smaller crabs, such as Opilio tanner crabs, unharvested.
Accordingly, it is a specific object of this invention to provide apparatus for selectively preventing the capture of various sized out of season larger crab species while accommodating the capture of the smaller species for which the season is open.
In the past, a great many devices have been proposed for capturing crabs, fish and other animals in a trap. Such devices are described in patents found in U.S. Pat. Office Class 43 and subclasses 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,283, referred to above, describes resiliently bendable tines to prevent the escape of crabs once they have entered a trap. However, neither this reference nor any other prior art reference of which the inventors are aware, describes an apparatus for selectively preventing the capture of larger crabs or other shellfish while accommodating the capture of smaller species.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The entrance gate apparatus of this invention is, in a preferred embodiment, self contained and adapted to be rapidly attached to a wall opening of a conventional crab trap. The apparatus preferably is constructed of light weight and durable molded plastic components and comprises a rectangular frame assembly suitable for quick nesting insertion with, and attachment to, a similar frame attached to a wall of the crab trap. Flexible finger assemblies are attached inside of the cross-section of a tubular first longitudinal member of the rectangular frame assembly and are easily deflected upward by crabs to allow their entry into the trap. Trapped crabs attempting to escape will bend the flexible finger assemblies downward to block their escape through the entrance gate. An adjustable divider mechanism provides means for selectively reducing the size of the rectangular opening of the entrance gate thereby preventing crabs of a larger than desired size from entering the trap. The divider mechanism is constructed as a beam that will be stiff, or difficult to deflect, in the direction of the plane of the rectangular frame assembly. It also provides means for establishing the angular positioning of the flexible finger assemblies with respect to the rectangular frame. Additionally, the divider mechanism also preferably includes a clip or strut member for reacting the beam of the divider mechanism near its midspan and thereby stiffening it substantially more to prevent deflection that would allow inadvertent entry of larger crabs. The divider mechanism is designed to be readily removable from the entrance gate apparatus to allow fishing for the larger species of crabs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crab pot or trap with the entrance gate apparatus of this invention installed in opposite facing framed openings of the trap
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional side view taken through the entrance gate apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the entrance gate apparatus of this invention taken at 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the entrance gate apparatus taken at 4--4 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the entrance gate apparatus taken at 5--5 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the divider mechanism taken at 6--6 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the entrance gate apparatus similar to that of FIG. 3 showing a narrowed opening for smaller crabs.
FIG. 8 is a cross-section view similar to that of FIG. 5 showing an increased angular displacement of the fingers with respect to the frame.
FIG. 9 is a cross-section view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing an increased length of the stiffening strut member.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the entrance gate apparatus of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIG. 1, a generally conventional crab pot or trap 10 is constructed of steel bars 12 that are welded together to form a rectangular box frame structure. Nylon netting 14 forms the walls including end walls 16. Such crab traps are often about seven feet by seven feet by three feet high and weigh up to 600 lbs. each. The opposed end walls 16 are sloped to form converging tunnels that terminate with rectangular entrance frames 18. A bait container 20 is located in a central region of the trap. The entrance gate apparatus 22 of this invention is shown installed in nesting relationship with the rectangular frame 18. The entrance gate apparatus 22, which will be shown in more detail in other figures of the drawings, is secured to the frames 18 by convenient means such as electrical tie bands (not shown) that may be drawn tight around the frames of the apparatus 22 and the frames 18 of the trap 10. As shown here, the gate apparatus 22 may quickly and easily be installed in and removed from the trap 10.
FIG. 2 is a partial side cross-sectional view taken through the trap 10 and entrance gate apparatus 22. The rectangular frames 18 are attached to the netting 14 at the end walls 16. Tension tie cords 23 are attached to the frames 18 at each end and are drawn tight to urge the end walls 16 together to form a unitary structure for the trap 10. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the rectangular frame 24 of the entrance gate apparatus 22 is smaller than, and fits inside of, the rectangular frame 18 of the trap 10.
FIG. 3 shows, in plan view, the entrance gate apparatus 22 of this invention. Flexible finger assemblies 26 are shown attached to a first longitudinal member 30 of the rectangular frame 24. The frame 24 includes side members 38 joined to first and second longitudinal members 30 by corner elbow members 40 with securing means comprising stainless steel screws 41. Tee section members 42 are slidably attached around the side members 38 and are secured in place by screws 41 at a desired position to provide support for, and to locate, a divider mechanism 43. The divider mechanism 43 includes a stiffening beam comprising a divider bar member 44, a plate member 46, a finger adjustment member 48, and a beam reaction strut member 50.
FIG. 4 is an end view taken at 4--4 in FIG. 3. Frame 18 of trap 10 is shown in phantom lines to illustrate its nesting relationship with the entrance gate apparatus 22 of this invention. Finger assemblies 26 are positioned against the finger adjustment member 48 to provide an acute angle relationship, preferably less than 45 degrees, with the plane of the rectangular frame 24. This relationship has been established by the selected adjusted location of the finger adjustment member 48 of the divider mechanism 43 and an appropriate rotation of the upper longitudinal member 30 prior to its being attached by set screws, or other means, to the elbow members 40.
FIG. 5, which is a cross-section taken at 5--5 in FIG. 3, shows in more detail the configuration of the divider mechanism 43. The divider bar member 44 is preferably a plastic slit, or C-section, pipe or tube into which the plate 46 is inserted and joined by a solvent weld adhesive. Similarly, the plate 46 is inserted into and joined to the finger adjustment member 48 which also is a slit or C-section plastic pipe. These two members and plate form a stiffening beam means that is quite stiff in the plane of the plate 46. In this configuration, the divider mechanism is rigid in the direction necessary to prevent deflections that might allow larger crabs into the trap 10. It will be noted that the divider bar member 44 and the longitudinal member 30 may be rotated, prior to securing them with screws 41, in order to position the finger adjustment member 48 higher or lower than shown in FIG. 5 and to adjust the position of the finger assemblies 26 and hence the size of the opening "A" and the size of the acute angle formed between the finger assemblies 26 and the side members 38. FIG. 5 also shows the first longitudinal member 30, to which the finger assemblies 26 are attached, to have an open or C-shaped cross-section within which a pair of perpendicular lugs 52 provide for a snug fit.
FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken at 6--6 in FIG. 3 and shows details of the clip or strut member 50. The function of this member 50 is to provide still more stiffness for the divider mechanism 43 to prevent deflections of the divider bar member 44 that would allow larger crab to enter and be trapped. The strut member 50 is attached to the first longitudinal member 30 which is in turn attached to the frame 18 of trap 10. The strut member 50 is also attached to the divider mechanism 43 and the stiffening beam formed by its members 44, 46 and 48. The strut member 50 performs the function of reacting this stiffening beam near its center span, thereby substantially reducing the deflection of the beam when it is loaded by a large crab attempting to gain entry to the trap. As indicated by the dimension "B" of FIG. 6, the strut member 50 is of a length that is required by the location selected for the divider mechanism 43.
As is best shown in FIG. 7, the distance between longitudinal members 30, here labeled "C", may be, for example, about 8 inches for trapping larger crab when the divider mechanism 43 of this invention is not installed. However, when the divider mechanism 43 is used, the reduced dimension "D" establishes the size of the rectangular opening and is effective in restricting the entry of larger crabs. For example, in fishing for Opilio tanner crabs, a dimension "D" of 5 inches may be appropriate for preventing a bycatch of king or Bairdi tanner crabs. As previously indicated, this entrance gate apparatus allows selective adjustment of the dimension "D" defining the opening to the trap.
FIG. 8 illustrates the selective positioning of the finger adjustment member 48 to provide for a smaller opening dimension "E" than is shown by the dimension "A" of FIG. 5. This adjustment is achieved by appropriate rotation of divider member 44 and the first longitudinal member 30 prior to installation of screws 41 or other securing means in those members.
FIG. 9 illustrates an increased length "F" for the strut member 50 thereby establishing a smaller rectangular opening for the entrance gate apparatus of this invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective plan view showing two crabs at the entrance gate apparatus. One crab is shown deflecting the flexible finger assemblies 26 upward to gain entrance to the trap. The other crab is shown starting to put its weight on the flexible finger assemblies 26 from above. This will deflect them downward to close the trap entrance and prevent the escape of the crab from the trap.
Even though this entrance gate apparatus has been described in the context of harvesting crabs, it will be apparent that it may have utility in capturing other species of shellfish such as lobsters and other animals.
In this entrance gate apparatus, the divider mechanism, which can easily be calibrated, will allow the opening dimension to be changed by fishermen to accommodate various sized crab species. For instance, Alaska may allow an opening of up to 40 sq. inches for Dungeness crabs whereas Washington may allow only 32 sq. inches for Dungeness crabs. Further, the fabrication technique used, wherein individual plastic parts are joined together, allows use of a variety of plastic and perhaps other materials best suited to the needs of the parts; for example, flexibility under extreme cold temperatures without brittleness is important for the flexible finger assemblies and may not be so important in the case of other parts.
While a particular embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that numerous changes, modifications, and substitution of equivalent components may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention that has been disclosed herein.
For example, a mechanical joint with small plastic parts like "male-female" gear teeth could be used for quickly and accurately adjusting the rotation of the upper longitudinal member 30 and/or the divider bar member 44 when adjusting the position of the flexible finger assemblies 26.
Similarly, the Tee-section members 44 could be provided with an adjustment spring pin or other mechanical device to allow a quick change in the size of the opening of the entrance gate between the lower longitudinal member 30 and the divider bar member 44.
Accordingly, the scope of this invention should be considered limited only by the spirit and scope of the elements of the appended claims or their reasonable equivalents. | In an entrance gate apparatus for a crab, shellfish, or other animal trap; said apparatus is adapted to be attached to a wall of said trap, and means are provided for selectively adjusting the size of the opening of said entrance gate to prevent animals of a larger than desired size from entering said trap. An adjustable divider mechanism provides means for selectively reducing the size of the opening of the entrance gate. A flexible finger assembly is provided to allow entrance to, while preventing exit from, the trap. The apparatus is preferably constructed of light weight and durable tubular and other molded plastic components. | 14,888 |
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a process for the catalytic transformation of one or more organic compounds that, together with unwanted attendant materials, form a starting substance.
In chemistry the necessity frequently exists to carry out a catalytic transformation or conversion of a mixture of organic compounds that, along with the desired starting substance, contains undesired attendant or impurity substances, which either interfere with the catalytic reaction or are unwanted and undesired in the final product. Among the catalytic reactions that are under consideration in this context are included, for example, alkylation, acylation, esterification, transesterification, oxidation, or hydrogenation reaction, all of which are well known and understood in the art. The starting substances to carry out these reactions can be natural or synthetic.
A commercially very important example of such a reaction is the catalytic hydrogenation of fats, oils, fatty acid esters and free fatty acids from natural sources, which are also referred to herein as fatty raw materials. The objective of the hydrogenation of these organic compounds is to hydrogenate partially or completely the double bonds, without affecting other functional groups of the compounds, for example the carboxyl group, in the process. The complete hydrogenation of these compounds is characterized as hardening, since their melting points are increased by this. If it is intended that only a certain number of the double bonds be hydrogenated, then it is referred to as selective hydrogenation. The hydrogenation occurs catalytically with the assistance of hydrogen.
Fats and oils from natural sources contain attendant and impurity substances, which are undesired in their later application and also act as catalysts poisons and lead to a faster deactivation of the hydrogenation catalysts. Within the context of this invention, all substances that decrease the catalytic activity—regardless of their chemical nature or their source—are characterized as catalyst poisons. It therefore involves the naturally occurring materials in fats and oils, as well as decomposition products or materials that are, however, introduced during the processing and reactions (H. Klimmek, JAOCS, Vol. 61, No. 2, Feb. 1984). This category of undesired components includes in particular sulfur, phosphorous, chlorine and nitrogen compounds, as well as, for instance oxidized fatty acids, soaps and water.
Before the hydrogenation takes place of the fats, oils, fatty acid ester and free fatty acids, the starting substances are therefore liberated from the undesired attendant materials in a separate step. This can take place with fats and oils through a chemical or physical refinement process and with free fatty acids that usually are refined through vacuum distillation. According to the degree of purity of the starting materials, the purification process can be carried out in stages. In vacuum distillation for the purification of free fatty acids, decomposition products can indeed result, since the fatty raw materials are easily thermally decomposable. The decomposition products frequently cause an unpleasant odor of the distilled products, which must be remedied by deodorization. The deodorization is carried out only after the hydrogenation. Because of the thermal sensitivity of the products, with a short contact time, a low temperature in the processing is to be maintained as much as possible.
Since about 1970, condensed gases have been used for the extraction, refinement, deodorization and fractionation of fatty raw materials, as for example in DE 23 63 418 C3, U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,688, DE 35 42 932 A1, DE 42 33 911, DE 43 26 399 C2, EP 0 721 980 A2 and DE 44 47 116 A1. These processes describe the use of condensed gases in the subcritical (liquefied), near critical and supercritical condition, whereby compared to the distillation procedures, the processes using condensed gases are conducted under relatively favorable processing conditions.
Today, cooking oils and free fatty acids are hardened to the extent of over 99%, either batch wise in a stirred tank, or in tubular reactors. In these process, powder form nickel-diatomite or nickel-silica catalysts are used for hydrogenation, which catalysts must be removed through filtration after the hydrogenation. Disadvantageously, in such processes, there are low space-time yields and the formation of undesirable side products as a consequence of the limited transport of hydrogen to the catalyst by diffusion from the gas phase through the liquid phase. Moreover, these processes have high costs, for example, for personnel, energy and filtration. The filtration decreases the product yield, since hardened product remains in the filter residue.
The nickel-diatomite or nickel-silica catalyst forms a considerable portion of so-called trans-fatty acids in the hardening of cooking oil. This fact is of particular disadvantage, since trans-fatty acids are suspected of increasing the fatty content and cholesterol content in human blood.
With the hardening of free fatty acids for oleo-chemical applications, the nickel-diatomite or nickel-silica catalyst deactivates through the formation of so-called nickel soaps. These remain in the product and must be separated by distillation. Nickel soaps represent a waste product and must be removed at considerable cost.
For the avoidance of the previously mentioned disadvantages of the batch hardening, or the use of nickel-diatomite or nickel-silica catalysts, continuous processes were developed in which palladium fixed bed catalysts come into use. The patents, or patent applications that describe the state of the art on this are CA 1 157 844, DE 41 09 502 C2 and DE 42 09 832 A1 or EP 0 632 747 B1.
According to DE 41 09 502 C2, the continuous hardening of crude fatty acids in the trickle bed is carried out with a palladium/titanium oxide catalyst. The reaction media are therefore added in the form of a 2-phase mixture of liquid fatty acids and hydrogen gas with the fixed bed catalyst for the reaction. The hydrogenation activity in this process thereby permits a space velocity of only 1.2 h −1 . The catalyst in this process has a limited resistance to the catalyst poisons contained in the crude fatty materials. Also here, a separate purification of the starting substances cannot, however, be foregone in the industrial application of the catalyst for the reduction of the catalyst consumption.
WO 95/22591 and WO 96/01304 describe processes in which super-critical fluids are used as solvents for fats, oils, free fatty acids, free fatty acid esters and hydrogen. According to WO 95/22591, the cited compounds with the hydrogen necessary for the hydrogenation and in the presence of a supercritical fluid are thereby transformed with a catalyst, and then separated by it through release of the supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluids make possible in this process an improved material transport, in particular for hydrogen, and an improved heat exchange. Moreover, the viscosities of the reaction medium are lowered, so that clearly increased space time yields and improved selectivity can be obtained. No statements are made for the necessary purity of the starting substance for this process.
Through the purification stages added as a rule to the hydrogenation process, one manages to clearly lower the consumption of catalyst per ton of hardened fatty acids in the batch hardening with nickel-diatomite or nickel-silica catalyst, as well as in the continual hardening in the presence of supercritical fluids.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,382 describes the simultaneous hydrogenation and deodorizing of fats and oils in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide, hydrogen and a finely divided nickel-hydrogenating catalyst at temperatures of 100 to 250° C. and a pressure of 150 to 300 bar. The catalyst, after the hydrogenation, is separated out from the hardened products through a filter press. The simultaneous hydrogenation and deodorization has the disadvantage, that the catalyst comes directly into contact with the catalyst poisons and is deactivated.
The state of the art for the hydrogenation of fatty raw materials thus describes batch or continuous processes, which, nevertheless, are only in a limited way insensitive to the catalyst poisons contained in the starting substance, and which, as a rule, require the purification of the starting substance in a separate stage of purification. Similar relationships occur with the other processes carried out as pure treatments.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a process for the catalytic transformation or conversion of organic compounds, which makes possible the purification of the starting substance and the catalytic transformation of the organic compounds in a single process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a continuous process for the catalytic conversion of a starting material comprising one or more organic compounds together with one or more undesirable attendant or impurity materials. In carrying out the invention, first the desired organic compounds contained in the starting substance are purposefully extracted by means of condensed fluids. The extract formed b condensed fluids and organic compounds is conducted as a reaction mixture, possibly with the addition of further reactants, in contact with a catalyst, whereby there occurs the catalytic transformation of the organic compounds to a product mixture, which contains the individual products of the catalytic transformation. The product mixture is separated from the reaction mixture and the fluids used are withdrawn and optimally recycled for extraction.
As used herein, the term “condensed fluids” excludes hydrogen, and is intended to include fluids, which, under the chosen extraction and reaction conditions (temperature and pressure), have either a vapor pressure which is less than the chosen pressure, and thus are present in the liquid state, or which are found under the chosen reaction conditions in the near critical, critical or supercritical state. By the term “near critical” is meant conditions under which the chosen temperature Tk (T<Tk) and the chosen pressure p are greater than or equal to the critical pressure pk (p≧pk) with respect to the particular fluid.
Extraction and catalytic transformation are predominantly carried out at temperatures ranging from 0 to 300° C. and pressures ranging from 10 to 800 bar.
The condensed fluids serve in the process according to the invention as solvents for the organic compounds in the raw material and for the further reactants. Such fluids are therefore chosen which have a good dissolving capability for these substances under the extraction and reaction conditions of the process. In this regard, butane, ethane, carbon dioxide, propane, dinitrogen monoxide or mixtures thereof have shown themselves to be especially suitable fluids.
The extraction is preferably carried out working in countercurrent flow with the cited fluids. It can be performed in typical extractors. In this way, the organic compounds are dissolved in the condensed fluids and are drawn off as extract through the head of the extractor, while the undesirable attendant materials including organic compounds, especially with hetero-atoms (P, S, N), and inorganic compounds which dissolve poorly, are collected at the bottom of the extractor as waste. Here they are drawn off periodically.
To increase of the purity of the organic compounds, the extraction can be carried out in multiple stages. A further improvement of the extraction is obtained through addition of so-called modifiers to the condensed fluids. The term “modifiers” means materials that increase the solubility of the organic compounds in the condensed fluids. Suitable modifiers are polar organic compounds such as acetone and/or C 1 -C 6 -alcohols.
The extract consists of the condensed fluids and the organic compounds dissolved therein. According to the catalytic reaction carried out, the extract is conducted in contact with a suitable catalyst, or only after addition of a further reactant such as oxygen for oxidation reactions or hydrogen for hydrogenations. Depending on the specific case, additional condensed fluids can also be mixed in at this stage. The organic compounds contained in the reaction mixture are transformed with the catalyst. According to the make up of the organic compounds in the raw material starting substance (for example, free fatty acids with various chain lengths), a product including from various individual products is obtained by the catalytic conversion.
In the carrying out of hydrogenation reactions, hydrogen can be used in a multiple stoichiometric excess, in order to provide the catalytically active sites of the catalyst with sufficient hydrogen. Since the dissolving capability of the fluids, as a rule, is not sufficient for the reception of the entire quantity of hydrogen, either additional supercritical fluids are added along with the hydrogen, in order to make possible the complete solubility of the hydrogen in the fluid, or the excess hydrogen is conducted as pressurized gas, together with the reaction mixture, in contact with the catalyst.
The separation of the product mixture from the reaction mixture can be carried out in a simple way through reduction of the pressure or through increase of the temperature. The pressure is, for example, decreased, so that the fluids pass into the gas phase and the product mixture stays behind. Alternatively, the solubility of the product mixture in the reaction mixture can be decreased through increase in the temperature, so that likewise a separation of the product mixture from the reaction mixture results. With the separation of the product mixture, it can just as well also be broken down into its individual products through correspondingly fractionated pressure reduction, or temperature increase.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention will be further understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of the overall process according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plot of iodine number, temperature and space velocity related to the hardening of fatty acids in combination with in-situ extraction at 200 bar;
FIG. 3 is a plot of iodine number, temperature and space velocity related to the super critical hardening of fatty acids at 200 bar;
FIG. 4 is a plot of iodine number, temperature and space velocity related to trickle bed hardening of fatty acids at 200 bar; and
FIG. 5 is a logarithmic plot of iodine number, temperature and space velocity related to trickle bed hardening of fatty acids at 25 bar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
A preferred area of implementation of the process according to the invention is the selective or complete hydrogenation of fats, oils, fatty acid esters and free fatty acids. In contrast to U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,382, the situs of the purification of the starting substance in the process according to the invention is separated by extraction from the situs of the hydrogenation. In the process according to the invention, an extractor connected in-line and a hydrogenation reactor are used. First, the starting substance is purified. It is then transformed in the purified state in the hydrogenation reactor. In this way, clearly improved catalyst retention times can be achieved. If, by contrast, hydrogenation and deodorization of fats and oils are simultaneously carried out, as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,382, then the catalyst comes into contact with catalysts poisons. The consequences of the prior known process are reduced retention times of the catalysts used.
For the hydrogenation of fats, oils, fatty acid esters and free fatty acids, all known hydrogenation catalysts can be used, such as nickel, platinum, rhodium, or ruthenium catalysts, or combinations thereof on silicic acid or silicium dioxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, zircon oxide, magnesium oxide, active charcoals or mixed oxides such as magnesium aluminate. The platinum metal groups on formed carriers have proven themselves especially well. The catalytic activity can be influenced by promoters. Thus it is known, for example, that silver, as a promoter for nickel and palladium catalysts, reduces the formation of trans-isomers.
The carriers should have a high specific surface area, in order to make possible a good dispersion of the catalyst metals. Specific surface areas of between 10 and 1000 m 2 /g measured according to BET are beneficial. The pore structure of the carriers is also important. They should have a total pore volume of between 0.05 and 6.5 ml/g, which consists primarily of mesopores and macropores. Micropores are undesirable and should make up only a slight percentage of the total pore volume.
The concepts of micro-, meso-, and macro-pores are used here in conformity with the appropriate definitions of IUPAC incorporated herein by reference. According to these definitions, the pore groups include the following diameter ranges:
micro pores: d<2 nm
meso pores: d=2 . . . 50 nm
macro pores: d>50 nm
Meso and micro pores, through their large pore diameters, guarantee an optimal accessibility of the catalytically active precious metal crystals deposited on their surface area for the fat, fatty acid or fatty acid ester molecules. This accessibility is supported by the fact that the condensed fluids used have a low viscosity.
The content of platinum group metals on the carrier should amount to between 0.05 and 5% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 3.0% by weight.
The platinum group metals must be deposited on the carrier in finely divided distribution, in order to make available as large a metal surface area as possible for the catalytic process. A measure for the size of the catalytically active metal surface area is the adsorption of carbon monoxide. Depending on the content of platinum group metals, it should lie between 0.05 and 5.0 ml CO/g of the prepared catalyst bodies.
The catalyst carriers can be formed as desired according to known technology. Appropriate for this are, in particular, all forms known for fixed bed catalysts, thus spheres, cylinders, hollow cylinders and open spoke wheels as well as monolithic catalyst beds in the form of honeycomb bodies with parallel flow channels or foam ceramics with open pore systems. The monolithic honeycomb bodies can generally consist of carrier material with high surface area (complete catalyst) or be constructed of an inert support body with a coating made out of the high surface area carrier material (coating catalyst).
Through the low viscosity of the condensed fluids it is possible to use relatively small particle size catalyst carriers as a particle catalyst, without the pressure drop over the catalyst bed being too large. Catalysts with outer dimensions in the range between 0.1 and 5.0 mm, in particular between 0.2 and 3.0 mm are advantageous. In this way, very high activity levels can be achieved. Spherical form carriers are preferable.
Because of the small dimensions of the catalysts, they have in the bulk filling a very high geometric surface area relative to the total volume of the bulk filling. This is of benefit to the catalytic activity of the catalyst bulk filling. This activity can be improved further, if the platinum group metals are deposited on these carriers in an external shell of 10-40 μm in thickness. The shell impregnation is of special significance for the selective fat hardening. It specifically hinders fat molecules, which are diffused into the interior of the catalyst carrier, from staying in contact with catalytically active metals for a long time and thereby fully hardening. For the complete hardening of fats or fatty acids, by contrast, fully impregnated catalyst carriers can also be used.
Various materials are suitable as catalyst carriers. They must indeed fulfill the above cited requirements for their physical characteristics, and be resistant to the reaction media, in particular to the fatty acids. With the conventional fat hardening, active charcoals, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum/silicon mixture oxide, barium sulfate, titanium oxide, with titanium oxide coated glass beads and ion exchange resins have been well proven. These carrier materials can also be used in the process according to the invention. The cited requirements are satisfied in an optimal way, however, by organo-siloxanamine copolycondensates, by polymers, secondary and/or tertiary organosiloxanamine compounds, or by organosiloxane-polycondensates. These carrier materials are described in the German patent documents DE 38 00 563 C1, DE 38 00 564 C1, DE 39 25 359 C1, DE 39 25 360 C1 and DE 42 25 978 C1. The patent documents DE 41 10 705 C1 and DE 41 10 706 C1 make known catalysts on the basis of platinum group metals.
The following examples serve for the further explanation of the invention. FIG. 1 shows the schematic representation of the test apparatus used for the examples. The extraction column 1 can typically be a 1000 mm long special steel pipe with an inner diameter of 30 mm, filled with so-called CY “Sulzer packs” made out of metal mesh. The column is operated in the counter current flow process. The condensed fluids serve as the extraction medium and are supplied to the column from below and distributed to a height of 120 mm through a disk. The resulting sediment can collect in the space remaining below (extraction well) and be evacuated intermittently. The extract flow is removed at the head of the extractor. The starting substance which is the raw fat material, for example, is found in the storage tank 3 and is supplied to the extraction column 1 at a level of 420 mm, so that the extraction apparatus is subdivided into a 300 mm long “extraction part” (pure extraction) and a 580 mm long “concentration part” (enrichment of the extract). A modifier stored in the storage tank 4 can be employed to influence the dissolving capability of the extraction medium. The modifier is supplied either separate from or together with the starting substance or extraction medium into the extraction column.
The extraction column is electrically heated with several heating units, so that various temperature gradients can be employed along the extractor. In particular, the extractor head, an area of about 100 mm in length, can be heated more intensely than the remaining extraction column. In this way, the solubility of the extracted material in the extraction medium is reduced and an internal extract reverse movement in the column is implemented. Similar to a rectification, the purity of the extract can thus further be increased.
The extract arrives from above into the hydrogenation reactor 2 , which is typically formed of a 750 mm long special steel pipe with an inner diameter of 15 mm. This special steel pipe is filled in the bottom third with a catalyst volume of 5 ml. Stuffing material, such as a web made of quartz fiber wool is found above and beneath the catalyst mixture. They separate the basic catalyst bed of glass beads, which fill up the remaining open volume of the special steel pipe above and beneath the catalyst mixture. The inert mixture above the catalyst mixture serves simultaneously as a static mixer for the mixing of the various media and reactants. The reactor 2 is electrically heated. The hydrogen required for the hydrogenation is added together with the extract to the reactor from above. Extract and hydrogen form the reaction mixture.
After running down through the reactor 2 , the reaction mixture arrives in a separator 5 . In the separator, the reaction mixture is broken up into the fluid product mixture, gaseous fluid and residual hydrogen by pressure reduction to beneath the critical pressure. The separated fluid and the residual hydrogen can either be released into the atmosphere or, after being re-liquefied or condensed, be carried back for extraction. For this purpose, the gas mixture is cleaned in an adsorber 6 and stored in the buffer tank 7 .
All lines of the test apparatus and the storage tank for the fatty acids used are electrically heated.
With the test apparatus of FIG. 1, pretests were first conducted with various fluids for countercurrent flow extraction of crude fatty acids. The extract and the extraction waste were thus examined at predetermined time intervals for iodine number, acid number and sulfur content.
The iodine number is a measure for the quantity of double bonds not yet hydrogenated in the product and is stated in grams of iodine absorbed by 100 g of the sample. It is determined according to the official Tg1-64 (Wijs-method) method of the A.O.C.S.
The acid number is used for the determination of the content of free organic acids in the oil (see German Dispensatory 7th edition, 1968). It specifies how many mg KOH are necessary to neutralize the free acids contained in 1 g fat or oil. The acid number is a measure of the purity of the extracted fatty acids. The lower the acid number, the more foreign materials are contained in the fatty acid.
The sulfur content was detected through a Wickbold-decomposition of the fatty acids and subsequent ion chromatography. The sulfur content serves as a measurement number for possible catalyst poisons contained in the fatty acid, for example: sulfur, phosphorous, nitrogen and chlorine compounds.
The crude fatty acid used essentially consisted of oleic acid and had the following statistical characteristics:
iodine number:
56
g iodine/100 g crude fatty
acid
acid number:
187.9
mg KOH/g crude fatty acid
sulfur content:
84
mg/kg
Five extraction trials A through E were conducted with varying fluid mixtures and extraction conditions. The chosen extraction conditions are listed in Table 1. Table 2 records the extraction results.
The critical state measures of the carbon dioxide and propane used in these trials are given by:
CO 2 :
Tk = 31° C.;
Pk = 73 bar
propane:
Tk = 96° C.;
Pk = 42 bar
As detailed in Table 1, the crude fatty acid can be purified with CO 2 , CO 2 /propane, CO 2 /acetone mixtures at 200 bar, and with subcritical propane and propane/CO 2 mixtures at 35 bar.
With CO 2 and CO 2 /acetone mixtures, very high purities were attained. The low sulfur contents and the clearly improved acid numbers explain this also. However, comparatively low yields are attained. With propane/CO 2 mixtures, the yields could be substantially improved at 200 bar as well as at 35 bar operating pressure with good purity. With liquid propane at 35 bar, the highest yields could be achieved.
TABLE 1
Extraction parameters:
Tempera-
Propane
Acetone
ture
Crude Fatty
CO2 (Volume
(Volume
(Volume
Temperature
(Extractor
Pressure
Acid (Mass
Flow)
Flow)
Flow)
(Extractor)
Head)
Trial
[Bar]
Flow) [g/h]
[Nl/h]
[Nl/h]
[° C.]
[° C.]
A
200
6-7
150
—
—
60
61
B
200
6-7
150
—
6
73
90
C
200
6-7
135
25
—
83
100
D
35
6-7
—
100
—
52
60
E
35
6-7
25
100
—
52
60
TABLE 2
Results for the extraction:
Acid Number
Sulfur Content
Acid Number
Sulfur Content
Extraction
Yield [Extract]
[Extract]
[Extract] [mg
Extraction Waste
Waste
Trial
[% By Weight]
[mg/kg]
KOH/g]
[mg/kg]
[mg KOH/g]
A
45.4
22
198.35
102
179.3
B
59.4
22
197.3
102
180.5
C
95.2
19
193.1
535
133.8
D
99.0
not determined
not determined
1050
not determined
E
94.7
not determined
not determined
210
not determined
EXAMPLE 1
The hydrogenation of crude fatty acid, as per the process according to the invention, with integrated purification of the crude fatty acid by extraction with a CO 2 /propane mixture was carried out under the following processing conditions
Volume flow CO 2 :
135 N/h
Volume flow propane:
25 N/h
Volume flow H 2 :
1-100 N/h
Temperature in the extractor
80° C.
Temperature at the extractor head
100° C.
Reaction temperature:
140-190° C.
Pressure:
200 bar
LHSV:
1 h −1
For the hydrogenation, a 1% Pd/OFP catalyst was used. Pd/OFP stands for a palladium catalyst on a carrier made of an organo-functional polysilaxane as per example 2 of the patent document DE 44 05 029 C2 which is relied on and incorporated herein for that purpose. In this patent document, the hydrogenation characteristics of this catalyst in supercritical media and its physical-chemical characteristic numbers are described.
The above specified space velocity (LHSV =Liquid Hourly Space Velocity) is related to the employed catalyst volume of 5 ml.
Table 3 and FIG. 2 describe the course of the procedure. An iodine number of 1-2 was achieved up to a flow total through out of 800 g of fatty acid per g of catalyst. Through increase in temperature after a specific conversion of about 235 g of fatty acid per gram of catalyst, a possible deactivation of the catalyst was prevented, and a further reduction of the iodine number was achieved.
TABLE 3
Time
T [° C.]
LHSV [h −1 ]
Iodine
Number
[
g
I
2
100
g
]
Total
Throughput
[
g Fatty
Acid
g Catalyst
]
8.33
140.00
1.21
4.50
22.29
22.75
140.00
1.20
4.10
75.91
26.08
140.00
1.19
3.40
85.85
30.08
140.00
1.19
2.00
99.31
46.42
140.00
1.19
1.80
152.10
71.25
140.00
1.20
2.00
235.47
98.42
160.00
1.18
1.80
328.57
124.58
160.00
1.15
1.70
424.98
142.83
160.00
1.17
1.70
491.86
149.75
160.00
1.13
1.04
516.91
166.58
160.00
1.09
1.10
572.26
176.38
160.00
1.02
1.01
603.38
190.50
160.00
1.00
1.08
646.72
214.67
160.00
1.10
1.35
724.57
223.72
190.00
1.14
1.28
756.04
238.75
190.00
1.12
1.35
805.45
COMPARISON EXAMPLE 1
Under the same conditions as in example 1, a life time trial was carried out with crude fatty acid, but without prior extraction. 5 ml of the 1%-Pd/OFP catalyst again came into use. As illustrated in Table 4 and FIG. 3, even at 190° C., only an iodine number of 6 can be attained. A rapid deactivation of the catalyst occurs.
TABLE 4
Time
T [° C.]
LHSV [h −1 ]
Iodine
Number
g
I
2
100
g
Flow
g Fatty
Acid
g Catalyst
2.50
140.00
0.87
8.30
6.42
22.53
140.00
0.95
10.40
56.04
26.17
160.00
0.93
7.80
67.87
42.00
160.00
0.90
8.20
120.27
46.25
190.00
0.91
5.60
132.85
66.03
190.00
0.90
6.70
194.74
67.03
190.00
0.89
6.70
197.75
93.25
190.00
0.89
13.60
270.65
COMPARISON EXAMPLE 2
At 200 bar a comparable hydrogenation was conducted with pure hydrogen in the trickle bed phase, that is without addition of a condensed fluid and without prior extraction. 5 ml of the 1%-Pd/OFP catalyst were used at a hydrogen volume flow of 140 N1/h.
Table 5 and FIG. 4 describe the hydrogenation process. In comparison to Example 1, higher iodine numbers and a rapid deactivation of the catalyst are observed.
TABLE 5
Time [h]
T [° C.]
LHSV [h −1 ]
Iodine
Number
g
I
2
100
g
Flow
g Fatty
Acid
g Catalyst
6.50
140
1.15
4.4
24.1
7.58
140
1.05
4.9
28.3
24.00
140
1.01
5.2
79.2
26.00
160
1.00
4.4
85.6
32.00
190
1.00
3.4
103.3
33.83
190
0.98
3.2
108.4
38.42
190
0.92
3.5
121.8
54.75
190
0.93
3.9
178.6
61.00
190
0.93
4.1
196.7
78.55
190
0.99
4.4
249.8
85.75
190
1.08
4.6
270.2
COMPARISON EXAMPLE 3
Comparison trial 2 was repeated at a hydrogen pressure of only 25 bar. Table 6 and FIG. 5 describe the course of the hydrogenation. At no point in time of the trial did the iodine number after hardening succeed in lowering to a value under 10.
TABLE 6
Time [h]
T [° C.]
LHSV [h −1 ]
Iodine
Number
g
I
2
100
g
Flow
g Fatty
Acid
g Catalyst
3.67
140
1.69
38.3
20.67
5.25
140
1.49
38.2
28.48
9.33
140
0.79
24.3
34.33
10.58
160
0.81
20.3
37.71
25.58
160
1.15
20.1
86.74
28.50
190
1.10
12.1
96.92
EXAMPLE 2
Pure linoleic acid ethyl ester is used as the starting substance for a further hydrogenation. An extraction preceding the hydrogenation could thereby be obviated. The hydrogenation was carried out in condensed subcritical propane at a total pressure of 35 bar, a space velocity of 60 h −1 and a reaction temperature of 60° C. 2 ml of the 1%-Pd/OFP catalyst were used.
COMPARISON EXAMPLE 4
Example 2 was repeated with a total pressure increased to 100 bar. Under these conditions, the propane used as fluid is found in a near critical state.
COMPARISON EXAMPLE 5
comparison example 4 was repeated with carbon dioxide instead of propane. At a total pressure of 100 bar and a temperature of 60° C., carbon dioxide is found in a supercritical state.
COMPARISON EXAMPLE 6
The linoleic acid ethyl ester was hydrogenated in a conventional trickle bed hardening, that is without addition of a fluid in pure hydrogen at a pressure of 100 bar.
The results of example 2 and the comparison examples 4 through 6 are listed in Table 7. The measured hydrogenation activity was detected as described in DE 44 05 029.
TABLE 7
Hydrogenation results
Hydrogen
Activity
Total pre-
mol H 2
ssure
hxg act.
Example
[bar]
Fluid
metal
Remarks
B2
35
Propane
67.2
subcritical
hydrogenation
VB4
100
Propane
104.3
near critical
hydrogenation
VB5
100
CO 2
71.3
supercritical
hydrogenation
VB6
100
—
68.8
trickle bed
hydrogenation
B2: Example 2; VB4, 5, 6: comparison examples 4, 5, 6
Example 2 and the comparison examples 4 through 6 clearly show that fat raw material, such as fats, oils, fatty acid esters and free fatty acids can be outstandingly hydrogenated with condensed, that is, liquefied, fluids in the subcritical state. The condensed fluids are used in this way as solvent for the fat raw materials. Suitable for this are, for example, the fluids carbon dioxide, propane, ethane, butane, dinitrogen monoxide or mixtures thereof.
As Table 7 shows, in the dissolution of the ethyl ester of linoleic acid ethyl in condensed subcritical propane, comparable hydrogenation activities as in the conventional trickle bed hardening or with the super critical hydrogenation are achieved as per WO 95/22591, however, at a considerably reduced pressure.
The solubility of the employed raw material in the solvent can also here be increased by the use of modifiers. The reaction product is separated after the hydrogenation through pressure release, or temperature increase, of condensed subcritical fluid. The fluid is brought back into the process again, if necessary, after compression, or temperature decrease. The hydrogenation catalysts known in the art come into use.
Further variations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing and are intended to be encompassed by the claims appended hereto.
German priority application 197 19 431.1 is relied on and incorporated herein by reference. | A process for the continuous catalytic conversion of organic compounds, that, together with unwanted attendant materials, form a starting substance: first the organic compounds of the starting material are purposely extracted by means of condensed fluids. Then the extract, containing the condensed fluids and organic compounds as the reaction mixture is contacted with a catalyst for the catalytic conversion of the organic compounds to form a product mixture, which contains the individual products of the catalytic conversion. The product mixture is separated from the reaction mixture and the fluids employed are, optionally, conducted back for extraction. | 65,869 |
This application is a divisional, of copending application Ser. No. 877,883, filed on Feb. 15, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,892.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in a synthetic-speech calculator.
A synthetic-speech calculator is well known in the art of calculators. The prior art synthetic-speech calculator was adapted such that respective ones of digit keys and function keys were assigned their own unique audible sounds. The operation results or entered information was not easily distinguished from other information not assigned a unique audible sound, for example, index information and tabulation information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement in a synthetic-speech calculator which provides audible sounds indicative of not only numerical information but also conditional information having a particular meaning with respect to that numerical information.
In one preferred form of the present invention, a synthetic-speech calculator includes a keyboard consisting of digit keys and function keys, a desired number of registers for storing information entered by the depression of selected ones of the digit keys, a read-only-memory for storing a large number of digital codes as sound quantizing information, counter means for specifying the address of the memory so as to take a specific digital code out of the memory, a digital-to-analog converter for converting the specific digital code taken out of the memory into an audible sound signal, and a loud speaker driven by the audible sound signal and producing an audible sound. There are provided means for producing audible sounds indicative of not only numerical information but also conditional information having a particular meaning with respect to that numerical information, such as index information, position information and tabulation information. Sound quantizing digital codes indicative of such conditional information are previously loaded into the read-only memory.
In the case of a law-of-exponent calculator, distinction codes are interposed between the mantissa portion and index portion. When a decision circuit senses the development of the distinction codes, digital codes indicating exponent information are derived from the read-only-memory. Alternatively, in the case of a conventional calculator, a counter is provided to sense the most significant digit of numerical information contained within a piece of a random-access-memory and provide the output thereof for an address counter associated with the read-only-memory, enabling the loud speaker to produce audible sounds indicative of the most significant digit type position information. This makes it easy for the operator to register operation results in a correct position while these are being delivered in an audible form.
Further, pursuant to the teachings of the present invention, it is possible to produce audible sounds indicative of, for example; previously selected tabulation information as soon as a power switch is thrown or a specific key is manually depressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and novel features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims and mode of operation will best be understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a synthetic-speech calculator embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the synthetic-speech calculator shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 (comprised of A and B) shows an example of the contents of a register in case of a law-of-exponent calculator;
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram which is effective in producing audible sounds indicative of exponent information;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another preferred form of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart provided for the purpose of explanation of operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows an example of the contents of a register in the embodiment of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is an example of audible output forms in the example of FIG. 7;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a perspective view of a synthetic-speech calculator embodying the present invention in the first embodiment which includes a body 1, a display 2, a power switch 3, a loud speaker 4, a sound key 5 available for indicating that keyed information or operation results are to be produced in an audible form, and digit keys and function keys 6. The speech synthesis technique is fully disclosed in many of U.S. Patents, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,165, SPEECH SYNTHESIS SYSTEM to Genung L. Clapper and U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,241, DIGITAL STORAGE VOICE MESSAGE GENERATOR to Lyle H. Lee.
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the synthetic-speech calculator. A keyboard KB contains a family of digit keys 10K, a family of function keys FK, etc. In response to the depression of a specific key, the corresponding signals are introduced into an encoder EC for code conversion. The outputs of the encoder EC are sent to a calculation circuit or central processor unit CPU and an output register OR. Keyed information and operation results are transferred from the output register OR to an address counter AC via the central processor unit CPU. The address counter AC is coupled with a read-only-memory ROM storing a large number of voice quantizing digital codes in advance. The address counter AC provides access to specific areas of the ROM containing selected ones of the voice quantizing digital codes. By the addressing of the ROM, the digital codes indicative of keyed information and operation results are picked up and converted into an audible form via a digital-to-analog converter D/A, a low-pass filter LPF, a speaker driver D and the loud speaker SP. As noted earlier, the ROM stores the digital codes that sample analog voice information containing vocal sounds, syllables, words etc., and quantize them at preselected amplitude levels. Fidelity of the reproduction from the ROM depends largely upon the number of samples and the number of quantizing levels. Amplitude quantum is a binary code and four-level quantizing requires two bits of binary codes, thereby enhancing fidelity. Sixteen-level quantizing with four bits of binary codes is substantially free of distortion.
According to a law-of-exponent calculator, numerical information consists generally of a mantissa and an index as shown in FIG. 3. In a first example (a), the mantissa portion is 1.2345 and the index portion is 10 12 (the tenth power). Numerical information is stored in the output register OR and distinction codes such as blank codes and negative sign codes are interleft to establish a distinction between the mantissa portion and index portion. For example, five bits of "01111" are selected for the blank codes and ones of "11111" are selected for the negative sign codes apart from the code representation of numerical information.
These distinction code signals are supplied to the address counter AC. The blank codes "01111" specify the digital codes indicative of distinction sounds between the mantissa portion and index portion, followed by addressing the sound quantizing digital codes corresponding to a word "power" in the tenth power. The thus addressed digital codes are sequentially taken out of the ROM, producing audible sounds via the loud speaker beginning with the mantissa portion. Numerical information indicative of the index portion is then derived in the order of "twelfth", "power", and "of ten". For the example of (b), audible sounds "five", "point", "three", "six", "seven", "multiply", "power", "minus", "power", "of", and "ten" are produced in a sequence.
FIG. 4 shows another preferred form of the present invention wherein a way to produce the mantissa portion in an audible form is different from that for the index portion. The components in the embodiment of FIG. 4 are given the same numbers as in FIG. 2 wherever possible in order to point up the close relationship. While the mantissa portion may be produced digit-by-digit in an audible form despite its digit significance, when producing audible sounds of the index portion. As mentioned previously, the register OR stores the blank codes "01111" and the negative sign codes "11111." Either of these codes are sensed via AND gates g1, g2, an OR gate O 1 and an AND gate g3, placing a flip flop F 1 into the set condition. When the flip flop F 1 is in the set state, the set output a is developed to indicate that the next succeeding information relates to the index portion. The set output a of the flip flop F 1 is supplied to the ROM to select information while taking digit significance into consideration. In this instance, the sound "power" is necessarily produced after the delivery of audible sounds of the mantissa portion. It is obvious that the present invention is applicable to power calculations.
FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the present invention the position of the most significant digit of numerical information is indicated in an audible form in advance to the delivery of that numerical information in the case of a conventional calculator. For example, if the most significant digit of numerical information is in the eighth digit position, then audible sounds "line", and "eight" are sequentially produced in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 5, a register X stores numerical information and an address counter R 1 specifies the address of the register X beginning with the most significant digit thereof and ending with the least significant digit. A buffer register DC 1 stores the specific digit position of the register X which is addressed by the address counter R 1 .
An address counter VAC sequentially addresses the ROM, producing audible sounds indicative of not only numerical information contained within the register X but also position information indicative of the position of the most significant digit position of that numerical information. For the purpose of the invention three decision circuits or latches F B , F C and K are provided.
Mode of operation of the synthetic-speech calculator shown in FIG. 5 will be described referring to a flow chart of FIG. 6. Assume now that numerical information contained within the register X is "123456" as in FIG. 7.
In the first place, the latches F C , F B and K are reset for operation in the steps n 1 , n 2 and n 3 . The address counter R 1 is loaded with "8" in the step n 4 (that is, the most significant digit is at the eighth position). The step n 5 permits the contents of the register X specified by the address counter R 1 to be transferred into the buffer register X 0 . Information at the eighth digit position of the register X is φ entered into the buffer register X 0 . Because the latch K is initially in the reset state, the step n 7 is advanced where decision is effected as to whether X 0 =0 to inhibit spurious display of upper "0 S ". If X 0 is 0", the address counter R 1 is one reduced in the step n 8 . Therefore, R 1 =7. The step n 5 (X→X 0 ) is returned where information at the seventh digit position of the register S is shifted into the buffer register X 0 . These steps are repeatedly carried through. The seventh-digit information is entered into the buffer register X 0 , proceeding toward the step n 8 because of X 0 =). R 1 -1 is effected with R 1 =6. In the next step n 5 (X→X 0 ) X 0 ≠0 is established for the first time (X 0 receivers "1" at this time). The latch K is placed into the set state in the step n 8 , followed by the step n 9 . Under the circumstances the address counter VAC specifies the initial address. The procedure L→VAC in the step n 9 allows the initial address of an area of the ROM containing the sounds "line" to be specified. Thereafter, the flip flop F A is set in the step n 10 , starting to produce audible sounds "line." The step n 11 deals with decision as to whether the output of the ROM is an END code, which is usually loaded at the end of each word. The address counter VAC keeps on incrementing in the step n 12 to complete the production of audiable sounds "line" until the END code is reached. Upon the END code sensed the flip flop F A is reset in the next step n 13 and the address counter VAC is also reset in the step n 14 . The address counter VAC in the reset state does not specify any of the respective areas of the ROM. The latch F C is reset in the step n 15 , followed by the step n 16 because of F C =0. The procedure R 1 = 0 means decision as to whether the overall contents of the register X including the least significant digit position or the first digit position have been taken out, and a terminating requirement for the procedure 8→R 1 in the step n 4 . The n 5 step is reverted to effect operation X→X 0 when R 1 ≠0. The address of the register X remains unchanged R 1 =6 with the buffer X 0 loaded with "1". The latch K is set in the step n 8 to make up a sequence of the events n 16 →n 18 →n 19 →n 20 . After setting the flip flops F B and F C , R 1 →VAC is achieved in the step n 21 . R 1 =6 specifies an area of the ROM containing voice "SIX". The chained steps n 10 →n 14 allows sounds "six" to be produced via the loud speaker. The latch F C in the step n 15 reveals that F C =1 in the preceding step n 20 , proceeding toward the steps n 15 →n 16 . The procedure ·→VAC in the step n 16 is effected for the reason that a simple sound for example "peep" is to be interposed between "line six" and "numerical data." Thus, the initial address of an area containing a sound "peep" is specified. After ·→VAC, the latch F C is reset in the step n 17 to return back to the step n 15 . A sequence of the steps n 15 →n 16 →n 5 is carried through because F C in the reset state in the step n 17 . X→X 0 is a data input to the sixth digit position of the X register as ever. The steps n 6 →n 18 →n 22 are effected so that the address counter R 1 for the X register is decremented with R 1 =5. The procedure X 0 →VAC in the step n 23 is to specify the initial address of an area of the ROM containing audible sounds "one" which corresponding to "1" at the sixth digit position. Audible sounds indicative of numerical data are produced in the next succeeding steps n 10 →n 14 .
This follows the steps n 15 →n 16 →n 5 . Because R 1 =5 in the procedure X→X 0 the fifth digit position data "2" is introduced into the buffer X 0 . The steps n 18 n 22 results in R 1 -1=4. The step n 23 specifies the initial address of an area of the ROM containing sounds "two". The sounds "two" are produced in the steps are n 10 -n 14 . The above mentioned procedures are repeated such that the fifth digit data of the X register is introduced into the buffer X 0 in the step n 5 . The development in the steps n 6 →n 18 →n 22 results in R 1 -1=0. The address counter VAC in the step n 23 specifies the initial address of an arc containing sounds "six" (the fifth digit position data). Audible sounds of the fifth digit position data are produced with advance to n 15 →n 16 . R 1 =0 halts all the procedures. FIG. 8 shows the order of the audible sounds produced from the loud speaker SP.
Occasionally, a calculator contains one or more mode selectors on the operation panel, for example, a tabulation selector, a normal/constant operation selector and a counting fraction selector. Through the use of the present invention it is possible to produce audible sounds indicative of the operation states of these selector. Furthermore, audible sounds indicative of the operation states of the mode selector may be produced once a power switch is thrown or a specific function key (e.g., a clear key C C is depressed.
While only certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. | A synthetic-speech calculator includes a keyboard consisting of digit keys and function keys and, if desired, or more mode selectors, a desired number of registers for storing numerical information entered by the depression of selected ones of the digit keys, a read-only-memory for storing a large number of digital codes as sound quantizing information, counter means for specifying the address of the memory so as to take a specific digital code out of the memory, a digital-to-analogue converter for convering the specific digital code taken out of the memory into an audible sound signal, and a loud speaker driven by the audible sound signal and producing an audible sound. There are further provided means for producing audible sounds indicative of not only numerical information but also its associated conditional information having a particular meaning with respect to that numerical information, for example, position information, index information, tabulation information, etc. Those numerical information and conditional information is derived in different audible forms. Specifically, a first sound indicates the most significant digit of the data, a second sound (monotone peep) separates the first sound from a third sound representing the data. | 16,780 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/018267 entitled, “Computerized Controller for Packaging Materials,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to packaging devices, and more specifically, to a computerized controller for packaging devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Packaging machines are used to create packaging materials, such as cushioning elements, that may be used to surround or contain items in a predetermined volume (e.g., box) to allow the item to be shipped, transported, stored, and the like with a reduced risk of damage. Examples of packaging machines include foam-in-bag machines that inflate bags with expandable foam where the foam provides the cushioning support, air-bag machines that inflate bags with air or other similar gas to provide the cushioning support, and dunnage machines that shred materials such as paper where the shredded elements provide cushioning for the items.
[0004] Operational control of packaging machines often requires manual input by a user or machine administrator. For example, for a foam-in-bag machine, such settings can include, bag dimensions, the percentage of foam that should be inserted into the bag, and the number of bags desired. Other types of machines include related types of input requirements. These manual inputs can be some limited, as well as time consuming, confusing or difficult to follow, and may result in issues due to human error (e.g., typographical errors, etc.). Furthermore, users of conventional packaging machines may be required to manually enter inputs to make numerous packaging elements, cumbersomely waiting for each packaging element to be created before entering an input for a subsequent packaging element. This can result in an inefficient use of the user's time, as well as the user's employer's resources.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present subject matter relates generally to systems, devices and methods for controlling a packaging device. In some embodiments a control device is provided. The control device comprises a processor and a memory that contains computer readable instructions. When executed by the processor, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to receive a first user input corresponding to first parameters for forming a first unit of packaging material, and add first instructions corresponding to the first unit to a queue for a packaging device. The computer readable instructions cause the processor to receive a second user input corresponding to second parameters for forming a second unit of packaging material, and add second instructions corresponding to the second unit to the queue. The computer readable instructions cause the processor to transmit the first and second instructions to the packaging device to cause the packaging device to create the first and second units of packaging material according to the first and second parameters.
[0006] In some embodiments, the packaging material is protective packaging material. In some embodiments, the device comprises a display. In such embodiments, the computer readable instructions further cause the processor to display on the display a first item graphic corresponding to the first unit, wherein one or more characteristics of the first item graphic correspond to the first parameters; and display on the display a second item graphic corresponding to the second unit, wherein one or more characteristics of the second item correspond to the second parameters. In some embodiments, the first and second items are presented together on the display in an order that indicates that the packaging device will create the first unit before creating the second unit. In some embodiments, the instructions further cause the processor to receive a user pause input corresponding to a pause for a predetermined length of time, and based on the pause input, send pause information to the packaging device, to cause the packaging device to create the first packaging unit, pause for the predetermined length of time, and create the second packaging item.
[0007] In some embodiments, the first parameters include a number of a plurality of first units to be created, and wherein sending the first instructions causes the packaging device to create the number of first units. The instructions further causing the processor to receive a user input corresponding to a pause for a predetermined length of time, add the pause to the queue, and transmit pause information to the packaging device, to cause the packaging device to pause for the predetermined length of time after finishing creating a first unit and before starting to create another first unit in the plurality. In some embodiments, the packaging device comprises first and second packaging devices, and the first packaging device creates the first unit of packaging material, and the second packaging device creates the second unit of packaging material. In some embodiments, the first packaging unit comprises different material than the second packaging unit. In some embodiments, the instructions further cause the processor to send cleaning information to the packaging device, to cause a cleaning material to be applied to the packaging device after the packaging device creates the first unit. In some embodiments, the packaging device is a foam-in-bag device, and the cleaning material is a solvent. In some embodiments, the packaging device is a foam-in-bag device, the first unit comprises a bag having a predetermined amount of foam filled therein, and the first parameters include at least one of a length of the bag or a percentage of the bag to filled with foam.
[0008] In some embodiments, a control device is provided that includes a display, a processor and a memory. The memory contains computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a first user input corresponding to first parameters for forming a first unit of packaging material, and present for display on a user interface a first item graphic corresponding to the first unit of packaging material. The computer readable instructions cause the processor to receive a second user input corresponding to second parameters for forming a second unit of packaging material, and present for display on the user interface a second item graphic corresponding to the second unit of packaging material. The computer readable instructions cause the processor to add first instructions corresponding to the first unit to a queue, add second instructions corresponding to the second unit to the queue, and send the first and second instructions to the packaging device to cause the packaging device to create the first and second units of packaging material according to the first and second parameters.
[0009] In some embodiments, one or more characteristics of the first item graphic correspond to the first parameters, and one or more characteristics of the second item graphic correspond to the second parameters. In some embodiments, the packaging device is a foam-in-bag device, the first unit comprises a bag having a predetermined amount of foam filled therein, and the first parameters include at least one of a length of the bag or a percentage of the bag to fill with foam. In some embodiments, the packaging material is protective packaging material.
[0010] In some embodiments, a control device is provided that comprises a processor and a memory that contains computer readable instructions. When executed by the processor, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to receive a first user input corresponding to first parameters for forming a first unit of packaging material, add first instructions corresponding to the first unit to a queue for a packaging device, receive a second user input corresponding to second parameters for forming a second unit of packaging material, and add second instructions corresponding to the second unit to the queue. The computer readable instructions cause the processor to receive a third user input corresponding to a processing step, and add third instructions corresponding to the processing step to the queue. The computer readable instructions cause the processor to transmit the first and second instructions to the packaging device to cause the packaging device to create the first and second units of packaging material according to the first and second parameters and according to the processing step.
[0011] In some embodiments, the processing step is a pause of a predetermined period of time, and the third instructions cause the packaging device to pause for the predetermined period of time after creating the first unit and before creating the second unit. In some embodiments, the processing step is a cleaning step, and the third instructions cause a cleaning material to be administered to the packaging device after creating the first unit and before creating the second unit.
[0012] In some embodiments, a method of creating packaging units is provided. The method comprises receiving a first user input corresponding to first parameters for forming a first unit of packaging material, and adding first instructions corresponding to the first unit to a queue for a packaging device. The method comprises receiving a second user input corresponding to second parameters for forming a second unit of packaging material, and adding second instructions corresponding to the second unit to the queue. The method comprises transmitting the queue to the packaging device to cause the packaging device to create the first and second units of packaging material according to the first and second parameters.
[0013] In some embodiments, the packaging material is protective packaging material. In some embodiments, the method includes displaying on a display a first item graphic corresponding to the first unit, wherein one or more characteristics of the first item graphic correspond to the first parameters, and displaying on the display a second item graphic corresponding to the second unit, wherein one or more characteristics of the second item correspond to the second parameters. In some embodiments, the first and second items are displayed together to indicate that the packaging device will create the first unit before creating the second unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a packaging system including a packaging machine and a controller.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the packaging system of FIG. 1 including additional machines.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the packaging system of FIG. 1 including additional controllers and machines.
[0017] FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating the system of FIG. 2A with various types of machines.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the controller of FIG. 1 .
[0019] FIG. 4A is a rear isometric view of an example of a packaging assembly including foam precursor or other chemical supplies.
[0020] FIG. 4B is a side isometric view of the packaging assembly of FIG. 4A with the material supplies hidden for clarity.
[0021] FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of FIG. 4A .
[0022] FIG. 5A is an image of an example of a custom element graphical user interface for the controller.
[0023] FIG. 5B is an image of an example of a custom sequence graphical user interface for the controller.
[0024] FIG. 6 is an image of an example of a queue graphical user interface.
[0025] FIG. 7A is an image of the queue graphical user interface of FIG. 6 with a sequence and an item added to a queue pathway.
[0026] FIG. 7B is an image of the queue graphical user interface of FIG. 6 with two items and a sequence added to the queue pathway.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for adding items to a queue for the machine of the packaging assembly of FIG. 4A .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In some embodiments herein, a packaging system including a controller and a packaging machine is disclosed. The packaging machine is typically a device for making protective packaging, although in other embodiments it can be other types of manufacturing machines. Embodiments of machines include those that create packaging material, including protective packaging materials and other packaging products. Exemplary protective packaging materials include foam-in-bag cushions, foam-in-place protective packaging, inflated pillows and cushions, inflatable bags, paper dunnage, and the like, for example for impact protection, stabilizing products within a box or other container, or void fill. In some embodiments, the controller can be any type of suitable processor, computer, or electronic module associated with or in the machine.
[0029] In some embodiments, the controller can be a computer. The computer may be a portable computer, such as a tablet, smart phone, gaming device, or the like, and is placed into communication with the packaging device as well as one or more sensors that may be connected to or integrated with the packaging device. As will be described in more detail below, the controller may control and/or vary one or more components of the packaging machine (e.g., settings, machine selections, cushioning characteristics, etc.) and may sense and control input materials provided to the packaging machine (e.g., sheets of plastic used to create the inflatable bags). Further, the controller may also be in communication with one or more other controllers and/or machines, so as to allow the controller to communicate with and control an entire warehouse or other grouping of packaging machines, where the group of machines may be located in a single location or in two or more locations.
[0030] In some embodiments, the controller may receive an input indicating a desired cushioning element to be created and/or a packaged item for which the cushioning element is needed. Based on the input, the controller may adjust the machine parameters to create the desired cushioning element. The input may be a user input (e.g., selection of an icon or entered data), may be sensed by the controller or machine (e.g., first type of material corresponds to a first type of bag), or may be a combination of a sensed and user input. Depending on the packaging machine and user preferences, the controller may be configured to selectively modify, control, monitor, and/or activate each component of the packaging machine and may do these actions either based on a user input, automatically (e.g., through sensed data), or a combination thereof.
[0031] As briefly discussed above, the controller may include a display either integrated therewith (e.g., a tablet) or a display that is separate from the controller but in communication therewith. The display may be used to display a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to select and modify parameters of the machine and/or to instruct the machine to create a desired cushioning element or elements in a desired order and with a particular set of characteristics. The GUI may include icons or indicia that minor or mimic characteristics of particular cushioning elements (e.g., image that matches an image of a particular bag). This allows a user to quickly visually identify the desired input without requiring additional knowledge of the machine. The icons may indicate selected characteristics and parameters of packaging element or elements and the icons may reflect changes to the parameters. A user can select one or more icons to provide instructions to the machine based on the desire cushioning element or elements to be created by the machine.
[0032] The controller may receive user input that loads the selected cushioning element to be created into a manufacturing queue for the packaging machine. Alternatively or additionally, the icons or other input components for the controller may be configured to set a sequence of bags or other cushioning elements that can then be added as a group to the queue of the machine. For example, when the user selects a particular icon on the GUI, a first sequence of cushioning elements may be programmed into the machine in order to be manufactured in the order of the sequence. The cushioning elements within the sequence may then be added to the machine's queue to create those elements. The cushioning elements within the queue may thus be added either via a particular sequence or may be added individually. This allows the queue of the machine to be dynamically tailored to the specific needs of the user. Also, the order of items within the queue may be selected and/or modified. For example, when adding a new item or sequence to the queue the user or the controller may assign the item or sequence a priority, where the priority may determine the item or sequence's placement within the queue. This allows certain cushioning elements to be made before others, depending on the priority. As another example, while or after a queue is created, a user may modify the order of items within the queue. The order of the items within the queue and changes made thereto may be represented by the GUI. For example, the icons representing items or sequences may be presented on the GUI according to the order of the represented items or sequences within the queue.
[0033] In some embodiments, the controller may control production steps relating to how the machine produces packaging elements. For example, the controller may insert pauses into the queue of the packaging machine, e.g., between each cushioning element and/or sequence, the controller may instruct the machine to enter into a pause state or otherwise not proceed to the next element in the sequence until a set period of time has elapsed. These pauses can help to ensure that the machine does not overheat, that the cushioning elements are made correctly, or that the downstream processes (e.g., removing of the cushioning elements from the machine) can be done before the next cushioning element is created. As another example, the controller may be configured to insert a cleaning step into the queue of the packaging machine. For example, the cleaning step may cause the packaging machine to administer a cleaning fluid to one or more components of the machine. For example, for a foam-in-bag machine, a solvent may be administered to prevent buildup of the foam precursor, increasing the longevity of the machine run time and efficiency of the machine.
[0034] In one example, the controller may receive data (e.g., input by a user, from a sensor such as a bar code scanner, or the like) regarding an item to be packaged using the packaging elements created by the machine or machines. In this example, the controller may preload a desired item or queue of items to be created based on the packaged item into the machine, as well as may display steps or operations that may be performed by other machines or by the user. In this example, the controller provides instructions (to the machine and/or user) regarding the entirety of, or a portion of, the packaging flow for the item. This allows customized packaging to be more easily created and integrated into an automated process.
[0035] Various features provided by the controller may be set to various access levels. For example, an administrator may be able to access and modify features that a user may not be able to access. This allows a manufacturer to prevent some settings on the packaging machine from being modified by a user, while still allowing those features to be modified by a person having the correct access levels. For example, a manufacturer may preset certain queues and the user may not be able to change the parameters of the queues. As another example, an administrator may set certain maximums for queues or minimum time between items to ensure that the machine is operated under efficient conditions.
[0036] The controller may be used to track the location of the machine itself and/or one or more components. For example, some users may move or transport the packaging machines across a warehouse, to other locations, based on available storage or the like. Due to this movement of the exact location of a particular machine may not be known to certain users. In some instances the controller may include a locating beacon that can be used locate one or more machines that the controller is attached to or in communication with. This allows a user to know the location and optionally status of any machine within a machine group, which can assist in faster identification of a problematic machine, allow a machine owner or manufacturer to keep updated records of machine locations, and to help deter theft of the machines. As one example, the beacon may be a global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking system or other location identifying system that determines a relative location of the detected component.
[0037] Turning now to the figures, a system for controlling one or more manufacturing machines will now be discussed. It should be noted that although the below examples are discussed with respect to packaging material manufacturing machines, the present disclosure may be applied to substantially any suitable type of manufacturing machine. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a manufacturing and control system with a single machine and controller. FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a system with multiple machines. FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a system with multiple machines with their own controllers. With reference to FIG. 1 , the manufacturing and control system 100 may include a machine 102 having one or more sensors 108 and a controller 104 . The controller 104 , and optionally the machine 102 , may be in communication with a network 106 which allows the controller 104 and/or machine 102 to receive and transmit data to and from other controllers, machines, and/or computing devices, as will be discussed in more detail below. The controller 104 and/or machine 102 may communicate with an external database, such as a cloud database 122 that runs on a cloud computing platform.
[0038] The controller 104 is in electrical communication with the machine 102 and the network 106 and optionally the cloud database 122 . With reference to FIG. 2A , in a multiple machine system 110 , the controller 104 may be in communication with other machines 112 , 116 , 120 , 125 . This allows the controller 104 to receive and send data to each of the machines 102 , 112 , 116 , 120 , 125 and allows a single controller to control the operations and operating settings of the machines. As one example, the controller 104 may send and receive instructions to each of the machines, allowing a single controller 104 to operate multiple machines. In these embodiments, the machines may not include a display or other user interface or may have a simplified user interface and the operation and programming of the machine may be done via the controller 104 (e.g., through communication through the network 106 ).
[0039] With reference to FIG. 2B , in a multiple machine system 110 , each controller 104 , 114 , 118 , 122 may be in communication with at least one another controller, or as shown in FIG. 2B every controller (either directly or indirectly) within the system 110 . This allows each of the controllers 104 , 114 , 118 , 122 to send and receive data between each other and receive and send data about each machine 102 , 112 , 116 , 120 within the system 110 .
[0040] In the system 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B , each machine 102 , 112 , 116 , 120 may be in a similar physical location (e.g., in a single warehouse, campus, or station) or may be in a variety of different locations spatially separated from one another (e.g., across multiple states, countries, or the like). The system 110 may allow each controller 104 , 114 , 118 , 122 to control one or more of the machines 102 , 112 , 116 , 120 . The multiple machine system 110 of FIGS. 2A and 2B may include the same components as the system 100 of FIG. 1 and as such, for ease of explanation, the following discussion is made with respect to the single machine system 100 of FIG. 1 , but may be understood to apply to the components of the system 110 . That is, each of the controllers 114 , 118 , 122 and machines 112 , 116 , 120 of system 110 that are not discussed below may be substantially the same as controller 104 and machine 102 , respectively, of the system 100 discussed below, with the exception being that any of the machines and/or controllers may be different from one another within the system 110 . As shown in FIG. 2C , the machines may be grouped in packaging “stations” where a controller 104 may control different types of machines that a user can operate simultaneously or separately.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 2C , in this embodiment, the system 110 may include three different types of machines, such that the first machine 102 may be a foam-in-bag machine, the second machine 112 may be an inflated air pillow machine, and the third machine 116 may be a paper dunnage machine. In this example the controller 104 may control the queues and/or sequences (discussed in more detail below) for each of the machines 102 , 112 , 116 although the machines may each make different cushioning elements. Additionally, in this example the system 110 may include an external sensor 133 , such as a barcode scanner, that may be used to receive data and transmit data to the controller 104 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C , each of the machines, the controller 104 , and/or the external sensor 133 may be in communication with the controller 104 and/or each other, e.g., through a WiFi network, Bluetooth, or the like.
[0042] In some embodiments, using the system 110 shown in FIG. 2C , the user may scan a packaging item 135 (i.e., an item to be packed and cushioned using cushioning materials) using the external sensor 133 . The external sensor 133 may scan a barcode, serial number, color, quick response (QR) code, or the like, and transmit the item data to the controller 104 . Based on the data, the controller 104 determines the type of cushioning elements needed for the item 135 and transmits the items into the queues for each of the machines 102 , 112 , 116 , which either substantially simultaneously or sequentially, create the cushioning elements. As the machines are creating the cushioning elements or afterwards, the controller 104 may then display one or more tutorials or videos that instruct the user how to assemble the item 135 in the package with the corresponding cushioning elements (e.g., foam-in-bag cushioning elements go on bottom, dunnage elements on top after item placed into box on foam-in-bag, etc.). Further, the controller 104 may provide instructions to a user regarding steps for shipping or other handling of the item 135 that may not be completed by the machines 102 , 112 , 116 , such as, but not limited to, print shipping label, transfer to a specific station or person, and so on. Thus, the system 110 of FIG. 2 C may be able to function as a packaging station that allows a user to control multiple machines and can be specialized and/or modified dynamically for items. These features are discussed in the related applications “Integrated protective packaging control,” Attorney Docket No. P252834.US.01-485252-642; “Protective packaging system consumable resupply system,” Attorney Docket No. P252835.US.01-485252-644; and “Protective Packaging Machines Demonstrative Content,” Attorney Docket No. P252837.US.01-485252-648, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
[0043] With reference again to FIG. 1 , the controller 104 and the machine 102 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the controller. FIG. 4F is an enlarged view of the controller connected to the machine. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the controller 104 may be substantially any type of electronic or computing device. Some non-limiting examples include a tablet computer, a smartphone, a digital music player, portable gaming station, laptop computer, microcomputer, processor or processing chip, or the like. In many embodiments the controller 104 may be a portable computing device with an integrated touch sensitive display, such as a tablet computer or smart phone.
[0044] The controller 104 may include one or more processing elements 130 , one or more sensors 132 , one or more memory components 134 , a display 132 , a networking/communication interface 138 , and an input/output interface 140 . Each of the components may be in communication either directly or indirectly with one another via one or more systems busses and each will be discussed in turn below. It should be noted that FIG. 3 is meant as exemplary, and in other examples, the controller 104 may include fewer or more components than those shown in FIG. 3 .
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 4A-4C , in embodiments where the controller is a portable computing device with an integrated touch sensitive screen (e.g., a tablet or smart phone), the controller may include a device enclosure 113 that encloses at least a portion of the select components. For example, the enclosure 113 may define a housing for the components of the controller 104 , while still providing access to the components, such as one or more cameras 117 , ports 115 , and/or input/output buttons 119 . Additionally, the enclosure 113 may only enclose a portion of the display 136 to allow the display to be visible and accessible to the user.
[0046] With reference again to FIG. 3 , the one or more processing elements 130 may be substantially any suitable electronic device cable of processing, receiving, and/or transmitting instructions. For example, the processing element 130 may be a microprocessor or a microcomputer. Additionally, it should be noted that the processing element 130 may include more than one processing member. For example, a first processing element may control a first set of components of the controller 104 and a second processing element may control a second set of components of the controller 104 , where the first and second processing elements may or may not be in communication with each other. Additionally, each processing element 130 may be configured to execute one or more instructions in parallel.
[0047] The sensors 132 may provide substantially any type of input to the controller 104 . For example, the sensors 132 may be one or more accelerometers, microphones, global positioning sensors, gyroscopes, light sensors, image sensors (such as a camera), force sensors, and so on. The type, number, and location of the sensors 132 may be varied as desired and may depend on the desired functions of the system 100 . In some examples, the sensors 132 may include at least a camera 117 and a microphone 127 that capture images and sound, respectively.
[0048] The memory 134 stores electronic data that may be utilized by the controller 104 . For example, the memory 134 may store electrical data or content e.g., audio files, video files, document files, and so on, corresponding to various applications. The memory 134 may be, for example, non-volatile storage, a magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable memory, flash memory, or a combination of one or more types of memory components.
[0049] The display 136 provides a visual output for the controller 104 . The display 136 may be substantially any size and may be positioned substantially anywhere on the controller 104 . In some embodiments, the display 136 may be a liquid display screen, plasma screen, light emitting diode screen, and so on. The display 136 may also function as an input device in addition to displaying output from the controller 104 . For example, the display 136 may include capacitive touch sensors, infrared touch sensors, or the like that may capture a user's input to the display 136 . In these embodiments, a user may press on the display 136 in order to provide input to the controller 104 . In other embodiments, the display 136 may be separate from or otherwise external to the electronic device, but may be in communication therewith to provide a visual output for the electronic device.
[0050] The networking/communication interface 138 receives and transmits data to and from the controller 104 . The networking/communication interface 138 may be transmit and send data to the network 106 , other machines, and/or other computing devices. For example, the networking/communication interface may transmit data to and from other computing devices through the network 106 which may be a wireless network (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular network, etc.) or a wired network (Ethernet), or a combination thereof.
[0051] As a specific example, the networking/communication interface 138 may be configured to allow the controller 104 to communicate with the machine 152 and control various components within the machine. The networking/communication interface 138 may translate messages from the controller 104 into a form that the machine 104 can understand and receive. For example, with reference to FIG. 4F , the networking/communication interface 138 may include an input port 115 that is defined through the device enclosure 113 . In this example, the input port 115 may be a micro universal serial bus port, but many other types of ports are envisioned. The input port 115 may receive a connector, such as the male end of a cable and when connected transmits data to and from the machine 102 from the controller 104 .
[0052] The input/output interface 140 allows the controller 104 to receive inputs from a user and provide output to the user. For example, the input/output interface 140 may include a capacitive touch screen, keyboard, mouse, stylus, or the like. The type of devices that interact via the input/output interface 140 may be varied as desired. In one example, one or more buttons 119 may be included in the input/output interface 140 . The buttons 119 allow a user to provide in input to the controller 104 such as returning to a home screen, selecting a particular function, or the like.
[0053] The controller 104 may also include a power supply 142 . The power supply 142 provides power to various components of the controller 104 . The power supply 142 may include one or more rechargeable, disposable, or hardwire sources, e.g., batteries, power cord, or the like. Additionally, the power supply 142 may include one or more types of connectors or components that provide different types of power to the controller 104 . In some embodiments, the power supply 142 may include a connector (such as a universal serial bus) that provides power to the controller 104 or batteries within the controller 104 and also transmits data to and from the controller 104 to the machine 102 and/or another computing device.
[0054] With reference again to FIG. 1 , the machine 102 may be substantially any type of manufacturing machine. However, in many embodiments the machine 102 may be a packaging machine that produces packaging materials or cushioning elements, such as, but not limited to, dunnage, foam-in-bag pillows, air or gas filled pillows, bubble wrap, or the like. Examples of sheet-fed paper dunnage machines that may be used with the system 100 of FIG. 1 include machines such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,848 entitled “Dunnage Device and Handler Disengagement,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Examples of center-fed paper dunnage machines include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,641,591 entitled “Center-Fed Dunnage System,” and U.S. Publication No. 2012/0165172 entitled, “Center Fed Dunnage System and Cutter.” Examples of air inflation sealing device machines include U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,110 entitled “Inflation and Sealing Device with Disengagement Mechanism,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,128,770 entitled, “Inflation and Sealing Device for Inflatable Air Cushions,” U.S. Publication No. 2011/0172072 entitled, “Packaging pillow device with upstream components,” and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/844,741 entitled “Replaceable Blade,” each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Examples of foam based protective packaging machines include U.S. Publication No. 2013/0047554 entitled, “Spindle Mechanism for Protective Packaging Device,” U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/944,030 and U.S. Nonprovisional Application Nos. 14/630,642 and 14/630,643 entitled, “Inflation and Sealing Device and Methods,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/944,026 and U.S. Nonprovisional Application No. 14/630,586 entitled, “Recipe Controlled Device for Making Packaging Materials,” each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0055] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate various views of an example of a foam-in-bag (FIB) machine incorporating the controller 104 . With reference to FIGS. 4A-4C , the FIB machine 152 includes a control panel 160 and a mounting assembly 162 for the controller 104 . Additionally, the machine 152 may be supported on a stand 154 anchored to a base 156 having a set of wheels 158 . The stand 154 may allow the machine 152 to be telescoping to allow the machine 152 to be positioned at various heights relative to the base 156 .
[0056] The FIB machine 152 may be substantially similar to the machine described in U.S. Publication No. 2013/0047552 entitled “Foam-in-Bag Apparatus with Power Failure Protection,” and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0057] The FIB machine 152 may include one or more pumps 171 fluidly connected to one or more foam precursor supply chemicals, Fill Material A and Fill Material B, such as chemical canisters that are used to create a cushioning foam. One or more nozzles or hoses may be used to connect the pumps 171 to the respective fill material supply containers and connect the pumps 171 to the machine 152 , allowing the supply containers to be positioned in locations separate from the FIB machine 152 . The machine 152 may also include a solution pump 173 connected to its base 156 . The solution pump 173 may be fluidly connected to a cleaning solution reservoir that may be attached to or separate from the machine. The machine 152 may also include a roll reception assembly 176 that extends outward from the machine 152 . The roll reception assembly 172 may include a dowel or other roll support that receives a roll of film material, such as the material used to form the bag in which the foam is injected into.
[0058] For a FIB machine, in operation, one or more foam precursors are fluidly connected to the pump 174 , and a film roll is loaded on the roll reception assembly 176 . For example, the film may be fed through the machine 152 and the machine 152 seals the edges of two sheets of film together and the foam precursor is sprayed or deposited between the sheets of film. When a desired fill supply has been inserted into the chamber defined by the sheets, and the film is a desired length, the machine 152 seals the ends of the sheets to seal foam precursor within the chamber. The film is then cut to a desired length by a cutting element and the cushioning element is created. Other known types of foam-in-bag machines can also or alternatively be used.
[0059] For a machine that makes paper or other crumpled or folded dunnage machine, the machine can use suitable stock materials, such as individual, separate, e.g. pre-cut, sheets, tubes, or a continuous sheet or other material that is cut to length, typically after or during its being formed into dunnage. Continuous type stock material examples include a long strip of sheet material fed from the interior or exterior of one or more supply rolls or fanfolded material stacks. The converter can be configured to crumple the sheets in a desired direction, such as cross-crumpling with folds and creases extending transversely to the feed direction of the sheets, or longitudinal crumpling, with folds and crease extending longitudinally along the direction in which the sheet(s) are fed through the converter, although a combination of directions or other directions can be used.
[0060] In an example of a cross-crumpling device, the dunnage converter may include entry-side crumpling rollers or other elements that move a portion of the sheet with which they interact at a faster rate, and exit-side crumpling rollers or other elements that move a portion of the sheet that they interact with at a slower rate. These rollers can be arranged to define a crumpling zone therebetween. A sheet of material is moved through the entry rollers along a longitudinal path at the faster rate. Since the exit-side rollers move at the slower rate, the material is compressed into the crumpling zone and thus crumpled into dunnage. In some embodiments, entry-side and exit-side crumpling rollers may be displaced transversely along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing effect in the material within the crumpling zone, to form tighter and more offset creases in the transverse region that is disposed longitudinally downstream from the crumple zone. Such devices are disclosed, for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,848, entitled, “Dunnage Device and Handler Disengagement,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for adjusting the speed and/or position of the crumpling rollers to adjust the crumpling of the material. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for controlling a cutting element to cut a predetermined length of the material so to create dunnage of a desired size.
[0061] In a longitudinal crumpling machine, typically, long, continuous strips of paper of other material are fed into a converting station. In devices that feed from the inside of a roll, the material may twist along a longitudinal axis as a helix, forming a tube or coil. A drum can be driven to draw the tube or coil through the converting station. A roller can be positioned and biased against the drum to flatten the tube or coil. The biased drum can grip the tube or coil, pull it along the feed path so to pinch the material of the tube or coil so that the material bunches ahead of the pinched portion, and is crumpled so to form dunnage. Such devices are disclosed, for instance in U.S. Application Publication Nos. 2012/0165172 entitled, “Center-Fed Dunnage System Feed and Cutter” and 2014/0038805 entitled , “Dunnage Supply Daisy Chain Connector,” the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for adjusting the speed and/or position of the roller relative to adjust the crumpling of the material. Adjusting the speed and/or position of the roller relative to the drum may also create creases of a desired tightness. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for controlling a cutting feature to cut a predetermined length of the material so to create dunnage of a desired size.
[0062] In devices that feed from the outside of a roll, the device may crumple the material in a generally longitudinal pattern, thereby putting a series of longitudinal folds and/or pleats within the sheeting. The device may include a rake having tines and spaces therebetween, over which paper is fed to create waves within the sheeting. The sheeting may then pass through a space between a drum and a guide roller, so that the waves form folds and/or pleats within the paper sheeting. Such devices are disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,735 entitled, “Apparatus for Crumpling Paper Substrates,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for adjusting the positions of the tines and spaces to adjust the size of the waves and thus adjust the configuration of the folds and/or pleats. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for adjusting the speed and/or positions of the drum and guide roller to adjust the folding and/or pleating of the material. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for controlling a cutting feature to cut a predetermined length of the material so to create dunnage of a desired size.
[0063] In other devices that feed from the outside of a roll, the device may include a throat section and a pair of crumpling rollers. As material is pulled through the throat section, it may gather or pleat. The gathered or pleated material may be fed between the pair of crumpling rollers, which may press the gathered or pleated material together to form dunnage. Such devices are disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,997 entitled, “Machine and Method for Making Paper Dunnage,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for adjusting the size of the throat, and/or the speed and/or position of the crumpling rollers to adjust the crumpling of the material. The control panel 160 and/or the controller 104 may include means for controlling a cutting element to cut a predetermined length of the material so to create dunnage of a desired size.
[0064] With reference now to FIG. 4C , the control panel 160 will now be discussed in more detail. The control panel 160 includes a plurality of input buttons 180 a - 180 g, 184 a - 184 c that may be used to control aspects of the machines 152 . The functions of the input buttons 180 a - 180 g, 184 a - 184 c may be the same as some of the functions that are adjustable via the controller 104 or may be different from those adjustable by the controller 104 . In embodiments where the input buttons 180 a - 180 g, 184 a - 184 c of the control panel 160 control functions that are adjustable by the controller 104 , the machine 152 may include duplicative controls which may assist in teaching new users how to use the functionality of the controller 104 and may provide a backup control system for the machine 152 .
[0065] With reference to FIG. 4C , the first set of input buttons 180 a, 180 b, 180 c, 180 d, 180 e , 180 f 180 g can be programmed to correspond to the dimensions of the bag produced by the FIB machine 152 . For example the first button 180 a may correspond to the smallest default size bag, the seventh button 180 f may correspond to the largest default size bag, and the eighth button 180 g may correspond to the previous size bag that was used. It should be noted that the input buttons may be programmed for substantially any task or input to the machine, such as, but not limited to, item creation sequences, queues, and different sizes or characteristics that may not necessarily correspond to the external markings on the input buttons.
[0066] With reference to FIG. 4C , in addition to the bag dimension input buttons 180 a - 180 g , the control panel 160 may include a secondary control panel 182 . The secondary control panel 182 includes a stop button 184 a, a film roll button 184 b, and a height button 184 . The stop button 184 a stops the operation of the FIB machine 152 , the film machine 184 b loads additional film into the machine 152 , and the height button 184 c adjusts the height of the stand 154 to raise and lower the machine 152 .
[0067] In some embodiments, the control panel 160 may form part of a machine control system for controlling various components of the machine 152 to form packaging elements. For example, buttons 180 a - 180 g, which corresponding to the dimensions of the bag, may cause the machine control system to control one or more drive mechanisms that output certain amounts of web material to form bags of a particular size. In doing so, when a user activates (e.g., pushes on) a button 180 a - 180 g, data is sent to the drive mechanisms, to thereby activate and control the drive mechanisms.
[0068] The controller 104 may send data to the machine 102 to activate and control the drive mechanisms, similarly to the control panel 160 . In some embodiments, the controller 104 communicates with the control panel 160 . For example, the controller 104 may send data to the control panel 160 , and based on the data, the control panel 160 may send data to the drive mechanisms for activating and controlling the drive mechanisms. In some embodiments, the controller 104 may communicate directly to the components of the machine themselves. For example, the controller 104 may send data directly to the drive mechanisms to activate and control the drive mechanisms. In some embodiments, the control panel 106 may be omitted and/or varied as the controller 104 may include functionality of the control panel 106 . Additionally, it should be noted that the buttons and their functions as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C are illustrative and may be varied as desired.
[0069] As discussed in more detail below, the controller 104 can control the operation, characteristics, and parameters of these machines. For example, the controller 104 may be used to operate the machine 102 , track data regarding the machine, the cushioning elements, user inputs, and the like, and may also be used to communicate between machines, users, and the network 106 . In one example, the controller 104 may track data corresponding to the usage of the machine (e.g., number of cushioning elements created, the amount of fill materials, time of peak usage, and so on), the location of the machine (e.g., through global positioning system or beacon) and may then provide this data to another computing device through the network 106 and/or through a direct connection means (e.g., cable, removable memory, etc.). This allows a manufacture to track the operation of its machines and ensure that the machines are operating as desired. Additionally, the data tracking and transmission may allow a manufacture to better service its machines and clients as it can better track customer needs, trends, common issues, and so on.
[0070] As the controller 104 can operate the machine, it is able to modify settings of certain components within the machine, and can tailor the components and operation of the machine to particular customers, types of cushioning elements, operating environment, and other factors.
[0071] As one example, the controller 104 may selectively provide power to certain components within the machine 152 . For example, during a maintenance setting, the controller 104 may restrict power to the film-cutting device (such as a heating element) but may provide power to the feed roller. The components may be selectable by a user or may be predetermined based on a setting or the like.
[0072] The controller 104 may allow a user to manually vary certain machine parameters. For example the controller 104 may allow a user to adjust the film feed rate, the heating time or temperature, the fill material (e.g., foam-precursor or air) percentage or the like. However, in some embodiments the features that may be modified by a user may be restricted to various levels of user access. For example, a typical user may not be able to modify certain components below or above threshold levels. As another example, certain components may be restricted to typical users. The number of access levels and components that are restricted may be varied as desired.
[0073] The controller 104 can set the characteristics for packaging elements (e.g., pillows, paper dunnage) that are created by the machine 102 and can also determine the order in which packaging elements with certain characteristics are created (i.e., a manufacturing queue). In embodiments where the controller 104 is used with the FIB machine 152 , the controller 104 may be used to control the length of each cushioning pillow, the amount of fill material deposited into the pillow, the type of fill material used, and the order and number of cushioning pillows that are created. Additionally, it should be noted that the features controlled by the controller 104 , such as the sequences and queues, may be assigned to manual inputs to the machine 152 as well. For example, a foot pedal and/or the control panel 160 buttons may be assigned to match one or more buttons for the controller 104 so that the functionality of the manual inputs to the machine may correspond to the functionality of certain electronic inputs from the controller 104 .
[0074] FIG. 5A is an illustrative image of a graphical user interface 200 for the controller 104 that allows a user to create a custom cushioning element. With reference to FIG. 5B , in this embodiment, the individual element GUI 200 may include a bag icon 202 having a fill material graphic 204 , as well as fill adjustment inputs 206 , length adjustment inputs 210 , and editing inputs 208 . The bag icon 202 may be configured to correspond to the type of cushioning element being created. For example, a foam-in-bag element and the fill material graphic 204 correspond to the percentage of fill material to be deposited. In this example, the fill material for the bag is set to 20% and so the fill material graphic 204 is shown as another color filling about 20% of the bag icon 202 . This provides a visual indicator for the user that directly corresponds to the amount of fill material that will be used to inflate the bag. Additionally, although not shown in this example, the graphic selected for the fill material graphic 204 may include additional features depending on the type of bag, such as any connection points or columns defined in the bag (e.g., sealed portions that define different pillow configurations within the bag).
[0075] With continued reference to FIG. 5A , the fill adjustment inputs 206 allow a user to provide input to the controller 104 to vary the percentage fill for the bag. For example, a user may press the up arrow as displayed on the display 136 of the controller 104 to increase the fill percentage and the down arrow to decrease the fill percentage. It should be noted that the controller 104 may include minimum and/or maximum values for the fill percentage, so as to prevent a user from over or under filling a particular bag. However the minimum and maximum values may be adjusted or removed by a user with a desired access level (e.g., administrator, or the like).
[0076] Similarly, the length adjustment inputs 210 allow the user to increase or decrease the length of the bag. The length adjustment inputs 210 may corresponds to the length of the film that is cut by the cutting device (see machine 152 ). The length adjustment inputs 210 may be similar to the fill adjustment inputs 206 and a user may provide input to the controller 104 in a similar manner, but correspond to a different component of the machine 152 . As with the fill adjustment inputs, the length adjustment inputs 210 may have minimum and/or maximum values that a typical user may not be able to exceed. Additionally, in some embodiments, the minimum and maximum values of the fill adjustment and the length adjustment may be tied together, i.e., as the bag length increases, the maximum fill percentage may increase and vice versa. As such, the minimum and maximum values for both the fill adjustment inputs 206 and the length adjustment inputs 210 may be dynamically variable.
[0077] The editing or control icons 208 allow the user to save the custom bag he or she has created by varying the fill percentage and length, cancel the custom bag operation, and/or delete the custom bag he or she has created or modified. The editing tasks and corresponding icons 208 may be varied as desired.
[0078] The custom bag settings created using the individual element GUI 200 may be saved and used by the controller 104 to upload to a queue and/or sequence of the machine 152 as will be discussed in more detail below.
[0079] An illustrative GUI for creating a sequence for the machine 152 will now be discussed. FIG. 5B is a screen shot of a custom sequence GUI 212 . With reference to FIG. 5B , the custom sequence GUI 212 may include one or more item icons 214 , 218 , editing icons 208 , a title 217 , and delay icons 216 . The item icons 214 , 218 correspond to items, such as bag configurations, custom bag settings, and optionally non-bag items (e.g., cleaning settings, film feed settings, and calibration). The item icons 214 , 218 may include the bag icon 202 (or other icon corresponding to the selected item) and select information about the item, as shown in FIG. 5B , the length, fill percentage, and number of columns or pockets within each item. For example, a bag icon representing a larger bag may have a larger configuration than a bag icon representing a smaller bag. A bag icon may show a bag's programed fill percentage, for example, with a line across the bag (e.g., a line extending across the width of the bag and located 70% at the height of the bag to represent a bag with a 70% fill percentage), shading (e.g., shading extending across 70 of the bag's height to represent a bag with a 70% fill percentage), etc. In some instances, such as standard items or for non-bag items, the item icon 214 , 218 may not include the bag icon 202 .
[0080] The title 217 of the custom sequence GUI 212 allows a user to edit or input a title or name that corresponds to the custom sequence of items that he or she creates using the GUI 212 . For example, the title 217 may allow a user to input a name and then using the editing buttons 208 , the user can save the particular sequence of items in the controller 104 memory 134 .
[0081] The sequence GUI 212 may also include adding icons 221 , 223 that allow a user to add additional items to the sequence, such as custom bags, standard bags, or the like. The adding icons 221 , 223 may lead the user to another menu page that allows to select the features of the item to be added and/or select an item with previously stored characteristics (e.g., standard item or the item created via the item element GUI 200 ). After one of the adding icons 221 , 223 is selected, the item icon 214 , 218 corresponding to the selected item is added into the sequence order.
[0082] A custom sequence may be created using the custom sequence GUI 212 and when the user has arranged the items and delays as he or she wishes, the sequence can be stored in the memory 134 of the controller 104 . As will be discussed below, the sequence may be selected and provided to the machine 152 as part of a queue for making cushioning elements, where the machine goes through the sequence and creates the listed items and introduces delays between each item based on the sequence.
[0083] A queue GUI for arranging the manufacturing queue for the machine 152 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 6 is a screen shot illustrating a queue GUI used to determine the order that cushioning items and some machine functions are completed. With reference to FIG. 6 , the queue GUI 220 may include a plurality of queue element icons 222 a - 222 h. The queue element icons 222 a - 222 h correspond to items and/or sequences that may be added to the queue for the machine 152 . For example, the queue element icons 222 a - 222 h may be assigned to a particular item (either custom or standard) or may be assigned to a sequence (custom or standard). As will be explained in more detail below, by selecting one of the queue element icons 222 a - 222 h, a user may determine the types of cushioning elements and the order in which they are manufactured by the machine 152 . Additionally the queue element icons 222 a - 222 h are configured to correspond to the control panel 160 buttons and the functions of the queue element icons and the control panel buttons 160 may correspond to one another, i.e., the first control panel button may be a XXS bag, which may be the same type of bag characteristics selected when a user selects the first queue item icon 222 a. In some embodiments the graphics of the GUI may be modified based on the assigned function for a particular icon. For example the queue element icons may change in color based on whether they have been assigned to a sequence, an item, or a default setting. Also, the icons may be editable by a user, so that a user can change the text displayed, the color, and optionally the shape.
[0084] The queue GUI 220 may also include a menu button 226 that allows a user to return to a home screen or previous menu screen. In other words, the menu button 226 exits the queue GUI 220 to allow a user to access other features of the controller 104 .
[0085] The queue GUI 220 may also include one or more control buttons, such as a clear queue button 228 , enable continuous mode 238 , and an enable editing button 240 . These buttons control the queue and the machine. For example, when the clear queue button 228 is selected, the queue that has been created is deleted and the items of the queue are removed from the line of the machine 152 . When the enable continuous mode button 238 is selected, the queue selected by the user may be repeated for a predetermined number of loops. The enable editing button 240 may be selected to allow a user to make modifications to a queue that he or she has already created or may remove the editing ability to a specific queue.
[0086] The queue GUI 220 also includes an activation button 224 . The icon displayed in the activation button 224 varies based on the state of the queue and the machine. When in “play” or “active” mode the queue is provided to the machine 152 which then manufactures the various items and within “pause” or “stop” mode, the machine 152 is stopped from manufacturing the items in the queue.
[0087] The queue GUI 220 may include a film feed button 230 , a calibration bag button 232 , an agile bag button 234 , and a run tip cleaning cycle button 234 . Each of these buttons 230 , 232 , 236 may be added as items to a queue. The calibration bag button 232 activates a particularly configured bag that is used to calibrate the machine 152 . The agile bag button 234 may be similar to the item buttons 222 a - 222 h and may allow a user to customize a bag for the queue instantaneously. For example, rather than entering into the item GUI 200 , the user can define the features of a bag while in the queue GUI 220 .
[0088] The queue GUI 220 may also include a plurality of production step buttons, such as a pause icon 216 and a run tip cleaning cycle button 234 , which may be added to the queue. The pause icons 216 may be positioned between each item icon 214 , 218 . The pause icons 216 may be similar to the length and fill icons 206 , 210 of the item GUI 200 , but may correspond to a pause or time delay. For example, the pause icons 216 may include a numeric display and a set of arrows that allow a user to adjust the numeric display. The pause icons 216 correspond to a pause that is introduced into the machine 152 between each item. The pauses may be beneficial to allow the previous bag to be properly created, the components to be cooled/heated, cleaned, or the like. In instances where a pause is not required or desired, the pause may be set to 0.0 (as shown in FIG. 5B ) and no pause may be part of the sequence.
[0089] When the run tip cleaning cycle button 236 is selected, a cleaning fluid, such as a solvent, may be administered (e.g., to the tips that administer the foam precursor) to remove debris from the tips. The tip cleaning cycle is run by the machine 152 in the order it is presented in the queue and is similar to other items in the queue, but rather than selecting characteristics of a bag, the tip cleaning cycle activates other components of the machine 152 .
[0090] As will be discussed in more detail below, as items are added to the queue, the item icons are added to the queue pathway 243 on the queue GUI 220 . This allows a user to view the order of the items within the queue and vary them if desired. For example, FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate screen shots of the queue GUI 220 with items added into the queue. With reference to FIG. 7B , a first sequence 244 including two items 246 , 250 and a delay of 1.0 seconds between each of the items is positioned closest to a first edge of the screen, a delay 256 is then added between the sequence 244 and the next items 256 in the queue. As shown in FIG. 7A , each of the items 246 , 250 , 252 in the queue, including the items 246 , 250 in the sequence 244 , include the item icon with relative information about each of the bags. Additionally, it should be noted that the items 246 , 250 in the sequence are added to the queue pathway 243 in a set whereas the item 256 is added individually. When running this queue, the machine 152 would create the first item 246 in the sequence 244 , pause for 1.0 seconds, create the second item 250 in the sequence, pause for 1.0 seconds and then create the last item 252 within the queue.
[0091] With reference to FIG. 7B , in this example, the first two items 260 , 262 within the queue pathway 243 are custom bag items created using the item GUI 200 and include the user titled name “trial.” The two items are separated by delays 256 of 1.0 seconds and a sequence including a third item 264 is added to the queue pathway 243 after the second item 262 .
[0092] An illustrative method for using the controller 104 to determine one or more queues for items for the machine will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for setting the queues for the machine 152 . With reference to FIG. 8 , the method 300 may begin with operation 302 and the controller 104 determines whether the operation of the machine will be queue based or instant. For example, the packaging assembly 100 may allow a user to select a button on the control panel 160 of the FIB machine 152 to activate the machine 152 to manufacture the selected item alternatively or additionally the controller 104 may include a button on the home screen or the queue GUI 220 which when selected to instruct the machine 152 to make an item, outside of the queue or rather than going through the queue process. This allows a user to choose to use the queue process or if a certain item is needed out of order or the like the user can select the instant process.
[0093] With continued reference to FIG. 8 , if the queue process is not selected and the user wishes to use the instant process, the method 300 may proceed to operation 316 . In operation 316 , the machine 152 receives instructions from the controller 104 corresponding to the selected item. For example, the controller 104 provides the machine 152 with settings for certain components (e.g., pumps, rollers, cutting elements, and so on) that correspond to the item selected. Once the controller 104 has provided the machine 152 with the item selection data, the method 300 may proceed to operation 318 and the machine 152 runs to manufacture the item. For example, as described above, in the example of the FIB machine 152 , the film is received into the machine where it is filled with sealed material and sealed in the desired locations to create a cushioning element. After the item has been created, the method 300 may proceed to an end state 320 .
[0094] If in operation 302 , the queue process is selected, the method 300 may proceed to operation 304 . In operation 304 , the controller 104 determines whether a sequence is to be added to the queue. For example, the user may select one of the item icon buttons 222 a - 222 h that may be assigned to a sequence or the user may select a custom sequence he or she has created. If a sequence is selected, the method 300 proceeds to operation 308 and the controller 104 , in particular, the processing element 130 , adds the items from the sequence into the queue for the machine 152 . Additionally, with reference to FIG. 7A , the processing element 130 may instruct the display 136 to add the sequence icon 244 corresponding to the selected sequence to the queue pathway 243 to provide visual confirmation to the user that the selected sequence (and the items corresponding to that sequence have been added to the queue). Additionally, the queue pathway 243 provides visual feedback to the user regarding the position of the selected sequence within the queue for the machine 152 .
[0095] If in operation 304 the sequence is not selected, the method 300 proceeds to operation 306 . In operation 306 , the processing element 130 adds the selected item (rather than sequences) to the queue for the machine and causes the corresponding item to be displayed in the queue pathway 243 on the queue GUI 220 . As shown in FIG. 7B , the sequences GUI 220 will then display the corresponding item button 260 within the pathway in the order that they have been added to the queue. As discussed above, the film feed button 230 , the calibration bag button 232 , the agile bag button 234 , and/or the tip cleaning cycle button 236 may also be added as items to the queue and may be displayed with a corresponding icon within the queue pathway 243 .
[0096] With reference again to FIG. 8 , after the corresponding items from either the sequence or the individual items have been added to the queue, the method 300 may proceed to operation 310 . In operation 310 , the processing element 130 receives input regarding a delay. For example the user may select the delay icon 256 by providing input to the controller 104 (e.g., touching the display 136 ) to increase or decrease the delay that will follow the recently added sequence or item. Once the user input has been received, the delay for the queue is set and is displayed in the queue pathway 243 .
[0097] After the delay is set, the method 300 may proceed to operation 312 . In operation 312 , the controller 104 determines whether the user wishes to add another item to the queue. The controller 104 determines whether the user has hit the clear queue 228 or the activate button 224 to either delete the queue or run the queue, respectively. If neither of those inputs have been received, the method 300 may return to operation 304 and the controller 304 may determine whether a sequence button has been selected to add another sequence to the queue or whether an item button has been selected to add another item to the queue.
[0098] With continued reference to FIG. 3 , if another item or sequences is not to be added to the queue, the method may proceed to operation 314 . In particular, if the controller 104 receives input from the user to run the queue, such as by selecting the activation button 224 , the queue will be sent to the machine 152 which will begin to create the items within the queue, in order. For example with reference to FIG. 7A , in this example, the queue includes a first sequence 244 having two items 246 , 250 separated by a delay 248 and so the first item 246 will be created first, then the machine will pause for 1.0 second per the delay 248 and then proceed to make the next item 250 . After the sequence has completed, the queue will advance to the delay 256 , and then move to the next item in the queue 252 . If the continuous mode button 238 is selected, the queue will repeat on a loop until the number of loops, number of items, or predetermined time has been reached. Alternatively, if the continuous mode is not selected the queue will run through each of the items in the queue pathway 243 until each has been created. Once the queue has completed, the method 300 may proceed to an end state 320 and the method may complete.
[0099] It should be noted that although the queues and sequences have been discussed with respect to the GUIs on the controller 104 , in other embodiments the queues (and corresponding items/sequences) may be programmed to correspond to certain input buttons on the control panel 106 of the machine 102 . This allows a user to automatically select a predetermined queue by selecting an input button on the controller panel 106 , which means that the controller 104 may be used to program the machine and certain queues but may not be required for daily operation of the machine.
[0100] In operation, the controller 104 and/or a control panel 106 for a machine 102 may receive user input corresponding to one or more parameters for forming a plurality of packaging elements in a particular order. Based on this user input, the controller 104 and/or control panel 106 may create and store a queue. The controller 104 and/or the control panel 106 may use the stored queue to cause the machine 102 to create the plurality of packaging elements in the particular order.
[0101] A user may enter input corresponding to parameters for forming packaging elements. For example, if the machine is a FIB machine 102 and the user wants to create one first bag of a first size and having a first density, and two second bags of a second size and having a second density, the user may input parameters corresponding to the bags' sizes, fill percentages, and quantities. For example, the user may input data corresponding to one first bag having a first size and having a first fill percentage and data corresponding to a sequence of second bags, for example, two second bags having a second size and second fill percentages. The user may store these parameters as icons (e.g., icon 222 c for the bag having the first size and icon 222 d for the sequence of the two bags having the second size). For cases in which the user uses controller 104 to create queues, the user may activate these icons to add items and/or sequences to a queue. For example, the user could activate button 222 c for adding the first bag and button 222 d for adding the sequence of second bags to the queue. The user may also add a customized bag to the queue. For example, user may activate the agile bag button 234 to create a customized bag for the queue. The queue GUI 212 may include buttons allowing a user to select a quantity and/or spacing of secondary seals within the bag, to create a series of adjoining chambers filled with the foam.
[0102] This input for parameters for forming packaging elements may cause the controller 104 and/or control panel 106 to create a queue containing instructions for forming each of the packaging elements (e.g., first instructions for forming one first bag having the first size and fill percentage, and second instructions for forming the sequence of two second bags having the second size and the second fill percentage). The queue may indicate the order of forming the first bag and then the two second bags. For example, the queue may include information indicative of the order of forming the first and second bags (e.g., information that indicates: form the first bag, and then form the two second bags), and/or the manner in which the first and second instructions are stored in the queue may indicate the order of forming them (e.g., the first instructions may be written prior to the second instructions). Any suitable type and number of parameters corresponding to any suitable type and number of packaging elements may be added to the queue.
[0103] The queue may contain a stored set of instructions for creating a plurality of packaging elements having selected parameters, and the queue may indicate an order for forming the plurality of elements and/or timing parameters (e.g., pauses) associated with the packaging element creation. The queue may be used by the controller 104 and/or by the control panel 106 to cause the machine to create the plurality of packaging elements having the selected parameters. In some embodiments, the controller 104 and/or the control panel 106 may receive information that runs or activates the queue.
[0104] While discussion has been directed on selecting the length and/or fill percentage of packaging cushions, the queue may include instructions for controlling any suitable type of machine. The queue GUI 212 may include buttons corresponding to various types and configurations of packaging elements for controlling various types of machines (e.g., FIB machines, inflatable air cushion machines, paper dunnage machines, etc.). For example, the queue GUI 212 may include buttons corresponding to air cushions, and a user may select the size of bag, the amount of air to be inserted therein, whether the bag includes a seal of a valve, etc. The queue GUI 212 may include buttons allowing a user to select a quantity and/or spacing of secondary seals within an inflatable air cushion, to create a series of adjoining air chambers.
[0105] For example, the queue GUI 212 may include buttons for causing a paper dunnage machine to create paper dunnage. For example, the queue GUI 212 may include buttons for controlling parameters of one or more paper dunnage machines, such as a cutting mechanism to control the size of material to be cut, the speed and/or positions of one or more crumpling rollers and/or drums, etc. As such, a user can use the queue GUI 212 to cause one or more paper dunnage machines to create paper dunnage elements, similarly to the discussion on packaging elements.
[0106] When the queue is activated, the controller 104 and/or the control panel 106 may cause the instructions contained within the queue to be read so to create the plurality of packaging elements having the selected parameters. In some embodiments, the queue may be stored in the control panel 106 . In some embodiments, the queue may be stored in the controller 104 and/or in external storage (e.g., cloud 122 ), and when the queue is triggered, the queue is sent to the control panel 106 . The control panel 106 may parse the queue and read the instructions contained therein, causing the machine components to form the packaging elements according to the instructions.
[0107] The queue may be stored in the controller 104 , the control panel 106 of the machine 102 , and/or in an external database (e.g., cloud database 122 ). In some embodiments, the queue is stored in a control panel 106 of one or more of the machines 102 , and when the queue is activated, the one or more machines 102 reads the instructions contained in the queue. In some embodiments, if the queue is stored in less than all of a plurality of machines 102 , when the queue is activated, the one or more machine 102 that is storing the queue can send the queue to other machines 102 that do not have a stored queue. In some embodiments, the queue is stored in the controller 104 and/or in external storage (e.g., cloud 122 ), and when the queue is activated, the queue is sent to the control panel 106 of one or more of the machines 102 . In some embodiments, the entire queue is sent to the control panel 106 (e.g., all of the instructions contained within the queue are sent to the control panel 106 together), which reads the instructions. In some embodiments, the instructions contained within the queue are sent separately to the one or more machines 102 (e.g., the controller 104 reads the queue and sends the instructions to the one or more machines 102 ).
[0108] In some embodiments, the queue is stored in the controller 104 , which may selectively activate the queue based on user input or other types of inputs. Upon activating the queue, the controller 104 may parse the queue and read the instructions contained therein. Based thereon, the controller 104 may communicate with the one or more machines according to the timing and order associated with the queue. For example, in the scenario for creating a first FIB bag and then two second FIB bags, when the controller 104 activates the queue, the controller 104 may read the queue to determine the first instructions, the second instructions, and their order (e.g., first and then second). Thus, the controller 104 may send to the machine 102 (to the control panel 106 and/or to the drive mechanisms and/or other components of the machine 102 ) the first instructions, and then the second instructions. In some embodiments, the controller 104 may read the pause instructions, and based thereon, may wait a predetermined amount of time before sending the second instructions. In some embodiments, the pause instructions may be read by the control panel 106 . For example, the pause instructions may cause the control panel 106 to pause between sending information to the drive mechanisms and/or other components of the machine 102 .
[0109] These queues may be stored and later retrieved and used by the machine 102 . For example, if a packaging facility packs on a regular basis similarly shaped items with a particular set of packaging elements, a user may store a queue associated with the set of packaging elements. The user may enter input that associated the stored queue with one or more buttons controller 104 and/or control panel 106 . Thus, when a user desires to pack an item using the set of packaging elements, the user can simply activate the button on the controller 104 and/or control panel 106 , which may cause trigger the queue. The queue instructions may be read and used to cause the machine 102 to create the set of packaging elements.
[0110] As explained above, the queue may contain instructions for controlling any suitable number and type of packaging machines 102 . For example, a user may add to the queue third instructions for forming an air filled cushion by an air pillow machine 112 , having a selected size and/or containing a selected amount of air. For cases in which the queue is run by the controller 104 , in some embodiments, the controller may determine, for each set of instructions within the queue, which machine (e.g., 102 , 112 ) is to receive the instructions. In some embodiments, the controller 104 may send all of the instructions to all of the machines. For cases in which the queue is run by a machine (e.g., 102 , 112 ), in some embodiments, a machine (e.g., 102 ) may parse the queue and send instructions contained in the queue to one or more other machines (e.g., 112 ).
[0111] Stored queues may be updated, for example, via network. For example, a packaging facility may employ several queues that contain instructions for a small FIB element that is filled 40% with foam. It may become known that the functionality of the cushion is not noticeably diminished if it is filled only 35% with foam precursor, and/or the chemical composition of the foam precursor may be altered so that less chemical substance is needed. Thus, a user may update some or all of the queues (e.g., within network) having instructions for a creating a small FIB element filled 40% so that the instructions instead cause the machine 102 to produce a small FIB element that is 35% filled with foam precursor. For example, in cases when the queues are stored in an external database (e.g., cloud database 122 ) the instructions contained in the queues may be changed and/or modified. As such, the queues may be controlled an updated, for example, as analytics data develops, or as new technology is introduced. The queues may allow different levels of access by different users. For example, a first user (e.g., an upper level employee) may be allowed to create, program, update and/or modify the queues, while a second user (e.g., a lower level employee, such as an operator of a packaging device) may not be allowed to modify the queues, but may only be allowed to run particular queues.
[0112] The foregoing description has broad application. For example, while examples disclosed herein may focus on packaging machines, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equally apply to substantially any other type of machine that is used for manufacturing elements or components. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples. | A control device, comprising a processor and a memory that contains computer readable instructions. When executed by the processor, the computer readable instructions cause the processor to receive a first user input corresponding to first parameters for forming a first unit of packaging material, add first instructions corresponding to the first unit to a queue for a packaging device, receive a second user input corresponding to second parameters for forming a second unit of packaging material, add second instructions corresponding to the second unit to the queue, and transmit the queue to the packaging device to cause the packaging device to create the first and second units of packaging material according to the first and second parameters. | 86,941 |
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/181,918, filed Jan. 18, 1994, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/984,480, filed Dec. 2, 1992, now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing and treating myocardial infarction and hypertension using an antibody which specifically recognizes marinobufagin-like immunoreactivity, methods for assaying marinobufagin and other bufodienolides for research purposes using antibodies, hybridomas producing these antibodies, a process for preparing the antibodies, and
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hypertension is the primary risk factor for coronary, cerebral and renal vascular diseases which cause over half of all deaths in the United States. It has been estimated that the number of hypertensive patients in the United States alone is substantially 57 million and on the rise. The widespread awareness of the danger of elevated blood pressure has become the most frequent reason for visits to physicians. No single or specific cause is known for the hypertension referred to as primary (essential) hypertension. Primary hypertension has been attributed to such causes as hemodynamic pattern, genetic predisposition, vascular hypertrophy, hyperinsulinemia, defects in cell transport or binding, defects in the reninangiotensin system (low-renin or high renin hypertension) and along with insulin, angiotensin and natriuretic hormone, catecholamines arising in response to stress are known to be pressor-growth promoters. Increased sympathetic nervous activity may raise the blood pressure in a number of ways, for example, either alone or in concert with stimulation of renin release by catecholamines, causing arteriolar and venous constriction, by increasing cardiac output, or by altering the normal renal pressure-volume relationship. Primary hypertension is also associated with, for example, obesity, sleep apnea, physical inactivity, alcohol intake, smoking, diabetes mellitus, polycythemia and gout. Secondary forms of hypertension may arise from oral contraceptive use and parenchymal renal disease: renovascular hypertension caused by, for example, atherosclerotic disease, tumors (renin-secretory tumors); Cushing's Syndrome; heart surgery; and pregnancy. Chronic hypertension and renal disease during pregnancy may progress into eclampsia, a primary cause of fetal death.
It has been theorized that blood serum and various mammalian tissues contain a substance, biologically and immunoreactively, similar to digitalis glycosides and digoxin (ouabain)-like which have been labeled endogenous digoxin-like factors (EDLF). This theory has been supported in recent years by considerable evidence of a causal role for sodium in the genesis of hypertension. The evidence includes the finding of increased intracellular sodium in hypertensive mammals. Increases have also been noted in normotensive children of hypertensive parents. It has been discovered that an increased fluid volume stimulates the secretion of EDLF that inhibits the Na+,K+-ATPase pump. The inhibition is brought about by the reaction of the EDLF with the alpha-subunit of the ouabain-sensitive-magnesium-dependent, Na+,K+-ATPase in a manner similar to the digitalis glycosides. In the case of renovascular types of hypertension, inhibition of the sodium pump increases renal sodium excretion and restores vascular volume while at the same time leading to hypertension by increasing intracellular sodium content by potentiating preexisting vasoconstriction and finally initiating a new circle in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Increased plasma concentrations of EDLF have been discovered in hypertension caused by other physical and pathological conditions. Consequently, it was discovered that the administration of an antidigoxin antiserum to hypertensive animals causes a pronounced decrease in the blood pressure.
The exact chemical nature, as well as the site of origin, of EDLF is not known. It has been proposed that endogenous digoxin is a peptide originating in the hypothalamus. It has also been reported that EDLF originates in the adrenals and the heart. It has been shown that the EDLF substance exists in several different molecular forms, at least one of the forms being steroidal in nature. Confirming this, it was discovered that several steroids with digitalis-like imnunoreactivity and ability to inhibit Na+,K+-ATPase were identified in various amphibian tissues.
It was discovered that EDLF has direct effects on the heart and that the mammalian heart contains a substance with digoxin-like immunoreactivity and other properties of digitalis. The existence of the different subpopulation of the high-affinity receptors for digitalis in myocardium and neural endings in the heart indicated the existence of an endogenous ligand(s) at these receptor sites. It is known that an overdose of digitalis glycosides provokes cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, rather than increasing cardiac contractility. Acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) sensitizes the myocardium to the arrhythmogenic effect of digitalis and is associated with both the inhibition of myocardial sodium pump activity and with the loss of digitalis specific receptors. Based upon this prior knowledge, it was hypothesized that the increased plasma concentrations of EDLF contributed to the origin of the hypersensitivity of the ischemic myocardium to digitalis and that EDLF participates in the genesis of myocardial ischemia-induced arrhythmias. Based upon this hypothesis, it was discovered that the plasma concentration of digoxin-like immunoreactivity, (for example) EDLF, was significantly increased after a first transmural myocardial infarction. It was further discovered that acute myocardial ischemia is associated with a marked increase in the concentration of EDLF, which increase occurs in parallel with the onset of ventricular arrhythmias.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to (1) an antibody reacting specifically to marinobufagin, a bufodienolide, (2) antibodies to other bufodienolides, (3) hybridomas for producing such antibodies, (4) a process for preparing such antibodies, (5) a method for measuring marinobufagin-like immunoreactivity which comprises using such an antibody, (6) a method for diagnosing hypertension using such an antibody, (7) a method for diagnosing myocardial infarction and the risk of cardiac arrhythmias using such an antibody, and (8) a method of treating myocardial infarction using such an antibody.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
When this work began, crude venom from the parotid glands of the Bufo marinus toad was used. Liquid venom was obtained by gently pressing on the skin around the glands. About twenty four hours after the liquid venom was obtained it crystallized at room temperature. The Bufo marinus venom was compared with the effects of bufalin obtained from Sigma (0.1-50 mm). The testing was carried out on isolated abdominal aortic strips obtained from adult male Wistar rats. The animals were sacrificed by exsanguination. Rings of the abdominal aorta (1-1.5 mm diameter) were excised proximal to the origin of the renal arteries and suspended in a 10.0 ml bath perfused by 32° C. Tyrode solution bubbled by a mixture of 95% O 2 and 5% CO 2 under resting tension of 1 gram. Contractions of the aortic strip were recorded isometrically using a force transducer and displayed on a pen oscillograph. After a 60 minute equilibration period, dose-response curves to the vasoconstrictor effect (aortic strips) of the venom were plotted in the absence, and in the presence, of various pharmacological agents.
At concentrations of 0.3-10 ug/ml (n=9 for each described experiment) crude Bufo marinus venom possessed a dose-dependent vasoconstrictor response. Vasoconstrictor response to the venom was unaffected by alpha- and beta- adrenergic antagonists, 5-HT antagonists and calcium channel blockers. Addition of antidigoxin antibody to the incubation medium significantly reduced the vasoconstrictor response, while in vitro preinoculation of the venom with the antidigoxin antibody for twenty minutes completely prevented the vasopressor effect.
DIGIBIND, Fab fragments of bovine antidigoxin antibody (Burroughs Wellcome Co.), at concentrations up to 40.0 mg/ml had no effect on the vasoconstrictor effects of the venom. Bufalin at concentrations of 0.1-10 μM/l displayed weak and delayed vasoconstriction.
It was concluded that (1) The digitalis-like compound(s) contained in the venom from the parotid glands of the Bufo marinus toad, unlike previous candidates for the role of endogenous digitalis (EDLF), possess significant in vitro vasoconstrictor activity. These vasoconstrictor effects were blocked by antidigoxin antibody. (2) DIGIBIND, Fab fragments of bovine antidigoxin antibody, is absolutely ineffective in blocking the action of EDLF from the toad venom. (3) Since antidigoxin immunoglobulin G recognized and antagonized EDLF, but DIGIBIND, Fab fragments of bovine antidigoxin antibody, failed to bind EDLF: EDLF has immunoreactions different from digoxin. We hypothesized from the foregoing that antibody raised against EDLF should recognize EDLF better than antidigoxin antibody. As mentioned, Bufo marinus venom possessed significant vasopressor activity. As shown in the art the venom contains a mixture of several steroids.
To carry the experimentation further, Bufo marinus toad poison was collected from the parotid glands of five adult spades of both sexes of the toad. Following crystallization at 37° F. for twenty four hours, 800 mg of the poison was extracted in 5.0% ethanol for about two weeks with periodic shaking. The ethanol extract was filtered and the sediment was further washed with 3 ml of 50% ethanol. For further extraction of the steroids, equal volumes of the ethanol solution was diluted 1:1 with distilled chloroform. The mixture was then centrifuged in order to obtain chloroform and ethanol phases. The chloroform phase was isolated and another portion of distilled chloroform was added. The procedure was repeated two times after which the chloroform phases were mixed and vacuum distilled. A dark brown oily residue was obtained and dissolved in 1 ml of concentrated ethyl ether in acetic acid. The non-dissolvable portion of the residue was separated by filtration. A mixture of steroids was separated by thin-layer chromatography. Ethyl acetate was used as the eluent.
Rat aortic rings were treated by the mixture of steroids (0.1-5 ug/kg) in six experiments. The blood vessels were constricted in a dose dependent manner. The vasoconstriction effect of the mixture of steroids was unaffected by the adrenergic blockade of 2 μM phentolamine. Accordingly, it was concluded that the vasoconstrictor effect of the venom was due to the presence of the steroidal substance(s).
The steroids in the venom were then identified using UV. A spot corresponding to marinobufagin was scraped, divided into three portions and extracted with ethyl acetate. In a parallel manner all of the spots corresponding to the steroids present were extracted with ethyl acetate. The spots yielded, in addition to marinobufagin, resibufagenin, substance L, bufalin, telocinobufagin, argentinoginin, jamaicogenin, gellerbrigenol, gamabufotalin and substance D.
The compounds were each studied for their ability to contract isolated rat aorta (n=4) in each series. Only the fraction of marinobufagin showed rapid and strong vasoconstrictor effects insensitive to adrenergic blockers.
The major constituent of the Bufo marinus toad venom (7.9% of the total venom weight) is marinobufagin. The second major constituent of the venom is bufalin (0.48%) which compound did not show any intrinsic vasoconstrictor activity. The third and fourth major steroids present were telocinobufagin (0.06%) and resibufagenin (0.04%) which were in such low concentrations that neither was able to produce any results. It is therefore concluded that the vasoconstrictor action was attributable solely to the marinobufagin.
From the examples set out hereinafter taken with the foregoing it was concluded that marinobufagin is an EDLF in mammals as well as rats. It is also shown that anti-marinobufagin antibody utilized in acute myocardial ischemia in rats suppressed arrythmias better than anti-digoxin antibody. Moreover, in patients with acute myocardial infarctions, an ELISHA immunoassay based on anti-marinobufagin antibody allowed one to detect plasma levels of marinobufagin to orders of the highest magnitude as compared with digoxin immunoassay. It was further determined that the ELISA marinobufagin assay allowed one to detect plasma levels of marinobufagin exactly corresponding to the ability of marinobufagin to inhibit Na,K-ATPase.
It was unexpectedly discovered that the antibody prepared from marinobufagin prevented the effects of increased plasma concentrations of EDLF, for example arrhythmias, and prevented hypertension. The invention enabled a method of diagnosis and of predicting the onset of cardiac arrhythmias caused by various pathological conditions. It was previously discovered that antibodies prepared from the steroid compounds derived from marinobufagin effectively blocked endogenous digoxin-like factors found in the plasma of man.
Treatment to prevent or alleviate cardiac arrhythmias utilizing the antibody of the invention may be by any of the conventional routes of administration, for example, oral, intramuscular, intravenous or rectally. In the preferred embodiment, the antibody is administered in combination with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier which may be solid or liquid, dependent upon choice and route of administration. Examples of acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, for example, physiological saline solution.
In the preferred embodiment, the inventive compounds are administered intravenously. The actual dosage unit will be determined by such generally recognized factors as body weight of patient and the severity and type of pathological condition the patient might be suffering from. With these considerations in mind, the dosage of a particular patient can be readily determined by the medical practitioner in accordance with the techniques known in the medical arts.
EXAMPLE 1
Purification and Characterization of Marinobufagin.
The Bufo marinus toad poison used in the examples was obtained from venom obtained from the parotid glands of Bufo marinus male and female adult toads obtained from the St. Petersburg, Russia and Riga, Latvia Zoological Gardens. The venom was extracted by gently pressing on the skin around the glands. The venom crystallizes at room temperature within 24 hours. We extracted 800 mg of the crystallized poison using 50% ethanol at a temperature of 30° C. over a two-week period.
Following the alcoholic extraction, the mixture was filtered through Shott Nr 4 filters. The filtrand was divided into two portions. Each portion was washed with 3 ml 30% ethanol. After removal of the filtrate the residue was further extracted with a 1:1 solution of 50% ethanol and chloroform followed by centrifugation in order to obtain chloroform and ethanol phases. The chloroform phases were isolated and extracted by centrifugation repeated two times after which the chloroform phases were mixed and distilled under vacuum. A dark brown oily residue resulted which was dissolved in 1 ml of ethyl acetate. The non-soluble residue was separated by filtration.
A mixture of steroid compounds was obtained and separated by thin-layer chromatography (Silufol VV 254, Sigma Chemicals), plates were pre-exposed to 1 hour preincubation at 100° C. Ethyl acetate was used as the eluent . Identification of the individual steroids was performed by UV. A spot corresponding to marinobufagin (Mbg) was scraped, divided into three (3) portions and extracted with ethyl acetate. In parallel series all eleven (11) spots corresponded to the steroids resibufagenin, substance L, bufalin, marinobufagin, telocinobufagin, argentinogenin, gellerbrigenin, jamaicogenin, gellerbrigenol, gamabufotalin, and substance D.
Detection of marinobufagin and other bufosteroids was accomplished by (a) visualization under ultraviolet (UV) light and comparison of chromatographic mobility, (b) spraying a saturated chloroform solution of SbCl 3 for color reactions, and (c) UV absorbance characteristics that are typical for marinobufagin (=300 nM, E=18600).
The other steroid compounds and substances were scraped from the Silufol plates and treated by the same procedure as the marinobufagin. The steroids developed and used in the experiments herein are as follows:
1. Resibufagenin, 3 beta hydroxy 14,15 epoxybufodienolide
2. Marinobufagin, 3 beta, 5 beta dihydroxy 14,15 epoxybufodienolide
3. Cinobufagin, 3 beta 16 beta acetoxy 14,15 epoxybufodienolide
4. Bufalin, 3 beta 14 beta dihyroxybufodienolide
5. Telocinobufagin, 3 beta 5 beta 14 beta trihydroxybufodienolide
6. Gamabufotalin, 3 beta 11 beta 14 beta trihydroxybufodienolide
7. Gellerbrigenin, 3 beta 5 beta 14 beta trihydroxy 19 nor-19 aldehyde bufodienolide
EXAMPLE 2
Synthesis of Antibodies to Marinobufagin
In order to become immunogenic, marinobufagin must first be conjugated with a sugar residue in order to further conjugate it with BSA.
We dissolved 50 mg of marinobufagin (purified by thin layer chromatography) in 10 ml of absolute dry benzene. Then 80 mg of Ag 2 CO 3 was added to the solution. The solution was then heated to boiling, and, while stirring, a solution of 180 mg of acetobromo-D-glucose in 15 ml of dry benzene was added by drops to the marinobufagin solution. The reaction was controlled by thin-layer chromatography on silicagel; disappearance of the spot corresponding to marinobufagin showing that conjugation of marinobufagin with glucose was successful. After the reaction was finished the silver salt was filtered and the filtrand was evaporated. The compound was dissolved in ether; the nondissolvable residue was filtered; and the glycoside was crystallized from the filtrand.
Conjugation of marinobufagin-glycoside with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was performed as described by Curd et al for digoxin.
Prior to the immunization, the conjugate Mbg-glycoside-BSA was further compared with Mbg for its ability to react with polyclonal antidigoxin rabbit antibody from the DELFIA immunoassay. In the DELFIA assay equimolar concentrations of Mbg and its conjugate demonstrated exactly similar displacement of digoxin standards. Therefore, the conjugation procedure did not alter the immunoreactive properties of the antigen.
Immunization and Development of Antibodies
The polyclonal antimarinobufagin antibody of the invention was obtained by immunizing chinchilla rabbits with a marinobufagin-3-glycoside-bovine serum albumin conjugate. Each animal was injected with 0.5 mg of the conjugate dissolved in 0.5 ml water and mixed in a ratio of 1:1 with Freund's adjuvant. The mixture was administered by subcutaneous injection in five different locations on the backs of the rabbits over a four-week period.
Serum was obtained from the rabbits and the inventive immunoglobulins were separated from the whole serum in the following steps:
Step 1. The serum was diluted (1:4) with an acetate buffer (60 mM CH 3 COONa--CH 3 COOH, pH 4). The pH of the solution was adjusted to pH 4.5 using O0.1 N NaOH.
Step 2. We slowly added 25 NL Caprylic (octanoic) acid with stirring to 1 ml of the serum solution. The final solution was stirred for thirty (30) minutes followed by centrifuging to separate proteins of non-immunoglobulin nature.
Step 3. The supernatant from Step 2 was filtered and the filtrate was dissolved, 9:1, in a phosphate buffer solution (150 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl, 8 mM Na 2 HPO 4 , 1.5 mM KH 2 PO 4 , pH 7.2). The pH was adjusted to 7.4 with 1N NaOH. The resulting solution was cooled to 40° C. followed by the addition of NH 4 OH. The resulting mixture was centrifuged and a precipitate of proteins separated.
Step 4. The precipitate from Step 3 was dissolved in the minimal amount of distilled water and dialyzed in separate dialysis bags (threshold, protein with m.w. 17,000 D) against two changes of 1 liter of distilled water. Dialysis was controlled by concentrated BaCl 2 (in the presence of the SO 4 ions we saw undissolvable BaCl 2 ). The dialyzed anti-Mbg immunoglobulin of the invention obtained hereby was used in the tests.
EXAMPLE 3
Characterization of the Antibody
Immunoassay-ELISA
The test of cross-immunoreactivity was defined as the ratio: Amount of Mbg required to displace 50% of maximally bound Mbg from antiMbg antibody:Amount of the cross-reactant to give the same 50% displacement ##EQU1##
Mbg content in blood serum and tissue was assayed using half area enzyme immunoassay plates coated with BSA (bovine serum albumin) marinobufagin by adding to each well 50-100 μl of 1 ng/ml BSA-Mbg in a buffer (50 mM sodium carbonate, pH 8.6). The plates were stored at 4° C. for 1-2 days. Unbound BSA-Mbg conjugate was washed out by washing each well repetitively with rinse solution (0.09% NaCl) containing 0.05% TWEEN 20 (polyoxyethylenesorbitan monolaurate).
The titer of anti-Mbg antibody from immunized rabbits or produced by the hybridoma technique was determined on plates as described above. Doubling dilutions of antibody were added to the wells starting from 1:1000. The plates were incubated with shaking for 60 minutes at a temperature of 30° C.; this allows the anti-Mbg antibody to bind to the BSA-Mbg conjugate attached to a plate. After incubation, the antibody was washed out with four rinses. Antibody which bonded to Mbg remained attached to the wells. Then 1:1,000 dilutions of goat anti-rabbit IgG horseradish peroxidase conjugate were added to each well for 60 minutes with continuous shaking. The unbound goat anti-rabbit IgG-peroxidase conjugate was then washed away. Then TMB reagent was added (50 μl to each well). After 15 minutes the reaction was stopped by addition of 50 μl of 1M H 3 PO 4 .
The absorbance of each well was measured at 450 nm. A standard Mbg (marinobufagin) curve was plotted (0.1 to 10000 nM/1). Addition of Mbg prevents binding of anti-Mbg antibody to BSA-Mbg conjugate in the well. Consequently, less goat anti-rabbit IgG binds to the well and we see less absorbance at 450 nm.
In our experiments cross-reactivity of the anti-Mbg antibody with ouabain, ouabagenin and bufalin was less than 1%. Cross-reactivity with digoxin, digitoxin, digoxigenin, and digitoxigenin was less than 10%.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other methods of immunoassay are readily available in the art, for example, radioimmunoassay.
Immunoassay-2, Fluoroimmunoassay
Marinobufagin-like immunoreactivity was measured using a solid-phase fluoroimmunoassay. The method is based on competition between the immobilized conjugate (marinobufagin-3-glycoside-RNAase, 19:1) and a rabbit polyclonal antimarinobufagin antibody. Marinobufagin-3-glycoside-RNAase conjugate was prepared, and rabbits were immunized with marinobufagin-3-glycoside-BSA, as previously reported by Curd et al for digoxin. Marinobufagin-3-glycoside-RNAase conjugate (1.0 μg of conjugate in 100 μl of phosphate buffered saline per well) was immobilized on the bottom of NANC microtitration strip wells as reported in detail previously by Helsingius et al. We added 40 μl of marinobufagin standards and unknown samples to the coated wells, followed by 100 μl of marinobufagin antibody. After one hour incubation, the strips were washed twice (DELFIA wash solution, Wallac Oy, Turku, Finland), following which 100 μl of secondary antibody (europium-labeled goat anti-rabbit antibody, Wallac Oy, Turku, Finland) was added. After one hour incubation, the wells were washed six times with the wash solution. Then, 200 μl of enhancement solution, which releases the europium conjugated with the secondary antibody, (Wallac Oy, Turku, Finland) was added to each well, the strips were shaken for 5 minutes, and after 10 minutes more the fluorescence of free europium was measured (DELFIA 1234 Arcus Fluorometer, Wallac Oy, Turku, Finland). The sensitivity of the immunoassay was 0.001 nmol. Cross immunoreactivity of the assay was expressed as the ratio of the amount of cross-reactant required to displace 50% of antimarinobufagin, antiouabain or antidigoxin antibody from immobilized conjugate to the amount of the cross-reactant to give the same 50% displacement. Cross-reactivity of antimarinobufagin antibody with digoxin, ouabain, digitoxin bufalin, cinobufagin, mixture of bufosteroids from Bufo marinus toad excluding marinobufagin, prednisone, spironolactone, proscillaridine, progesterone and 5-beta cholanic acid was 0.1%, <0.01%, 3%, 1%, 0.1%, 5%, <0.1%, <0.1%, 1%, <0.5% and 1%, respectively.
EXAMPLE 4
Preparation of Hybridoma
The monoclonal antibody of the invention is prepared by emulsifying about 1-5 mg/ml of Mbg-BSA conjugate in saline solution with Freund's complete adjuvant 1:1. Emulsification can be readily carried out by repeatedly squirting the suspension through the nozzle of a syringe. A total dosage of about 0.3 ml is injected into multiple sites in mice, for example, in the legs and at the base of the tail. Injections are repeated at intervals of three to five weeks. Approximately ten days after each treatment, a drop of blood is taken from the tail of each mouse. The extracted blood is tested for the presence of specific antibodies. The animals yielding the best antiserum are selected for fusion.
After a rest period of at least one month, 0.2-0.4 ml of the Mbg-BSA conjugate solution, without Freund's adjuvant, is injected intravenously into each mouse. The injected mice are sacrificed 3-4 days later and the spleens removed under sterile conditions. The spleens are placed into a petri dish containing about 5 ml of 2.5% FCS-DMM kept on ice and washed gently. The spleens are then transferred to a round-bottomed tube, cutting them into three or four pieces per spleen, with about 5 ml of fresh 2.5% FCS-DMM. Using a Teflon pestle, the pieces are squashed gently to make cell suspensions. The clumps and pieces of connective tissues are allowed to sediment, then the cell suspensions are transferred to round-bottomed tubes. The tubes are filled with 2.5% FCS-DMM and spun at room temperature for 7-10 minutes at 400 g. The pellets are resuspended in about 10 ml of fresh medium and centrifuged as above. The pellets are then resuspended in 10 ml of medium, and the cells counted. Viability at this point should be higher than 80%.
Enough myeloma cells from a culture in logarithmic growth are pelleted by centrifugation at room temperature for 10 minutes at 400 g. The pellets are resuspended in 10 ml of 2.5% FCS-DMM and counted. Although the fusion and the initial selection of hybrids by growth in HAT medium are quite distinct stages, for convenience they are described together. For convenience, the fusion of cells in suspension is being described as by the spleens. The Mbg/spleen cells and the myeloma cells are prepared as above. About 10 8 spleen cells and 10 7 myeloma cells are mixed. DMM is added to a volume of 50 ml. The cells are spun down at room temperature for 8 minutes at about 400 g. The supernatant is removed with a Pasteur pipette connected to a vacuum line. Complete removal of the supernatant is essential to avoid dilution of the PEG (polyethylene glycol solution). The pellet is broken by gently tapping the bottom of the tube. The tube is placed in a 200-ml beaker containing water at 40° C. and maintained there during the fusion.
We add 0.8 ml of 50% PEG prewarmed to 40° C. to the pellet using a 1-ml pipette, over a period of 1 minute, continuously stirring the cells with the pipette tip. Stirring of the cells in 50% PEG is continued for a further 1.5 minutes. Agglutination of the cells is evident. With the same pipette, 1 ml of DMM is added, taken from a tube containing 10 ml of DMM kept at 37° C., to the fusion mixture, continuously stirring as before, over a period of 1 minute. The preceding step is repeated and then repeated twice adding the medium in 30 seconds. Using the same pipette with continuous stirring, the rest of the 10 ml of DMM is added over a period of about 2 minutes. With a 10 ml pipette, 12-13 ml of prewarmed DMM is added and the mixture spun down for about 8 minutes at 400 g. The supernatant is discarded and the pellet gently broken up by tapping the bottom of the tube and suspended in approximately 49 ml of 20% FCS-DMM.
This fusion suspension is distributed in the 48 wells of two Linbro plates. With a further 1 ml of 20% FCS-DMM 10 8 spleen cells/ml are added to the wells. The wells are incubated overnight at 37° C. in a CO 2 incubator. Using a Pasteur pipette connected to a vacuum line, 1 ml of the culture medium is removed from each well without disturbing the cells. The plate is fed with a 1 ml HAT medium for 2-3 days afterwards until a vigorous growth of hybrids is evident under the microscope. The culture becomes more yellow and may be tested for antibody activity. Duplicates of the growing hybrid cultures, either all or selected ones, are prepared and fed for a week with HAT medium.
EXAMPLE 5
Effects of Antibodies During Acute Myocardial Ischemia in Rats
Acute myocardial ischemia was set up in seventy-three adult male Wistar rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (75 mg/kg intramuscularly) and artificially ventilated via tracheostomy. After thoracotomy, the left coronary arteries were ligated 1-2 mm distal to their origins. The hearts were monitored by three standard ECG leads. Test drugs were administered into the femoral veins via polyethylene catheters. After fifteen minutes of acute myocardial ischemia, the animals were sacrificed by exsanguination. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the fifteen minute period corresponds to an approximate three to four hour period of myocardial infarction in humans. Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aortas into cooled polyethylene tubes containing 0.1 M EDTA and 10 μM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (50 μl per 4 ml blood). The resulting solution was frozen at -20° C. for determination of digoxin-like immunoreactivity (DLIR) in the plasma. The digoxin-like immunoreactivity was measured using dissociation enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassay (DELFIA) kits by LKB, Finland. This assay of digoxin is a solid phase immunoassay based on competition between immobilized digoxin and sample digoxin (in the present case, EDLF) for europium-labeled polyclonal antidigoxin antibodies derived from rabbits. Standard and sample (or EDLF) reduce the binding of the europium labeled antibodies to the immobilized digoxin molecules. Finally fluorescence in the strip wells is measured in a resolved time result LKB-Wallac fluorometer. Plasma levels of marinobufagin-like immunoreactivity (MLIR) were measured as mentioned above in Example 3.
Arrhythmia incidence was defined as the total duration of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) during the fifteen minute postligation period. The animals were divided into five groups as follows:
Group 1. Twelve (12) control, rats subjected only to thoracotomy;
Group 2. Twenty-eight (28) rats pretreated with an intravenous injection of 0.2 ml isotonic saline prior to the period of acute myocardial ischemia;
Group 3. Fifteen (15) rats pretreated by intravenous injection of 260 ug/kg antidigoxin immunoglobulin;
Group 4. Five (5) rats pretreated by intravenous injection with 5 mg/kg DIGIBIND (Fab fragments of bovine antidigoxin antibody, a drug produced for the treatment of digoxin overdose by Burroughs Wellcome Co.); and
Group 5. Seven (7) rats pretreated with 40 mg/kg DIGIBIND, Fab fragments of bovine antidigoxin antibody,
Group 6. Ten rats pretreated with antimarinobufagin antibody (250 ug/kg).
All pretreatment of the animals was carried out thirty minutes prior to coronary ligation. The control animals were pretreated thirty minutes prior to thoracotomy.
No heart rhythm disturbances were observed in the control animals. The plasma concentration of DLIR in the control animals was 0.48±0.09 ng/ml. Acute coronary ligation in Group 2 (ischemia without treatment) animals resulted in typical ischemic changes of the ECG, i.e., increase in the R wave, elevation of the ST-T segment and in the onset of ventricular arrhythmias. Average duration of VT and VF in Group 2 was 201±31 sec. Plasma concentration of DLIR 15 minutes post coronary artery ligation was 1.13±0.32 ng/ml, p<0.05. In the (Group 2) rats with acute myocardial ischemia the plasma concentration of MLIR was 3±0.5 μM/l 15 minutes after the coronary ligation as compared with 0.3±0.05 μM/l in the control group (which was the same as in intact rats without thoracotomy).
The Group 3 animals (pretreated with antidigoxin IgG) exhibited a reduced average duration of VT and VF to 46±18 sec. (p<0.01) The Group 4 animals (pretreated with DIGIBIND, Fab fragments of bovine antidigoxin antibody,) did not exhibit any change in the incidence of post-ligation arrhythmias.
The average duration of VT and VF was reduced to 74±34 sec in the Group 5 (pretreated with high-dose DIGIBIND, Fab fragments of bovine antidigoxin antibody, animals. This difference was not statistically significant when compared with the Group 1 (untreated) animals with myocardial ischemia.
The average duration of VT and VF in 10 rats pretreated with antimarinobufagin antibody (Group 6) was the lowest, 18.7±6.5 sec.
From this experiment, it was concluded:
1. Acute myocardial ischemia in rats is associated with an increase of the concentration of digoxin-like immunoreactivity and a more marked increase in Mbg-like immunoreactivity. This indicates that MLIR is a marker for acute myocardial infarction.
2. The increase in digoxin-like and Mbg-like immunoreactivity occurs in parallel with the onset of ventricular arrhythmias. This suggests that increasing levels of EDLF (or specifically, Mbg) cause cardiac arrhythmias.
3. Pretreatment of the animals with polyclonal antidigoxin rabbit IgG significantly reduces the incidence of arrhythmias and pretreatment with anti-Mbg antibody markedly reduces arrhythmias. We believe this means that antidigoxin IgG and anti-Mbg bind the circulating EDLF and prevent the development of its physiological effects.
4. DIGIBIND, Fab fragments of bovine antidigoxin antibody, even at extremely high concentrations was almost inactive in suppressing the ischemia-induced arrhythmias. Digoxin, therefore, is not the EDLF responsible for causing arrhythmias.
EXAMPLE 6
Human Myocardial Infarction
EDLF in Human AMI
Fifty-four (54) patients who had never taken digitalis drugs and had no known history associated with increased concentrations of EDLF, e.g., severe hypertension, renal or hepatic disease, and endocrine dysfunction, who were admitted to the coronary care unit of the Djanelidze Emergency Medicine Institute with a first time transmural acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were studied. Also not included in the study were patients who received systemic thrombolytic therapy. The diagnosis of AMI was based upon: typical chest pain of at least thirty minutes duration, ST segment elevation on the ECG with subsequent development of Q waves in the involved leads (Minnesota Codes 1-1-1, 1-2-5, 1-2-6, and 1-2-7), and increase of plasma total creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase.
Patients known to have unstable angina pectoris, suspected (but not later confirmed) AMI, and healthy donors served as controls.
Venous blood samples were obtained from the patients each day for ten days and on the fourteenth day following the diagnosis of AMI. Blood was collected in cooled polyethylene tubes containing 10 μM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride in 0.1 mol/liter EDTA. The mixture was frozen at -18° C. prior to assay. Plasma concentrations of EDLF were measured using the dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassay method digoxin kit and expressed as ng/ml of digoxin equivalents. The results were analyzed statistically using student's t-test.
Fifty-four Caucasian patients (47 male, 7 females) ages 39 to 72 years, (mean age 45 years) with AMI, 16 Caucasian male patients with unstable angina pectoris and suspected AMI ranging in age from 40 to 67 years, and eight healthy donors (3 males, 5 females), mean age 39.3 years, were enrolled in the study.
Plasma concentrations of digoxin-like immunoreactivity in patients during the first 24 hours following onset of AMI were significantly increased (1.25±0.26 ng/ml) as compared with the healthy controls (0.34±0.08 ng/ml) and patients with unstable angina pectoris (0.0414 0.06 ng/ml) . The condition of seven of the patients within the first 24 hours after onset of AMI was complicated by primary ventricular fibrillation. In these patients the concentration of EDLF was significantly higher (2.54±0.67 ng/ml) than in the 47 patients with AMI who did not experience ventricular fibrillation (1.05 0.27 ng/ml), p<0.05). During the first 24-hour period of time, 14 of the patients exhibited manifestations of severe congestive heart failure. In these patients, the concentration of EDLF immunoreactivity was significantly lower (0.32±0.09 ng/ml) than in the other 40 patients with AMI and without congestive heart failure (1.51±0.32 ng/ml).
Between the period of 24-48 hours after onset of AMI the plasma levels of EDLF of the AMI group decreased to levels of the control group (0.26±0.04), and did not differ significantly from the control values during the subsequent two-week period of assay and observation. Commencing after the second day of AMI no significant differences were observed in the plasma concentrations of digoxin-like immunoreactivity between patients with uncomplicated AMI and those with AMI complicated by ventricular fibrillation or congestive heart failure.
The results with the human patients discussed in this example were in agreement with the results obtained in Example 5 demonstrating that plasma concentration of the substances having the property to inhibit Na,K-ATPase is increased in animals exposed to acute coronary ligation. The results of the experimental tests clearly prove the proarrhythmic action of EDLF in AMI and the correlation between plasma levels of EDLF and incidence of ventricular arrhythmias.
Mbg in Human AMI
Eight male patients the first day after the onset of a first MI were studied as above. The peak plasma levels of marinobufagin-like immunoreactivity were 4.30±0.7 μMoles/l as compared with 1.2±0.2 μMoles/l in the 6 healthy controls.
Samples of heparinized blood were obtained from 3 male patients during the first 12 hours after the onset of first transmural myocardial infarction. The activity of the ouabain-sensitive Na,K-pump was measured using the known Rubidium (ouabain-inhibitable rubidium uptake) technique. Blood samples of the patients were analyzed in duplicate, in the presence and in the absence of monoclonal antiMbg antibody (100 ug/ml). In the untreated samples, activity of Na,K-pump (ouabain-sensitive Rb uptake by 1 ml of the suspension of erythrocytes) was inhibited by 70%. At the same time, preincubation of the whole blood with antibody for 30 minutes completely restored the activity of the Na,K-pump. Activity of the Na,K-pump in the erythrocytes from 8 healthy controls was unaffected by the pretreatment with antiMbg antibody.
This example demonstrates that the activity of the Na,K-pump in red blood cells in the acute period of myocardial infarction is depressed and that MLIR acts as a marker for acute MI in humans. This observation is in agreement with the previous data showing that activity of Na,K-ATPase in humans with myocardial infarction and in rats with acute myocardial ischemia is inhibited. It is known and has been repeatedly demonstrated that the changes in the membrane of erythrocytes reflect the membrane changes occurring in cardiovascular tissues in various diseases and due to the treatment with different drugs.
EXAMPLE 8
Diagnosis of Hypertension
Adult male Wistar rats (n=6) were subjected to acute plasma volume expansion as described by Gonick et al. Measurements as described above showed a 30% inhibition of the Na,K-pump and a four-fold increase in the level of MLIR. Thus, in this model of hypertension, MLIR was a marker for hypertension.
CONCLUSION
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the present invention and therefore, that these descriptions should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
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14. Clough D L, Pamnani M B, Haddy P S Myocardial Na,K-ATPase activity in rats with steroid and spontaneous hypertension, J Hypertension, 1984, 2, 141-148.
15. Fogoo M, and Godfraind T Interaction of cardiodigin, endogenous inhibitor of Na,K-ATPase with antidigoxin antibodies, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1985, 129, 553-559.
16. de Pover A Endogenous digitalis-like factor and inotropic receptor sites in the heart, Europ J. Pharmacol, 1984, 36, 365-366.
17. Navaratnam S, Chau T, Agbanyo M , et al. Positive inotropic effect of porcine left ventricular extract on canine ventricular muscle, Brit J Pharmacol, 1990, 101, 370-374.
18. Maixent J-M, and Lelievre L G Differential inactivation of inotropic and toxic digitalis receptors in ischemic dog heart, J Biol Chem, 1987, 262, 12458-12462.
19. Bagrov A Y, Ganelina I E, Nikiforova K A, et al. Antifibrillatory effect of antidigoxin antibodies in experimental myocardial infarction (in Russian) in Diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction, Tbilisi, Metsnierba Eds, 1987, 177-179.
20. Bagrev A Y, Fedorova O V, Maslova M N, et al--Antiarrhythmic effect of antidigoxin antibodies in acute myocardial isahemia in rats, Europ J Pharmacol, 1989, 162, 195-196.
21. Bagrov A Y (Abstract). Endogenous digoxin-like factor; possible emergency implications, Prehosp Disaster med, 1990, 5, 186.
22. Bagrov A Y, Fedorova O V, Maslova M N et al., Endogenous digoxin-like factor (EDLF) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), J Mol Cell Cardiol, 1990.
23. Bagrov A Y, Fedorova O V, Maslova M N, et al., Endogenous plasma Na,K-ATPase inhibitory activity and digoxin-like immunoreactivity after acute myocardial infarction, Cardiovasc Res, 1991a, 25, 371-377.
24. Bagrov A Y, Fedorova O V, Roukoyatkina N I, and Zhabko E P, Evidence for arrhythmogenic action of endogenous digoxin-like factor in acute myocardial ischemia, Europ Heart J. 1991b, 12 (Suppl.) , p. 323.
25. Delva P, Devyrck M-A, Degan M, et al., Correlation between plasma level of an endogenous digitalis-like substance and haemodynamic parameters measured during cardiac catheterization, J. Hypertension, 1988, 6 (Suppl. 4), S-348-S-350
26. Clark O, Foreman M I, Kane K A, et al. Coronary artery ligation in anesthetized rat as a method for the production of experimental disrhythmias and for the determination of infarct size, J Pharmacol Methods, 1980, 3, 357-368.
27. Curd J, Smith T W, Jaton J-C, Haber E, The isolation of digoxin-specific antibody and its use in reversing the effect of digoxin, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1971, 68, 2401-2406.
28. Mir K A, Morgan K, Lewis M, et al. Problems and pitfalls in the isolation of an endogenous Na,K-ATPase inhibitor, Hypertension, 1987, 10 (Suppl. 1), 1-57-1-61.
29. Bova S, Blaustein M P, Ludens J H et al., Effects of an endogenous ouabain-like compound on heart and aorta, Hypertension, 1991, 17, 944-950.
30. Cress L W, Ereas W, Haddy P, and Muldoon S, Effects of bufalin on norepinephrine turnover in canine saphenous vein, Hypertension, 1991, 18, 516-522.
31. Meyer K, Linde H, Collection of toad venoms and chemistry of toad venom steroids in Bucheri W, and Buckley E (Eds) , Venomous animals and their venoms, Academic Press, New York, 1971, 521-561.
32. Barbier M, Schroler H , Meyer K, et al,. Helvetica Chimica Acta, 1959, Ed. 42, 2486-2505.
33. Shimada K, Fujii Y, Yamashita E, et al., Studies on cardiotonic steroids from the skin of Japanese toad, Chem Pharm Bull, 1977, 25, 714-730.
34. Zelnik R, Ziti L M, Thin layer chromatography chromatoplate analysis of the bufadienolides isolated from toad venoms, J Chromatoghaphy, 1962, 9, 371-373.
35. McKinney M M, and Parkison A, A simple non-chromatographic procedure to purify immunoglobulins from serum and ascites fluid, J. Immunol Methods, 1987, 96, 271-278.
36. Goodlin R C, Antidigoxin antibodies in eclampsia, New Engl J Med, 1988, Vol. 318, p. 518-519.
37. Naomi S, Craves S, Lazarus M, Williams G H, Hollenberg N K, Variation in apparent serum digitalis-like factor levels with different digoxin antibodies, Am J Hypertension, 1991, 4, p. 795-801.
38. Goto A, Yamada K, Ishii M, Sugimoto T, Yoshioka M, Immunoreactivity of endogenous digitalis-like factors, Biochem Pharmacol, 1991, 41, p. 1261-1263.
39. Yamahara J, Tanaka S, Matsuda D, Sawada T, Fujimura H, The mode action of cardiotonic steroids isolated from Toad cake in perfused working guinea pig heart and effect of cinobufagin on experimental heart failure, Nippon Yakurigak Zasshi, 1986, 88, p. 413-423.
40. Chen K K and Kovarikova A, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Toad Venom, J Pharm S C Vol 56 No. 12, December, 1967.
41. Shimada K, Ohishi K, Fukunaga H, Ro J and Nambara T, Structural-Activity Relationship of Bufatoxins and Related compounds For the Inhibition of Na+, K+-Adenosine Triphosphatase, J Pharmacobio-Dyn., 8, 1054-1059 (1985).
42. Johnston K M, MacLeod B A, Walker M J A, Responses to Ligation Of A Coronary Artery In Conscious Rats and The Actions Of Arrythmias, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Univ. of British Columbia, Received, Feb. 3, 1983.
43. U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,296, Blaustein et al "Assay Methods Involving Ouabain".
44. Koenigs E, Knorr E, Uber einige Derivate des Traubenzuskers und der Galactose. Ber Deut Chem Ges 1901; 34:
45. Wulf G, Kruger W, Die Umzetzung vin a-Acetobromglukose mit den Silbersalzen Hydroxycarbonsauren. Chem Ber 1971; 104: 1387-1298.
46. Helsingius P, Hemmila I, Lovgren T, Solid phase immunoassay of digoxin by measuring time resolved fluorescence. Clin Chem 1986; 32: 1767-1769. | The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction through the measurement of the level of marinobufagin-like immunoreactivity in the blood of patients suspected of this diagnosis; a method for treating patients with acute myocardial infarction with antibody to marinobufagin, a bufodienolide, to prevent the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias; antibodies which specifically recognize marinobufagin or other bufodienolides; hybridomas producing these antibodies; a process for preparing such antibodies; and an immunoassay method for marinobufagin for research purposes using its specific antibody.
The antibodies of the present invention make it possible to conveniently measure bufodienolides with specificity and high sensitivity. This is useful in determining the existence and degree of hypertension and myocardial infarction, and in treating myocardial infarction. | 49,744 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 098109806 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Mar. 25, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image processing method and an electronic device using the same, and more particularly to a method of generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image and an electronic device using the same.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] When sensing the lights, the visual system of the human eye adjusts its sensitiveness according to the distribution of the ambient lights. Therefore, the human eye may be adapted to a too-bright or too-dark environment after a few minutes' adjustment. Currently, the working principles of the image pickup apparatus, such as video cameras, cameras, single-lens reflex cameras, and Web cameras, are similar, in which a captured image is projected via a lens to a sensing element based on the principle of pinhole imaging. However, the photo-sensitivity ranges of a photo-sensitive element such as a film, a charge coupled device sensor (CCD sensor), and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor sensor (CMOS sensor) are different from that of the human eye, and cannot be automatically adjusted with the image. Therefore, the captured image usually has a part being too bright or too dark. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image with an insufficient dynamic range. The image 10 is an image with an insufficient dynamic range captured by an ordinary digital camera. In FIG. 1 , an image block 12 at the bottom left corner is too dark, while an image block 14 at the top right corner is too bright. In such a case, the details of the trees and houses in the image block 12 at the bottom left corner cannot be clearly seen as this area is too dark.
[0006] In the prior art, in order to solve the above problem, a high dynamic range (HDR) image is adopted. The HDR image is formed by capturing images of the same area with different photo-sensitivities by using different exposure settings, and then synthesizing those captured images into an image comfortable to be seen by the human eye. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of synthesizing a plurality of images into an HDR image. The HDR image 20 is formed by synthesizing a plurality of images 21 , 23 , 25 , 27 , and 29 with different photo-sensitivities. This method achieves a good effect, but also has apparent disadvantages. First, the position of each captured image must be accurate, and any error may result in difficulties of the synthesis. Besides, when the images are captured, the required storage space rises from a single frame to a plurality of frames. Moreover, the time taken for the synthesis is also considered. Therefore, this method is time-consuming, wastes the storage space, and easy to practice mistakes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a method of generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image, capable of generating an HDR image from an original image through a brightness adjustment model trained by a neural network algorithm.
[0008] The present invention provides a method of generating an HDR image. The method comprises: loading a brightness adjustment model created by a neural network algorithm; obtaining an original image; acquiring a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of the original image; and generating an HDR image through the brightness adjustment model according to the pixel characteristic value, the first characteristic value, and the second characteristic value of the original image.
[0009] The first direction is different from the second direction, the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction.
[0010] The pixel characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
1
=
Y
ij
∑
i
=
1
N
∑
j
=
1
M
Y
ij
N
×
M
,
[0000] where C 1 is the pixel characteristic value of the original image, N is a total number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the original image, M is a total number of pixels in the vertical direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and N, M, i, and j are positive integers.
[0011] The first characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
x
=
Y
ij
-
Y
(
i
+
x
)
j
x
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the first characteristic value of the original image, x is a number of pixels in the first direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, Y (i+x)j is a brightness value of an (i+x) th pixel in the first direction and the j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and i, j, and x are positive integers.
[0012] The second characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
y
=
Y
ij
-
Y
i
(
j
+
y
)
y
,
[0000] where C 2 y is the second characteristic value of the original image, y is a number of pixels in the second direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, Y i(j+y) is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a (j+y) th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and i, j, and y are positive integers.
[0013] The brightness adjustment model is created in an external device. The creation process comprises: loading a plurality of training images; and acquiring a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of each of the training images, and creating the brightness adjustment model through the neural network algorithm.
[0014] The first direction is different from the second direction, the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction.
[0015] The pixel characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
1
=
Y
ij
∑
i
=
1
N
∑
j
=
1
M
Y
ij
N
×
M
,
[0000] where C 1 is the pixel characteristic value of each of the training images, N is a total number of pixels in the horizontal direction of each of the training images, M is a total number of pixels in the vertical direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and N, M, i, and j are positive integers.
[0016] The first characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
x
=
Y
ij
-
Y
(
i
+
x
)
j
x
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the first characteristic value of each of the training images, x is a number of pixels in the first direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, Y (i+x)j is a brightness value of an (i+x) th pixel in the first direction and the j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and i, j, and x are positive integers.
[0017] The second characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
y
=
Y
ij
-
Y
i
(
j
+
y
)
y
,
[0000] where C 2 y is the second characteristic value of each of the training images, y is a number of pixels in the second direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, Y i(j+y) is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a (j+y) th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and i, j, and y are positive integers.
[0018] The neural network algorithm is a back-propagation neural network (BNN), radial basis function (RBF), or self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm.
[0019] An electronic device for generating an HDR image is adapted to perform brightness adjustment on an original image through a brightness adjustment model. The electronic device comprises a brightness adjustment model, a characteristic value acquisition unit, and a brightness adjustment procedure. The brightness adjustment model is created by a neural network algorithm. The characteristic value acquisition unit acquires a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of the original image. The brightness adjustment procedure is connected to the brightness adjustment model and the characteristic value acquisition unit, for generating an HDR image through the brightness adjustment model according to the pixel characteristic value, the first characteristic value, and the second characteristic value of the original image.
[0020] The first direction is different from the second direction, the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction.
[0021] The pixel characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
1
=
Y
ij
∑
i
=
1
N
∑
j
=
1
M
Y
ij
N
×
M
,
[0000] where C 1 is the pixel characteristic value of the original image, N is a total number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the original image, M is a total number of pixels in the vertical direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and N, M, i, and j are positive integers.
[0022] The first characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
x
=
Y
ij
-
Y
(
i
+
x
)
j
x
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the first characteristic value of the original image, x is a number of pixels in the first direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, Y (i+x)j is a brightness value of an (i+x) th pixel in the first direction and the j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and i, j, and x are positive integers.
[0023] The second characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
y
=
Y
ij
-
Y
i
(
j
+
y
)
y
,
[0000] where C 2 y is the second characteristic value of the original image, y is a number of pixels in the second direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, Y i(j+y) is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a (j+y) th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and i, j, and y are positive integers.
[0024] The brightness adjustment model is created in an external device. The creation process comprises: loading a plurality of training images; and acquiring a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of each of the training images, and creating the brightness adjustment model through the neural network algorithm.
[0025] The first direction is different from the second direction, the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction.
[0026] The pixel characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
1
=
Y
ij
∑
i
=
1
N
∑
j
=
1
M
Y
ij
N
×
M
,
[0000] where C 1 is the pixel characteristic value of each of the training images, N is a total number of pixels in the horizontal direction of each of the training images, M is a total number of pixels in the vertical direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and N, M, i, and j are positive integers.
[0027] The first characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
x
=
Y
ij
-
Y
(
i
+
x
)
j
x
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the first characteristic value of each of the training images, x is a number of pixels in the first direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, Y (i+x)j is a brightness value of an (i+x) th pixel in the first direction and the j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and i, j, and x are positive integers.
[0028] The second characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
y
=
Y
ij
-
Y
i
(
j
+
y
)
y
,
[0000] where C 2 y is the second characteristic value of each of the training images, y is a number of pixels in the second direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, Y i(j+y) is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a (j+y) th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and i, j, and y are positive integers.
[0029] The neural network algorithm is a BNN, RBF, or SOM algorithm.
[0030] According to the method of generating an HDR image and the electronic device of the present invention, an HDR image can be generated from a single image through a brightness adjustment model trained by a neural network algorithm. Thereby, the time taken for capturing a plurality of images is shortened and the space for storing the captured images is reduced. Meanwhile, the time for synthesizing a plurality of images into a single image is reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image with an insufficient dynamic range;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of synthesizing a plurality of images into an HDR image;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of generating an HDR image according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of creating a brightness adjustment model according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic architectural view of an electronic device for generating an HDR image according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of creating a brightness adjustment model according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0038] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a BNN algorithm according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] The method of generating an HDR image of the present invention is applied to an electronic device capable of capturing an image. This method can be built in a storage unit of the electronic device in the form of a software or firmware program, and implemented by a processor of the electronic device in the manner of executing the built-in software or firmware program while using its image capturing function. The electronic device may be, but not limited to, a digital camera, a computer, a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA) capable of capturing an image.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of generating an HDR image according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method comprises the following steps.
[0041] In step S 100 , a brightness adjustment model created by a neural network algorithm is loaded.
[0042] In step S 110 , an original image is obtained.
[0043] In step S 120 , a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of the original image are acquired.
[0044] In step S 130 , an HDR image is generated through the brightness adjustment model according to the pixel characteristic value, the first characteristic value, and the second characteristic value of the original image.
[0045] In the step S 120 , the first direction is different from the second direction, the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction. Here, the first direction and the second direction can be adjusted according to actual requirements. For example, the two directions may respectively be positive 45° and positive 135° intersected with an X-axis, or positive 30° and positive 150° intersected with the X-axis. However, the acquisition direction of the characteristic value of the original image must be consistent with the acquisition direction of the characteristic value of the training image (i.e., being the same direction).
[0046] In the step S 120 , the pixel characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
1
=
Y
ij
∑
i
=
1
N
∑
j
=
1
M
Y
ij
N
×
M
,
[0000] where C 1 is the pixel characteristic value of the original image, N is a total number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the original image, M is a total number of pixels in the vertical direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and N, M, i, and j are positive integers.
[0047] In the step S 120 , the first characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
x
=
Y
ij
-
Y
(
i
+
x
)
j
x
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the first characteristic value of the original image, x is a number of pixels in the first direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, Y (i+x)j is a brightness value of an (i+x) th pixel in the first direction and the j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and i, j, and x are positive integers.
[0048] In the step S 120 , the second characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
y
=
Y
ij
-
Y
i
(
j
+
y
)
y
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the second characteristic value of the original image, y is a number of pixels in the second direction of the original image, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image, Y i(j+y) is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a (j+y) th pixel in the second direction of the original image, and i, j, and y are positive integers.
[0049] Further, in the step S 100 , the brightness adjustment model is created in an external device. The external device may be, but not limited to, a computer device of the manufacturer or a computer device in a laboratory. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of creating a brightness adjustment model according to an embodiment of the present invention. The creation process comprises the following steps.
[0050] In step S 200 , a plurality of training images is loaded.
[0051] In step S 210 , a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of each of the training images are acquired, and the brightness adjustment model is created through the neural network algorithm.
[0052] In the step S 210 , the first direction is different from the second direction, the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction. Here, the first direction and the second direction can be adjusted according to actual requirements. For example, the two directions may respectively be positive 45° and positive 135° intersected with an X-axis, or positive 30° and positive 150° intersected with the X-axis. However, the acquisition direction of the characteristic value of the original image must be consistent with the acquisition direction of the characteristic value of the training image (i.e., being the same direction).
[0053] In the step S 210 , the pixel characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
1
=
Y
ij
∑
i
=
1
N
∑
j
=
1
M
Y
ij
N
×
M
,
[0000] where C 1 is the pixel characteristic value of each of the training images, N is a total number of pixels in the horizontal direction of each of the training images, M is a total number of pixels in the vertical direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and N, M, i, and j are positive integers.
[0054] In the step S 210 , the first characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
x
=
Y
ij
-
Y
(
i
+
x
)
j
x
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the first characteristic value of each of the training images, x is a number of pixels in the first direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, Y (i+x)j is a brightness value of an (i+x) th pixel in the first direction and the j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and i, j, and x are positive integers.
[0055] In the step S 210 , the second characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
y
=
Y
ij
-
Y
i
(
j
+
y
)
y
,
[0000] where C 2 y is the second characteristic value of each of the training images, y is a number of pixels in the second direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, Y i(j+y) is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a (j+y) th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and i, j, and y are positive integers.
[0056] The neural network algorithm is a back-propagation neural network (BNN), radial basis function (RBF), or self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a schematic architectural view of an electronic device for generating an HDR image according to another embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 30 comprises a storage unit 32 , a processing unit 34 , and an output unit 36 . The storage unit 32 stores an original image 322 , and may be, but not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM).
[0058] The processing unit 34 is connected to the storage unit 32 , and comprises a brightness adjustment model 344 , a characteristic value acquisition unit 342 , and a brightness adjustment procedure 346 . The characteristic value acquisition unit 342 acquires a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of the original image 322 . The brightness adjustment model 344 is created by a neural network algorithm. The brightness adjustment procedure 346 generates an HDR image through the brightness adjustment model 344 according to the pixel characteristic value, the first characteristic value, and the second characteristic value of the original image 322 . The processing unit 34 may be, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro control unit (MCU). The output unit 36 is connected to the processing unit 34 , for displaying the generated HDR image on a screen of the electronic device 30 .
[0059] The first direction is different from the second direction, the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction. Here, the first direction and the second direction can be adjusted according to actual requirements. For example, the two directions may respectively be positive 45° and positive 135° intersected with an X-axis, or positive 30° and positive 150° intersected with the X-axis. However, the acquisition direction of the characteristic value of the original image must be consistent with the acquisition direction of the characteristic value of the training image (i.e., being the same direction).
[0060] The pixel characteristic value of the original image 322 is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
1
=
Y
ij
∑
i
=
1
N
∑
j
=
1
M
Y
ij
N
×
M
,
[0000] where C 1 is the pixel characteristic value of the original image 322 , N is a total number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the original image 322 , M is a total number of pixels in the vertical direction of the original image 322 , Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image 322 , and N, M, i, and j are positive integers.
[0061] The first characteristic value of the original image is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
x
=
Y
ij
-
Y
(
i
+
x
)
j
x
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the first characteristic value of the original image 322 , x is a number of pixels in the first direction of the original image 322 , Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image 322 , Y (i+x)j is a brightness value of an (i+x) th pixel in the first direction and the j th pixel in the second direction of the original image 322 , and i, j, and x are positive integers.
[0062] The second characteristic value of the original image 322 is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
y
=
Y
ij
-
Y
i
(
j
+
y
)
y
,
[0000] where C 2 y is the second characteristic value of the original image 322 , y is a number of pixels in the second direction of the original image 322 , Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of the original image 322 , Y i(j+y) is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a (j+y) th pixel in the second direction of the original image 322 , and i, j, and y are positive integers.
[0063] The brightness adjustment model is created in an external device. The external device may be, but not limited to, a computer device of the manufacturer or a computer device in a laboratory. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of creating a brightness adjustment model according to another embodiment of the present invention. The creation process comprises the following steps.
[0064] In step S 300 , a plurality of training images is loaded.
[0065] In step S 310 , a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of each of the training images are acquired, and the brightness adjustment model is created through the neural network algorithm.
[0066] In the step S 310 , the first direction is different from the second direction, the first direction is a horizontal direction, and the second direction is a vertical direction. Here, the first direction and the second direction can be adjusted according to actual requirements. For example, the two directions may respectively be positive 45° and positive 135° intersected with an X-axis, or positive 30° and positive 150° intersected with the X-axis. However, the acquisition direction of the characteristic value of the original image must be consistent with the acquisition direction of the characteristic value of the training image (i.e., being the same direction).
[0067] In the step S 310 , the pixel characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
1
=
Y
ij
∑
i
=
1
N
∑
j
=
1
M
Y
ij
N
×
M
,
[0000] where C 1 is the pixel characteristic value of each of the training images, N is a total number of pixels in the horizontal direction of each of the training images, M is a total number of pixels in the vertical direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and N, M, i, and j are positive integers.
[0068] In the step S 310 , the first characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
x
=
Y
ij
-
Y
(
i
+
x
)
j
x
,
[0000] where C 2 x is the first characteristic value of each of the training images, x is a number of pixels in the first direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, Y (i+x)j is a brightness value of an (i+x) th pixel in the first direction and the j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and i, j, and x are positive integers.
[0069] In the step S 310 , the second characteristic value of each of the training images is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
C
2
y
=
Y
ij
-
Y
i
(
j
+
y
)
y
,
[0000] where C 2 y is the second characteristic value of each of the training images, y is a number of pixels in the second direction of each of the training images, Y ij is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a j th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, Y i(j+y) is a brightness value of an i th pixel in the first direction and a (j+y) th pixel in the second direction of each of the training images, and i, j, and y are positive integers.
[0070] The neural network algorithm is a BNN, RBF, or SOM algorithm.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the BNN algorithm according to an embodiment of the present invention. The BNN 40 comprises an input layer 42 , a hidden layer 44 , and an output layer 46 . Each of the training images has altogether M*N pixels, and each pixel further has three characteristic values (i.e., a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value, and a second characteristic value). The input layer respectively inputs the characteristic values of the pixels in each training image, so that a total number of nodes (X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , . . . , X α ) in the input layer 42 is α=3*M*N. A number of nodes (P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , . . . , P β ) in the hidden layer 44 is β, a number of nodes (Y 1 , Y 2 , Y 3 , . . . , Y γ ) in the output layer 46 is γ, and α β γ. After the BNN algorithm trains and determines the convergence of all the training images, a brightness adjustment model is obtained. A first group of weight values W αβ are obtained between the input layer 42 and the hidden layer 44 of the brightness adjustment model, and a second group of weight values W βγ are obtained between the hidden layer 44 and the output layer 46 of the brightness adjustment model.
[0072] The value of each node in the hidden layer 44 is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
P
j
=
∑
i
=
1
α
(
X
i
×
W
ij
)
+
b
j
,
[0000] where P j is a value of a j th node in the hidden layer 44 , X i is a value of an i th node in the input layer 42 , W ij is a weight value between the i th node in the input layer 42 and the j th node in the hidden layer 44 , b j is an offset of the j th node in the hidden layer 44 , and α, i, and j are positive integers.
[0073] Further, the value of each node in the output layer 46 is calculated by the following formula:
[0000]
Y
k
=
∑
j
=
1
β
(
P
j
×
W
jk
)
+
c
k
,
[0000] where Y k is a value of a k th node in the output layer 46 , P j is the value of the j th node in the hidden layer 44 , W jk is a weight value between the j th node in the hidden layer 44 and the k th node in the output layer 46 , c k is an offset of the k th node in the output layer 46 , and β, j, and k are positive integers.
[0074] In addition, the convergence is determined by mean squared error (MSE):
[0000]
M
S
E
=
1
λ
×
γ
×
∑
s
λ
∑
k
γ
(
T
k
s
-
Y
k
s
)
2
<
10
-
10
,
[0000] where λ is a total number of the training images, γ is a total number of the nodes in the output layer, T k s is a target output value of the k th node in an s th training image, Y k s is a deducted output value of the k th node in the s th training image, and λ, γ, s, and k are positive integers. | A method of generating a high dynamic range image and an electronic device using the same are described. The method includes loading a brightness adjustment model created by a neural network algorithm; obtaining an original image; acquiring a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value in a first direction, and a second characteristic value in a second direction of the original image; and generating an HDR image through the brightness adjustment model according to the pixel characteristic value, the first characteristic value, and the second characteristic value of the original image. The electronic device includes a brightness adjustment model, a characteristic value acquisition unit, and a brightness adjustment procedure. The electronic device acquires a pixel characteristic value, a first characteristic value, and a second characteristic value of an original image through the characteristic value acquisition unit, and generates an HDR image from the original image through the brightness adjustment model. | 60,586 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a lightweight constructional element or structural member of a sandwich structure having two cover plates which are held at a distance apart by a honeycomb structure. Said lightweight constructional element is intended in particular as a structural part of a solar collector.
Solar collectors require a very large area because the incident energy radiation of the sun per square meter is relatively small. Such solar collectors are set up as large paraboloids on steel frames and must follow the path of the sun. To achieve adequate energy yield a large area is necessary which in turn means a relatively high weight. As support for such paraboloids usually lightweight structural members or constructional elements are employed which however have to be specially made and are very expensive. Such lightweight constructional elements as described for example in DE-OS 2,836,418 can however also be used as support for solar cells.
THE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of my invention is to provide a lightweight constructional element in particular for solar collectors which is relatively economical, can be easily made and has high strength.
In keeping with these objects and with other which will become apparent hereinafter, the honeycomb structure between the cover plates is formed by essentially cylindrical cans whose axes are perpendicular to the cover plates. This provides a lightweight structural member having basic elements which do not need to be specially made but which are obtained from waste products. In can recycling as hitherto employed only the material value of the drink cans was of interest. However, due to their precise shape these cans, which accrue in very large quantities, have a very much higher value than that of their raw material alone.
In particular, the substantially cylindrical sheet metal cans made by extrusion of aluminium, aluminium alloys or steel have in spite of their very small wall thickness of for example 0.07 to 0.1 mm a very high dimensional stability in the axial direction. This dimensional stability is increased still further in used beverage cans by the lid which is connected at its periphery to the cylindrical wall of the can by folding. Opening the can by pulling out an opening tab does not appreciably change this very high dimensional stability. These drink cans, connected together in as close an arrangement as possible along their lines of contact, in particular adhered together, form the cells of the honeycomb structure which in known manner is also connected by adhesion to the cover plates.
In the production of these drink cans of standardised size and form from aluminium or steel a certain percentage of rejects always occurs and hitherto these were melted down again. These reject cans, due to their shape, can be used just like already used cans as honeycomb cells for this lightweight constructional element. Since these reject cans are not provided with a lid it is possible to connect them together also by spot welding or riveting.
To obtain a homogeneous lightweight constructional element which can be loaded equally on both sides it is advantageous to arrange these cans which are open on one side so that they bear with the bottom side in uniform distribution alternately on the one cover plate and on the other cover plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Examples of the invention will be described in detail in the following description with reference to the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a view of a lightweight constructional element along the section line I--I of FIG. 2,
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the lightweight constructional element along the section line II--II of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a solar collector or parabolic mirror of which the support plate is a lightweight constructional element according to the invention,
FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially in section, of two different embodiments of the lightweight constructional element according to my invention,
FIG. 5 is a side view of a lightweight constructional element according to the invention, partially in section, and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a lightweight constructional element having two honeycomb structures made from cans.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The lightweight constructional element 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of empty cans 11 which are connected together at their contact points 12 and are arranged between two cover plates 13, 14. The cans 11 connected together in tight packing form a honeycomb structure which is connected by adhesion, for example by means of epoxy resin, to the cover plates 13 and 14. The connecting of the cans 11 can be effected by adhesion, soldering or welding. The adhesion of the cans 11 can also be effected by initial dissolving of the stove enamel with which the beverage cans 11 have already been painted in their production to show their contents and as protection against corrosion. To improve the connection of the cans 11 with each other the cans of a lightweight constructional element 10 may be clasped or tied with a wire 18 or a band. Since in the vicinity of the bottom 16 and the lid 17 beverage cans also take up laterally acting forces said clasping wire 18 is preferably to be arranged in the vicinity of the cover plates 13, 14.
The lightweight constructional elements 10 according to the invention are suitable in particular as support element for large-area solar collectors, parabolic mirrors 20 and plane mirrors for heliostats. FIG. 3 shows a parabolic mirror 20 having a large-area support 23 which is formed by a lightweight constructional element according to the invention which is installed on a framework 16 so that the mirror can follow the sun.
The lightweight constructional elements according to FIGS. 2 and 3 are hexagonal. As FIG. 4 shows, they may also be rectangular or square. As apparent from the left part of FIG. 4 the cans 11 can be arranged in vertical and horizontal parallel rows or, as shown by the right part of FIG. 4, in extremely tightly packed array in which each horizontal row R is offset with respect to the adjacent row R' by the radius of the cans 11. In this arrangement the intermediate spaces 25 are smaller than the intermediate spaces 25' in the arrangement first described. The extremely tightly packed array shown on the right is often called a close packed or hexagonal close packed array (in two dimensions). This close packed array provides the closest type of packing, i.e. the packing in which the cans occupy the greatest fraction of the space in the constructional element or in other words leave a minimum fraction of intermediate space. Furthermore the cans shown in FIG. 4 are open on top.
The edges of the lower cover plate 14 are bent upwardly so that said cover plate 14 with the side walls 26 forms an open box having a size adapted to the size of the cans 11 in such a manner that the cans 11 can be inserted into the box with slight play. The remaining gaps between the cans 11 are filled with adhesive. The adhering of the cans 11 to each other and to the cover plates 13 and 14 can also be effected by foamed plastic which fills the intermediate spaces 25 or 25' at least in the more highly stressed regions. It is also possible to fill the cans 11 with foam to increase the loadability of the constructional element. To take up relatively large forces and enable them to be dissipated the constructional element is surrounded by a frame 28 of Uprofile rails 29 having flanges 30, 31 which engage over the edges of the cover plates 13, 14.
As FIG. 5 shows the cans 11 are arranged in uniform distribution with their bottoms 16 bearing alternately on the one cover plate 13 or the other cover plate 14 to obtain good homoqeneity of the constructional element.
In the embodiment of FIG. 6 two honeycomb structures of cans 11 are arranged one above the other with interposition of an intermediate plate 33. The intermediate plate 33 is also connected by adhesion to the honeycomb structures of cans 11. The cover plate 14 forms with its side walls 26 an open box which can receive the two layers of cans. The upper cover plate 13 is provided with downwardly directed edges 32 in such a manner that an open box is formed which can be fitted over the lower box. In this manner reinforced edges are formed round the constructional element and the stress to be taken up can be dissipated through said reinforcing edges.
By using beverage cans which are exactly made in standard sizes and which occur in large amounts as refuse and due to the relatively simple assembly of these beverage cans 11 to form a honeycomb structure, the lightweight constructional elements can be used as large-area supports for reflectors and concentrators of a solar heater in countries in which these solar heaters can be used to advantage. Such countries are usually relatively poor undeveloped countries.
Said constructional elements may be several square meters large. The thickness of the plates corresponds to the height of the drink cans used plus the thickness of the cover sheets, i.e. a total of about 118 or 171 mm or a multiple thereof.
At the outer edges the cover plates may be edged and adhered or welded so that a hermetically sealed hollow body is formed.
Due to the sandwich structure described the constructional elements have a high strength and rigidity for their material expenditure and weight. They are resistant to weather and buoyant and can therefore be used for a great variety of purposes.
The material and the thickness of the cover plates is to be adapted to the particular forces to be taken up. Constructional elements or structural members of aluminium beverage cans with aluminium cover plates are extremely large whilst having high loadability. A lightweight constructional element according to the invention may comprise two or more honeycomb structures and an intermediate plate, in particular of aluminium sheet, is arranged between the respective honeycomb structures.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of structures differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a lightweight constructional element of a sandwich structure, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. | The lightweight constructional element of a sandwich structure having two cover plates comprises a honeycomb structure arranged between the cover plates which holds the cover plates spaced from each other. The honeycomb structure is formed by empty cans, especially used beverage cans, placed side by side whose axes are at right angles to the cover plates and which are arranged in a close packed or a rectangular array. The cans may be attached by adhesive to form a low cost lightweight and strong array. | 11,287 |
STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES
This case claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60/359,199 and 60/359,200, both of which were filed on Feb. 21, 2000 and both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to wireless telecommunications in general, and, more particularly, to a hand-held processor having wireless communications capabilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand-held processors, which are commonly called Personal Digital Assistants (“PDAs”), are becoming increasingly popular. PDAs possess relatively limited information processing, storage and retrieval capabilities. With these limited capabilities, a PDA performs specific tasks, such as functioning as an electronic diary, phone book, personal database, memo taker, calculator, alarm clock, etc. A user inputs data directly into a PDA using a stylus or a reduced-size keyboard. Additionally, PDAs are generally capable of exchanging information with a desktop computer, either by a physical connection or an infrared transceiver. PDAs typically include a relatively large display (i.e., large relative to the overall size of the PDA) and several buttons or keys for accessing specific applications and for scrolling to view information. Some PDAs also include a reduced-size keyboard.
Lately, wireless telecommunications capabilities have been incorporated into PDAs. Doing so provides advanced functions such as transmitting, receiving and displaying text messages. It also relieves a user of having to transport both a PDA and a wireless terminal (e.g., cellular telephone, pager, etc.).
Currently, most of the combined PDA/wireless terminals have one or more shortcomings that relate, among other areas of deficit, to compromised ergonomics or “user-friendliness” relative to a dedicated PDA or a dedicated wireless terminal. For example, some combined PDA/wireless terminals have hinged keyboards that rotate from a closed position to an open position for use. In some of these devices, the telecommunications capabilities can be accessed whether the keyboard is in the open or the closed position. While this arrangement provides a convenience for the user, it causes problems related to the usability of the display and the keys.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a combined PDA/wireless terminal (hereinafter a “portable terminal”) that avoids some of the shortcomings of combined PDA/wireless terminals in the prior art.
A portable terminal in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a housing, and a display having a display screen. The housing is rotatably-coupled to the base and/or display. The portable terminal can be closed, wherein the housing overlies the base, or open, wherein the housing and the base flank the display. The portable terminal is opened by rotating the housing out-of-plane of the base. The display is fully visible to a user whether the portable terminal is open or closed.
The telecommunications capabilities of the portable terminal can be accessed when the portable terminal is closed and when it is open. Most of the PDA capabilities of the portable terminal are accessed when the portable terminal is open, wherein a keyboard having keys that are apportioned between the housing and the base is accessible.
When the portable terminal is open, it is typically held by a user in a different orientation than when it is closed. In particular, when closed, the portable terminal is held like a phone (i.e., in a “vertical” orientation) and, when open, it is typically held like an open book (i.e., in a “horizontal” orientation). The display screen is rotated relative to the user as between these two positions. Consequently, if text appears “right-side-up” when the portable terminal is closed, it will appear to a user to be on its side when the portable terminal is open.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the image in the display screen is rotated 90 degrees when the portable terminal is opened. This rotation re-orients the image so that it is “right-side-up” to a user (when he or she changes the orientation of the portable terminal). The image in the display screen can be electronically rotated, either automatically as the portable terminal is opened or by user command (a keystroke, etc.). In a variation of the illustrative embodiment, the display itself can be physically rotated.
In some variations of portable terminal, when the image in display screen is electronically rotated, the functionality of certain soft “convenience” keys that border the screen is also “shifted” or “rotated.” The functionality is shifted so that a key appearing in a certain position relative to the display, from the user's perspective, always performs the same function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of the salient components of a portable terminal in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 depicts a plan view of a portable terminal in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 depicts the portable terminal of FIGS. 2 and 3 in an open position wherein its keyboard is accessible.
FIGS. 5A-5D depicts the housing of a portable terminal in accordance with the illustrative embodiment being rotated from a fully closed position to a fully open position.
FIG. 6A depicts a portable terminal when closed, with particular attention to a user's perspective relative to an image in the display screen.
FIG. 6B depicts a portable terminal when open, with particular attention to a user's perspective relative to an image in the display screen.
FIG. 7A depicts a portable terminal in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, wherein the portable terminal is open and the image in the display screen has not been electronically rotated.
FIG. 7B depicts the portable terminal of FIG. 7A but after electronic rotation of the image in the display screen.
FIG. 8A depicts a portable terminal in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, wherein the portable terminal is open and wherein the display has not been physically rotated.
FIG. 8B depicts the portable terminal of FIG. 8A but after physical rotation of the display.
FIG. 9A depicts a portable terminal having four convenience keys that border the corners of the display screen in accordance with the illustrative embodiment.
FIG. 9B depicts the portable terminal of FIG. 9A after an image in the display has been electronically rotated and a user has changed his or her viewing perspective.
FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram showing electronic rotation of an image in the display screen and rotation of the functionality of convenience keys of a portable terminal in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This Detailed Description begins with a relatively high-level description of the functionality of various circuitry/components (hereinafter collectively “components”) that compose a portable terminal in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Following this, various physical implementations of some these components, and their mechanical and functional interrelationships with other parts of the portable terminal, are described.
FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of portable terminal 100 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Portable terminal 100 provides both wireless telecommunications capabilities and personal computing (i.e., PDA-type) capabilities.
With regard to its telecommunications capabilities, portable terminal 100 is capable of transmitting and receiving both voice and data with wireless base stations (not shown) or other wireless terminals, or both. Additionally, portable terminal 100 is capable of supporting telecommunications with wireline terminals through a wireless base station and wireline infrastructure. As to its personal computing capabilities, portable terminal 100 provides typical PDA computing and storage capabilities, including, without limitation, scheduling, address book storage and retrieval, note-taking, and an ability to run a variety of application software packages (e.g., calculators, games, etc.).
Portable terminal 100 advantageously includes: control circuitry 102 , transmitter 104 , receiver 106 , antenna 108 , speaker 110 , microphone 112 , display screen 114 , keyboard 116 , additional tactile input devices 118 , infrared transceiver 120 , keyboard-open sensor 122 , environmental sensor(s) 124 and power supply 126 .
Control circuitry 102 is advantageously capable of coordinating and controlling the other components of portable terminal 100 to provide, as appropriate, wireless telecommunications capability and personal computing capability, in known fashion. Control circuitry 102 typically includes a processor, memory, and electrical interconnections, among other hardware. In some variations of the illustrative embodiment, a single processor is used for carrying out and controlling PDA operations and wireless telecommunications operations. In some other variations, separate processors are used for PDA operations and wireless telecommunications operations.
It will be understood that as used herein, the term “processor” equivalently means a single integrated circuit (“IC”), or a plurality of ICs or other components that are connected, arranged or otherwise grouped together, such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits, associated memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, etc.) and other ICs and components. Control circuitry 102 can include programmed general-purpose hardware or special-purpose hardware, or both.
Transmitter 104 and receiver 106 provide wireless telecommunications capability to portable terminal 100 at radio frequencies. Embodiments of present invention can use any access technology (e.g., frequency-division multiple access, time-division multiple access, time-division duplex, code-division multiple access, etc.) and any modulation scheme (e.g., frequency shift keying, quadrature phase-shift keying, etc.) in accordance with any interface (e.g., IS-41, IS-54, IS-95, GSM, etc.). Furthermore, portable terminal 100 can transmit and receive at any frequency (e.g., 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, etc.). It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use transmitter 104 , receiver 106 and antenna 108 .
Speaker 110 is capable of outputting an acoustic signal (e.g., the speech of another person, an alerting or ringing signal, etc.) to a user of portable terminal 100 in well-known fashion. Furthermore, control circuitry 102 is capable of adjusting the volume of the acoustic signal output from speaker 110 .
Microphone 112 is capable of receiving an acoustic signal (e.g., the speech of the user of portable terminal 100 , etc.), converting it to an electrical signal containing information that is indicative of the acoustic signal, and of conveying that information to control circuitry 102 for transmission via transmitter 104 in known fashion.
Display 114 is a visual display for outputting information (e.g., text, images, video, etc.) to a user of portable terminal 100 . Display 114 includes a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), and various electronics that, in conjunction with control circuitry 102 , drives the display screen. Display 114 also typically includes a light source (not depicted) for illuminating the display screen. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use display screen 114 .
Keyboard 116 is a tactile input device that includes a set of keys that enables portable terminal 100 to receive information from a user. The keys in keyboard 116 can be used to input a variety of different types of information to portable terminal 100 . For example, the keys of keyboard 116 can be representative of, without limitation, alphabetic characters of an alphabet, numerals, mathematical operators, mathematical functions, specific commands that are useful in conjunction with certain types of application software (e.g., games, etc.), retail items (e.g., food and drink that is offered by a restaurant, specific types of inventory in a warehouse, etc.).
Keyboard 116 can include one or more keypads (i.e., regional groupings or grids of numerical and/or function keys arranged for efficient use). Advantageously, keyboard 116 is illuminated by a light source, under the control of control circuitry 102 , to aid the user of portable terminal 100 to enter information into keypad 116 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use keyboard 116 .
Additional tactile input devices 118 include keys or key-like elements (e.g., a joystick, etc.) that are not physically co-located with the group of keys that define keyboard 116 . These additional keys enable user to deliver information to portable terminal 100 . In some embodiments, the information provided by additional tactile input devices 118 is different than the information that can be provided via the keys in keyboard 116 . For example, one additional tactile input device 118 is a pointing device that moves a cursor in display screen 114 . A second additional tactile input device 118 is a scroll button that allows a user to scroll through menu selections that are presented in display screen 114 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use additional tactile input devices 118 .
Infrared transceiver 120 is a device (e.g., an IrDA compliant device, etc.) that enables portable terminal 100 to communicate with other devices by modulating infrared light. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use infrared transceiver 120 .
Keyboard-open sensor 122 is a device that senses when keyboard 116 , which in some variations of the illustrative embodiment is rotatable between an open position and a closed position, is in the open position (and/or is being opened). A signal from the keyboard-open sensor is delivered to control circuitry 102 , which, as appropriate, can take certain actions, as described later in this specification. Keyboard-open sensor 122 can be implemented in any of variety ways known to those skilled in the art (e.g., as a mechanical sensor, as an optical sensor, etc.).
Environmental sensor(s) 124 are one or more devices that sense ambient environmental factors (e.g., temperature, vibration, noise, light, motion, etc.). Environmental sensor(s) 124 generate a signal that is responsive to the environmental factor, and the generated signal is received by control circuitry 102 . The control circuitry then alters certain aspects of various components (e.g., the level of illumination that is provided to display screen 114 and/or keyboard 116 , the volume of speaker 110 , etc.).
It will be appreciated that the specific implementation of environmental sensor(s) 124 is a function of the environmental factor that is being sensed. For example, when environmental sensor 124 is required to sense ambient noise, environmental sensor 124 can be, for example, a microphone, such as microphone 112 . When environmental sensor 124 is required to sense ambient light intensity, it can be, for example, a cadmium-sulfide photoresistor, a charge-coupled device, or other known light-sensitive device. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use environmental sensors 124 .
Power supply 126 supplies electrical power to the components of portable terminal 100 that require power (e.g., processor(s), display screen 114 , sensors 122 and/or 124 , etc.). Power supply 126 is advantageously implemented with rechargeable or replaceable batteries. In some embodiments, at least two separate power supplies 126 are provided. One of the supplies, which is the primary power supply, has greater energy output and storage capacity and is used for powering portable terminal 100 during normal operations. The second supply is a back-up that is used, for example, to maintain data (e.g., address book information, scheduling information, etc.) in memory when the primary power supply is removed (e.g. for replacement, etc.).
Various physical implementations of the components that are described (functionally) above, and their mechanical and functional interrelationships with other parts of the portable terminal, are described in applicant's co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/161,831 “Portable Terminal With Foldable Keyboard”), which is incorporated herein by reference. Many of the components that are described therein, and which are properly included in at least some versions of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, are not described herein. The purpose for these omissions is to maintain a focus on elements that are germane to an understanding of the present invention. Also, for the sake of clarity, the components that have been described in terms of their functionality (see FIG. 1 ), are provided with a “call-out” (i.e., numerical identifier) that is in the range 102 through 198 . The illustrative physical implementations these components, some of which appear in FIGS. 2 through 6D , have been provided with a different call-out. The purpose for this is that, in some cases, a component, as functionally described, incorporates more elements (additionally circuitry, etc.) than is depicted in the illustrative physical implementations.
With reference to FIGS. 2 through 5D , portable terminal 100 includes display 228 and keyboard-housing 230 . Display 228 has a display screen 232 and one or more convenience keys 236 that are advantageously “soft” (i.e., re-definable) keys. Keyboard-housing 230 consists of base 338 and housing 340 (see, FIGS. 3 through 5 D). Housing 340 is rotatably connected to base 338 and/or display 228 at pivot 442 . By virtue of pivot 442 , housing 340 is capable of rotating “out-of-plane” (of base 338 ) about pivot axis 1 — 1 . Pivot axis 1 — 1 bisects display 228 . In the illustrative embodiment, pivot 442 is implemented as rod 444 , and cooperating receiver 446 that depends from housing 340 .
In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, portable terminal 100 can be used in either of two basic configurations: “closed,” as depicted in FIGS. 2 , 3 , and 5 A or “open,” as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5D .
When portable terminal 100 is closed, housing 340 is superposed over base 338 so that the two housings coincide and serve as a handle for gripping the portable terminal 100 in the manner of a conventional wireless phone. Additionally, in this state, base 338 and housing 340 serve as a cover for a keyboard. As described further below, the keyboard is partitioned into two portions, one disposed on the inner surface of the base and the other on the inner surface of the housing. When closed, portable terminal 100 can be used to make and receive telephone calls.
To use various PDA-type applications (e.g., address book, schedule, etc.) of portable terminal 100 or to enter alphanumeric data (e.g., to send a data message, etc.), the keyboard of portable terminal 100 is accessed. To do so, portable terminal 100 is opened by rotating housing 340 out-of-plane away from base 338 , as illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 5C .
In the illustrative embodiment, the keyboard is implemented in two portions, keyboard portion 548 and keyboard portion 550 . Keyboard portion 548 is disposed within base 338 and keyboard portion 550 is disposed within housing 340 . When portable terminal 100 is open, display 228 is disposed between keyboard portion 548 and keyboard portion 550 .
In the illustrative embodiment, housing 340 is rotated 180 degrees out-of-plane to a “fully-open” position. It will be understood, however, that housing 340 need not be rotated a full 180 degrees to access and use the keyboard. In fact, a user might prefer to rotate housing 340 somewhat less than 180 degrees (e.g., 160 degrees rotation, etc.). In particular, some users might find that when base 338 and housing 340 are less than 180 degrees apart, less stress is placed on their wrists, especially during periods of extended use (e.g., game playing, etc.). Alternatively, in some variations of portable terminal 100 , housing 340 is rotatable beyond 180 degrees, again for the comfort of the user.
As suggested above, when portable terminal 100 is closed, it is most likely to be used in the manner of a conventional wireless terminal to send and receive calls. FIG. 6A depicts portable terminal 100 (keyboard housing 230 shown in phantom) closed. From the perspective of a user that is holding “closed” portable terminal 100 in front of himself or herself, N(orth) is “up,” S(outh) is “down,” E(ast) is “right,” and W(est) is “left,” (this is the same view that is presented to the reader, as he or she gazes at FIG. 6 A). So, to the user, the word “CLOSED,” which appears in display screen 232 , is properly oriented for reading.
As previously indicated, when it is open, portable terminal 100 is most likely being used as a PDA. FIG. 6B depicts portable terminal 100 (base 338 and housing 340 shown in phantom). From the perspective of a user that is holding “open” portable terminal 100 in front of himself or herself, N(orth) is “right,” S(outh) is “left,” E(ast) is “down,” and W(est) is “up.” This is the view that is presented to the reader when he or she rotates FIG. 6B clockwise by 90 degrees. So, to the user, the word “OPEN,” which appears in display screen 232 , is not properly oriented for reading. (A user could use portable terminal 100 in the manner of a “flip-phone” [i.e., in a vertical orientation] when it is open, so that the word “OPEN” would be properly oriented for reading. But this would make it very difficult to use the keyboard, in particular the alpha-character keys.)
Consequently, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the image in display screen 232 is rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees. For a user that is holding portable terminal 100 in a “horizontal” orientation (i.e., housing 340 to the right of display 228 and base 338 to the left of display 228 ), this re-orients the image so that it is in a “normal” reading orientation. This horizontal orientation is assumed to be the user's orientation for the description of FIGS. 7A , 7 B and 8 A and 8 B, below. Consequently, these Figures should be viewed as indicated by the arrows that appear in those Figures.
Rotation can be accomplished in at least two ways. One way is to electronically rotate the image. Electronic rotation is described with reference to FIGS. 7A , 7 B and 10 . FIG. 7A depicts open portable terminal 100 before the image in display screen 232 is electronically rotated. In FIG. 7A , screen image N(orth) is “right,” and screen image W(est) is “up,” etc. To a user, the word “OPEN,” which appears in display screen 232 , is not properly oriented.
FIG. 7B depicts open portable terminal 100 after the image in display screen 232 is electronically rotated. In FIG. 7B , screen image N(orth) is “up,” screen image W(est) is “left,” etc. To a user, the word “OPEN,” which appears in display screen 232 , is now properly oriented.
Portable terminal 100 is advantageously capable of automatically (i.e., in the absence of an explicit command from the user) electronically rotating the image in display screen 232 and also capable of electronically rotating the image on command from the user. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the invention, automatic rotation is triggered as a user rotates housing 340 away from base 338 to open portable terminal 100 . More particularly, when keyboard open sensor 122 senses that the portable terminal 100 is being opened, it sends a signal to control circuitry 102 . When the signal is received by control circuitry 102 , image-rotating processing rotates the image in display screen 232 . It is within the capabilities of those skilled in the art to electronically rotate an image, so implementation details are not described here.
Alternatively, a user can cause an image in display screen 232 to electronically rotate by explicit command. That is, the user can rotate the image by depressing a key. This key can be, without limitation, a key in keyboard portion 548 or keyboard portion 550 or one of convenience keys 236 .
FIG. 10 depicts a high-level block diagram that illustrates, among other functions, electronic image rotation, as described above and performed by control circuitry 102 . As depicted in FIG. 10 , an image is generated in operation 962 . In operation 964 , the image is rotated (e.g., counterclockwise by 90 degrees, etc.) if user-generated rotate command 966 is issued (e.g., a user depressing a key, etc.) or if automatic rotate command 968 is issued (e.g., from keyboard open sensor 122 , etc.). To rotate the image 90 degrees counterclockwise, the image is transformed as follows:
( x,y )→(− y,x ) [1] where: x and y are the coordinates in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.
Operations 962 , 964 , 966 , and 968 can be performed by hardware, software, or a combination of both. When portable terminal 100 is closed (after having been open) such that keyboard-open sensor 122 no longer senses an “open” condition, image rotation ceases. Alternatively, a keystroke by a user can cause the image rotation to stop.
A second way to rotate the image is to physically rotate display 228 (or display screen 232 ). Physical rotation is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B . FIG. 8A depicts open portable terminal 100 before display 228 is rotated (e.g., by hand, etc.). In FIG. 8A , screen image N(orth) is “right,” and screen image W(est) is “up,” etc. To a user, the word “OPEN,” which appears in display screen 232 , is not properly oriented.
It will be appreciated that portable terminal 100 must be specifically configured or adapted to enable display 228 to rotate independently of housing 340 and base 338 . Representative of such an adaptation is an arrangement consisting of ball 858 and two hemispherical detents 860 A and 860 B. When ball 858 engages detent 860 A, display 228 locks in place with the orientation depicted in FIG. 8 A. With turning force, ball 858 disengages from detent 860 A and display 228 is free to rotate. With continued rotation, ball 858 engages detent 860 B, such that display 228 is locked in place with the orientation depicted in FIG. 8 B. In FIG. 8B , screen image N(orth) is “up,” screen image W(est) is “left,” etc. To a user holding portable terminal 100 in a horizontal position (as described above), the word “OPEN,” which appears in display screen 232 , is now properly oriented. A variety of other arrangements, as are well known to those skilled in the art, that enable display 228 to rotate independently of housing 340 and base 338 can suitably be used in other variations of the illustrative embodiment.
In some variations of portable terminal 100 , display 228 includes four convenience keys 236 . For example, in FIGS. 9A and 9B , which show display 228 without housing 340 and base 338 , display 228 includes convenience keys 236 - 1 , 236 - 2 , 236 - 3 , and 236 - 4 bordering the corners of display screen 232 . In variations of the portable terminal 100 in which the image in display screen 232 (but not display 228 ) is rotated (i.e., electronic image rotation), the spatial orientation of convenience keys 236 - 1 , 236 - 2 , 236 - 3 , and 236 - 4 changes, relative to the image, upon such rotation. This scenario is illustrated by FIGS. 9A and 9B .
In FIG. 9A , portable terminal 100 is closed, and a user views display screen 232 as indicated by the arrows. Consequently, the user sees convenience key 236 - 1 bordering the upper left of display screen 232 and convenience key 236 - 2 bordering the lower left of display screen 232 , etc. Assume that the user opens portable terminal 100 . And, in conjunction with this, assume that the image in display 232 is electronically rotated as described above and the user repositions portable terminal 100 such that it is being held in a horizontal position and viewed as shown by the arrows in FIG. 9 B.
From the user's perspective, convenience key 236 - 1 no longer borders the upper left of display screen 232 and convenience key 236 - 2 no longer borders the lower left of display screen 232 . As can be seen from FIG. 9B , the user sees convenience key 236 - 1 bordering the upper right of display 232 and convenience key 236 - 2 bordering the upper left of display screen 232 .
If the various convenience keys perform different functions, this change in spatial orientation might be problematic for a user. In particular, with continued use, a user will tend to associate the function of a first convenience key with its position relative to the screen (e.g., the key to the lower-left of the screen accesses a telephone directory, etc.). But when the image is electronically rotated, and the user changes his or her perspective relative to portable terminal 100 , a second convenience key is, from the user's perspective, now in the position that was occupied by the first convenience key. Consequently, to the extent that a user associates the function of a key with its position relative to display screen 232 , he or she must recognize that the function will change depending upon whether portable terminal 100 is open or closed. This is undesirable.
In accordance with some variations of portable terminal 100 , when the image in display screen 232 is electronically rotated, the functionality of convenience keys 236 is “shifted” or “rotated” accordingly so that a key appearing in a certain position relative to the display, from the user's perspective, always performs the same function. So, for example, the convenience key that appears, from a user's perspective, at the lower left of the display always accesses the telephone directory, etc. For the scenario illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B , the functionality of each convenience key should be “shifted” to the convenience key that next appears with counterclockwise rotation. That is, the functionality of convenience key 236 - 1 is shifted to convenience key 236 - 2 , the functionality of convenience key 236 - 2 is shifted to convenience key 236 - 3 , etc. To this end, convenience keys 236 are advantageously software re-definable (i.e., soft) keys.
It will be understood that the terms “shifted” or “rotated,” as used to describe the change in function of convenience keys 236 , is intended to be descriptive of the end result rather than the process itself. That is; the functionality of one key is not actually shifted to another; rather, the operation of the keys are simply redefined or reprogrammed by the circuitry/software of portable terminal 100 in known fashion. This is the sense in which the terms “shifted” or “rotated” are used in this description and the appended claims with regard to convenience keys 236 .
FIG. 10 depicts a high-level block diagram of method 900 for operating portable terminal 100 . The method pertains to rotation of an image and shifting of convenience-key functionality, as described above and performed by control circuitry 102 .
As depicted in FIG. 10 , in operation 970 , the functionality of convenience keys 962 is rotated (e.g., counterclockwise by 90 degrees, etc.) if user-generated rotate command 966 is issued (e.g., a user depressing a key, etc.) or if automatic rotate command 968 is issued (e.g., from keyboard open sensor 122 , etc.). Operations 966 , 968 , and 970 can be performed by hardware, software, or a combination of both. When portable terminal 100 is closed (after having been open) such that keyboard-open sensor 122 no longer senses an “open” condition, rotation of image or shifting of convenience-key functionality ceases. Alternatively, a keystroke by a user can cause the rotation and shifting to stop.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and that many variations of the above-described embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that such variations be included within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. | A portable terminal having personal computing capability and wireless telecommunications capability. The portable terminal includes a display that is integral with, or otherwise attached to, a display. A housing is rotatably-coupled to the base and/or display. The portable terminal can be closed, wherein the housing overlies the base, or open, wherein base and housing flank the display. The display is fully visible to a user whether the portable terminal is open or closed. When open, a keyboard having keys that are apportioned between the housing and the base is accessible. To accommodate a change in the way in which a user is likely to hold and view the portable terminal when it's closed versus when it's open, the image in the display screen is rotated on command, or automatically, when the portable terminal is opened. | 33,574 |
This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/865,662 filed Apr. 7, 1992, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,670, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/688,326 filed Apr. 22, 1991 (now abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/588,922 filed Sep. 27, 1990 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/210,405 filed Jun. 23, 1988 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/130,529 filed Dec. 9, 1987 (now abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/068,176 filed Jun. 30, 1987 (now abandoned) and which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/413,301 filed Sep. 28, 1989 (now abandoned).
Each of applications Ser. Nos. 210,405; 130,529; 068,176; 413,301, and 588,922 is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern tests useful to genotype domesticated fowl for the major histocompatibility B-G loci. The invention also relates to the use of certain B-G polypeptides to impart immunity to or to control the susceptibility of domesticated fowl to various diseases.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In domesticated fowl the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) which is associated with the regulation of immune recognition and immune response is called the B system. Resistance to Marek's disease is closely related to the domesticated fowl MHC. Resistance to other diseases, general fitness, and productivity also appear to be influenced to some extent by MHC haplotype.
MHC haplotyping of chickens is presently done by hemagglutination assay which relies on the production of specific antisera. The assay in itself is technically simple. However, the production of the antisera and the interpretation of the assays require a highly trained individual. The MHC haplotypes present in commercial strains of chickens are usually a trade secret known only to individual breeders. Isolation of cloned gene sequences from the B system provides a means of developing alternative methods for MHC haplotyping of birds and for determining the genotype at particular loci within the B system. The interpretation of results is generally simpler and more uniform since typing by restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns is no longer dependent upon alloantisera which often require selective absorptions with blood samples from genetically-defined animals to delineate haplotype specificity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The B system of histocompatibility in domesticated fowl is known to contain three subregions which are identified as B-F , B-G and B-L . B-F , B-G and B-L are described as subregions because multiple genes of each type are present within the region of the B system. This invention includes cDNA clones encoding B-G antigens of the B system. MHC haplotyping is accomplished by use of novel probes provided by these clones to detect restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns typical for various B-G alleles present at the multiple loci within the B-G subregion.
Genetic recombination within the B system of the chicken is rare. For that reason, while the probes of this invention screen for the B-G genes, additional genes also of importance to disease resistance may be located in regions within and closely adjacent to the B system and genetically and physically linked to the B-G type. Other genes of mostly unknown function are located within the MHC as well.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 . Immunoblot of B-G21 antigen and λbg28 lysogen proteins reacted with antibodies specific to the bg28-β-galactosidase fusion protein.
A. Coomassie-blue stained SDS-8% polyacrylamide gel containing the following protein samples: 1 μg purified B-G21 antigen (lane 1); 40 μg of total cell protein from a λbg28 lysogen grown in the presence of IPTG (lane 2); 40 μg of total cell protein from a λgt11 lysogen grown in the presence of IPTG (lane 3); 40 μg of total cell protein from λbg28 lysogen grown in the absence of IPTG (lane 4); and protein size markers (marked MK) with their respective molecular weights given to the left in kilodaltons (kDa).
B. Parallel immunoblot. The same protein samples were subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as in FIG. 1 A and then were electrophoretically transferred to a hybridization membrane. The proteins were reacted with B-G antigen-directed antiserum that had been affinity purified against bg28-β-galactosidase fusion protein. Bound antibodies were detected with 125 I-Protein A and the above autoradiogram was the result of an overnight exposure with an intensifying screen at −70° C. The white arrowheads mark the position of the bg28-β-galactosidase fusion protein. The dark arrowheads mark the positions of the two polypeptides of B-G21 antigen.
FIG. 2 . Northern analyses of poly(A) + RNA from embryonic tissues. Poly(A) + RNA samples (1 μg each) from the brain (BR), gizzard (GI), and erythrocytes B (ER) were subjected to formaldehyde agarose gel electrophoresis, transferred to a hybridization membrane, and hybridized with either 32 P-labeled bg28 insert (A) or a 32 P-labeled β-actin probe (B). The autoradiogram shown in (A) was the result of a 16-hour exposure the autoradiogram shown in (B) was the result of a 1-hour exposure. A 16-hour exposure of (B) revealed an actin MRNA species in the erythrocyte RNA sample (data not shown).
FIG. 3 . Southern analyses of chicken genomic DNA from birds disomic, trisomic, or tetrasomic for the B system-bearing microchromosome. Pvu II-digested genomic DNA (5 μg each) from chickens either disomic (2×), trisomic (3×), or tetrasomic (4×) for the B -complex microchromosome were subjected to electrophoresis on an 0.8% agarose gel and hybridized within the gel to either 32 P-labeled λbg28 insert (left 4 samples) or a 32 P-labeled β-actin probe (right 3 samples). The lane marked C contained 10 pg of Hind III-linearized Bluescript plasmid containing the bg28 insert. on the left are molecular size markers (in kilobase pairs) based on a Hind III digest of phage λ. The above autoradiograms were the result of an overnight exposure.
FIG. 4 . Hybridization of the bg28 insert to restriction digests of chicken genomic DNA from birds of different B haplotypes. Pvu II-digested genomic DNA (5 μg each) from chickens of different B haplotypes were subjected to electrophoresis on an 0.8% agarose gel and hybridized within the gel to 32 P-labeled bg28 insert. DNA samples are labeled according to their respective B haplotype (see Table 1). The lane marked C contained 10 pg of Hind III-linearized Bluescript plasmid containing the bg28 insert. On the left are molecular size markers (in kilobase pairs) based on a Hind III digest of phage λ. The above autoradiogram was the result of an overnight exposure.
FIG. 5 . Hybridization of the bg28 insert to restriction digests of chicken genomic DNA from birds of B -region recombinant haplotype. Pvu II-digested genomic DNA (5 μg each) from chickens of either the parental B 15 and B 21 haplotypes or the recombinant B 15r1 and B 21r3 haplotypes were subjected to electrophoresis on an 0.8% agarose gel and hybridized within the gel to 32 P-labeled bg28 insert. DNA samples are labeled according to their respective haplotype (see Table 1). The lane marked C contained 10 pg of Hind III-linearized Bluescript plasmid containing the bg28 insert. On the left are molecular size markers (in kilobase pairs) based on a Hind III digest of phage λ. The above autoradiogram was the result of an overnight exposure.
FIG. 6 . SEQ ID NO: 1 Partial nucleotide sequence of the bg28 insert and the corresponding amino-acid sequence, determined by the dideoxy-chain-termination method of nucleotide sequencing on one strand only of bg28 cloned cDNA.
FIG. 7 . SEQ ID NO: 2 Nucleotide sequence of the bg28 insert, determined by the dideoxy-chain-termination method of nucleotide sequencing of both strands of bg28 cloned cDNA.
FIG. 8 . Southern blot analyses of hybridization between bg32.1 and chicken genomic DNA. DNA samples are from birds of B 15 haplotype disomic (2×), trisomic (3×) and tetrasomic (4×) for the B system-bearing microchromosome and from birds of B 15r1 , B 21r3 , and B 21 haplotypes. Pvu II-digested genomic DNA samples (5 μg each) were subjected to electrophoresis in an 0.8% agarose gel and hybridized within the gel to 32 P-labeled bg32.1 insert. On the left are molecular size markers (in kilobase pairs) based on a Hind III digestion of phage λ. The autoradiogram is the result of an overnight exposure.
FIGS. 9A and 9B. Hybridization of the bg28 (A) and bg32.1 (B) probes to restriction digests of chicken genomic DNA from birds of 17 standard haplotypes. Pvu II-digested genomic DNA (5 μg each sample) were subjected to electrophoresis in an 0.8% agarose gel and hybridized within the gel to the 32 P-labeled probes. DNA samples are labeled according to their respective B haplotype (see Table 3). Molecular size markers (in kilobase pairs) are based on a Hind III digestion of phage λ. The autoradiograms are the result of overnight exposures.
FIG. 10 . Hybridization of the bg28 probe to genomic DNA (5 μg each lane) from birds of B 4 and B 11 haplotypes digested with Pvu II, Bam HI, Eco RI, Hind III and Pst I. On the left are molecular size markers (in kilobase pairs) based on a Hind II digestion of phage λ. The autoradiogram is the result of an overnight exposure.
FIG. 11 . SEQ ID NO: 3 Nucleotide sequence of bg32.1
FIG. 12 . SEQ ID NO: 4 Nucleotide sequence of bg11.
FIG. 13 . SEQ ID NO: 5 Nucleotide sequence of bg14.
FIG. 14 . SEQ ID NO: 6 Nucleotide sequence of bg3.
FIG. 15 . SEQ ID NO: 7 Nucleotide sequence of bg8.
FIG. 16 . SEQ ID NO: 8 Nucleotide sequence of bg17.
FIG. 17 . SEQ ID NO: 9 Nucleotide sequence of gi6.
FIG. 18 . SEQ ID NO: 10 Nucleotide sequence of gi9.
FIG. 19 . SEQ ID NO: 11 Nucleotide sequence of gi11.
FIG. 20 . SEQ ID NO: 12 Nucleotide sequence of a 4.757 Kb fragment of chicken genomic DNA to which all the cDNA clones will hybridize under stringent conditions (in overnight. aqueous solution hybridizations at 65° C. in 5×SSPE, 5×Denhardt's, 1% SDS, 100 ug/ml salmon sperm DNA, 32 P-labeled denatured probe, followed by a 65° C. stringent washrin 0.5×SSC).
FIG. 21 . Percent similarity among the bg CDNA clone sequences as exemplified by comparison of all clones to bg14 using the ALIGN program in the DNASTAR.
FIG. 22 . SEQ ID NOS: 13-15 Comparison of the peptide sequence of two B-G 21 peptides with the predicted amino acid sequences of bg14 and bg11 CDNA clones.
FIG. 23 . Hybridization of the bg11 probe to restriction digests of turkey genomic DNA from three inbred lines. Sst 1-digested DNA samples (10 ug each sample) were subjected to electrophoresis; in an 0.8% agarose gel, alkaline transferred by positive pressure displacement into a hybridization membrane (NEN Gene Screen), baked for 1 hour at 80° C., briefly UV cross-linked. Hybridization was carried out at 60° C. in aqueous solution overnight (5×SSPE, 5×Denhardt's, 1% SDS, 100 ug/ml salmon sperm DNA, 32 P-labeled denatured probe). Wash conditions were as follows: (a) a room temperature wash for 5 min. in 2×SSC (sodium chloride/sodium citrate), (b) followed by 60° C. stringent temperature wash for 30 min. in 0.5×SSC +1% SDS (sodium dodecy:L sulfate) and (c) a second room temperature wash for 5 min. in 2×SSC to remove the SDS before an overnight exposure of film to the membrane.
FIG. 24 . Hybridization of the bg32.1 probe to restriction digests of pheasant DNA samples (10 ug each digested with Pvu II) from a family of pheasants (dam, sire and four progeny) in which B haplotypes have been defined by serological methods. Conditions of hybridization and washing are identical to those provided in FIG. 22 .
FIG. 25 . SEQ ID NO: 16 Sequence of a complete B-G gene. Included is a portion of the DNA upstream from the transcription start site.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Pursuant to this invention, probes are provided by cloning of CDNA fragments from genes found within the B-G subregion of the MHC of a domesticated fowl, e.g., a chicken. With these probes, the presence of multiple alleles within the B-G subregion, a subregion of the B region encompassing multiple B-G loci, is demonstrated through homologous DNA hybridization of the B-G gene sequences in genomic DNA cut with a restriction enzyme, electrophoresed and analyzed in a Southern hybridization carried out either directly in the agarose matrix of the electrophoretic gel or in hybridization-membranes into which the DNA has been transferred. RFLP patterns which appear to be typical for each of a plurality of B-G alleles are described. Probes subsumed by the invention including synthetic oligonucleotide probes synthesized based on the sequences of the B-G CDNA clones described herein provide a new means of haplotyping chickens and other domesticated fowl including poultry (principally in the Order Galliformes) and game birds (principally in the Orders Anseriformes and Galliformes).
In one embodiment of the invention, a CDNA clone bg28 for a B-G antigen of the chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was isolated by screening of a lambda gtll CDNA library constructed from chicken embryo erythroid cell poly((A + ) RNA. The identity of the cDNA clone as one encoding a B-G antigen was confirmed (1) by demonstrating that the clone is complementary to an erythroid cell-specific messenger RNA, (2) by obtaining the predicted patterns of hybridization of the clone with restriction endonuclease digested genomic DNA from inbred, MHC recombinant and polysomic chicken lines, and (3) by demonstrating the specific reactivity of antibodies monospecific for the fusion protein of this clone with B-G antigen protein.
Screening of the lambda gt11 cDNA library. A previously described lambda gt11 library,1/ the M library prepared from gradient-fractionated poly (A) + erythroid cell RNA was screened essentially as described previously.2/ Overnight cultures of E. coli strain Y10883/ were infected with 50,000 plaque-forming units of recombinant lambda gt11, suspended in top agarose, and plated on 150 mm TYE-plates. Two plates were prepared for each of five aliquots of the amplified M library. The rabbit antiserum prepared against purified B-G21 was preabsorbed by the addition of 4 mg/ml ovalbumin, and by mixing 250 μl of the antiserum with Y1088 cells from a 10 ml overnight culture, spun down and resuspended in 10 ml of G buffer (TBS containing 0.1% gelatin). After 30 minutes incubation on ice, the cells were spun out and the antibody containing solution was then poured onto the surface of a 150 mm plate containing confluently lysed Y1088 cells infected with wild type lambda gt11. After an additional 30 minutes incubation on this plate (with rocking), the antibody containing solution was collected and the debris removed by centrifugation. It was then diluted to a final volume of 125 ml with GT and added to the filters. The additional steps in screening are as previously described (Moon, et al., 1985). Approximately 100 plaques were found to react positively with the rabbit anti-β-G21 serum. Thirty of these were picked for a second screening, the majority of which were again positive on the second screening. From these, six clones of varying intensity of reactivity with the antiserum were picked for further study. Three of these were subcloned.
1/ See Moon, et al., J.Cell Biol. 100:152-160 (1985).
2/ See Young, et al., Proc.Nat.Acad.Sci. 80:1194-1198 (1983).
3/ See Young, et al., Science 222:778-782 (1983).
Subcloning lambda qt11 inserts into M13 and Bluescript. cDNA inserts were obtained from recombinant clones of lambda gt11 by digestion with EcoR1 . Insertion into the M13 and Bluescript (Stratagene) vectors was carried out by mixing the digested recombinant clones with the new vector in a ratio of 3:1 and religating. Recombinant colonies were selected using X-gal plates. The subclone with the longest insert 0.5 kb in size, designated bg28, was selected for further analysis.
Antiserum 7 used in identifying those clones was prepared against purified B-G21 antigen and was demonstrated to be specific for B-G antigens and for bg28 fusion protein in Western blot preparations. The presence of antibodies within this antiserum which recognize epitopes shared by the fusion protein product and B-G21 protein was also demonstrated. Antibodies affinity-purified with the bg28 lysogen lysate were found to bind to B-G21 antigen in immunoblots. See FIG. 1 .
Preparation of fusion protein B-G28. E. coli strain Y1089 (supF)4/ were infected with the lambda gt11 recombinant clones, colonies replica plated and lysogens selected as previously described.5/ One lysogen, grown up in an overnight culture, was inoculated into 25 ml TYE media and incubated at 32° C. to an OD 600 of 0.6. The cells were then heat shocked at 42° C. for 20 minutes, IPTG added to a final concentration of 10 mM, and incubation continued at 37° C. for two hours. Parallel cultures of the lambda gt11 wild type and an uninduced culture of the lysogen were prepared to serve as controls. The cultures were harvested by pelleting the cells, resuspending in PBS and 0.1% phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). The cells were lysed by sonication, the cellular debris removed by centrifugation, and the resulting supernatants were used as a, source of the bg28 fusion protein.
4 See Young, et al., Science 222:778-782 (1983).
5 See Cox et al., J.Cell Biol. 100:1548-1557 (1985).
Hybridization of bq28 cDNA insert to transcripts from erythroid and nonerythroid cells. Poly(A) + RNA was isolated from different tissues of 14-day chick embryos. The RNA samples were subjected to denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis, capillary blotted into hybridization membranes and hybridized with 32 P-labeled bg28 cDNA insert. Only for the erythroid cells, the only cells known to carry B-G antigen, was a hybridizing MRNA species found (FIG. 2 A). The lack of hybridization seen for other tissues were not due to RNA degradation since the same samples were shown to hybridize to a β-actin probe in a parallel hybridization experiment (FIG. 2 B). Bursa poly(A) + RNA was similarly analyzed with both probes and was found to hybridize to only the β-actin probe (data not shown). The size of the erythroid mRNA that hybridized to the bg28 insert was 2.1 kb, which is sufficiently long to encode a protein of 48 kDa.
Hybridization of bg28 to genomic DNA from chickens differing at the B system loci. Additional evidence for the identity of bg28 as a cDNA clone from the B-G region of the chicken MHC are provided by the patterns of hybridization of this clone to restriction endonuclease-digested genomic DNA from chickens differing in MHC haplotype, as shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Sources of Blood Samples Used in Southern Analyses
B
Haplo-
B-G
type 1
Allele
Line
FIGURE
Source
B 15
B-G 15
diploid
3
Cornell a
B 15
B-G 15
trisomic
3
Cornell a
B 15
B-G 15
tetrasomic
3
Cornell a
B 4
B-G 4
CC
4
Basel b
B 12
B-G 12
CB
4
Basel b
B 17
B-G 17
UCD-003
4
Davis c
B 18
B-G 18
UCD-253
4
Davis c
B 19
B-G 19
UCD-235
4
Davis c
B 23
B-G 23
UNH-105
4
DeKalb d
B 24
B-G 24
UNH-105
4
DeKalb d
B Q
B-G Q
UCD-001
4
Davis c
B 15
B-G 15
UCD-315
5
Davis c
B 15r1
B-G 21
—
5
Basel e
B 21
B-G 21
UCD-330
5
Davis c
B 21r3
B-G 15
—
5
Basel e
1 Assignment of haplotype based on Chicken MHC Nomenclature Workshop; see Briles, et al., Immunogenetics 15: 441-447 (1982).
a Bloom, et al., J. Heredity 76:146-154 (1985).
b Hasek, et al., Folia biol. (Praha), 12: 335-341 (1966).
c Abplanalp, Inbred lines as genetic resources of chickens. Proceedings of the Third World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Lincoln, Nebraska, Vol. X, pp. 257-268 (1986).
d Briles, et al., Immunogenetics 15: 449-452 (1982).
e Koch, et al., Tissue Antigens 21: 129-137 (1983).
A first line of evidence supporting the designation of bg28 as a MHC clone was obtained by the analysis of genomic DNA from disomic, trisomic and tetrasomic chickens of B 15 haplotype. The recent demonstration of a linkage between the major histocompatibility ( B ) complex and the nucleolar organizer on a microchromosome in the chicken6/ has made it possible to select polysomics of a single haplotype. As would be expected if the bg28 clone were an MHC element, an increasing intensity of hybridization was obtained between the probe genomic DNA prepared from diploid, trisomic and tetrasomic birds. See FIG. 3, three samples on left. In contrast, hybridization of an actin probe is uniform across the three samples. See FIG. 3, three samples on right.
In the second set of Southern hybridizations, bg28 was hybridized with PvuII-digested DNA from eight lines of chickens differing at the MHC (see FIG. 4 ), restriction fragment length polymorphisms would be predicted if the clone is indeed from this region of the chicken genome. Antigens of the chicken MHC have been demonstrated previously to be polymorphic both immunologically7/ and biochemically. A polymorphic pattern of restriction fragment lengths is evident when bg28 is used as a probe.
The third line of evidence from genomic DNA studies for the designation of bg28 as a chicken MHC clone, and for its identity with the B-G subregion is provided by the pattern of hybridization of this clone with DNA from MHC recombinant haplotypes. Substantially reciprocal recombinants, designated as B 15r1 and B 21r3 which are B-G 21 - B-F 15 and B-G 15 - B-F 21 , respectively, provide a means of further testing the bg28 clone for assignment to the B-G subregion. As would be predicted, the restriction fragment length pattern of hybridization of this probe with both recombinants produces a pattern indicating that the B-G subregion is that which has been cloned. See FIG. 5 .
6/ See Bloom, et al., J. Heredity 76:146-154 (1985).
7/ See Briles, et al., Immunogenetics 15:441-447 (1982).
Sequence of the bg28 and comparison of the amino acid composition translated sequence with the amino acid composition of purified protein. bg28 was subcloned into M13mp19 and the entire insert sequenced in one direction by the dideoxy-chain-termination method. Translation of this nucleotide sequence and its complement into peptide sequence in all six reading frames produced only one peptide without internal stop codons. See FIGS. 6 and 7. Two nucleotide sequences of bg28 are presented. The first determination was made by sequencing only one strand of the cloned fragment, and the second was a full sequence determination on both strands;. The two sequences determinations are 99% identical. The differences between the first and second determinations are minor, they consist of: (1) a change from G>C at position 72, (2) the deletion of ATC at positions 258-260, (3) the deletion of A at position 354, (4) the insertion of A at position 490, and (5) the transposition of GC to CG at positions 506-507. The differences are of such a minor nature that probes of either sequence would provide identical RFLP patterns in Southern hybridizations. As Table 2 shows, the amino acid composition of this peptide (genotype unknown) compares well with the amino acid composition of the B-G21.
TABLE 2
Amino Acid Composition Comparison
B-G21
Translated
antigen
bg28
Ratio
Ala
41
11
3.7
Cys
6
5
1.2
Phe
37
13
2.85
His
12
4
3
Ile
17
10
1.7
Lys
48
8
4.2
Leu
48
15
3.2
Met
8
2
4
Asx
39
14
2.8
(Asn or Asp)
Pro
17
1
17
Glx
70
21
3.3
(Gln or Glu)
Arg
31
18
1.7
Ser
24
17
2.1
Thr
19
7
2.7
Val
30
17
1.8
Trp
—
3
—
Tyr
13
5
2.6
TOTAL
431
167
2.6
A second cDNA probe useful in this invention and identified as bg32.1 was also subcloned into Blue-script and purified from the vector prior to labeling by random priming.
The bg32.1 is a 650 bp cDNA clone isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library made erythroid from erythrocyte mRNA8/ by cross-hybridization with bg32, a clone originally obtained screening the same library with antibodies prepared against purified B-G 21 antigen as described above. Under conditions of high stringency, the bg32 and bg32.1 fragments fail to hybridize with the previously described bg28 clone. However, as demonstrated previously with bg28, the bg32.1 clone can be assigned to B system-bearing microchromosome and further assigned to the B-G subregion on the basis of the patterns of hybridization with DNA from birds polysomic for the B system bearing microchromosome and with DNA from MHC. recombinant haplotypes (FIG. 8 ). The intensity of hybridization of the bg32.1 probe to the DNA of polysomic birds increases proportionate to the copy number of the B system bearing microchromosome. The bg32.1 probe can be further assigned to the B-G subregion on the basis of the pattern of hybridization with DNA from B system recombinants derived from two independent recombinant events which produced essentially reciprocal rearrangements of the B-F/B-L and B-G subregions in B 15 and B 21 haplotypes. The pattern of hybridization with DNA of the recombinants matches that of the B-G subregion contributing parental haplotype (FIG. 8 ). The nucleotide sequence of λbg32.1 is shown by FIG. 11 .
8/ Moon, R. T., et al., J. Cell Biol. 100:152-160 (1985).
High molecular weight DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from birds of known B system haplotype carried in several different flocks (see Table 3).
TABLE 3
B-G Genotypes Analyzed
B-G
B
FIG.(S)
Sample
Allele
Haplo-Type
Line
Status
Illustrating
Size
Source
B-G 2
B 2
RPRL-15.7-2*
C+
2
3
East Lansing#
B-G 2
B 2
RPRL-15.6-2
I,C
—
3
East Lansing
B-G 2
B 2
UCD-331
I,C
—
3
Davis
B-G 2
B 2
Reference Stock
S
—
1
DeKalb
B-G 3
B 3
UCD-313
I,C
2
2
Davis
B-G 4
B 4
PR-CC*
I,C
2,3
1
Basel
B-G 5
B 5
RPRL-15.151-5*
I
2
2
East Lansing
B-G 6
B 6
G-B 2*
I
2
1
Athens
B-G 10
B 10
Reference Stock*
S
2
2
DeKalb
B-G 11
B 11
Wis 3*
S
2,3
2
DeKalb
B-G 12
B 12
PR-CB *
I,C
2
1
Basel
B-G 12
B 12
RPRL 15.C-12
I,C
—
2
East Lansing
B-G 13
B 13
G-B1*
I
2
1
Athens
B-G 13
B 13
RPRL 15.p-13
I,C
—
2
East Lansing
B-G 14
B 14
UCD-316
I,C
2
2
Davis
B-G 15
B 15
RPRL-151 5 -15*
I,C
2
2
East Lansing
B-G 15
B 15
Polysomic
S
1
9
Ithaca
B-G 15
B 15
UCD-254
I,C
4
2
Davis
B-G 15
B 15
UCD-011
I
—
2
Davis
B-G 15
B 15
UCD-057
I
—
2
Davis
B-G 15
B 15
UCD-035
I
—
1
Davis
B-G 15
B 21r3 ,
R 5′ , UCD-386
I,R
—
2
Basel/Davis
B-G 15
B 15
UCD-396(BN)
I
—
1
Davis
B-G 17
B 17
UCD-003*
I,C
2,4
4
Davis
B-G 18
B 18
UCD-253*
I,C
2
2
Davis
B-G 19
B 19
RPRL.15.P-19*
I,C
2
2
East Lansing
B-G 19
B 19
UCD-335
I,C
2
2
Davis
B-G 21
B 21
RPRL.15N-21*
I,C
2
3
East Lansing
B-G 21
B 21
UCD-330
I,C
1
>20
Davis
B-G 21
B 21
UCD-100
I
—
5
Davis
(Australorp)
B-G 21
B 21
Ref. Stock
S
—
1
DeKalb
B-G 21
B 15r1
R 4 , UCD-387
I,R
1
2
Basel/Davis
B-G 23
B 23
UNH-105*
S
2
1
DeKalb
B-G 24
B 24
UNH-105*
S
2
1
DeKalb
B-G 24
B 24
UCD-312
I
—
1
Davis
B-G C
B C
UCD-342
I,C
—
1
Davis
(Ceylonese X
Red Jungle Fowl)
B-G J
B J
UCD-333
I
—
1
Davis
(Red Jungle Fowl)
B-G O
B O
UCD-104
I,C
—
1
Davis
B-G Q
B Q
UCD-336
I
—
1
Davis
(Red Jungle Fowl)
*Reference lines used as the type population in standardizing the B system nomenclature (see Briles et al., Immunogenetics 15:441-447 (1982)), although the RPRL samples are now represented by congenic lines.
Samples were taken from one or more individuals of each flock examined. FIGS. 9A and 9B depict patterns of hybridization between bg28 and bg32.1 and Pvu II digested DNA from a single representative from each of the 17 standard haplotypes examined. Multiple DNA restriction fragments, 4-10 per haplotype ranging size from approximately 1 to about 10 Kb are detected by the two probes. Some fragments are common to the patterns produced by both probes. For example, the three largest fragments in the B-G 21 patterns produced with both probes appear identical. Other fragments are detected only by one or the other of the probes. A number of the restriction fragments appear to be widely shared among the haplotypes, although with the exception of perhaps one fragment of about 5.2 Kb present in Pvu II-digested DNA probed with bg28, none are shared in common across all the haplotypes examined. The B-G subregions are each so different, as reflected in the restriction fragment patterns, that generally the different genotypes can be distinguished readily from each other in a Southern hybridization using this single restriction enzyme and either of the two B-G c-DNA probes. The only exceptions appear to be the patterns produced by DNA from birds of B 4 and B 11 haplotypes. The other important finding is that without exception the restriction fragment patterns were the same for each B-G allele across the samples included in this study including samples obtained from different populations known on the basis of serological typing to carry the same B haplotypes.
In order to distinguish clearly the B-G genotype of B 4 and B 11 birds, it was necessary to employ additional restriction enzymes. Among the digestions with five restriction enzymes only those produced with Eco RI provided patterns clearly differentiating the two B-G genotypes (FIG. 10 ). It is notable that even with this enzyme the patterns of the two haplotypes differ only by a proportionate shift in the size of two restriction fragments out of the seven fragments produced.
Additional cDNA probes derived from erythrocytic mRNA of B 21 haplotype useful in this invention and identified as bg11 (FIG. 12 ), bg14 (FIG. 13 ), bg3 (FIG. 14 ), bg8 (FIG. 15) and bg17 (FIG. 16 ), as well as the additional clones gi6 (FIG. 17 ), gi9 (FIG. 18) and gi11 (FIG. 19) derived from mRNA of the small intestine (also B 21 ) were also subcloned into Bluescript, fully sequenced and found to have properties like those of bg28 and bg32.1 when employed in the Southern hybridizations. The strong sequence similarity among all the cDNA clones is depicted in FIG. 20 where all the cDNA clone sequences are compared to bg14 (a full length cDNA clone having no intronic sequences) using the ALIGN program in DNASTAR. (ALIGN is an algorithm for optimal local alignment of two partially homologous DNA sequences.) These sequences, encompassing full-length (also including introns in some), near the full-length or partial lengths of transcripts for individual B-G polypeptides, all show significant sequence similarity with bg14. Moreover, bg14 shows significant similarity to the nucleotide sequence of a 4.757 Kb fragment of chicken genomic DNA, typifying a segment of genomic DNA to which these B-G cDNA clones would hybridize will hybridize under straight conditions. Using the SEQCOMP program in DNASTAR (an algorithm appropriate for alignment with very large sequences in a reasonable length of time by time locating regions of perfect match and then optimizing fit) sequences the similarity between the two sequences is 89%.
Analysis of these sequences have provided an understanding of the organization of the B-G transcripts and prediction of the amino acid sequence of the B-G polypeptides. For purposes of illustration the organization of bg14 is described. The fully processed transcript cloned in bg14 is 1816 bp. It contains both 5′- and 3′-noncoding sequences. An open reading frame corresponds to a 398 amino acid polypeptide (including signal peptide) with calculated M r 45,298. Within the coding region there are sequences for: (a) a N-terminal signal peptide of 34 amino acids, (b) a single extracellular domain (amino acid residues 35-148), (c) a transmembrane domain (residues 149-178), and (d) a cytoplasmic region made up from a series of domains (residues 179-398). The single extracellular domain has properties that identify as highly similar to members of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily. The intracellular domains are characterized by a strong heptad pattern, repeats of seven amino acids the seventh residue of which is nearly always hydrophobic. This pattern is consistent with the primary sequence patterns of molecules β-alpha helical coiled coil conformation. All the cDNA clones are similarly organized. Some are missing portions of the full transcript sequence (for example bg17 is missing a portion of the 5′ end and bg11 is missing a small portion at the 3′ end) and some contain unprocessed introns (bg8, for example, possesses 9 unprocessed introns; bg11 contains 1). Comparisons of the sequences bg28 and bg32.1 with the sequences of clones full transcripts provide evidence that these probes encompass respectively portions of the 5′ end and 3′ end of B-G transcripts.
Since none of the transcripts represented in the sequences of these clones are identical, except for bg14 and bg8 which apparently represent the same transcript type and differ only by the presence of intronic sequences with bg8 and a single, silent base difference, there is now evidence for the expression of 8 transcript types. Six of these are from libraries of B 21 haplotype and the remaining two, bg28 and bg32.1 are from birds of unknown genetic background. Hence the multiple transcript types provide evidence for the expression of alleles are multiple loci within the B-G subregion. Probes derived from these cDNA clones hybridize under stringent conditions (e.g., overnight aqueous hybridization in 5×SSPE, 5×Denhardt's, 1% SDS, 100 ug/ml salmon sperm DNA, 32 P-labeled denatured probe at 65° C. and stringent temperature wash at 65° C. in 0.5×SSC) to multiple bands in Southern hybridizations with genomic DNA from chickens of many different haplotypes, as illustrated by FIGS. 3, 4 , 5 , 9 (A and B), and 10 . Hybridization temperatures and wash temperatures of from about 55° C. to about 70° C. are appropriate.
These sequences and subsequences derived from them for the production of synthetic oligonucleotide probes have the capability for producing RFLP patterns by hybridization with gene sequences in other bird species. Illustrated in FIG. 23 is the hybridization of bg11 under moderately high stringency (overnight aqueous hybridization in 5×SSPE, 5×Denhardt's, 1% SDS, 100 ug/ml salmon sperm DNA, 32 P-labeled denatured probe at 60° C. and stringent temperature wash at 60° C. in 0.5×SSC) and produces polymorphic band patterns with Sst 1 digested genomic from turkeys.
The capability of these probes to produce RFLP patterns in genomic DNA of other bird species is further illustrated by FIG. 24 where bg32.1 hybridizes to multiple, polymorphic bands in genomic DNA from a family of ring-necked pheasants serologically B typed.
16
525 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
CDS
1..525
1
GAC ATC AGA TGG ATC CAG CAG CGG TCC TCT CGG CTT GTG CAC CAC TAC 48
Asp Ile Arg Trp Ile Gln Gln Arg Ser Ser Arg Leu Val His His Tyr
1 5 10 15
CGA AAT GGA GTG GAC CTG GGG CAC ATG GAG GAA TAT AAA GGG AGA ACA 96
Arg Asn Gly Val Asp Leu Gly His Met Glu Glu Tyr Lys Gly Arg Thr
20 25 30
GAA CTG CTC AGG GAT GGT CTC TCT GAT GGA AAC CTG GAT TTG CGC ATC 144
Glu Leu Leu Arg Asp Gly Leu Ser Asp Gly Asn Leu Asp Leu Arg Ile
35 40 45
ACT GCT GTG ACC TCC TCT GAT AGT GGC TCC TAC AGC TGT GCT GTG CAA 192
Thr Ala Val Thr Ser Ser Asp Ser Gly Ser Tyr Ser Cys Ala Val Gln
50 55 60
GAT GGT GAT GCC TAT GCA GAA GCT GTG GTG AAC CTG GAG GTG TCA GAC 240
Asp Gly Asp Ala Tyr Ala Glu Ala Val Val Asn Leu Glu Val Ser Asp
65 70 75 80
CCC TTT TCT ATG ATC ATC ATC CTT TAC TGG ACA GTG GCT CTG GCT GTG 288
Pro Phe Ser Met Ile Ile Ile Leu Tyr Trp Thr Val Ala Leu Ala Val
85 90 95
ATC ATC ACA CTT CTG GTT GGG TCA TTT GTC GTC AAT GTT TTT CTC CAT 336
Ile Ile Thr Leu Leu Val Gly Ser Phe Val Val Asn Val Phe Leu His
100 105 110
AGA AAG AAA GTG GCA CAA GAG CAG AGA GCT GAA GAG AAA AGA TGC AGA 384
Arg Lys Lys Val Ala Gln Glu Gln Arg Ala Glu Glu Lys Arg Cys Arg
115 120 125
GTT GGT GGA GAA AGC TGC AGC ATT GGA GAG AAA AGA TGC AGA GTT GGC 432
Val Gly Gly Glu Ser Cys Ser Ile Gly Glu Lys Arg Cys Arg Val Gly
130 135 140
GGA ACA AGC AGC GCA ATC GAA GCA AAG AGA TGC AAT GTT GGA CAA ACA 480
Gly Thr Ser Ser Ala Ile Glu Ala Lys Arg Cys Asn Val Gly Gln Thr
145 150 155 160
CGT TCT AAA CTG GAG GAA AGA CAG AGC AAG TGG AGA TTG GAA TTC 525
Arg Ser Lys Leu Glu Glu Arg Gln Ser Lys Trp Arg Leu Glu Phe
165 170 175
523 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
2
GACATCAGAT GGATCCAGCA GCGGTCCTCT CGGCTTGTGC ACCACTACCG AAATGGAGTG 60
GACCTGGGGC AGATGGAGGA ATATAAAGGG AGAACAGAAC TGCTCAGGGA TGGTCTCTCT 120
GATGGAAACC TGGATTTGCG CATCACTGCT GTGACCTCCT CTGATAGTGG CTCCTACAGC 180
TGTGCTGTGC AAGATGGTGA TGCCTATGCA GAAGCTGTGG TGAACCTGGA GGTGTCAGAC 240
CCCTTTTCTA TGATCATCCT TTACTGGACA GTGGCTCTGG CTGTGATCAT CACACTTCTG 300
GTTGGGTCAT TTGTCGTCAA TGTTTTTCTC CATAGAAAGA AAGTGGCACA GAGCAGAGAG 360
CTGAAGAGAA AAGATGCAGA GTTGGTGGAG AAAGCTGCAG CATTGGAGAG AAAAGATGCA 420
GAGTTGGCGG AACAAGCAGC GCAATCGAAG CAAAGAGATG CAATGTTGGA CAAACACGTT 480
CTAAAACTGG AGGAAAAGAC AGACGAAGTG GAGATTGGAA TTC 523
634 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
3
CGGTGAACAG ATGGAGAGAA GGAATGCAAA GTTGGAGGCA GCAGCTGTAA AACTGGGACA 60
CAAAGCTAAA GAATCAGAGA AACAGAAATC GGAGCTGAAG GAGCGCCATG AGGAGATGGC 120
AGAACAAACT GAAGCAGTGG TGGTAGAAAC TGAAGAATAG GAAAAACCAT CTGAAGAATC 180
AGATTGAGAG ATGAACTGCG CCTCACAATA AGCACAGGAG TTAAGCTTCT TAGATCAATA 240
ACTGCACAGC ATACAAAACC ACAATAACTC AAACAGAGTA AGGAGGAGCC AGTGTTTGTG 300
TTGAGTGAGA ACACTGCAGT TCTGTCAGCC AAAGCTGCCT GAGGGACCGC CCAATTGAGG 360
GTGTGTGACC TCCAACTCAA ATCCAGTTGG AAGAAAGAAA CCATAGAAAG GAAGGAAAGG 420
GGAGGAAGAC AGAGATCCTG GAAGAGATAT GGGCATTTGG GGAAATAGTG TGATCATGTA 480
TCAGGCTTTG TGGACATCTA ATGAATATGT CATGCTTTTG TAACTACAAG CATGCACGCA 540
GAAACAAAGG TAGAAAACTG CTTTGGGTGT TAGCACTGTT CTCTGTCACT ATATAATAAA 600
GAATACCTGC TGATGGCAAT GGAACAAAAA AAAA 634
1785 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
4
ATCCGTTCGA GCTCTCTCCT CCTACAGCTG CTGCCCTCAT ATTCTCCCCA CACTTCTTCC 60
CCATATTCTT TCCAAATCCT CTTCCCCATC TCCTCCACCG TCTCTTTCTC AGAGTCCTTC 120
CTCTCTCTCC CTAAATTCTT CCCCCCTCCT CTCCTCCAGC ACAGATGCGC TTCACATCGG 180
GATGCAACCA CCCCAGTTTC ACCCTCCCCT GGAGGACCCT CCTGCCTTAT CTCGTGGCTC 240
TGCACCTCCT CCAGCCGGGA TCAGCCCAGC TCAGGGTGGT GGCGCCGAGC CTCCGTGTCA 300
CTGCCATCGT GGGACAGGAT GTCGTGCTGC GCTGCCACTT GTGCCCTTGC AAGGATGCTT 360
GGAGATTGGA CATCAGATGG ATCCTGCAGC GGTCCTCTGG TTTTGTGCAC CACTATCAAA 420
ATGGAGTGGA CCTTGGGCAG ATGGAGGGAT ATAAAGGGAG AACAGAACTG CTCAGGGATG 480
GTCTCTATGA TGGAAACCTG GATTTGCGCA TCACTGCTGT GAGCACCTCC GATAGTGGCT 540
CATACAGCTG TGCTGTGCAG GATGGTGATG GCTATGCAGA CGCTGTGGTG GACCTGGAGG 600
TGTCAGATCC CTTTTCCCAG ATCGTCCATC CCTGGAAGGT GGCTCTGGCT GTGGTCGTCA 660
CAATTCTCGT TGGGTCATTT GTCATCAATG TTTTTCTCTG TAGGAAGAAA GCGGCACAGA 720
GCAGAGAGCT GAGTGAGTCC TTCCAGCCCC TTCCACCACC AAAGTCCCTT TAATGGAACT 780
GATAGAAGAC TGCAGAGTGC TGGGTTTATG CCTTGTGCTG GGGCCATGGG ATCTATGGGA 840
CCTTGGGATG TGTTGGGGCC GTGGGATGTG CTGGGGTCGT GGGATCTGTC AACCCTGATT 900
GATCCACTTC AGAACTCTTG CCCAATCGGT TCCTTCCGAT TCATTTAACT CCTTCTTGAG 960
GCCAAAGTGG TCATTGGCCA CATCCCATAA AAAAGGGTTT GGGGTCAGGG TGTGGGAGCT 1020
GATCGCATGG AAACGTGTCC CCTCTGACCA TGCATTTCAT TTGCTTCTAT TTTGCAGAGA 1080
GAAAAGATGC AGCGTTGGCG GAACTAGATG AGATATCGGG TTTAAGTGCT GAAAATCTGA 1140
AGCAATTAGC TTCAAAACTG AACGAAAATG CTGACGAAGT GGAGGATTGC AATTCAGAGC 1200
TGAAGAAAGA CTGTGAAGAG ATGGGTTCTG GCGTTGGAGA TCTGAAGGAA CTGGCTGCAA 1260
AATTGGAGGA ATATATTGCA GTGAATCGGA GAAGGAATGT AAAGTTGAAT AATATAGCTG 1320
CCAAACTGGC ACAACAAACT AAAGAATTGG AGAAACAGCA TTCACAGTTC CACAGACACT 1380
TTCAGCGTAT GGATTTAAGT GCTGTAAACC AGAAGAAACT GGTTACAAAA CTGGAGGAAC 1440
ACTTTGAATG GATGGAGAGA AGGAATGTAA AGTTGGAGAT ACCAGCTGTA ATACTGGGGC 1500
AACAAGCTAA AGAATCAGAG AAACAGAAAT CGGAGCTGAA GGAGCGCCAT GAGGAGATGG 1560
CAGAACAAAC TGAAGCAGTG GTGGTAGATA CTGAAGAAGC GGAAAAACCA TCTGAAGAAT 1620
TGGATTGAGA GATGAACTGC GCCTCACAGT AACCACAGGA GTTAAGCTTC ATAGATCAAT 1680
GACTGCACAG CATACAAAAA CCACGATACC TCAAACAGAG CAAGGAAATC CACAGCGAGA 1740
ACAAGAGGAG CCAGTGTTTG TGTTGAGTGA GAACACTGCA GTTCT 1785
1816 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
5
TTCTGCCCTC ATATTCTCCC CACACTTCTT CCCCATATTC TTTCCAAATC CTCTTCCCCA 60
TCTCCTCCAT CGTCTCCTTC TCAGAGTCCT TCCTCTCTCT CCCTAAATTC TTCCCCCCTC 120
CTCTTCTCCA GCACAGATGG CCTTCACATC GGGCTGCAAC CACCCCAGTT TCACCCTCCC 180
CTGGAGGACC CTCCTGCCTT ATCTCGTGGC TCTGCACCTC CTCCAGCCGG GATCAGCCCA 240
GATCACGGTG GTGGCACCGA GCCTCCGTGT CACTGCCATC GTGGGACAGG ATGTTGTGCT 300
GCGCTGCCAC TTGTCCCCAT GCAAGGATGT TCGGAATTCA GACATCAGAT GGATCCAGCA 360
GCGGTCCTCT CGGCTTGTGC ACCACTACCG AAATGGAGTG GACCTGGGGC AGATGGAGGA 420
ATATAAAGGG AGAACAGAAC TGCTCAGGGA TGGTCTCTCT GATGGAAACC TGGATTTGCG 480
CATCACTGCT GTGACCTCCT CTGATAGTGG CTCCTACAGC TGTGCTGTGC AAGATGGTGA 540
TGCCTATGCA GAAGCTGTGG TGAACCTGGA GGTGTCAGAC CCCTTTTCTA TGATCATCCT 600
TTACTGGACA GTGGCTCTGG CTGTGATCAT CACACTTCTG GTTGGGTCAT TTGTCGTCAA 660
TGTTTTTCTC CATAGAAAGA AAGTGGCACA GAGCAGAGAG CTGAAGAGAA AAGATGCAGA 720
GTTGGTGGAG AAAGCTGCAG CATTGGAGAG AAAAGATGCA GAGTTGGCGG AACAAGCAGC 780
GCAATCGAAG CAAAGAGATG CAATGTTGGA CAAACACGTT CTAAAACTGG AGGAAAAGAC 840
AGACGAAGTG GAGAACTGGA ATTCAGTGCT GAAAAAAGAC AGTGAAGAGA TGGGTTATGG 900
CTTTGGAGAT CTGAAGAAAC TGGCTGCAGA ACTGGAGAAA CACTCTGAAG AGATGGGGAC 960
AAGGGATTTA AAGTTGGAGC GACTAGCTGC CAAACTGGAA CATCAAACTA AAGAATTGGA 1020
GAAACAGCAT TCACAGTTCC AGAGACACTT TCAGAATATG TATTTAAGTG CTGGAAAACA 1080
GAAGAAAATG GTTACAAAAC TGGAGGAACA CTGTGAATGG ATGGTGAGAA GGAATGTAAA 1140
GTTGGAGATA CCAGCTGTAA AAGTGGGGCA ACAAGCTAAA GAATCAGAGG AACAGAAATC 1200
GGAGCTGAAG GAGCACCATG AGGAGACGGG GCAACAAGCT AAAGAATCAG AGAAACAGAA 1260
ATCGGAGCTG AAGGAGCGCC ATGAGGAGAT GGCAGAACAA ACTGAAGCAG TGGTGGTAGA 1320
AACTGAAGAA TAGGAAAAAC CATCTGAAGA ATTGGATTGA GAGATGAACT GCGCCTCGCA 1380
GTAACCACAG GAGTTAAGCT TCATAGATCA ATAACTGCAC AGCATACAAA ACCACAATAA 1440
CTCAAACAGG GTAAGGAGGA GCCAGTGTTT GTGTTGAGTG AGAACACTGC AGTTCTGTCA 1500
GCCAAAGCTG CCTGAGGGAC CGCCCAATTG AGGGTGTGCG ACCTCCAACT CAAAGCCAAT 1560
TGGAAGAAAG AAACCATAGA AAGGAAGAAA AGGGGAGGAA GACAGAGATC CTGGAAGAGA 1620
TATGGGCATT TGGGGAAATA GTGTGACCAT GTATCAGGCT TTGTGGACAT CTAACGAATA 1680
TGTCATGTTT TTGTAAATAC AAGCATGCAC GCAGAAACAA AGGGAGAAAA CTGCTTTGGG 1740
TGTTAGCACT GTTCTCTGTC CCTATATAAT AAAGAATACC TGCTGATGGC AAAAAAAAAA 1800
AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAA 1816
1822 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
6
AAATGAAGAC TTCAGGATCC TTCCATAAAA GCTATCAGTT TGACTTCAGA GAGGGCTATT 60
CTCGGTGTTT GCAAGAAGCT TTCCATCGTC TCCTTCTCAG AGTCCTTCCT CTCTCTCCCT 120
AAATTCTTCC CCCCTCCTCT TCTCCAGCAC AGATGGCCTT CACATCGGGC TGCAACCACC 180
CCAGTTTCAC CCTCCCCTGG AGGACCCTCC TGCCTTATCT CGTGGCTCTG CACCTCCTCC 240
AGCCGGGATC AGCCCAGATC ACGGTGGTGG CACCGAGCCT CCGTGTCACT GCCATCGTGG 300
GACAGGATGT TGTGCTGCGC TGCCACTTGT CCCCATGCAA GGATGTTCGG AATTCAGACA 360
TCAGATGGAT CCAGCAGCGG TCCTCTCGGC TTGTGCACCA CTACCGAAAT GGAGTGGACC 420
TGGGGCAGAT GGAGGAATAT AAAGGGAGAA CAGAACTGCT CAGGGATGGT CTCTCTGATG 480
GAAACCTGGA TTTGCGCATC ACTGCTGTGA CCTCCTCTGA TAGTGGCTCC TACAGCTGTG 540
CTGTGCAAGA TGGTGATGCC TATGCAGAAG CTGTGGTGAA CCTGGAGGTG TCAGACCCCT 600
TTTCTATGAT CATCCTTTAC TGGACAGTGG CTCTGGCTGT GATCATCACA CTTCTGGTTG 660
GGTCATTTGT CGTCAATGTT TTTCTCCATA GAAAGAAAGT GGCACAGAGC AGAGAGCTGA 720
AGAGAAAAGA TGCAGAGTTG GTGGAGAAAG CTGCAGCATT GGAGAGAAAA GATGCAGAGT 780
TGGCGGAACA AGCAGCGCAA TCGAAGCAAA GAGATGCAAT GTTGGACAAA CACGTTCTAA 840
AACTGGAGGA AAAGACAGAC GAAGTGGAGA ATTGGAATTC AGTGCTGAAA AAAGACAGTG 900
AAGAGATGGG TTATGGCTTT GGAGATCTGA AGAAACTGGC TGCAGAACTG GAGAAACACT 960
CTGAAGAGAT GGGGACAAGG GATTTAAAGT TGGAGCGACT AGCTGCCAAA CTGGAACATC 1020
AAACTAAAGA ATTGGAGAAA CAGCATTCAC AGTTCCAGAG ACACTTTCAG AATATGTATT 1080
TAAGTGCTGG AAAACAGAAG AAAATGGTTA CAAAACTGGA GGAACACTGT GAATGGATGG 1140
TGAGAAGGAA TGTAAAGTTG GAGATACCAG CTGTAAAAGT GGGGCAACAA GCTAAAGAAT 1200
CAGAGGAACA GAAATCGGAG CTGAAGGAGC ACCATGAGGA GACGGGGCAA CAAGCTAAAG 1260
AATCAGAGAA ACAGAAATCG GAGCTGAAGG AGCGCCATGA GGAGATGGAA CAAACTGAAG 1320
CAGTGGTGGT AGAAACTGAA GAATAGGAAA AACCATCTGA AGAATTGGAT TGAGAGATGA 1380
ACTGCGCCTC GCAGTAACCA CAGGAGTTAA GCTTCATAGA TCAATAACTG CACAGCATAC 1440
AAAATCACAA TAACTCAAAC AGGGTAAGGA GGAGCCAGTG TTTGTGTTGA GTGAGAACAC 1500
TGCAGTTCTG TCAGCCAAAG CTGCCTGAGG GACCGCCCAA TTGAGGGTGT GCGACCTCCA 1560
ACTCAAAGCC AATTGGAAGA AAGAAACCAT AGAAAGGAAG AAAAGGGGAG GAAGACAGAG 1620
ATCCTGGAAG AGATATGGGC ATTTGGGGAA ATAGTGTGAC CATGTATCAG GCTTTGTGGA 1680
CATCTAACGA ATATGTCATG TTTTTGTAAA TACAAGCATG CACGCAGAAA CAAAGGGAGA 1740
AAACTGCTTT GGGTGTTAGC ACTGTTCTCT GTCCCTATAT AATAAAGAAT ACCTGCTGAT 1800
GGCAATGGAA AAAAAAAAAA AA 1822
3134 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
7
ATCCGCTCGA GCTCTCTCCT CCTACAGTTT CTGCCCTCAT ATTCTCCCCA CACTTCTTCC 60
CCATATTCTT TCCAAATCCT CTTCCCCATC TCCTCCATCG TCTCCTTCTC AGAGTCCTTC 120
CTCTCTCTCC CTAAATTCTT CCCCCCTCCT CTTCTCCAGC ACAGATGGCC TTCACATCGG 180
GCTGCAACCA CCCCAGTTTC ACCCTCCCCT GGAGGACCCT CCTGCCTTAT CTCGTGGCTC 240
TGCACCTCCT CCAGCCGGGA TCAGCCCAGA TCACGGTGGT GGCACCGAGC CTCCGTGTCA 300
CTGCCATCGT GGGACAGGAT GTTGTGCTGC GCTGCCACTT GTCCCCATGC AAGGATGTTC 360
GGAATTCAGA CATCAGATGG ATCCAGCAGC GGTCCTCTCG GCTTGTGCAC CACTACCGAA 420
ATGGAGTGGA CCTGGGGCAG ATGGAGGAAT ATAAAGGGAG AACAGAACTG CTCAGGGATG 480
GTCTCTCTGA TGGAAACCTG GATTTGCGCA TCACTGCTGT GACCTCCTCT GATAGTGGCT 540
CCTACAGCTG TGCTGTGCAA GATGGTGATG CCTATGCAGA AGCTGTGGTG AACCTGGAGG 600
TGTCAGACCC CTTTTCTATG ATCATCCTTT ACTGGACAGT GGCTCTGGCT GTGATCATCA 660
CACTTCTGGT TGGGTCATTT GTCGTCAATG TTTTTCTCCA TAGAAAGAAA GTGGCACAGA 720
GCAGAGAGCT GAGTGAGTCC TTCCATCCCC ATCCACCAAC CAAAGTCCCT TTAATGGAAC 780
TGACAGCAGA CTGCAGAGTG CTGGGTTATG CCATGTGCTG GGGCCATGAG CTATGTTGAG 840
GCTTTGGAAT GTGTTGGGGT TGTGGGATGT ACTGGGGTCG TGGGATGTGT TATTCCTGGC 900
TGATTCACGT GGAAAAACCT TTCACAATCG GTTCCTTCCA GTTTGTTTAA TTCCTTCTTG 960
GGCCCAAAGT GGTCATTGGA CTCCTCCCAG AAAAAAGGGT TTGGGGTCAG GGTGTGAGAG 1020
CTGATGGCAC GGAAACGTGT CCCCTCTGAC CATGCATTTC ATTTGCTTCT ATTTTGCAGA 1080
GAGAAAAGAT GCAGAGTTGG GTAAGTCTCC TTCCCTAAAG CGAGGGAATT CAGGGTGTCC 1140
CCATGGCATC AGCCGTGGAA TTAGTAGCTG TCCTCTCTGA CAATTCACTG CTCTGCTCTT 1200
TCCTTTCCAG TGGAGAAAGC TGCAGCATTG GGTGAGTTAT ATTCCCCAAG CCAAAGTACT 1260
TTGGGTCTTC CCATTGGAAG TTATTTCCTC AGACCATCCT TTCTGTTGTG TTTGCTTTGG 1320
CATCATGTTA GTAAAATGCC TTCTTGGGAC CAAAGTGGTC ATTGGCCACT TCCCAGAAAA 1380
AAAGGTTTGG GGTCAGGGTG TGGGAGCTGA TGGCATGGAA ACATGTTCCC TCTGACCATG 1440
CATTTCCTTT GCTTCTTTTT CCAGAGAGAA AAGATGCAGA GTTGGCGGAA CAAGCAGCGC 1500
AATCGAGTGA GTCTCCCCCT CCATTTTTAT TATTTTTAAA TGTTCAGCCT CCGGTAGCTG 1560
TGGGATGAGA TGTTCCTCTC ATCATACACT GACTCTGCTT TTCCTTTGCA GAGCAAAGAG 1620
ATGCAATGTT GGACAAACAC GTTCTAAAAC TGGGTGAGTC CTCACTCCCA AATTATAAAG 1680
CAAAGGGTTC TGCCTGTGTG AGCTGTGGGA TCAGACGTTC CTCTCATCGT GCATTGCTTT 1740
TCTCTTTCTT TTTCAGAGGA AAAGACAGAC GAAGTGGAGA ATTGGAATTC AGTGCTGAGT 1800
AAGTTGCAGT CACTGAACTG AGGGAATGTG GGGTCTTCCT AAGGGACTGC GTAGGGGAGA 1860
AGTTCCCATG CACTGCTTTT CTCTTTCTTT TCCAGAAAAA GACAGTGAAG AGATGGGTTA 1920
TGGCTTTGGA GATCTGAGTA AGTCTCCCTC CCAACATGGA AGGAATTTAT GGTCTTAGCA 1980
TGGGATCAGC CATGGGATGA TCATCTGACC CCTCTCATCA TGCAATTCAT ATTTGTTCCT 2040
TTTGCAGAGA AACTGGCTGC AGAACTGGAG AAACACTCTG AAGAGATGGG GACAAGGGAT 2100
TTAAAGTTGG AGCGACTAGC TGCCAAACTG GAACATCAAA CTAAAGAATT GGAGAAACAG 2160
CATTCACAGT TCCAGAGACA CTTTCAGAAT ATGTATTTAA GTGCTGGAAA ACAGAGTAAG 2220
TCTCCCTCCC TGCACAGAAG GAACTTACGG TTTTCCCATG GGATCAGCCA TGGGACGATC 2280
ATCCGACTCT TCTCATCATG AATTTCGTCT TTCTTTCTTT TGCAGAGAAA ATGGTTACAA 2340
AACTGGAGGA ACACTGTGAA TGGATGGTGA GAAGGAATGT AAAGTTGGAG ATACCAGCTG 2400
TAAAAGTGGG GCAACAAGCT AAAGAATCAG AGGAACAGAA ATCGGAGCTG AAGGAGCACC 2460
ATGAGGAGAC GGGGCAACAA GCTAAAGAAT CAGAGAAACA GAAATCGGAG CTGAAGGAGC 2520
GCCATGAGGA GATGGCAGAA CAAACTGAAG CAGTGGTGGT AGAAACTGAA GAATAGGGTG 2580
AGTCTTTCCC AAACCAAAGC AATACGGGGT TTCCCATGGC ATGACAAGCT GTCCCACCTC 2640
AGCATCCGTT CCTTTTTCTT TCTTTTCCAG AAAAACCATC TGAAGAATTG GATTGAGAGA 2700
TGAACTGCGC CTCGCAGTAA CCACAGGAGT TAAGCTTCAT AGATCAATAA CTGCACAGCA 2760
TACAAAACCA CAATAACTCA AACAGGGTAA GGAGGAGCCA GTGTTTGTGT TGAGTGAGAA 2820
CACTGCAGTT CTGTCAGCCA AAGCTGCCTG AGGGACCGCC CAATTGAGGG TGTGCGACCT 2880
CCAACTCAAA GCCAATTGGA AGAAAGAAAC CATAGAAAGG AAGAAAAGGG GAGGAAGACA 2940
GAGATCCTGG AAGAGATATG GGCATTTGGG GAAATAGTGT GACCATGTAT CAGGCTTTGT 3000
GGACATCTAA CGAATATGTC ATGTTTTTGT AAATACAAGC ATGCACGCAG AAACAAAGGG 3060
AGAAAACTGC TTTGGGTGTT AGCACTGTTC TCTGTCCCTA TATAATAAAG AATACCTGCT 3120
GATGGCAAAA AAAA 3134
1449 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
8
CGATGTTCGG AATTCAGACA TCAGATGGAT CCAGCTGCGG TCCTCTAGGA TTGTGCACCA 60
CTACCAAAAT GGAGAGGACC TGGATCAGAT GGAGGAATAT GAAGGGAGAA CAGAACTGCT 120
CAGGGATGGT CTCTCTGATG GAAACCTGGA TTTGCGCATC ACTGCTGTGA GCTCCTCTGA 180
CAGTGGCTCG TACAGCTGTG CTGTGCAAGA TGATGATGGC TATGCAGAAG CTGTGGTGAA 240
CCTGGAGGTG TCAGATCCCT TTTCCCAGAT CGTCCATCCC TGGAAGGTGG CTCTGCCTGT 300
GGTCGTCACA ATTCTCGTTG GGTCATTTGT CATCATTGTT TTTCTCTATA GGAAGAAAGT 360
GGCACAGAGC AGAGAGCTGA AGGGAAAAGA TGCAGCACTG GCGGAACTAC CTGCGATATT 420
GGGTGTATGT ACTGCAAATT TGAAGATCCT AGCTTCAAAA CTGATGAAAC AAATGGAAAA 480
ATTGGAGATT CAGAATTCAC TCTTGAAGAA ACGGTATGAG ATTACGGAGG AACTGGCTGC 540
AGATCTGGAG GAACATCTTG CTGAGAAGGA TTTAAGCACT GCAGATCTGA AGCTACTAGC 600
TGCAAAACTG GTGGAACAAA GAGAAGCAGT GGAGGAACGG GATTCACAGC TGAGGAAACA 660
GTATGAAAAG TTGGGTTCGC GTGCTACAAA TCTGAAGACA CAACTTAAAA AGTTGGAGAA 720
CGAAATTGAA GAAGTGGAGA AACACCTTAA AAAGATTGGT ATACGTGCTC CTAATCTGAA 780
GCTACACATG GCAGAACTGG TGGATCAAGC TGAAGCAGTG GAGAAACGGA AATCAGAGCT 840
GAAGAGCTAT TTGACAAATA TAGGTTTACG TGCTGCAGAG CTGAAAAAAT ACATTGCAGC 900
ACTGGAGAAA CGAATTGAAG CATTGGAAAC TAAAGAATTG GAACAACCAT CTAAAGAACA 960
GGATTGAAAG ATGAACTGCG CCTCACAGTA ACCACAGGAG TTAAGCTTCA TAGACTGCAG 1020
ACTGCACAGG ATAGCAACAT CGCCATAACG CAAAGCAAGC AAGGAAATCC ACACGGGGAA 1080
CAAGAGGAGC CAGTGTTTGT ATTGAGTGAG AACACTGCAG TTCTGCAAGC CACAGCTGCC 1140
TGAGGGACCA GCAAACTGAG GGTGTGTGAC CTCCATCTCA AATCCAGTTG GAAGAAAGAC 1200
ACCATAGAAA AGAAGACTAC AAGAGGAAGA CAGAGATCCT GGAAAAGGGA CAGACATTTT 1260
GGGAATGAAC ATGGCCATGT ATCAGGGTTT GAGGAATTCT AATGAATATG TAAGGCTTCT 1320
GGAAATATAA ACATGCACAC AGAAGTAAAG GTAGAAAACT GCTTTGGGTG TTAACACTGT 1380
TCTCTATCAC AATATAATAA AGAAATACCT GCTGATGGCG ATGGAAAAGA AAAAAAAAAA 1440
AAAAAAAAA 1449
2217 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
CDS
252..821
CDS
1165..1647
9
GCTCCTTCTG CATATTCTTC CTGAACTTTT TCTAAATCTT CTTTCCAGAT CTTCTTCCCC 60
ATCTGCTCCA GCACCTCCTC CTTGTATCCC CTTCCCCAAT CTTCCCTTCC CCACCTCCTT 120
CTCCTATCAT CTCTCATCTT TTACCCATTT TCTACCCACC TTCTGCCCCA TCTCCTCCAT 180
CATCTCCTTC TCAGTCTCCT TCCTCTCTCT CCTTTCCCCA ACTCCTCCCC CCCTCCTCTT 240
CTCCAGCACA G ATG CAC TTC ACA TCG GGC TGC AAC CAC CCC AGT TTC ACC 290
Met His Phe Thr Ser Gly Cys Asn His Pro Ser Phe Thr
1 5 10
CTC CCC TGG AGG ACC CTC CTG CCT TAT CTC ATG GCT CTG CAC CTC CTC 338
Leu Pro Trp Arg Thr Leu Leu Pro Tyr Leu Met Ala Leu His Leu Leu
15 20 25
CAG CCG GGA TCA GCC CAG CAA AGG GTG GTG GCA CCG AGC CTC CGT GTC 386
Gln Pro Gly Ser Ala Gln Gln Arg Val Val Ala Pro Ser Leu Arg Val
30 35 40 45
ACT GCC ATC GTG GGA CAG GAT GTT GTG CTG CGC TGC CAG TTG TCC CCT 434
Thr Ala Ile Val Gly Gln Asp Val Val Leu Arg Cys Gln Leu Ser Pro
50 55 60
TGC AAG GAA GCT TGG AGA TCA GAC AAC AGA TGG ATC CAG CTG CGG TCC 482
Cys Lys Glu Ala Trp Arg Ser Asp Asn Arg Trp Ile Gln Leu Arg Ser
65 70 75
TCT CGG CTT GTG CAC CAC TAT CAA TAT GGA TTG GAC CTG GGG CAG ATG 530
Ser Arg Leu Val His His Tyr Gln Tyr Gly Leu Asp Leu Gly Gln Met
80 85 90
GAG GAA TAT AAA GGG AGG ACA GAA CTA CTC AGG AAG GGT CTC TCT GAT 578
Glu Glu Tyr Lys Gly Arg Thr Glu Leu Leu Arg Lys Gly Leu Ser Asp
95 100 105
GGA AAC CTG GAT TTG CGC TTC ACT GCT GTG AGC ACC TCC GAT AAT GGC 626
Gly Asn Leu Asp Leu Arg Phe Thr Ala Val Ser Thr Ser Asp Asn Gly
110 115 120 125
TCA TAC AGC TGT GCT GTG CAA GAT GAT GAT GGC TAC GGA GAC GCT GTT 674
Ser Tyr Ser Cys Ala Val Gln Asp Asp Asp Gly Tyr Gly Asp Ala Val
130 135 140
GTG GAG CTG GAG GTG TCA GAT CCC TTT TCC CAG ATC GTC CAT CCC TGG 722
Val Glu Leu Glu Val Ser Asp Pro Phe Ser Gln Ile Val His Pro Trp
145 150 155
AAG GTG GCT CTG GCT GTG GTT GTC ACA ATT CTG GTT GGG TCA TCT GTC 770
Lys Val Ala Leu Ala Val Val Val Thr Ile Leu Val Gly Ser Ser Val
160 165 170
ATC AAT GTT TTT CTC TAT AGA AAG AAA GCT GCA CAG AGC AGA GAG CTG 818
Ile Asn Val Phe Leu Tyr Arg Lys Lys Ala Ala Gln Ser Arg Glu Leu
175 180 185
AGT GAGTCCTTCC AGCACCTTCC ACCACCAAAG TCCCTTTAAT GGAACTGATA 871
Ser
190
GAAGACTGCA GAGTGCTGGG TTTATGCCAT GGGCTGGGGC TGTGGGATCT TTGGGGCTTG 931
GGATGTGTTG GGGCCGTGGG ATGTGCTGGG GTCGTGGGAT CTGTCAATCC TGATTGCTCC 991
TCTTCAGAAC TCTTGCCCAA TCGGTTCCTT CCGATTCATT TAACTCCTTC TTGGACCAAA 1051
GTGGTCATTG GCCTCTTACT AGAAAGAAAA GATTTGGGGT CTGGGTATGG GAGCAGCCAT 1111
GGGATGAGAA GGTGTTCCCT CTGACCATAC ATTTCTTTTG CTTCTATTTT GCA GAG 1167
Glu
1
AGA AAA GAT GCA ATG TTG GGT CCC GGT GCT GAA AAG CTG AAG AAA TTA 1215
Arg Lys Asp Ala Met Leu Gly Pro Gly Ala Glu Lys Leu Lys Lys Leu
5 10 15
GCT TCA AAA CTG AAC GAA AAT GCT GAC GAA GTG GAG AAT TGC AAT TTA 1263
Ala Ser Lys Leu Asn Glu Asn Ala Asp Glu Val Glu Asn Cys Asn Leu
20 25 30
GAG CTG AAA AAA GAC TGT GAC GAG ATG AGT TCT GCC GTT GCA GAT CTG 1311
Glu Leu Lys Lys Asp Cys Asp Glu Met Ser Ser Ala Val Ala Asp Leu
35 40 45
AAG AAA TTG GCT GCA GTG ATT TGG ATA TGG GAT TTA AAG TTG TAT AAT 1359
Lys Lys Leu Ala Ala Val Ile Trp Ile Trp Asp Leu Lys Leu Tyr Asn
50 55 60 65
CTA GCT GCC AAA CTG GGA CAA CAA ACT AAA GAA CTG GAG GAA CAG CAT 1407
Leu Ala Ala Lys Leu Gly Gln Gln Thr Lys Glu Leu Glu Glu Gln His
70 75 80
TCA CAG TTC CAG GGT CAC TTT CAG CAT ATG GAT TTA AGT GCT GTA AAA 1455
Ser Gln Phe Gln Gly His Phe Gln His Met Asp Leu Ser Ala Val Lys
85 90 95
CAG AAG AAA CTG GTT ACA AAA CTG GAG GAA CAC TGT AAT CAG ATG GTG 1503
Gln Lys Lys Leu Val Thr Lys Leu Glu Glu His Cys Asn Gln Met Val
100 105 110
AGA AGG AAT GTA AAG TTG GAG GCA GCA GCT GTA AAA CTG GGG CAA CAA 1551
Arg Arg Asn Val Lys Leu Glu Ala Ala Ala Val Lys Leu Gly Gln Gln
115 120 125
GCT AAA GAA TCA GAG GAA CAG AAA TCG GAG CTG AAG GAG CGC CAT GAG 1599
Ala Lys Glu Ser Glu Glu Gln Lys Ser Glu Leu Lys Glu Arg His Glu
130 135 140 145
GAG ATG GCA GAA CAA ACT GAA GCA GTG GTG GTA GAT ACT GAA GAA TAG 1647
Glu Met Ala Glu Gln Thr Glu Ala Val Val Val Asp Thr Glu Glu *
150 155 160
GGTGAGTCTT CCCCAAACCA AAGCAATACG GGGTTTCCCA TGGCATGACA AGCTGTCCCA 1707
CCTCAGCATC CGTTGCTTTT TATTTCTTTT CCAGAAAAAC CATCTGAAGA ATTGGATTGA 1767
GAGATGAACT GCGCCTCACA GTAACCACAG GAGTTAAGCT TCATAGATCA ATTACTACAC 1827
AGCATAAAAA ACCACGATTC CACAAACAGA GCAAGGAAAT CCACAGCGAG AACAAGAGGA 1887
GCCAGTGTTT GTGTTGAGTG AGAACACTGC AGTTCTGTGA GCCAAAGCTG CCTGAGGGAC 1947
CGCCGAACTG AGGGTGTGCG ACCTCCAACT CAAAGCAATT GGAAGAAAGA AACCATAGAA 2007
AGGAAGGAAA GGGGAGGAAG ACAGAGATCC TGGAAGAGAT ATGGGCATTT GGGGAAATAG 2067
TGTGACCATG TATCAGGCTT TGTGGACATC TAATGAGTAT GTAATGCTTA TGGAAGTAGA 2127
AGCATGCACG CAGAAACAAA GGTAGAAAAC TGCTTTGGGT GTTAACACTG TTCTCTGTCA 2187
CTATATAATA AAGAATACCT GCTGATGGCA 2217
2188 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
10
AAAGGAGTGA GTTGTGTACA GGGGGGTTAA ATGCTTTATA GACAAGAAAG AAATTGCTCT 60
AAAAGAGACT TATTCATCAT CATCATCATC TTCCTCCTCC TCTTCTTCCT CTTCTTCGTC 120
CTCTTCATCC TCTTCGTCTT CGTCCTCATC TTCCTCTTCT TCCTTCTTCT TCTTGCTCTT 180
CTCGGCCTTG GCAACTACTT TTTTGCCTGC ATCAACCTTC CCTTTGGCCC GGTATGCAGC 240
GATATCCTTC TCAGTCTCCT TCCTCTCTCT CCTTGGCCCA ACTCCTCCCC CCTCCTCTTC 300
TCCAGCACAG ATGGCCTTCA CATCGAGCTG CAACCACCCC AGTTTCACCC TCCCCTGGAG 360
GACCCTCCTG CCTTATCTCG TGGCTCTGCA CCACCTCCAG CCGGGATCAG CCCAGCTCAG 420
GGTGGTGGCA CCGAGCCTCC GTGTCACTGC CATTGTGGGA CAGGACGTCG TCTGCGCTGT 480
CACTTGTCTC CTTGCAAGAA TGCTTGGAAT TCAGACATCA GATGGATCCA GCACCGTTCC 540
TCTAGGATTG TGCACCACTA CCAAGACGGA GTGGACCTGG AGCAGATGGA GGAATATAAA 600
GGGAGGACAG AACTGCTCAG GGATGGTCTC TCTGATGGAA ACCTGGATTT GCGCATCACT 660
GCTGTGAGCA CCTCTGATAG TGGCTCATAC AGCTGTGCTG TGCAGGATGA TGATGGCTAT 720
GCAGAAGCTT TGGTGGAGCT GGAGGTGTCA GATCCCTTTT CCCAGATCGT CCATCCCTGG 780
AAGGTGGCTC TGGCTGTGAT CGTCACAATT CTGGTTGGGT CATCGGTCAT CATTGTTTTT 840
CTCTGTAGAA AGAAAGAGAG AAAAGATGGA GAGTTGGCGG AACAAGCTGA AATACTGGAG 900
AGAAAAGATG CAATGTTGAC GGAACAAGCT GAAACACTGG AGAAAAAAGA TGTAATGTTG 960
AAGGAACAAG CTATGATAGC GGAATCAAAT GCTGAAGATC TGAAGAAACT GGCTGCGAAA 1020
CTGGAGAAAC ACTCTGAAGA GATGGGGACA AGGGATTTAA AGTTGGATAA ATTAGCTGCC 1080
AAACTGGAAC ATCAAACTAA AGAATTGGAG AAACAGAAAT CGGAGCTGAA GAGTCACTTT 1140
CAGTATATGG ATTTCAATGC TGGAAAACAG AAGAAAATGG TTACAAAACT GGAGGAACAC 1200
TATGAATGGA TGGTGACAAG GAATGTAAAA TTGGAGATAC CAGCTATAAA AGTGGGGCAA 1260
CAAGCTAAAG AATCAGAGGA ACAGAAATCG GAGCTGAAGG AGCACCATGA GGAGATGGGG 1320
CAACAAGCTA AAGAATCAGA GGAACAGAAA TCGGAGCTGA AGGAGCACCA TGAGGAGATG 1380
GGGCAACAAG CTAAAGAATC AGAGGAACAG AAATCGGAGC TGAAGGAGCA CCATGAGGAG 1440
ATGGGGCAAC AAGCTAAAGA ATCAGAGGAA CAGAAATCGG AGCTGAAGGA GCACCATGAG 1500
GAGATGGGGC AACAAGCTAA AGAATCAGAG GAACAGAAAT CGGAGCTGAA GGAGCACCAT 1560
GAGGAGATGG GGCAACAAGC TAAAGAATCA GAGGAACAGA AATCGGAGCT GAAGGAGCAC 1620
CATGAGGAGA TGGGGCAACA AGCTAAAGAA TCAGAGGAAC AGAAATCGGA GCTGATGGTA 1680
GAAACTGAAG AAGCAGAAAA ACCATCTGAA GAATCAGATT GAGAGATGAA CTGCGCCTCC 1740
CAATAAGCAC AGGAGTTAAG CTTCATAGAT CAATGACTGT ACAGCAAACA AAAACCACGA 1800
TAACTCAAAC AGAGCAAGGA AATCCACAGC GAGAACAAGA AGAGCCAGTG TTTGTGTTGA 1860
GTGAGAACAC TGCAGTTCTG TCAGCCAAAG CTGTCTGAGG GACCGCCAAA TTGAGGGTGT 1920
CGAACCTCCA ACTCAAAGCC AATTGGAAGA AAGAAACCAT AGAAAGGAAG AAAAGGGGAG 1980
GGAGACAGAG ATCCTGGAAA AGATATGGGC ATTTGGGGAA ATAGTGTGAC CATGTATCAG 2040
GCTTTATGGA AATCTAACAA ATATGTCATG GTTTTGTAAA TACAAGCATG CACGCAGAAA 2100
CAAAGGTAGA AAACTGCTTT GGGTGTTAGC ACTGTTCTCT GTCCCTATAT AATAAAGAAT 2160
ACCTGCTGAT GGCAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA 2188
1487 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
11
TTGCAAGAAT GCTTGGAGCT TAGATATCAG ATGGATCCAG CTGCGGTCCT CTGGTTTTGT 60
GCACCACTAC CGAAATGGAG AGGACCTGGA GCAGATGACA GAATATAAAG GGAGAACAGA 120
ACTGCTCAGG AAGGGTCTTT CTGATGGAAA CCTGGATTTG CGCATCACTG CTGTGAGCAC 180
CTCCGATAGT GGCTCATACA GCTGTGTTGT GCAAGACGAT GATGGCTATG CAGAAGCGTT 240
GGTGGAGCTG GAGGTGTCAG ATCCCTTTTC CCAGATCGTC CATCCCTGGA AGGTGGCTCT 300
GGCTGTGATC GTCACAATTC TGGTTGGGTC ATTTGTCATC ATTGCTTTTC TCTATAGGAA 360
GAAAGCGACA CAGAGCAGAG AGCTGAAAAG AAAAGATGCA ATGTTGGGAA GAAAAGATGC 420
AGTGCTGGAG GAACTACCTG CGATATTAGA TTCAAGTGCT GCAAATCTGA AGATACTAGC 480
TTCAAAACTG GTGAAACAAA CTGAAAAATT GGACATACGG AATTCACTAA TGAAGAAACA 540
GTATGAAATG ACAGAGAAAC AAGCTGCAGA ACTGGAGAAA CACTTAATAA ATACCGATTT 600
AAGTGCTGCA GATCTGAAGA TAGCAGCTGC AAAACTGGAC AAACAAACTG AAGAACTGGA 660
CAAATGGAAA TCAGCACTGA AGATACAATA TGAAAAGTTG GGTTTACGTG CTGCAAATCT 720
GAAGACACAA GTTACAGAAC TGGCGAAACA AACTGAAGAA GTGGAAAATC ACTATGAAGA 780
GATGGGTTTA CGTGCTCCTA ATCTGAAGAA AAATATAGTA GAACTGGAGA AACAAACTGA 840
GCACGTGGAC AATCGGAAAT CAGAGCTGAA GAAACAGTAT GAAAATTTGG CTTCACATGC 900
TTCAGAGCTG AAGAAACAAG CTGAAGTACT GGAGGAACAA GCTGAACAAC TGGAGATTCA 960
GAATTCACTG TTGAAGATAC GCAATAAACA TAGGGAGAGA AAGAATGAAA TGTTGGAGAA 1020
ACAAACTGTA GAACAGGAAC AAACTGAAGA ATGGGCAGAA TCTAAAAAAT CGGTGGTTGA 1080
AACTAAAGAA TTGGAACAAC CATCTAAAGA ACAGGATTGA GAGATGAACT GCGCCTCACA 1140
GTAACCACAG GAGTTAAGCT TCATGGACTG CTGACTGCAC AGGATAGCAA CACCGCCATA 1200
ATGCAAAGCG AGCAAGGAAA TCCACAGCGA AAACAAGAGG AGCCAGTGTT TGTGTTGAGT 1260
GAGAACACTG CAGTTCCATG AGCCAAACCT GCCTGAGGGA CCGCCCAATT GAGGGTGTGC 1320
GACCTCCAAC TCAAAGCCAA TTGGAAGAAA GAAACCATAG AAAGGAAGAC TACAAGAGGA 1380
AGACAGAGAT CCTGGAAAAG GGATAGACAT TTTGGGATTT AACATGGCCA TGTATCAGGG 1440
TTTGAGGAAT TCTAACGTAT ATATAAGGCT TTTGGAAATA TAAACAT 1487
4757 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
12
GGATGATCAT CCGACTCTTC TCATCATAAA TTCGTCTTCT TCTTTGCAGA GAAACTGGTT 60
ACAAAACTGG GTGAGTCCAA CCTCCCAAAC TAAATTAAAA GCAGTCAGAC TTTGTGAGCT 120
GTGGGATGAG ACGTTCTTCT CATCATGTGC TGCTTTCCTT TTACTTTTCC AGAGGAACAC 180
TTTGAATGGA TGGGTGAGTC TCCCCTCCCA AATTAAAAAT GTTGGGGTCT TCCTGTGTGA 240
GCTGTGGGAT GAGCTGTTCC TCCCATCATG CACTGGTTCT AATTTTCCTT TGCAGAGAGA 300
AGGAATGTAA AGTTGGGTGA GTCTTCTTCC CCAACCAAAG GGATTTGGGG TCTTCCATGG 360
GATCAGCCAT GGGATGATAA CCTGAACCTT ATCACATATT TCTTATTTGT TCTTTTTGCA 420
GAGATACCAG ATCTGTAATA CTGGGTGAGT CCTCCCTCCC AAATTAAATA CAAAAGGGGA 480
TCTGCCTGTG TGAGCTGTGG GATGAGATGT TCCTCTCATC ACGCATTATT TTCTCTTTCT 540
TTTCCAGGGC AACAAGCTAA AGAATCAGGT GAGTCTTCTT CCCTGTCCCA AAGGACTATG 600
GGTTTCCCAT GGGATGACAA GCTGTGCCAC CTCCTCACGA GGTGCTTCTT CTTTCTTTTT 660
TGCAGAGAAA CAGAAATCGG AGCTGAGTAA GTTGCAGTCA CTGAACTGAG GGAATGTGGG 720
GTCTTCCCAA AGTCTTGTGT ATGGGATGAA AAATCCCCTC TGACCATGCA CTGCTTTTCT 780
CCTCCTTTGC CAGAGGAGCG CCATGAGGAG ATGGGTGAGT CTCCCCTCCC ATATTAAAAT 840
CGTTGGGGTC TTCCTGTGTG AGCTGTGAGA TGAGATGTTC CTCTCATCAT GCGATGCTTT 900
TCTCTCTTTT CCAGCAGAAC AAACTGAAGC AGTGGGTGAG TCTTTGTCCC CAACCCAAAG 960
GAATATGGGG CAATCCATGG GATGACAAGC TGTCCCATCT CATCGTGCAT TGCTTTCCTA 1020
TTCCTTTTTT CTAGTGGTAG ATACTGAAGA AGCGGGTGAG TCTTTCCCAA ACCAAAGCAA 1080
TACGGGGTTT CCCATGGCAT GACAAGCTGT CCCACCTCAG CATCCGTTGT TTTTCTCTTT 1140
CTTTTCCAGA AAAACCATCT GAAGAATTGG ATTGAGAGAT GAACTGCGCC TCACAGTAAC 1200
CACAGGAGTT AAGCTTCATA GATCAATGAC TGCACAGCAT ACAAAAACCA CGATACCTCA 1260
AACAGAGCAA GGAAATCCAC AGCGAGAACA AGAGGAGCCA GTGTTTGTGT TGAGTGAGAA 1320
CACTGCAGTT CTGTCAGCCA AAGCTGCCTG AGGGACCGCC AAACTGAGGG TGTGCGACCT 1380
CCAACTCAAA GCCAATTGGA AGAAAGAAAC CATAGAAAGG AAGGAAAGGG GAGGAAGACA 1440
GAGATCCTGG AAGAGATATG GGCATTTGGG GAAATAGTGT GACCATGTAT CAGGCTGTGT 1500
GGACATCTAA CGAATATGTC ATGTTTTTGT AAATACAAGC ATGCACTCAG AAACAAAGGT 1560
AGAAAACTGC TTTGGGTGGT AACACTGTTC TCTGTCAAAA TATAATAAAG AATACCTGCT 1620
GATGGTAATG GATCATTGAT TGTGAGCAGT TATTGGGGTT TGGTTCCATG AAACAGGCTG 1680
AGTCTTCTTC CCAGAAACAA AGCAACGTGG GCTCTATCGG ATAACAAGCC GACCCTTCTC 1740
ACCATGCACT GCTATTCCAG CACAACAAGG CTCTCTCCAG GAAGCTAAAA AGGGATAAAA 1800
TAAATTAATA GGAAAGAAAT ACACAAAAAC AAGAAAATTT AAAAAAGAAT ACTCCAAAAA 1860
ATCTATAATT ATTACAATAA AAACTTTAAA AAAACACACC AACCTTCCAC CCTGGGGGAG 1920
CACCAATGAC AGCCTTTTGT GCCCCATCGC GGTTTTATGA GAACAGCCAC ACACTTCAGA 1980
GCTGACCCCG TGAGCCCCAC AGTGGGGGGA CCTCCCACAG TGGGTGGACC TCCTCCACAA 2040
CCACCCCCAT CACTCACATT GAATGCCCAA AGAAACAACA GCCCCAAAGG TTCCTCCTGG 2100
TGCTTCAGCC GCGTGTGTTC CTCATTCTGC TGTGCTGATG GTGATCATTA ACCCAACAGC 2160
TCATTAACCA GGTTATGGCT CAGGTGCGTG CTGCTGAACA AGCTTGGAGC CTAAAATGGT 2220
TCCTGCACAC ATCCCAGGGG ACGGCCCTCC ACCTTTCACT CCCCGCCATT ACAGCTCTCC 2280
TTAATCAGAG GAATACAGAT TCCATGCACT GAGTGCACTG AGCCATCGCC CACCTTCCCT 2340
ACAAACACCT CCTGGTCCCC ACAAACCCTC ACTGTGGGAA GAGGGGCTCT GGGGGGGTCA 2400
CAGGGACAAA CATTTAATAA TTCCTGTATT AATGGTTGAT TAACTTAAAA ATCTGTACTG 2460
ATCAAATAAA CTGCCACCCC TTGGGCATAG CTCAGAGCAT GCTCATGGAG TACAGCCCAC 2520
AGCTTTCCTC TGTGCTAGGG CAATGCTTCT CCTGGGTCCA TGTTCATCCT GGGTGGATGC 2580
AGAGCCCCAG GGTGGTACAT GAAACTGCAA TGGGATGTCA GTGTTCAGAG TTCTCCAACC 2640
GTCTGCCCCA TTGCCAAAGG GGTAAAGTTC CTCGGAGCAG ATTACCACAC CCTGGAGCTG 2700
GGCAAAGGTT GACGCTGGGC AAAGGTAGAA GCTGGGCATA GCTGCACGTT TCCTGCAGCT 2760
CAGGTGAGGG ATTTCTGTCT CTGTGGGGCT CCTTGTAGGG GAAATCCTTG GGGGGTCATC 2820
TGCTCTGCCT CACAGCCTGT GAGGAGCACT GGCACTGCCC AAGGCAGTGG TGGCTGTGCT 2880
CATGGAACTG ATGTTTGAGT GACCCCATCC CCTCCTCTCC TGGTGGCTGT AACCCTCTGG 2940
CCCCTCTCCT CCTACAGCTC CTTCCTGCAT ATTCTTCCTC AACTTTTTCT AAATCTTCTT 3000
TCCAAATCTT CTACCCCATC TGCTCCAGCA CCTCCTTCTC CATCTCCTTC CCCAAACTCC 3060
TCCTTATATC CCCTTCCCCA ATCTCCTTCA CCCACCTCCT TCTCCTATCA TCTTCTCTCA 3120
TCTTTTACCA TTTTCTACCC ACCTTCTGCC CCATCTCCTC CATCATATCC TTCTCAGTCT 3180
CCTTCCTCTC TCTCCTTTCC CCAACTCCTT CCCCCCTCCT CTTCTCCAGC ACAGATGGCC 3240
TTCACATCGA GCTGCAACCA CCCCAGTTTC ACCCTCCCCT GGAGGACCCT CCTGCCTTAT 3300
CTCGTGGCTC TGCACCACCT CCAGCCGGGA TCAGGTAGGG GTCCTGTGGG GCTGCTGTGC 3360
CTGGCACACG TGTTGCTATG GGGTGGGGGA GCCGCCATGG GGCAGGGAGG ACACAAGTCC 3420
AGCCCCCAGC CCCACTTGGG TTTCACTTTC ACTTTGGTAA TTCCATGATA GATGCCATTT 3480
TGGGTAGAAT TTCTGTCTCT TCTTCACCTC TGCCACACGG TGTGAGTGGG CTCCCACCCC 3540
CAGCAATCCT TCCCCCTCTC TCCTGATCCC TCCCCACTGC TTTTACACCA GATGGAGCAC 3600
ACACCAACTC ACCCTGTGCC GCTCCATGCC CCCACATTAA CACAGACACC ATCTCACCAT 3660
CTCTCCGTGC CCTTCGCATT GCCCAGCCCA GCTCAGGGTG GTGGCACCGA GCCTCCGTGT 3720
CACTGCCATT GTGGGACAGG ACGTCGTCTG CGCTGTCACT TGTCTCCTTG CAAGAATGCT 3780
TGGAATTCAG ACATCAGATG GATCCAGCAC CGTTCCTCTA GGATTGTGCA CCACTACCAA 3840
GACGGAGTGG ACCTGGAGCA GATGGAGGAA TATAAAGGGA GGACAGAACT GCTCAGGGAT 3900
GGTCTCTCTG ATGGAAACCT GGATTTGCGC ATCACTGCTG TGAGCACCTC TGATAGTGGC 3960
TCATACAGCT GTGCTGTGCA GGATGATGAT GGCTATGCAG AAGCTTTGGT GGAGCTGGAG 4020
GTGTCAGGTC AGTGGCTGGG GTGACGTCTC CAGGTGTCCC TGGGTTTGTG GGTCCCACCC 4080
AACCTCTGTC CATCCTCATC CTCACGTCCA TGGATGGAGA GCTGAAGGAC AGCAGCCTTT 4140
GGAAGAGGTC AGGGCTGAAT TGTTTTATGA GATGCTGGAA TTAGAGCGGA CACACGGTGT 4200
GATTTGGGGA ATAGACTGCA TGGATGAGGT GGTTGGGTTG GATTTCTGGG ATGGGTTTCT 4260
CCATGTATCA GTGGCAGTGG GCACACGATG CTGAGCAGCT CCTCCGCCTG TGCCAATATG 4320
GGGACGCTGC CATTGTGTGT CACTGTTCCC TGCTCACTGC TCCTTCTGAA CAGGTGAATT 4380
CCGTTACCTT TTCCTTGGGA ACAGGACTAC AAAAAAGGTC TAGGGAAAAG GGTCTAGCAG 4440
GTAGGGACCT TCCACCGAGA CCGACACTAG CAGTGTTAAG ACCAACCCAG TAGCCAGTAG 4500
TAACAAAAAG AGACATCTTT CTTTCCACTC AACTCGTACC TCCCCTACCT CGTGTCCTTC 4560
CACAACACGT ACCTGTCCTT ACCAGCCCCA CCACGACTCG AGTCCAGGTG TCTCCATGTG 4620
TCCTCCTGCT TCCCTCTAAA AAGGACTCTA AGGGTCACGA GTAATTTATT GAAAAGGGAA 4680
AGAAAAACCC TTACTTCCTT CCTTTTTTTC CCCACACCCA CCCTTCTATC CTTACACCGA 4740
CATCCGTCCA CCTTTCA 4757
35 amino acids
amino acid
single
Not Relevant
peptide
N-terminal
unknown
13
Pro Ala Val Lys Val Gly Gln Gln Ala Lys Glu Ser Glu Glu Gln Lys
1 5 10 15
Ser Glu Glu Met Gly Thr Arg Asp Leu Lys Leu Glu Arg Leu Ala Ala
20 25 30
Lys Leu Glu
35
35 amino acids
amino acid
single
linear
peptide
N-terminal
unknown
14
Pro Ala Val Lys Leu Gly Gln Gln Ala Lys Glu Ser Gly Lys Gln Lys
1 5 10 15
Ser Ala Asn Ser Gly Val Ala Asp Leu Lys Glu Leu Ala Ser Glu Leu
20 25 30
Tyr Asp Glu
35
35 amino acids
amino acid
single
linear
peptide
N-terminal
unknown
15
Pro Ala Val Ile Leu Gly Gln Gln Ala Lys Glu Ser Glu Glu Gln Lys
1 5 10 15
Ser Glu Gly Ser Gly Val Ala Asp Leu Lys Leu Ala Ala Lys Leu Glu
20 25 30
Tyr Ile Ala
35
7350 base pairs
nucleic acid
double
linear
DNA (genomic)
unknown
16
CTGGGTCAGA TCTCCCGGCT TCATTTCTCT CCATCCCTGG GGTCCCCTCC TCCCGTCTGA 60
CTGCTGGAGG GCGGATGATC ACCCCCTGTC TGCACCCCTC CCTGCGCTAT CTGCAGCCCT 120
TCAGATGCAC CGCACCCCAT TTGCACTCCC TGCCCCCCCT TTGTACACAT GGGGGGGATA 180
TCAGCCCTCC TCCTTCCACC CACCCGTATC AGAGCCGCTG TGCTGCTGAG GGAGGCGGAT 240
GGGACGGCTG CATCGCTCCC CCTCAGCTTC ACAGAGCTGC TTTGCTGCGG GTTTTGGCTG 300
CAATTCGGAC CCTCTAAGAA TGATCCCTCG TTGTGAGACT CCGCTGCAAA GCTGATCCGT 360
TCGAGCTCTC CTCCTACAGC TGCTGCCCTC ATATTCTCCC CACACTTCTT CCCCATATTC 420
TTTCCAAATC CTCTTCCCCA TCTCCTCCAC CGTCTCTTTC TCAGAGTCCT TCCTCTCTCT 480
CCCTAAATTC TTCCCCCCTC CTCTCCTCCA GCACAGATGC GCTTCACATC GGGATGCAAC 540
CACCCCAGTT TCACCCTCCC CTGGAGGACC CTCCTGCCTT ATCTCGTGGC TCTGCACCTC 600
CTCCAGCCGG GATCAGGTAG GGGTCCTGTG GGGCTGCTGT GCCTGGCACA GGTGTTGCTG 660
TGGGGTGGGG GAGCAGCCAT GGGGCAGGGA GGACCCATGT CCAGCACCCA GCCTCGCTTG 720
GGTTTCTCTT TCACTTGGGC TATTTCATGA AATGTGTGAT TTCGGGTGGA ATTTCTGTCC 780
CTTCTTCACC TCCACCACAC GGTGTGAGTG GGCTCCCACC CCCAGCAATC CTTGCCCACT 840
CCCTCCTGAT CCCTCCCCAC TGCTTTTACA TGGGATGGAG CACACACCAA CTAACCCTGT 900
GCCGCTCCAT GCCCCCACAT TAACACAGCC ACCATCTCAC CATCTCTTCG TGCCCTTCTC 960
ATTGCCCAGC CCAGCTCAGG GTGGTGGCGC CGAGCCTCCG TGTCACTGCC ATCGTGGGAC 1020
AGGATGTCGT GCTGCGCTGC CACTTGTGCC CTTGCAAGGA TGCTTGGAGA TTGGACATCA 1080
GATGGATCCT GCAGCGGTCC TCTGGTTTTG TGCACCACTA TCAAAATGGA GTGGACCTGG 1140
GGCAGATGGA GGAATATAAA GGGAGAACAG AACTGCTCAG GGATGGTCTC TATGATGGAA 1200
ACCTGGATTT GCGCATCACT GCTGTGAGCA CCTCCGATAG TGGCTCATAC AGCTGTGCTG 1260
TGCAGGATGG TGATGGCTAT GCAGACGCTG TGGTGGACCT GGAGGTGTCA GGTCAGTGGC 1320
TGGGGTGATG TCTCCAGGTG TCCCTGGGCT TGTGTGTCCC CTACCGACCT CTGTCCATCC 1380
TCATCCTCAC ATCCTAGGAT GGAGAACTGA AGGACAGCAG CCTTTGGAAG AGCTCAGGGC 1440
TGAACAGCTC CATGAGATGC TGGAGTTGGA TCGGGCACAT GGTGTAATTT GAAAATGGAT 1500
ATGCATGGAT GAGGTGGTTG GGTTGGGTTT CTGGGATGGG TTTCTCCACG TCTCAGTGGC 1560
AGTGGGCACA CGATGCTGAG CAGCTCCTCC GCCTGTGCCA ATATGGGGAC GCTGCCATTG 1620
TGTGTCACTG CTCCCTGGTT GTTGTCCCTT CGGGTTCTGT GATCTCCAGA AGTCGAAGTC 1680
GTGTTTGTCC ACATAAGGCA GTGGAAAAAG GAACCCTTGT CCTGATGTCT TTTCCAGATC 1740
CCTTTTCCCA GATCGTCCAT CCCTGGAAGG TGGCTCTGGC TGTGGTCGTC ACAATTCTCG 1800
TTGGGTCATT TGTCATCAAT GTTTTTCTCT GTAGGAAGAA AGGTGAGCTG AGAGCGGAGG 1860
GGATGGAGCA CAGGGAGGTG TTGTGCATGG ACAGGGATGG TCGGGGTGGT GCTGAGCTCT 1920
GGTGTACAGA GGTACACAGG AGGAGAAAGG GAGATTTTTC CTGACATTCC CACTGCCCAT 1980
TAAATAACAT TGCCTTTCTT TTGGGGAAAT GAAGGAGGAA AAAAAGAAGT GTGGGTGGGC 2040
AGATAGGAAA GTGGGTGGAC CGTGGGGCAG GTGGAAAGGT CCAGACCTCG GGACGTCCCC 2100
AAACCAAGCT GCCCTGCTGA CTACCTCTTC CTCCAATTTG TTTTCCAGCG GCACAGAGCA 2160
GAGAGCTGAG TGAGTCCTTC CAGCCCCTTC CACCACCAAA GTCCCTTTAA TGGAACTGAT 2220
AGAAGACTGC AGAGTGCTGG GTTTATGCCT TGTGCTGGGG CCATGGGATC TATGGGACCT 2280
TGGGATGTGT TGGGGCCGTG GGATGTGCTG GGGTCGTGGG ATCTGTCAAC CCTGATTGAT 2340
CCACTTCAGA ACTCTTGCCC AATCGGTTCC TTCCGATTCA TTTAACTCCT TCTTGAGGCC 2400
AAAGTGGTCA TTGGCCACAT CCCAGAAAAA AGGGTTTGGG GTCAGGGTGT GGGAGCTGAT 2460
CGCATGGAAA CGTGTCCCCT CTGACCATGC ATTTCATTTG CTTCTATTTT GCAGAGAGAA 2520
AACATGCAGC GTTGGGTAAG TCTCCTCCCC ATATGTGAGG GAATTCAGGG TGTCCCCATG 2580
GCATCAGCAG TGGGATGAGC AGCTGTCCGC TCTGACCATG CACTGCTCTG CTCTTTCTTT 2640
TCCAGCGGAA CTAGATGAGA TATCGGGTGA GTCTCCATTC CCAATTGTAT TCTTTCAAAT 2700
GTTCTGCCTT GGGGAGCTGT GGGATAGGAT GTTCTTCTCA CCATGCACTG ATTCTACCTT 2760
TCCATTGCAG GTTTAAGTGC TGAAAATCTG AGTAAGTGTC CCTCCTGACA CTGAAGGAAT 2820
TTGGGGTATT CCCATGGGAT CAGCCATTGA ATGAAAACAT GGCCCCCTCT CTTCATGCAT 2880
TTCCTATTTC TTACCTTTGC AGAGCAATTA GCTTCAAAAC TGAGTGAGTG CTCACTCCCA 2940
AACTCAAAGT AAAGAGAGTC TGCCTGTGTG AGCTGTGGGA TGAGATGTTC CACTCATCGT 3000
GCATTGCTTT TCTCTTTATT TTCCAGACGA AAATGCTGAC GAGTGGGTGA GTCTACATTC 3060
ACTAATGCAA AGAAATATGG GGTCTCCCAA GGGATGACAA GCGTGTCCCG CATCATCATT 3120
TGGTGCTTCT TCTGTCTTTT TTTTTGCAGA GGATTGCAAT TCAGAGCTGA GTAAGTTGCA 3180
GTCACTGAAC TGAGGGAATG TGGGGTCTTC CCAAGGGACA GTGCATGGGA TGAAAAATCC 3240
CCTCTGACCA TGCACTGCTT TTCTCTTTCT TTCCCAGAGA AAGACTGTGA AGAGATGGGT 3300
GAGTCCCCCC CCCCAAAATT AAACGTTGGG GTCCTCATGT GGAGCTGTGG ATGAGATGTC 3360
CTCTCATCAC GCACTGTTTC TACATTTCTT TGCAGGTTCT GGCGTTGCAG ATCTGAGTAA 3420
GTCTCCCCTA CCAGCACGGA AGGAATTTGT GGTCTTCCCA TGGGATCAGC CATGGGACTG 3480
ATCATCTGAG CCCTCTCATC ATGCATTTCA TATTCGTTCC TTTTGCAGAG GAACTGGCTG 3540
CAAAATTGGG TGAGTGTTGC CTCCCAAATT AAATTAAAAA AGGGGGTCTG CCTGGGCTCG 3600
CTGTGGGATA GGATCTTCCT CTCACTGTGT GTTGCTTTTC CCTTTCTTTT CCAGAGGAAT 3660
ATATTGCAGT GAATCGTGAG TCTCCCCTCC GAAATTATAA ATGCTGGGGA AATCTTGTGT 3720
GCGATCGTGG GTAGAGCTCT TCCTCTCATC ATGCACTGTT TCTGCTTTTC CTTTGCAGGG 3780
AGAAGGAATG TAAAGTTGAG TGAGTCTCTC TTCCCAAACC AAACAGATTT GGGGTCTTCC 3840
CATGGGATCA GCCATGGGAT GATAATCTAA CCCTACTCAT CATGCATTTC TTATTGGTTC 3900
CTTTGGCAGA TAATATAGCT GCCAAACTGG GTGAGTCCCC CCTCACAGAT TACATAAAAA 3960
ATGGGGTCTG CCTGTGTGAG CTGTGGGATG AGATGTTCCT CTCATCATGT ACTACTTTTC 4020
TCTTCCTTTT CCAGCACAAC AAACTAAAGA ATTGGGTGAG TCTTCTTTCC CCAAACAAAG 4080
AAATACGGGA TTCCCATGGG ATGACAAGCT GTGCCACCTC ATCATGCCCT GTTTTTTCTG 4140
TCCTTTTTGC AGAGAAACAG CATTCACAGT TCCGTAAGTT GCAGTCACTA AACTGAAGGA 4200
ATGTGGGGTC TTCCCAAAGT CCTGCATACG GGATGAAAAA TCCCCTCTGA CCATGCACTG 4260
CTTTTCTCTT TCTATTCCAG ACAGACACTT TCAGCGTATG GGTGAGTCTC TCCCCCCCAA 4320
ATTAAAAACG CTGGGGGCAT CCTATGGGAG CTGTGGGATG AGATTTTCCT CTCATCACAC 4380
ACTCCTTCTG CTTTTCCATT GCAGATTTAA GTGCTGTAAA CCAGAGTAAG TCTCCCTCCC 4440
TGCACAGAAG GAACTTCCAG TTTTCCCATG GGATCAGCCA TGGGATGATC ATCCGACTCT 4500
TCTCATCATA AATTCGTCTT CTTCTTTGCA GAGAAACTGG TTACAAAACT GGGTGAGTCC 4560
AACCTCCCAA ACTAAATTAA AAGCAGTCAG ACTTTGTGAG CTGTGGGATG AGACGTTCTT 4620
CTCATCATGT GCTGCTTTCC TTTTACTTTT CCAGAGGAAC ACTTTGAATG GATGGGTGAG 4680
TCTCCCCTCC CAAATTAAAA ATGTTGGGGT CTTCCTGTGT GAGCTGTGGG ATGAGCTGTT 4740
CCTCCCATCA TGCACTGGTT CTAATTTTCC TTTGCAGAGA GAAGGAATGT AAAGTTGGGT 4800
GAGTCTTCTT CCCCAACCAA AGGGATTTGG GGTCTTCCAT GGGATCAGCC ATGGGATGAT 4860
AACCTGAACC TTATCACATA TTTCTTATTT GTTCTTTTTG CAGAGATACC AGCTGTAATA 4920
CTGGGTGAGT CCTCCCTCCC AAATTAAATA CAAAAGGGGA TCTGCCTGTG TGAGCTGTGG 4980
GATGAGATGT TCCTCTCATC ACGCATTATT TTCTCTTTCT TTTCCAGGGC AACAAGCTAA 5040
AGAATCAGGT GAGTCTTCTT CCCTGTCCCA AAGGACTATG GGTTTCCCAT GGGATGACAA 5100
GCTGTGCCAC CTCCTCACGA GGTGCTTCTT CTTTCTTTTT TGCAGAGAAA CAGAAATCGG 5160
AGCTGAGTAA GTTGCAGTCA CTGAACTGAG GGAATGTGGG GTCTTCCCAA AGTCTTGTGT 5220
ATGGGATGAA AAATCCCCTC TGACCATGCA CTGCTTTTCT CCTCCTTTGC CAGAGGAGCG 5280
CCATGAGGAG ATGGGTGAGT CTCCCCTCCC ATATTAAAAT CGTTGGGGTC TTCCTGTGTG 5340
AGCTGTGAGA TGAGATGTTC CTCTCATCAT GCGATGCTTT TCTCTCTTTT CCAGCAGAAC 5400
AAACTGAAGC AGTGGGTGAG TCTTTGTCCC CAACCCAAAG GAATATGGGG CAATCCATGG 5460
GATGACAAGC TGTCCCATCT CATCGTGCAT TGCTTTCCTA TTCCTTTTTT CTAGTGGTAG 5520
ATACTGAAGA AGCGGGTGAG TCTTTCCCAA ACCAAAGCAA TACGGGGTTT CCCATGGCAT 5580
GACAAGCTGT CCCACCTCAG CATCCGTTGT TTTTCTCTTT CTTTTCCAGA AAAACCATCT 5640
GAAGAATTGG ATTGAGAGAT GAACTGCGCC TCACAGTAAC CACAGGAGTT AAGCTTCATA 5700
GATCAATGAC TGCACAGCAT ACAAAAACCA CGATACCTCA AACAGAGCAA GGAAATCCAC 5760
AGCGAGAACA AGAGGAGCCA GTGTTTGTGT TGAGTGAGAA CACTGCAGTT CTGTCAGCCA 5820
AAGCTGCCTG AGGGACCGCC AAACTGAGGG TGTGCGACCT CCAACTCAAA GCCAATTGGA 5880
AGAAAGAAAC CATAGAAAGG AAGGAAAGGG GAGGAAGACA GAGATCCTGG AAGAGATATG 5940
GGCATTTGGG GAAATAGTGT GACCATGTAT CAGGCTGTGT GGACATCTAA CGAATATGTC 6000
ATGTTTTTGT AAATACAAGC ATGCACTCAG AAACAAAGGT AGAAAACTGC TTTGGGTGGT 6060
AACACTGTTC TCTGTCAAAA TATAATAAAG AATACCTGCT GATGGTAATG GATCATTGAT 6120
TGTGAGCAGT TATTGGGGTT TGGTTCCATG AAACAGGCTG AGTCTTCTTC CCAGAAACAA 6180
AGCAACGTGG GCTCTATCGG ATAACAAGCC GACCCTTCTC ACCATGCACT GCTATTCCAG 6240
CACAACAAGG CTCTCTCCAG GAAGCTAAAA AGGGATAAAA TAAATTAATA GGAAAGAAAT 6300
ACACAAAAAC AAGAAAATTT AAAAAAGAAT ACTCCAAAAA ATCTATAATT ATTACAATAA 6360
AAACTTTAAA AAAACACACC AACCTTCCAC CCTGGGGGAG CACCAATGAC AGCCTTTTGT 6420
GCCCCATCGC GGTTTTATGA GAACAGCCAC ACACTTCAGA GCTGACCCCG TGAGCCCCAC 6480
AGTGGGGGGA CCTCCCACAG TGGGTGGACC TCCTCCACAA CCACCCCCAT CACTCACATT 6540
GAATGCCCAA AGAAACAACA GCCCCAAAGG TTCCTCCTGG TGCTTCAGCC GCGTGTGTTC 6600
CTCATTCTGC TGTGCTGATG GTGATCATTA ACCCAACAGC TCATTAACCA GGTTATGGCT 6660
CAGGTGCGTG CTGCTGAACA AGCTTGGAGC CTAAAATGGT TCCTGCACAC ATCCCAGGGG 6720
ACGGCCCTCC ACCTTTCACT CCCCGCCATT ACAGCTCTCC TTAATCAGAG GAATACAGAT 6780
TCCATGCACT GAGTGCACTG AGCCATCGCC CACCTTCCCT ACAAACACCT CCTGGTCCCC 6840
ACAAACCCTC ACTGTGGGAA GAGGGGCTCT GGGGGGGTCA CAGGGACAAA CATTTAATAA 6900
TTCCTGTATT AATGGTTGAT TAACTTAAAA ATCTGTACTG ATCAAATAAA CTGCCACCCC 6960
TTGGGCATAG CTCAGAGCAT GCTCATGGAG TACAGCCCAC AGCTTTCCTC TGTGCTAGGG 7020
CAATGCTTCT CCTGGGTCCA TGTTCATCCT GGGTGGATGC AGAGCCCCAG GGTGGTACAT 7080
GAAACTGCAA TGGGATGTCA GTGTTCAGAG TTCTCCAACC GTCTGCCCCA TTGCCAAAGG 7140
GGTAAAGTTC CTCGGAGCAG ATTACCACAC CCTGGAGCTG GGCAAAGGTT GACGCTGGGC 7200
AAAGGTAGAA GCTGGGCATA GCTGCACGTT TCCTGCAGCT CAGGTGAGGG ATTTCTGTCT 7260
CTGTGGGGCT CCTTGTAGGG GAAATCCTTG GGGGGTCATC TGCTCTGCCT CACAGCCTGT 7320
GAGGAGCACT GGCACTGCCC AAGGCAGTGG 7350 | The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of domesticated fowl, the B system, is known to contain three subregions which are identified as B-F , B-G and B-L . This invention includes a cDNA clone encoding a B-G antigen of the B system. MHC haplotyping is accomplished by use of novel probes provided by clones to detect restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns typical for various B-G subregion alleles.
Additional information concerning this invention is set forth in the attached manuscript entitled “Hypervariable sequence diversity in Ig V-like and leucine heptad domains in chicken histocompatibility B-G antigens”. | 96,856 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to body sensation providing devices and more particularly relates to skin contacting units adapted to be powered by one channel of audio output of a stereo amplifier enabling a couple, each wearing one of the units, to feel as well as hear the sound output of the amplifier when the couple is in skin contact with each other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The sense of sight has often been used to complement the sense of hearing and thereby enhance the enjoyment of music. Thus, electrical impulses related to sound generation for speakers has been used to modulate various colored lights to respond to rhythms, amplitudes and melodies providing so called psychedelic lighting effects for simultaneous visual stimulation while listening and dancing to the music. This invention enables the listeners to feel as well as hear the music and may have uses in dance instruction for the profoundly hearing impaired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the objects of the invention is to provide a device enabling a wearer to feel music and enjoy such feeling with another wearer by skin contact between both wearers, which device shall include two separate units, each adapted to encircle the torso of one of the two wearers and be connected by a lead wire to one of the output terminals of one of the channels of a stereo amplifier while the wearers hear the sound emitted by the other channel. A hand held wand replacing one of the torso encircling units shall permit an individual wearer to experience the feeling. The pair of units and wand shall comprise few and simple parts which are economical to manufacture and assemble at low cost in quantity production, which shall be durable, dependable and safe to operate.
The pair of units embodying the invention each comprises an elongated band formed as a torso encircling belt having adjustable buckle means for providing a snug fit around the wearer's torso. Each belt features a sheet of an electrical conductor material, such as, an aluminum foil or a thin flexible aluminum sheet, provided on one exposed surface thereof adapted to contact the wearer's skin. One end of a conductor lead wire is riveted to each belt making electrical contact with the sheet, the opposite end of the wire being adapted for connecting to one of the output terminals of a channel of a stereo amplifier which has been disconnected from its speaker. When the units are worn by two individuals, the sensation is primarily felt in the area of skin contact between the wearers.
A hand held wand of metal tubing connected to one end of a conductor lead wire may also be provided whereby the opposite end of the wand lead wire replaces or parallels one of the belt wires in the latter's connection to the output terminal of the amplifier. This enables a wearer of one of the belts to grasp the wand and feel the sensation while executing a dance routine where skin contact with a partner is lacking. Both belts may also be worn by one individual, or in a modified form, a pair of spaced conductor sheets, insulated from each other, may be mounted on a single belt. Where both conductor sheets are worn by one individual, the sensation is felt in the area of skin contact with the sheets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the device embodying the invention showing the belts mounted around the waists of two listeners and connected by lead wires to the output of a stereo amplifier.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the belts shown in FIG. 1 removed from the wearer and spread flat with the body contacting side thereof exposed.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top edge view of the belt shown in FIG. 2 but depicted as worn in FIG. 1 with the opposite ends secured together in overlapping relation.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 but of a belt modified to mount a pair of conductor sheets for providing the sensation to an individual wearer.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified belt construction embodying the invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6--6 in FIG. 5 showing details of construction, and
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a wand embodying the invention, with parts broken away to show interior structure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 generally denotes a device for feeling music, embodying the invention, seen in FIG. 1 to comprise a pair of body encircling belts 11 and a pair of lead wires 20, each wire 20 being connected at one end thereof to one of the belts 11 and having a separable holder 21 interposed along the length thereof housing a replaceable fuse 22. Belts 11 are identical in construction, one being shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as formed with a supporting sheet or layer 12 of a flexible but shape retaining material having electrical non-conducting or insulating properties, such as, a vinyl or other suitable plastic resin, and a lining or layer 13 of an electrical conductor, such as aluminum foil, adhesively or otherwise bonded to layer 12. Belt 11 is provided with a suitable buckle means for adjustably connecting opposite ends 11a and 11b thereof in a snug, waist encircling position to accommodate wearers having waists in a range of different sizes. Such buckle means is seen as located along the midline of belt 11 and to comprise a series of spaced openings or holes 14 extending through both layers 12 and 13 adjacent end 11a and a hook 15 which may be made of wire bent to provide a pair of spaced loops 15a at an attachment end thereof through which a staple 16 extends and fastens hook 15 to layer 12 in position to project beyond the edge of belt end 11b.
For positive and durable attachment of lead wire 20 to belt 11 as well as an electrical connection between wire 20 and conductor layer 13, the end 20a of lead wire 20 mounts a wire connector 23 which may be of the eyelet type attached to lead wire 20 either by crimping or soldering in the conventional manner. Wire connector 23 is permanently attached to the outfacing side of plastic layer 12 of belt 11 by suitable means, shown in FIG. 3 as a grommet-type metal rivet 24 which extends through the eyelet of connector 23 and through both layers 12 and 13 making electrical contact with the latter. The opposite end 20b of lead wire 20 is suitably fashioned for connecting to an audio output terminal of one of the channels of a stereo amplifier and may be provided with a connector of the prong-type (not shown) or simply may terminate in a short length of bare wire from which the insulation has been stripped to be connected as hereinafter described.
The practical utility and operation of device 10 will now be apparent. Lead wires 20 extending from belts 11 are supplied in desired lengths, such as, 9, 12 or more feet, in order to provide for adequate distance between the wearers and the amplifier A as well as for freedom of movement to permit dancing. FIG. 1 illustrates a representation of the rear side of any conventional stereo amplifier A to which device 10 and particularly ends 20b of lead wires 20 are to be attached preparatory to use. Amplifier A is shown as having right and left channel output terminals RT1, RT2 and LT1, LT2 which are connected to terminals in the rear of right speaker RS and left speaker LS by wiring RW1, RW2 and LW1, LW2, respectively. The terminals (not shown in detail) of speakers RS and LS usually permit easy attachment and separation of the short length of bare wire provided to terminate wiring RW1, RW2 and LW1, LW2 for this purpose. The lengths of bare wire at ends 20b of lead wires 20 or any connector mounted thereon may be attached directly to the terminals RT1, RT2 of the right channel or to terminals LT1, LT2 of the left channel after disconnecting therefrom wiring RW1, RW2 or LW1, LW2, respectively. Also, as an alternative, wiring RW1, RW2 or LW1, LW2 may be disconnected at the respective speaker terminals and spliced onto ends 20b by twisting the two bare wires together and applying a twisted wire retention cap 25 to each splice in the well known manner. In the illustration in FIG. 1, wiring LW1, LW2 are shown disconnected from left speaker LS and spliced onto lead wires 20 with the aid of retention caps 25 while right speaker RS remains connected to the right channel terminals RT1, RT2 for providing sound therethrough.
Each person of the participating couple then places one of the belts 11 around his/her waist with layer 13 facing inwardly in contact with the bare skin and, bringing end 11b to overlie end 11a, selectively engages hook 15 in the appropriate opening 14 to provide a snug fit for belt 11. Adjustment for proper output of amplifier A is then accomplished by initially setting the volume control to a minimum and the balance control to a maximum for the channel to which the belts 11 are attached, this being the left channel in the hook-up shown in FIG. 1. Music is then played through amplifier A and, with the participants in skin contact with each other, as for example, holding hands as shown in FIG. 1, the volume control is advanced until the desired tingling sensation is felt in the area of skin contact between the participants. The balance control is then rotated toward the right channel until the sound emitted by right speaker RS is at a comfortable volume for listening. This will reduce the sensation and may require a volume increase and another balance adjustment. By slight alternate adjustments of the volume and balance controls the desirable sound and sensation levels can be achieved. In disco and rock music, adjustment of the base and treble controls to accentuate the base imparts a rhythm beat or bounce to the sensation while accentuation of the treble and attenuation of the base imparts more of a tingling sensation.
Device 10 may be utilized by one person rather than by a couple by such person wearing both belts 11, preferably around the torso, in spaced relation so that conductor layers 13 do not make direct contact and thereby short circuit each other. To facilitate this, a modified form of the invention is shown in FIG. 4 as device 30 which comprises a single, body encircling belt 31 considerably wider than belt 11, formed with a supporting sheet or layer 32 for a pair of longitudinally extending electrical conductor layer sections 33 spaced from each other along a midline section 32a, layer 32 and layer sections 33 being similar in material and properties to layers 12 and 13, respectively, of belt 11. Similarly, each layer section 33 has a lead wire 40 connected thereto by a wire connector 43 and rivet 44, while hook 35 and openings 34, located in midline section 32a, provide the buckle means for belt 31. Lead wires 40 are also protected by replaceable fuses (not shown) and the opposite ends thereof are adapted to connect to the pair of terminals of one of the channels of amplifier A in the same manner as wires 20.
Device 50 is a structural modification of device 10 embodying the invention and comprising a pair of belts 51 each having a lead wire 60 for connection to amplifier A. One of such belts 51 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to comprise metal sheet 53 of a thickness to provide both the support characteristics and flexibility of layer 12 and the electrical conductivity of layer 13 of belt 11. Sheet 53 may be made of 0.015 to 0.020 inch thick aluminum or 0.010 to 0.015 inch thick stainless steel. The edges 53a of sheet 53 are all beaded or rolled in a conventional manner to prevent cutting the skin by a sharp unfinished edge when belt 51 is handled or worn. Hook 55 is stapled directly to sheet 53 which is also formed with spaced openings 54 serving as adjustable buckling means. To facilitate manufacture, openings 54 may extend along the entire length of sheet 53. Lead wire 60 is similar to lead wires 20 and 40, having a connector 63 attached to wire end 60a and secured to sheet 53 by a rivet 64, here shown as being of the solid type. To reduce the possibility of undesirable electrical contact with sheet 53 when in use, a layer 52 of vinyl resin, serving as an insulator, may be sprayed onto the outfacing surface of sheet 53, or the latter may be made from sheeting material preformed with a coating of enamel or the like paint which serves the same purpose as well as adding to the aesthetic appeal of belt 51.
To provide greater versatility to devices 10 and 50, a hand held wand 70 may be included for use with one or both belts 11 and 51 in the manner hereinafter described. Wand 70 is seen in FIG. 7 to comprise a length of aluminum tubing 71 sized for easy grasping in one hand and having a lead wire 80 secured thereto for electrically connecting wand 70 to one of the output terminals of stereo amplifier A. The opposite ends of tubing 71 are preferably closed and finished by suitable slip-on, fitted caps 72 and 72a, as shown, made of rubber or plastic, or a plug type closure may also be used. Whereas any suitable means may be used for securing lead wire 80 to tubing 71, the wand connecting end 80a of wire 80 is shown in FIG. 7 as extending through an opening in cap 72a into the bore of tubing 71 and terminating in a wire connector 83 secured to the interior surface of tubing 71 by a suitable rivet 84 which may be of the outside pull or "pop" type. Lead wires 60 and 80 may each also be fitted with a separable fuse holder and replaceable fuse similar to holder 21 and fuse 22 of lead wire 20, the rating of the fuses used in lead wires 20, 40, 60 and 80 being selected in the fraction of an ampere range to afford maximum protection. Likewise, lead wire 80 is of a length comparable to lead wire 20 or 60 and has the opposite end 80b thereof prepared for attachment to the appropriate output terminal of amplifier A.
When device 10 or 50 is provided as a three-unit device by including a wand 70 in addition to the pair of belts 11 or 51, respectively, the pair of lead wires 20 or 60 are connected as hereinbefore described in the operation of device 10 and the opposite end 80b of lead wire 80 is connected to the appropriate output terminal of amplifier A so that the wand 70 is in parallel with one of the belts 11 or 51. When the participants wish to hold hands to feel the sensation, wand 70 is held in the other hand by the participant wearing the belt 11 or 51 which is connected in parallel with wand 70. When the participants desire to separate, wand 70 is passed to the other participant who will feel the sensation, which is similar to that experienced between the grasped hands, in the hand grasping wand 70. Also, wand 70 may be passed to a third participant for grasping in one hand while holding hands and feeling the sensation with the participant wearing the belt 11 or 51 which is not connected in parallel with wand 70.
The scope of the invention also contemplates a device comprising two wands 70 connected to the terminals of amplifier A in the manner described for belts 11 of device 10. Each wand 70 is then grasped in one hand by each of the two participants while they hold each other's other hand.
The three-unit device 10 or 50 may be useful in teaching dancing to the profoundly hearing impaired where the instructor wears the belt 11 or 51 which is wired in parallel with wand 70. The instructor holds the wand 70 while dancing in hand contact with the student, but passes the wand 70 to the student when the dance instruction requires the student to separate from and move independently of the instructor.
Metal sheets 13, 33 and 53 render satisfactory results when each sheet is made in a length sufficient to substantially encircle the torso of the wearer in skin contact therewith and is 3 and 4 inches in width providing an overall skin contacting area of about 90 to 130 sq. inches. Wand 70 when having tubing 71 of 3/4 inch O. D. and about 10 inches in length is easy to handle and renders satisfactory results in use.
One output terminal of each of the channels of amplifier A may be a common ground so that, instead of the output configuration shown in FIG. 1, amplifier A has only three output terminals, namely, a right and left channel output and a common ground terminal to which one lead to both right and left speakers RS and LS connect. Thus, it will be understood that a recitation in the claims of two output terminals to which units of devices 10, 30 and 50 connect is to include one terminal of a channel and the common ground of such three terminal arrangement.
The two- and three-unit devices for feeling music herein disclosed are seen to achieve the several objects of the invention and to be well adapted to meet conditions of practical use. As various possible embodiments might be made of this invention, and as various changes might be made in the disclosed units, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. | An electrically chargeable plate of predetermined surface area is retained in contact with the skin of each of two participants. An electrical conductor connects each plate to one of the two terminals of the audio output of one of the channels of a stereo amplifier while the other channel plays through its speaker. Physical contact between the participants completes the circuit enabling both participants to feel the modulated impulses of the sound as well as hear the output of the speaker on the other channel. Both plates may be worn by one person to experience a comparable feeling or one plate and an electrically chargeable wand used in place of or in addition to the other plate enables either one or two persons to participate. | 17,271 |
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/502,577, filed on Jul. 14, 2009 (presently pending) which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/080,406, filed on Jul. 14, 2008. The teachings of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/080,406 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/502,577 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of consumer products are frequently packaged in aerosol cans. These products include paints, hair spray, insecticides, herbicides, air fresheners, perfumes, fragrances, antimicrobial agents, cleaners, anti-sticking agents, and the like. Even though packaging these types of products in aerosol cans has been well accepted by consumers for decades, the continued use of aerosol cans for packaging consumer products is coming under greater and greater scrutiny. Most of the criticism relating to the use of aerosol cans originates from the thesis that aerosols are harmful to the environment. Additionally, the aerosol cans themselves are typically discarded after being used and generally end up in landfills as solid waste. In actual practice the steel of which aerosol cans are made is seldom recycled.
Aerosol cans also have the drawback of potentially exploding and causing personal injury and/or property damage if they are exposed to high temperatures during storage or transportation. This danger of explosion limits the manner in which products that are packaged in aerosol cans are transported, stored, and utilized.
Power sprayers that can be used to apply liquid compositions, such as paints, insecticides, lubricants, and the like to substrates are a viable alternative to aerosols. In fact, power sprayers circumvent many of the problems associated with the use of aerosols. For instance, the use of power sprayers does not present the explosion hazard or the environmental concerns associated with aerosol products. However, power sprayers are frequently awkward to handle and difficult to clean after being used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention relates to a power sprayer that can be conveniently used by both professionals and amateurs. This power sprayer offers flexibility of movement because it can be battery operated. It also is designed to eliminate the need for cleaning its spray nozzle after being used. The media being sprayed can also be easily changed quickly and easily. For instance, paint colors can be changed quickly and repeatedly by simply changing the media cartridges that are adapted for simple attachment to the sprayer. The media cartridges used in conjunction with the sprayers of this invention also eliminate the inconvenience associated with refilling conventional power sprayers with a desired media. Even more importantly, it eliminates the need for extensive clean-up and cleaning materials, such as solvents, rags, paper towels, etc., which is time-consuming and has a negative impact on the environment. One of the most important benefits of the present invention is the ability to deliver virtually any media, including waterborne systems, without compromising the spray quality and flexibility of a spray can. In fact, the power sprayer of this invention offer even better flexibility than conventional sprayers or spray cans by virtue of being capable of being used while in any orientation.
The present invention more specifically discloses a media cartridge system for a sprayer comprising: (a) a media container, (b) a self-cleaning nozzle, (c) a media shut-off means, (d) a primary media atomizing aperture in a configuration relative to the self-cleaning nozzle, (e) a movable media containment member within the media container, (f) a gas transfer interface, and (g) a power unit engagement means.
The subject invention further discloses a sprayer which is comprised of ( 1 ) an electrical power source, ( 2 ) an electric motor, ( 3 ) a pump which is driven by the motor, ( 4 ) an output, ( 5 ) an electrical control switch, ( 6 ) a media cartridge air transfer interface, ( 7 ) a media cartridge engagement means, and ( 8 ) a media cartridge which is comprised of (a) a media container, (b) a self-cleaning nozzle, (c) a media shut-off means, (d) a primary media atomizing aperture in a configuration relative to the self-cleaning nozzle, (e) a movable media containment member within the media container, (f) a gas transfer interface, and (g) a power unit engagement means.
The present invention also reveals a sprayer which is comprised of ( 1 ) a power unit which includes (a) an electrical power source, (b) an electric motor, (c) a pump which is driven by the motor, (d) an output control, and (e) an electrical control switch, ( 2 ) a nozzle unit which includes (a) a media cartridge air transfer interface, (b) a power unit engagement means, (c) a gas transfer interface, and ( 3 ) a media container wherein the media container includes (a) a media cartridge engagement means, (b) a movable media containment member within the media container, (c) a media container air transfer interface and (d) a media supply line interface.
The subject invention further discloses a sprayer having a configuration which comprises a media outlet, a storage device/energy source (such as a capacitor, a fuel cell or a battery), at least one primary atomization outlet, and at least one spray pattern shaping/secondary outlet that minimizes power usage, wherein the primary outlet utilizes higher pressure than the secondary outlet, wherein the higher pressure utilized by the primary outlet is at least 2 times the pressure of the pressure utilized by the secondary outlet and wherein the primary atomization aperture is configured in a convex shape relative to the media aperture to provide enhanced self-cleaning as well as increased gas flow by entrainment of ambient gases through a coanda effect. The objective of this sprayer system is to deliver and shape a higher level of media at the same level of power consumption as compared to conventional spraying technology. This is accomplished by separating the need for high energy atomization air flow from the lower pressure needed to attain a desired spray pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power sprayer of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the power sprayer depicted in FIG. 1 showing the media cartridge detached from the power unit.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the power sprayer depicted in FIG. 1 as cut along section line 3 - 3 .
FIG. 4 is a partial section view showing one embodiment of this invention depicting an electro-magnetic vibrator for media agitation.
FIG. 5 is a partial section view showing one embodiment of this invention depicting an acoustical/electro-magnetic vibrator for media agitation.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the power sprayer of this invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the power-sprayer of FIG. 6 highlighting the internal components of the nozzle portion of the media cartridge in a “closed/not spraying” mode.
FIG. 8 is an orthographic view of the media cartridge.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the power-sprayer of FIG. 6 highlighting the internal components of the nozzle portion of the media cartridge in an open spraying mode depicting the flow pattern of both the spray media and primary and secondary air.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the power-sprayer of FIG. 6 highlighting the internal components of the nozzle portion of the media cartridge in an open spraying mode depicting an oval spray pattern that can be attained due to positioning of the tip guard.
FIG. 10 illustrates both a vertical flat pattern 61 and a horizontal flat pattern 62 either of which can be attained via appropriate orientation of the secondary air pattern shaping outlet port 40 .
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the power-sprayer of FIG. 6 highlighting the internal components of the nozzle portion of the media cartridge in an open spraying mode depicting a round spray pattern that can be attained due to positioning of the tip guard. FIG. 11 depicts a shut media nozzle 63 before and after spraying occurs and further depicts an open media nozzle 64 utilized to attain a round spray pattern 65 .
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the power sprayer of this invention.
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the power sprayer of this invention showing a wand hand extension.
FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the power sprayer of FIG. 13 showing an optional pivot arm with a wheel attachment.
FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a media cartridge adaptor depicting a nozzle and a power unit interface 66 and an external media supply connector 67 .
FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a media cartridge equipped with a piston 59 as the movable media containment member.
FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a media cartridge equipped with a bellows 60 as the movable media containment member depicts the media as partially expended.
FIG. 18 is a schematic view depicting a media cartridge wherein an air bladder 68 indirectly activates the media containment bladder 36 .
FIG. 19 is a schematic view depicting a media cartridge having two movable media containment members which in this embodiment of the invention are bellows 60 . In this embodiment of the invention, there are two media shutoff means 29 . In this figure the movable media containment member depicts the media as partially expended.
REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN FIGURES
The reference numerals used in the drawings to identify various parts or elements of the power sprayer and media cartridge used in the practice of this invention are as follows:
1 . media cartridge 2 . power unit 3 . power unit handle 4 . nozzle 5 . flexible bladder (moveable media containment member) 6 . media container 7 . agitation sphere (media preparation device) 8 . trigger 9 . batteries (electrical power source) 10 . electric motor 11 . gear train 12 . pump 13 . constant output control 14 . power unit gas transfer line 15 . media cartridge (air) gas transfer interface 16 . electromechanical vibrator 17 . acoustical plate 18 . electromagnetic drive 19 . power unit engagement means 20 . power unit mounting bracket 21 . power unit gas transfer interface (gas transfer interface) 22 . control switch (electrical) 23 . media flow control means 24 . tip guard 25 . air inlet 26 . secondary air blower 27 . primary air aperture (primary media atomizing aperture) 28 . media aperture 29 . media needle (media shut-off means) 30 . mechanical interference 31 . mechanical interference seat 32 . shut-off spring 33 . media supply valving needle 34 . diaphragm 35 . secondary air supply 36 . bladder (movable media containment member) 37 . media 38 . access port 39 . seals 40 . secondary air pattern shaping outlet port 41 . secondary air outlet 42 . convex nozzle tip 43 . media nozzle tip 44 . trigger/nozzle engagement member 45 . spray pattern 46 . atomized media 47 . secondary air 48 . primary atomization air 49 . pattern shaping air 50 . wand 51 . handle 52 . wand trigger 53 . pivot arm 54 . wheel 55 . power sprayer 56 . wand sprayer 57 . media cartridge engagement means 58 . power unit identification means 59 . piston 60 . bellows 61 . vertical flat pattern 62 . horizontal flat pattern 63 . shut media nozzle 64 . open media nozzle 65 . round spray pattern 66 . nozzle and power unit interface 67 . external media supply connector 68 . air bladder 69 . external media container
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The power sprayers of this invention can be made utilizing a wide variety of designs wherein the power unit and media cartridge can be of a variety of different shapes and orientations to each other. FIG. 1 depicts one typical design for such a power sprayer 55 . As can be seen, the power sprayer depicted in FIG. 1 includes a media cartridge 1 which attaches to the top of a power unit 2 . This sprayer includes a power unit handle 3 which connects the power unit 2 to the media cartridge 1 . The media cartridge includes a nozzle 4 which extends forwardly from the media cartridge 1 .
FIG. 2 depicts the power sprayer of FIG. 1 wherein the media cartridge 1 is disengaged from the power unit 2 . The media cartridge can be affixed to the power unit via the power unit mounting bracket 20 to which the power unit engagement means 19 attaches. In the design shown, this attachment is effectuated by the interlocking edges which taper in one direction to engage the media cartridge to the power unit at the desired orientation. In this orientation, the power unit gas transfer interface 21 which is a port that aligns with a media cartridge gas transfer interface 15 (as shown in FIG. 3 ).
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the power sprayer of FIG. 1 showing the media cartridge affixed to the power unit. As can be seen, the media cartridge includes a media container 6 which is filled with media 37 . In cases where the media is a liquid it is highly preferred from the movable media containment member to be essentially free of gases. In any case, the media is contained in the media container 6 with a movable media containment member 5 . The media container also includes an agitation sphere 7 for preparing the media for application to a substrate by agitating the media to attain a homogeneous mixture. As can be seen, the media cartridge includes a nozzle 4 through which the media passes while being sprayed. The media cartridge also includes a media cartridge gas transfer interface 15 which mates with the power unit gas transfer interface 21 to provide a pressurized gas such as air which provides force to compress the movable media containment member 5 to force the media 37 there from and ultimately out through nozzle 4 into a desired spray pattern.
The gas from the power unit is compressed by pump 12 which is typically powered by an electric motor 10 having an appropriate gear train 11 , if necessary. The electric motor is typically powered with DC batteries 9 which provide DC current to the electric motor. This supply of electricity optimally is through an output control 13 which is capable of providing the electric motor with constant voltage to attain consistent motor speed (constant revolutions per minute). In other embodiments of this invention, the output control 13 can be designed to provide variable output motor speed to attain desired spray patterns or can be designed to provide controllable output. For instance, the output of the motor can be automatically set by the device to attain a desirable spray pattern predicated upon the distance of the spray nozzle from a substrate surface as could be automatically determined utilizing an infrared, radar, or ultrasonic distance measurement system.
The operation of the unit can be controlled via switch 22 which toggles between an open and closed position via trigger 8 to provide power to the unit as desired. In one embodiment of this invention the switch can be a variable control which will allow the motor to increase or decrease in speed depending upon the degree to which the trigger is pulled. The variable control can be a rheostat, a pot, or any other device capable or providing a variable signal to the output control 13 .
FIG. 4 depicts a media cartridge having a nozzle of convex shape. This device shows an electro-mechanical vibrator 16 for agitating the media to attain a homogeneous mixture. FIG. 5 also depicts such a media cartridge wherein an acoustical plate 17 or an electromagnetic device 18 is utilized to agitate the media wherein such agitation can optionally be carried out with the aid of an agitation sphere 7 . It should be noted that a convex nozzle shape provides enhanced resistance to air nozzle clogging.
FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment for a spray gun 55 in accordance with this invention. This design includes a tip guard 24 which protects the tip of the nozzle from damage which could occur during mishaps such as dropping the spray gun which would adversely affect the quality of the spray. In this design, inlet air 25 is drawn in by the power unit 2 by a secondary air blower 26 . The inlet air acts to cool the electric motor 10 and the pump 12 . The compressed air exiting the secondary air blower moves through the power unit assembly and enters into the media cartridge as depicted in FIG. 7 . FIG. 6 shows a trigger 8 which is integrated with a media flow control means 23 . The media flow control means can be a valve that limits the gas (air) pressure in the media container 6 to moderate the amount of pressure applied to the bladder 36 in the embodiment of the invention. In an alternative embodiment of this invention the media flow control means 23 can also limit the travel of the trigger to a desired stop point which also limits the travel of the needle 29 to limit the amount of atomized media 46 spray (as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 ). In still another embodiment of this invention the trigger is used to control the ratio of media flow to gas (air) flow. The trigger 8 can further be used to operate the control stitch 22 to activate the output control 13 and to attain the desired electric motor 10 operating speed (rpm output) desired. As can be seen in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , the trigger 8 has a flexible element that engages the trigger/nozzle engagement member 44 . In one embodiment of this invention, the trigger/nozzle engagement member 44 is phased to allow the control switch to activate gas flow before media flow. On trigger 8 the media 37 flow can be terminated before gas flow (primary atomization air 48 flow and secondary air 47 flow) is terminated to enhance the self-cleaning feature of the nozzle 4 .
The secondary air flows through the nozzle of the media cartridge and is the source of the secondary air supply 35 can change the desired spray pattern and the secondary air supply 35 can result in augmented secondary air 47 through the coanda effect (as illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 ). The pump provides pressurized air which flows through a power unit gas transfer line 14 through the power unit gas transfer interface 21 (as shown in FIG. 7 ) and into the media cartridge gas transfer interface 15 and through the nozzle as primary atomizing air 48 and ultimately through the primary air aperture 27 of the nozzle. The primary atomizing air 48 and the secondary air 47 converge to provide an atomized media 46 as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 .
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the power-sprayer of FIG. 6 highlighting the internal components of the nozzle portion of the media cartridge in a “closed position” depicting the typical resting position of the mechanical interference 30 when the nozzle 4 is not spraying atomized media. In this position the mechanical interference 30 closes the nozzle 4 by moving forward to form a seal by contact with the mechanical interference seat 31 . In this position the media supply valve needle 53 is not penetrating through the diaphragm 34 to allow media 37 to flow from the moveable media containment member 5 to the nozzle 4 . The power unit identification means 58 can be a mechanical or electrical device that identifies the cartridge and optionally its contents. It typically also adjusts output parameters to attain a desired result. These parameters can include but are not limited to a fine, medium or heavy spray output and coverage or quality. This is accomplished through control by varying the output of the primary and secondary air supplies, motor, pump and/or media output.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the power-sprayer of FIG. 6 highlighting the internal components of the nozzle portion of the media cartridge in an “open position” depicting the position of the mechanical interference 30 when the nozzle 4 is spraying atomized media. In this position the mechanical interference 30 is pulled back to open the nozzle 4 by to allow media to flow through the media aperture 28 . In this open position the media shut off needle is pulled away from the mechanical interference seat 31 to allow media 37 to flow around it and out of the primary aperture 27 . In this position the media supply valve needle 53 penetrates through the diaphragm 34 to allow media 37 to flow from the media bladder 36 to the nozzle 4 . FIG. 9 also shows the flow pattern of the atomized spray media 46 , the primary atomizing air 48 , and secondary air 47 .
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the power-sprayer of FIG. 6 highlighting the internal components of the nozzle portion of the media cartridge in an open spraying mode depicting an oval spray pattern that can be attained by appropriate positioning of the tip guard 24 . FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the power-sprayer highlighting the internal components of the nozzle portion of the media cartridge in an open spraying mode depicting a round spray pattern that can be attained by positioning the tip guard 24 in a different orientation. As can be seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , the atomized media 46 can be sprayed into a variable and desired spray pattern 45 . It should be noted that the gas flow acts to both cause media atomization and media flow. Media flow is caused by a force differential which can be mechanical, vacuum, and/or positive pressure. For instance, a pressure can be applied upon the moveable media containment member 5 to attain an adequate pressure differential to cause the desired level of media flow. FIG. 10 also depicts that secondary air pattern shaping outlet ports 40 cause a convergence of the secondary air supply 35 onto the primary atomization air 48 . The pattern shaping air 49 acts in concert with the secondary air 47 to provide the desired spray pattern 45 .
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the power sprayer of this invention. In this embodiment of the invention the power sprayer 55 is affixed to a folding power unit handle 3 . As illustrated in FIG. 13 the power sprayer 55 can be affixed to a wand 50 (an extension handle) having a handle 51 and a wand trigger 52 to facilitate spraying objects that would ordinarily be difficult to reach. For instance, the wand could be affixed to the power sprayer 50 to spray substrates that ordinarily could not be reached without using a ladder. FIG. 14 is a schematic view that depicts another embodiment of the invention in the form of a ward sprayer 56 wherein an optional pivot arm 53 with a wheel 54 is attached to the power sprayer 55 . This embodiment of the invention can be conveniently be used to spray lines on a highway, parking lot, or field.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. | The subject invention relates to a power sprayer that offers flexibility of movement because it can be battery operated and is designed to eliminate the need for cleaning its spray nozzle after being used. Paint colors can be changed quickly by simply changing the media cartridges that are adapted for simple attachment to the sprayer. The media cartridges used in conjunction with the sprayers of this invention can also eliminate the inconvenience associated with refilling conventional power sprayers with a desired media. The present invention more specifically discloses a sprayer media cartridge system comprising: (a) a media container, (b) a self-cleaning nozzle, (c) a media shut-off means, (d) a primary media atomizing aperture in a configuration relative to the self-cleaning nozzle, (e) a movable media containment member within the media container, (f) a gas transfer interface, and (g) a power unit engagement means. | 23,988 |
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to information technology and particularly to an architecture, system, and technique for modeling network-based environments comprised of multiple information sources and presenting such as a single information resource.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Multiple waves of computing technology have changed the way that organizations conduct business. No longer are computers a way of handling just bookkeeping or inventory control; now, virtually every function an organization performs has a related object stored on a networked system of computers, many of which take part in automated procedures.
[0003] The explosion in the use of computers has created new challenges. The ever increasing power of computers combined with their reduction in size has allowed virtually everyone to have direct access to high performance computational and storage assets. This in turn has lead to the increase in the number of computer programs designed to automate many aspects of our daily lives. Today, the problem of getting these multiple points of automation to interoperate has become the primary focus of computing. The result has been a proliferation of applications designed to manage and manipulate data across networks and between other applications. Most of these applications were developed independently of one another, creating additional barriers between these applications that further inhibit the sharing of information.
[0004] The lack of organization-wide standards for applications, along with the inherent inability of most of these applications results in most organizations having vast amounts of information in multiple locations, in multiple formats that don't interoperate. Organization growth through acquisition and merger with other organizations exacerbates the problem. Large organizations left many decisions about information system applications to the acquiring organization. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) recognized this problem and envisioned a Global Information Grid (GIG) as a solution. The objective of the GIG is to provide a distributed, redundant, fault-tolerant network-based environment that allows authorized information consumers to manage all of the information to which they have access; a system that is ubiquitous, open, secure, and agile. Such a vision implies a fundamental shift in information management, communication, co-existence, integrity, and assurance. Once realized, the GIG vision would provide authorized users with a seamless, secure, and interconnected information environment, meeting the needs of all users, regardless of the location of the information source or the user.
[0005] An approach to creating a GIG generally requires (1) the creation of a directory that represents and objectifies all of the information on that organization's networks, (2) the creation of a set of access rules for each information user, either explicitly or by role, that describes the level of access each user has for each information resource, and (3) an information appliance that would provide appropriate access to each user for each information resource. There have been a number of attempts, e.g., virtual databases and summary databases built using ETL (Extraction, Transformation, and Loading) tools, to create environments that meet these criteria. However for very large organizations these requirements are not sufficient. Large organizations require a GIG with the additional capabilities listed below:
1. Multi-Organizational Access
[0006] Organizations need access to information controlled by customers, partners, suppliers, banks, etc. Therefore, a GIG has to be capable of multi-organizational integration. Information access is not exclusively defined through a top-down hierarchy that can be controlled from a central location, but rather a series of access layers, each controlled by a responsible administrator. Thus, the information access model must be multi-layered with multiple levels of accountability.
2. Information Resource Relationship Management
[0007] Information resources tend to have deep relationships that are not directly captured in the information resources themselves. For instance, a soldier “A” might have a combat mission, training history, and a pay grade; all resident in different information resources, but there would be only one soldier “A”. Ideally, the GIG would manage the information resource relationships allow permitted users to see all soldiers as a complete information resource, not a disconnected set of information data points.
3. Multiple Organization and User-specific Views
[0008] Different parts of large organizations have different views of the same information resource. There is a need to provide context and a user-specific view of the information resource. At its simplest this challenge can be seen in multiple languages, multiple date and number formats, and multiple spellings for the same term. However, the challenge is more general: relationships and components can also be affected. For example, the Library of Congress can provide information regarding the relationship between mercury (Hg) and cinnabar (HgS); however, a NASA engineer planning a mission to Mercury will not want to know about this relationship. Context-based discrimination of data is needed to make sure the right user gets the right information.
4. Human and Computer-User Support
[0009] Ideally, all systems that use a particular information resource should be using the same instance of that resource. Thus, when a new information management system is implemented, it should be able to get existing information from existing information resources. This requirement applies to both human and computer information consumers.
5. Operation over the Public Internet
[0010] For large organizations the management of changing information resources is one of the biggest problems information systems managers face. Because of the geographic dispersion of most large organizations the Internet has to be part of the network backbone. Yet, organizations have information that must be kept private. The GIG should operate seamlessly over the organization's entire network, including the Internet, to support both data transport and confidentiality.
6. Support for Rapid Change
[0011] In today's information systems environment the cost of integrating new capabilities into an organization's existing technical infrastructure often represents the majority of the expense associated with the implementation of new capabilities. Entirely new classes of software products have been created to address this issue, e.g., Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), Enterprise Information Integration (Eli) and Data Warehouses. However, the ongoing complexity of managing these systems limits their effectiveness and responsiveness to change. These systems do not support dynamically changing environments and computing processes that characterize large modern organizations cost-effectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a Global Information Architecture (GIA) for managing and uniting complex, diverse, and distributed components of a Global Information Grid based on two architecture principles. The first is that GIA manages “information objects,” i.e., objects that do not have algorithmically intense or very specific operations, through collections of configured components. (An object is a software construct within an object-oriented (OO) software execution environment, e.g., Java, which is capable of receiving messages, processing data, and sending messages to other objects. Objects typically have “services” through which they receive messages, which then process data through “methods,” i.e., subroutines, with the same name. They can also store values in “attributes.” These values include object-specific information and also relationship-enabling information, i.e., information that enables the object to send messages to another object. When these attributes are visible to other objects, they are often referred to as “properties.”) These types of objects have the useful characteristics of being both capable of supporting a very large subset of the overall software requirements for highly network-centric information environments, and being able to be implemented as a collection of relatively simple, reusable objects, which is a technique that is used by GIA.
[0013] In traditional object-oriented development, object behavior, e.g., services, methods, attributes, etc., is defined by a “class,” where all objects of a particular class have the same behavior. Any changes to behavior are implemented by programming a new class. However, GIA takes a different approach: rather than adapting behavior by creating or changing classes, it uses multi-purpose classes that are designed to implement behavior through collections of configurable, multi-purpose components. GIA's implementation of information objects through these collections of configured components enables complete configurability.
[0014] The second is that GIA is built as a GIA application. Making GIA a GIA application, coupled with the implications of the first principle, results in significant advantages in addressing the six (6) additional capabilities identified above.
[0015] Since GIA manages information objects, and GIA is a GIA application, GIA has an information object representation of information objects. GIA enables this information object representation of information objects by providing a component for all of the characteristics of an information object: services, properties, and relationships. The services and properties of information objects can be directly associated with components through information objects. A new model was created to express the relationships between information objects as information objects: Vector-Relational Data Modeling (VRDM).
[0016] VRDM expresses a relationship from one information object to another information object as an information object by specifying the relationship, the characteristics of that relationship, and the use of that relationship by the first information object. VRDM represents all three of these constructs as information objects whose relationships, in turn, are expressed through VRDM as information objects in their own right. This build up of VRDM using VRDM is an example of one of the characteristics of GIA: the iterative process of assembling primitive constructs that are then used to configure larger constructs and then larger constructs until GIA is completely assembled. GIA's use of this iterative process to create complexity from a few concepts allows for a very high level of configurability, much higher than using a more traditional, programmed approach.
[0017] Since the configuration of a GIA object is an information object, each component of the information object is an assembly of the corresponding components. Once one has the structure described above, a new possibility exists for managing multi-level access control: the components available to a user simply become vectors between the user and the component objects that make up the information objects accessible by the user.
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, a method for exposing sets or instances of information objects comprises the steps of: creating an object method of an information object for a plurality of object characteristics of a particular type, and including a name of each of the plurality of object characteristics of the particular type in a signature of the object method. The plurality of object characteristics includes the types of service, property, event, and relationship. The method may further comprise the step of implementing a common interface, wherein the common interface allows access to instances of information objects by name or position.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, a method for creating wrapper objects that expose and implement an information object interface comprises the steps of: associating an object method of an information object for a plurality of object characteristics of a particular type with a collection of named component objects and an object method of those component objects providing a desired behavior as an implementation of the associated object method, and executing the associated object method on a component object in the collection of named component objects that has a same name as a name referred to by the method to provide the desired behavior when the object method for a plurality of object characteristics of a particular type of an information object is invoked. The method may further comprise the steps of: specifying the information object, its type, its named components, the definitions of the named components, and the types of named components, relating the information object type to the wrapper objects, creating the wrapper objects per the information object type, relating the types of named components to component objects that perform the desired behavior, creating component objects per the component types that implement the behavior, and collecting the created component objects within the wrapper objects. The named components include at least one property, at least one service, and at least one relationship. The method may further comprise the steps of: acting on at least one event, defining an association between the at least one event and the at least one service, and executing the association when the event is raised. The component definitions include information required for executing the desired behavior. The method may further comprise the steps of: defining a service reflexively as another information object including definitions of component services as component information objects, which are implemented by invoking the component services in response to an invocation of the information object.
[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, a method for exposing an information source on an interface comprises the steps of: classifying an object method of access required to interact with the information source, relating the classification to accessor objects that can interact with the information source and that expose the interface, and creating objects per the relationship that can access the information source and present capabilities of that information source in conformance with the interface. The information source resides on a network. The interface can be a common interface and behaves as an information object. The method may further comprise the steps of: associating the information source with a table name, type, location, and name of a relational database, associating services of the information source with stored procedures of the database, associating properties of the information source with columns of the database, and associating events of the information source with any events raised by the database. The method may further comprise the steps of: defining at least one classification, a location, and an access method of the information sources as information objects, defining a relationship between the at least one classification and the accessor objects as information objects, and defining instances of the information source as information objects, including their classifications, locations, access methods, and named components.
[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, a method for implementing a vector as a relationship between a set of information objects of a first type and a set of information objects of a second type comprises the steps of: describing the relationship, the first type and second type, and a type of the vector, relating a vector type with information objects that implement the vector type, describing characteristics of the vector, and creating the vector according to the type of the vector and the characteristics of the vector. The method may further comprise the step of returning an information object of the second type when given an information object of the first type. The descriptions are expressible as information objects. One type of vector is defined by one or more properties that are shared by information object types. Alternatively, one type of vector is defined by an association of a vector from the set of information objects of the first type to a set of information objects of a third type and a vector from the set of information objects of the third type to the set of information objects of the second type. Alternatively, one type of vector from the set of information objects of the first type to the set of information objects of the second type is defined by another vector from the set of information objects of the first type to set of information objects of the second type and a constraint on either the instances of the information objects of the first or second types. Alternatively, one type of vector from the set of information objects of the first type to the set of information objects of the second type is defined when any property of an information object of the first type shares a value with a corresponding property of any information object of the second type.
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, a method of implementing factories for objects comprises the steps of: defining an information object for a named set of objects to be created that includes an object class, associating a factory to the information object, creating a factory with a creation object method that uses a name, invoking the creation object method, accessing the information object by the name, and creating an object using the class specified in the named information object.
[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, a method of creating an extensible collection of factories comprises the steps of: defining an information object for factories, creating a factory-of-factories, and creating a set of factories per the information object for factories.
[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, a method of creating a universal information object management environment comprises the steps of: defining information objects for information objects, information sources, each type of component of an information object, defining instances of each of these information objects that collectively represent the characteristics of each of these information objects and factories for creating each of these information objects, and creating an object to incrementally build the universal information object management environment by building each type of information object from the description of each type of information object using the corresponding instances. The method may further comprise the step of accessing another instance of a universal information object management environment as collections of information sources. The method may further comprise the steps of: defining a mapping of syntax of a non-conforming universal information object management environment to syntax of the universal information object management environment, accessing the universal information object management environment in response to requests made by the non-conforming universal information object management environment.
[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, a method of assigning a universal unique identifier to each of a plurality of information objects without having to change a structure of collected information sources comprises the steps of: assigning a unique identifier to a universal information object management environment, assigning a unique name to each of the plurality of information objects, assigning a unique key to each instance of the information objects, and then creating a unique by collecting the three parts.
[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, a method of creating user interfaces that operate in a universal information object management environment comprises the steps of: defining information objects that represent user-interface objects, and mapping the user-interface objects to information objects whose data is to be presented in the user interface by a vector representing a relationship from a set of information objects of a first type to a set of information objects of a second type, and assembling user interfaces per the user-interface objects.
[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, a method of defining applications comprises the steps of: defining applications as information objects that represent collections of user-interfaces, defining systems as information objects that represent collections of applications, and assembling applications and systems per the defined applications and defined systems.
[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, a method of describing access a user has to a first information object comprises the steps of: defining a user as a user information object, defining a vector between the user and the first information object, defining a vector between the user and components of the first information object, and assembling a second information object defined on the first information object by assembling only the components specified by the vector, which in turn act on the components of the first information object.
[0029] In another embodiment of the invention, a method for supporting a compound information object comprises the steps of: associating components of a compound information object with components of an information object, and executing the components of the information objects in response to requests for execution of object methods on the compound information object.
[0030] In another embodiment of the invention, a method for creating a global information architecture comprises the steps of: creating a first information object, wherein the first information object is configured by metadata and capable of defining other information objects; and executing the first information object. The metadata may describe services of the configured information object, the properties of the configured information object, and/or the relationship of the configured information object with a second information object. The method may further comprise the step of creating a second information object, wherein the second information object is configured with metadata and at least partially defined by the first information object. The content of the first information object can be exposed. The first information object may also interoperate with any network available information source.
[0031] The present invention provides a GIA that is capable of managing data agnostic to source, type, and network, and each instance of GIA can access data from other instances of GIA as though it was its own, thus making collection universal and ubiquitous. GIA is a robust, comprehensive, and highly efficient, environment for integration, aggregation, and federation of disparate technologies from both a logical and physical perspective. Inherent in this environment is the ability to securely acquire, aggregate, process, control, and deliver large sets of data, in a short time frame, to facilitate interoperability and the deployment of customized, event specific, experiences to end-users.
[0032] The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a basic Global Information Architecture structure according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates the overall structure of a Directory SubSystem according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an information object structure according to an embodiment of the invention
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a supporting data structure according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a bootstrap operation according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a ContentServer system according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1-6 . The embodiments of the invention are described in the context of a military computing infrastructure such as the Global Information Grid (GIG) envisioned by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Nonetheless, one skilled in the art recognizes that the present invention is applicable to any information infrastructure, particularly those in which dynamically changing conditions require a flexible information management environment. In the current state of standardization of information systems, many discreet types of information environments exist. The integration of these environments to create unique communities of interest is often expensive and risky due to the extensive software development required. The present invention overcomes these difficulties by enabling the creation of a global information architecture that achieves the integration of these discreet environments through the use of configuration instead of software development.
[0041] The present invention enables a “Global Information Architecture” (GIA) for managing a Global Information Grid (GIG). A Global Information Grid refers generally to a distributed environment for collecting, transforming, and presenting information to users, both human and machine. The GIA supports GIGs for any size organization, for example, organizations as large as the DoD or as small as a two-person Web-based retail organization.
[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, GIA is implemented as a software-based environment that permits information consumers, both users and other software environments, to manage network-resident information within a structure that provides the right information to the right consumer in the right format at the right time. The GIA manages the full range of information objects including: simple instances of information, e.g., text; complex instances of information, e.g., a document with its metadata; collections of information, e.g., a directory with files; complex collections of information, e.g., a table with rows and columns; and dynamic instances of information, e.g., a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) video stream.
[0043] A central concept in GIA is that objects can be referenced in multiple “WorldSpaces” and these are inherently hierarchical. A user's (including non-human users) view of information data sources are controlled by her WorldSpace, a structure that uses the attributes she has that makes her unique to identify the appearance and behavior that an object in GIA would present to her. These attributes can include (among others) her username, roles, language, locale, and organization. Hence, WorldSpace allows constraint of objects and its services that are available to a user. This view is itself described via Vector Relational Data Modeling (VRDM) through vectors and is wholly configurable, unlike most traditional information systems whose ability to lock down data access is fixed. Since WorldSpace constraints are described in the language of VRDM itself, this description can be changed completely with metadata, allowing for new and unique implementations of WorldSpace without coding. This is achieved by making the User the starting point for any traversal to objects of interest. The vectors (which are configurable) used for this traversal then constrain what objects a user can see and/or change.
[0044] In addition to managing any type of data agnostic to type or form, the GIA is able to access that information anywhere on the network. It is also able to understand that information in a context that includes the relationships between instances of information, both explicit and implicit. Moreover, the GIA supports a spectrum of actions on information objects, e.g., the collecting, transforming, and presenting mentioned above, but also updating, deleting, validating, starting, etc. In addition, the GIA recognizes that information objects may generate consequences in other related objects, e.g., a change to an inventory level can sometimes cause a sales order to go on hold.
[0045] Solving the GIG management problem cost-effectively virtually requires that the GIA be configurable. However, the configuration requirements needed to support the GIG are deeper than in a typical software model: not only must there be a model where object components can be configured, but object relationships and services must also be configurable. Moreover, a conventional multi-level security (MLS) approach may be insufficient as different collections of information consumers can have different models.
[0046] To meet that demand, the GIA implements, among other things, two new types of software models: a configurable, bootable, reflexive information object model (“GIA Information Model”) and a model that can create and run information model configurations (“GIA Execution Model”). “Reflexive” means that the system is self-describing, i.e. a system that describes other systems is reflexive if it is an example of the type of systems it describes. The approach used by the GIA execution model is to wrap all acquired instances of network-available information in a software object with a standard interface that exposes the same collection of methods, and provides for access to components of the information through named properties. The GIA Information Model is a coherent information model and is a configuration, i.e., it exists in metadata, and is reflexive because the GIA Information Model can be represented in the GIA Information Model. As the GIA Information Model is bootable, the GIA Execution Model actually loads the first components which represent the primitive concepts of the model into active memory and then uses them to bring in the rest of the GIA Information Model description to create the GIA information Model.
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a basic GIA structure 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The environment that it is responsible for controlling information object interaction is a Directory SubSystem (DSS), shown here by the object that encapsulates all of its functionality: the DssManager 110 . The DSS is an instance of the GIA Execution Model running an instance of the GIA Information Model, i.e., it represents one of the interoperating environments that collectively represent a GIA.
[0048] The DssManager 110 exposes a simple, SQL-like Data Access Layer (DAL) 120 interface, the implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, which is suitable for both object-oriented and database-oriented applications to use. SQL or Structured Query Language is the language used to get or update information in a Relational Database Management System, e.g., Oracle, Microsoft SQLServer. The DAL supports semantics for the acquisition and management of uniquely identified instances of information, or collections thereof. These instances, i.e., information objects, have named properties, and named services that can be invoked.
[0049] In practice, organizations have hard-coded “expert systems” for performing sophisticated manipulation of digital data. When looking at employing a GIG, organizations generally look at the taking some subset of the organization's data, and enabling easy retrieval, display and simple updates “in context,” i.e., with their relationships exposed and viewable. GIA supplies its own interface environment, its Task-Oriented-User Interface (TOUI) 130 to meet non-specialized needs for visualization and management of GIG data. GIA's TOUI is a configurable, browser-based data representation environment that makes meeting that organizational need “easy.” GIA's TOUI includes components for displaying any kind of digital that has been collected by GIA, e.g., one can use GIA's TOUI to represent text, images, documents, video, etc., using components that display the desired type of digital information One creates displays of GIA-collected data by configuring a representation, its components, and a mapping of the representation and components to the components of the GIA-collected data. GIA's TOUI includes the ability to display information objects geographically through a Global Information System (GIS) display.
[0050] GIA's TOUI 130 operates directly on the base DAL 120 . However, when other applications or user interfaces need to access GIG data, and cannot use the base DAL (“non-conforming” user-interfaces and applications, e.g., systems that are built on top of non-ODBC-compliant databases—ODBC stands for Open Database Connectivity), then an adaptor 125 can be added that works with the base DAL 120 and exposes a DAL interface 140 that is compliant with the non-conforming user-interface 150 or application. The adaptor is a program that exposes the services that are required by the non-conforming application, and translates them into calls on the base DAL. Since the DAL 120 exposes both object-oriented and database-oriented semantics, as long as the non-conforming application or user interface can operate over uniquely-identified instances, or collections of instances, of sets of named components with named services, this adaptation of the DAL 120 to different types of applications and user interfaces requires a straightforward mapping of the “from” syntax to the base DAL's syntax. Most applications built over the last 30 years use some variation of these semantics.
[0051] The DSS 110 interoperates with any network available information sources to retrieve any information on the network, agnostic to form, type, structure or location through the use of Network Information Accessors 160 . Network Information Accessors are programs that communicate over a network protocol to information sources that expose information on that protocol. For example, the major databases are accessible using remote ODBC over TCP/IP. Many systems expose their data using Web services over http or https. Web sites themselves represent html-based information sources operating over http or https. Network file systems also function as network-available information sources. A Network Information Accessor is a program that the DssManager can communicate with directly, and that can access information provided by a network-available information source through the network. All Network Information Accessors expose a common interface that provides the same semantics as the base DAL. The process of configuring the DSS 110 to access an information source is referred as “aggregating the information source.”
[0052] Although the figure represents a single DSS, in actuality the DSS may be configured to interoperate with other DSS's as network-available information sources. Hence, a set of DSS's that are connected over the network can function as a multi-node, virtual single point of entry for all of the information sources (not shown) aggregated by all of the DSS's. This characteristic, that instances of DSS's can interoperate with other instances of DSS's as information repositories in their own right, is important for at least three reasons: (1) it allows a data source that has been aggregated by one DSS to be treated as an aggregated information source by all of the other DSS's in communication with the first DSS without additional effort, (2) multiple DSS's provide for multiple points of completely independent administrative interfaces, a requirement in many large organizations, and an absolute requirement in situations which require highly restrictive access, e.g., classified information inside of the U.S. Federal government, and (3) it easily enables multi-organizational integration capability. Moreover, by allowing a single method of communication from one network to another, i.e., GIA-to-GIA interfacing, the DSS supports communication over the public internet using standard encryption techniques, e.g., https communication.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates the overall structure 200 of a DSS according to an embodiment of the invention. The DSS Structure 200 comprises a number of basic layers of GIA: an information access control component (“WorldSpaceManagers”) 210 that operates on top of a service control component (“Service Managers”) 220 that manages operations on the content that is collected and harmonized by the component that manages content (“ContentManagers”) 230 that is aggregated by the Network-Information Accessors 160 (“ContentServers”) 240 .
[0054] This layered structure is part of what enables GIA to be a configured environment, i.e., it enables the programming that is required to change or enhance GIA to be expressed as configurations of “object metadata,” i.e., metadata that describes the behavior of an object, i.e., services, properties, and vectors (relationships), not as actual coding.
[0055] The foundation of configurability is fundamental to the GIA architecture and the “information object” methodology that GIA embodies. An information object is an instance of information that exposes the standard information object interface used by GIA; it gets this interface by being wrapped in a GIA information object wrapper, which is the collection of components that are assembled to wrap an instance of network-available information so that it functions as an information object. To create new information objects in GIA, one creates a configuration that specifies the information object's components, services, and location, rather than doing programming. Then, using the configuration as a set of instructions, GIA creates and assembles a series of objects, using the layer managers described above, that collectively function as the required information object. This process of configuration is described in more detail below. GIA assembles its information model according to a specification 250 that describes the components and their relationships.
[0056] GIA incorporates novel and important variations on the standard object-oriented development factory pattern. (The factory pattern is a design construct used in object-oriented development where an object is created whose function is to create new objects.) First, the DssManager actually functions as a Factory-of-Factories. Second, the DssManager uses object metadata expressed as information objects to define the actual objects that get created as factories, and then again to define the objects that are created by the factories. The use of information-object-driven object definitions gives GIA unlimited extensibility.
[0057] Fundamentally, then, GIA manages configurations of components that function as “information objects.” The idea of creating reusable components to create larger software objects has been employed in, for example, Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM). In practice, however, the use of reusable components has been restricted to very large objects, as in the COM model, or small objects that become components used in a larger, programmed systems, as is done with Java and Microsoft's .NET.
[0058] GIA is fundamentally different: it successfully accomplishes complete user-interface-to-data-store configurability. GIA successfully accomplishes a complete, user-interface-to-data-store, objects-through-component configurability as a result of two strategic architectural decisions (as mentioned above) that were imposed on GIA design, and five concepts that came out of those decisions:
(1) Architecture Decision: GIA Manages Information Objects
[0059] GIA manages “information objects,” i.e., objects that are primarily displaying, updating, or using information, rather than objects that are performing complex tasks. For instance, a typical Web site almost exclusively uses information objects, while a weather simulation uses relatively few information objects. GIA manages these types of objects through configured components. Although at first this seems like a major limitation, in practice these types of objects support a very large subset of the overall software requirements that are emerging in the highly network-centric computer environment that exists now. In traditional applications, e.g., SAP R/3 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), information objects have a high degree of applicability. It is not unreasonable for an ERP system to have more than 90% of its software built using information objects. By design, information objects are relatively simple to represent as configurations of relatively few, highly-reusable component objects.
(2) Architectural Decision: GIA is a GIA Application
[0060] This decision ended up being fortuitous: the approach is far more fundamental to the success of GIA as an environment for managing information objects through configuration than was originally anticipated. By forcing GIA to be a GIA application a large number of problems were identified early on that had to be solved by creating new structures for managing information objects. Of importance was the identification of an information object representation of information objects. This problem led to the following two concepts:
(3) Concept: Information Objects as Components of Information Objects
[0061] In order for GIA to be a GIA application, then an information object has to have a representation as information objects. Hence, a component version of all of the characteristics of an information object must be present: services, properties, and relationships. It is possible to represent information services and properties by specifying a name, set of characteristics, and an implementing object only. However, expressing relationships as information objects required the following concept:
(4) Concept: Vector-relational Data Modeling (VRDM)
[0062] There are three different requirements to expressing information object relationships as information objects: the relationship, the characteristic of the relationship, and the use of the relationship by the information objects. VRDM provides all three of those constructs as information objects. This capability is fundamental: to successfully componentized services, properties, and relationships, the relationship between information objects and their services, properties and relationships is expressed through configuration.
(5) Concept: Layered Information Component Objects Assemblies
[0063] Since the configuration of a GIA object is an information object, each component of the information object has to be an assembly of the corresponding components. This concept is the driver for the organization shown in FIG. 2 , and the information object representation shown in FIG. 3 .
(6) Concept: Information Access Through Information Objects (WorldSpace)
[0064] Once one has the structure described in (1)-(5) above, a new possibility exists for managing multi-level access control: the components available to a user simply become vectors between the user and the component objects that make up the information objects accessible by the user.
(7) Concept: VRDM-Based Information Object Assembly
[0065] In order to have all of these concepts come together, the information objects that manage the components are assembled per the vectors that define the relationships between those components.
[0066] In addition to the methodology used to implement the DSS structure 200 , important methods are expressed in the structure itself: there is a very strong separation of the structures for accessing data (ContentServers) 240 , harmonizing and homogenizing data (ContentManagers) 230 , operating on that data through services (ServiceManagers) 220 , and controlling access to that data (WorldSapceManagers) 210 . This layered approach provides critical capabilities. First, the ContentServers 240 collect content and expose that content in a way that is consistent with the rest of the DSS components. In effect, the ContentServers 240 create a universal information source space that can then be managed in any way desired.
[0067] Second, the ContentManagers 230 operate in the universal information source space as information sources in their own right that can be structured in any way desired to support GIG requirements. This layer is a departure from existing content aggregation approaches: GIA provides an independent object creation and management layer on top of information sources. Hence, capabilities (3) and (4) can be met without leaving the GIA environment.
[0068] The separation of services from content management is another important capability provided by the DSS Structure 200 . Although many of the operations that one might desire to be performed on the aggregated information sources, or the virtual information sources created by the ContentManagers 230 , can be implemented using one information object, many important ones cannot. For instance, the simple act of e-mailing (information source) a document (information object) involves the interaction between multiple information objects in the universal information object space. Being able to configure such methods involves the use of a ServiceManager 220 .
[0069] Finally, the WorldSpaceManagers 210 support the limitations on the instances of information objects that get exposed to the user.
[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates an information object structure 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The layering of the DSS structure 200 is also reflected in the layering of the information object 300 . In effect, the layers in the DSS 200 are used to assemble a layered information object 300 that encapsulates all of the components required to represent the information object in the way that is desired for the user for which the information object is being assembled. This compartmentalization of capabilities produces the required result: a configured information object that manages the universal information object space that is the DSS 200 .
[0071] The information object structure 300 employs a consistent interface, IContent interface 305 , for all of the layered assemblies. This IContent interface exposes methods for getting or setting values, invoking services, and for moving to next instances, when the information object is actually a set of instances. Mirroring the package description above, the object that functions as the primary interface for an information object is the WorldSpaceManager 210 . As shown, this object exposes the IContent interface 305 . It is responsible for selecting the particular instances of an information object that are allowed to be presented to the user. It, in turn, acts on a lower level object that exposes the same IContent interface 315 . However, some of the instances that are exposed at lower levels will not be exposed by the WorldSpace manager. (This separation prevents limitations on what a user can see from causing problems with the actual implementation of the information object, as is possible with some systems.) In most configurations, this lower level object is a ServiceManager 220 . The ServiceManager 220 is the object configured to handle the services, i.e., named actions that can be invoked on an information object, provided by the Information Object. Again, as described above, this is a fundamental departure from typical systems where every service is programmed. Instead, the ServiceManager 220 manages a collection of Services 310 . As in the case of the WorldSpaceManager 210 , the ServiceManager 220 also operates on another IContent interface 325 . This interface is typically exposed by a ContentManager 230 . Whereas the ServiceManager 220 manages the services for information objects, the ContentManager 230 primarily manages the properties and relationships of information objects, called Elements 320 . The ContentManager 230 also provides Directives 330 that performs functions, either directly, or by interacting with the actual information that comes from an object that interacts with network available information, an InformationContent 340 . This object also exposes the IContent interface 335 .
[0072] This layering of IContent interfaces 305 , 315 , 325 , and 335 is one of the techniques that allow GIA to work. The actual structure of an information object can be the full set of layers described above, or simply an InformationContent object 340 . Without this layered approach, the first concept identified as number 3 above would not be possible.
[0073] The Service objects 310 identified above can invoke Directives 330 , other Service Objects (not shown), and/or Events 350 . An event is a broadcast message in real-time that says something has happened (consistent with the traditional meaning of “event” in software development). In addition to supporting the standard use of events, GIA provides an event/service interaction model for managing information source actions. These capabilities provide all of the service requirements needed to support information objects. In addition, the inclusion of a full Event model, where Events can trigger other services, allows for both synchronous and asynchronous processing of events. This Event model provides the entire information object capabilities required. When some change occurs on a network-available information store that is important to the information object, the InformationContent object 340 can notify the appropriate object of the change event, and have it handled properly.
[0074] The final structure required to support information objects is the Element structure. These are of two primary types, VectorElements 360 and PropertyElements 370 . There are also two different types of PropertyElements 370 , those that work with PropertyElements 370 , and those that work as part of the InformationContent 340 , ContentComponents 380 . PropertyElements 370 can refer either to these ContentComponents 380 or to other PropertyElements 370 .
[0075] VectorElements provide the relationship capability that information objects require. They reference a Vector 390 which can navigate to another information content representing other information objects that are in relationship with the primary information object that is diagrammed.
[0076] The objects assembled above illustrate the configurability that was mentioned before. Each of the components of information object become component objects of that information object: services become Service objects 310 , properties become PropertyElements 370 , Relationships become Vectors 390 , and navigable relationships become VectorElements 360 . This approach provides the flexibility to define information objects in virtually any way that makes sense (within the limitations that define “information objects”).
[0077] Moreover, because GIA is designed as a GIA application, these definitions themselves are information objects. In fact, the data stores that are illustrated in FIG. 4 describe the data stores that are used to assemble GIA itself, and have names that tie back to many of the objects described above.
[0078] An important consequence of this assembly of an information object from component objects is not obvious: the assembled information object functions as an executable implementation of that information object's specification (“configuration”). In effect, the information object represents the executable object described by the configuration, not a specification that is then interpreted by some other (large) “information object program,” the traditional approach. In a very real way the DSS 200 executes the specification 250 —no traditional programming is required.
[0079] The use of a common interface for all of the structures is another important aspect of the invention: by using that approach the same sets of configurations can be used to represent information sources, information objects, and user-specific information objects. This commonality makes the implementation of the DAL 120 , and the adaptation of the DAL 120 , achievable, unlike the conventional situation where every information object has its own interface.
[0080] FIG. 4 illustrates a supporting data structure 400 according to an embodiment of the invention. Particularly, the figure describes the data stores 410 that are used to assemble the DSS. The most fundamental data store is the XType data store 430 . The XType data store 430 describes the different types of information objects 420 that are available in the DSS 200 . Each XType has a collection of Services 410 ( a ) and Elements 410 ( b ) that are associated with it, as well as a set of information sources (“Source”) 410 ( c ) from which it gets information. Each Source 410 ( c ) has components (“Column”) 410 ( d ) and Connections 410 ( e ) with which it communicates to get network-available information. Relationships between XTypes 430 are defined by Vectors 410 ( f ), and navigation from one information object to another is done by Elements 410 ( b ) that point to Vectors 410 ( f ).
[0081] A structure that can be used to assemble a simple form-based user interface is also illustrated according to an embodiment of the invention. Forms 410 ( g ) can be made up of Windows 410 ( h ), which are in turn made up of Fields 410 ( i ). Windows 410 ( h ) manage a particular XType 430 , and their Fields 410 ( i ) are associated with particular Elements 410 ( b ).
[0082] In addition to the base definition of the Information Object depicted by the data stores listed above, three other data stores have important implications for the behavior of the assembled GIA instances. The User 410 ( j ) is represented in a data store. There are access vectors 410 ( k ) that make up the WorldSpace 420 definition that determine which of the components 410 ( i ), windows 410 ( h ), forms 410 ( g ), and which XTypes 430 to which the user has access.
[0083] The following tables illustrate a simple configuration of a user interface that displays and allows updating of the customers of the bank, and their bank accounts.
[0000]
TABLE 1
XTypes, Sources, Columns and Elements
XType
Source
Column
Element
Name
Table
Name
Name
Type
Vector
Description
BankCustomer
Customer
Bank
Customer
CustomerNo
CustomerNumber
PropertyElement
Customer
Number
Name
CustomerName
PropertyElement
Customer
Name (First
Last)
Customers
VectorElement
BankCustomer
Customer
vector
Accounts
VectorElement
BankAccount
Accounts
vector
BankAccount
Account
Bank
Account
AccountNo
AccountNumber
PropertyElement
Bank
Account
Number
CustomerNo
CustomerNumber
PropertyElement
BankCustomer
Customer
Number
Type
AccountType
PropertyElement
Type of
account
(Savings,
checking,
etc.)
Balance
AccountBalance
PropertyElement
Account
Balance
Accounts
VectorElement
BankAccount
Accounts
vector
[0084] This example application uses two XTypes: the BankCustomer and the BankAccount. The BankCustomer uses a Customer Source that has “Columns” CustomerNo and Name (in this application, the “Columns” are likely to be actual columns in a table). These are mapped to the Elements: CustomerNumber and CustomerName, respectively. In addition to the two PropertyElements, there are two VectorElements: Customers and Accounts. The former represents lists of customers, and the latter represents the listing of the BankAccounts for any given customer. Likewise, we have the corresponding examples from the BankAccount XType.
[0000]
TABLE 2
Vector Specifications
Vector
Vector Reference
Name
Target XType
Field
Element
BankCustomer
BankCustomer
10
CustomerNumber
BankAccount
BankAccount
10
CustomerNumber
20
AccountNumber
[0085] Table 2 illustrates the vector specifications of this example application. The vectors are specified by the target XType to which the vector navigates, and the Elements of the starting XType that will be used to perform the navigation.
[0000]
TABLE 3
Forms, Windows, and Fields
Form
Window
Field
Name
Name
XType
VectorElement
Field#
Element
Customers
Authority
BankCustomer
Customers
10
CustomerNumber
20
CustomerName
Resource
BankCustomers
10
CustomerNumber
20
CustomerName
Collection
BankAccount
Accounts
10
AccountNumber
20
AccountType
30
AccountBalance
[0086] Table 3 illustrates a simple user interface, displaying a list of customers (note “Customers” VectorElement), their customer and name, and then the bank accounts that belong to them, including both the type and balance.
[0087] Tables 1 through 3 illustrate a configuration of a simple form as described in the data stores outlined above (WorldSpace not illustrated). The forms 410 ( g ) have a collection (“vector”) of windows 410 ( h ), the windows 410 ( h ) have a vector of fields 410 ( i ), and the fields 410 ( i ) are associated with elements 410 ( b ). These in turn are used to update Columns 410 ( d ) in a Source 410 ( c ). In addition, windows 410 ( h ) use a VectorElement to describe which instances of their associated XType 430 that should be displayed when the window is first displayed.
[0088] The set of data stores illustrated in FIG. 4 are ones used in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and also represent an example representation of information objects 430 . However, this actual set of data stores is not fundamental to GIA. What is fundamental is the way GIA is assembled from these data stores 410 . In traditional systems these data stores would be represented by some set of objects of some particular type. In GIA the description of the way that one assembles these objects is described in the data stores themselves, and then assembled as information objects 420 .
[0089] FIG. 5 illustrates a bootstrap operation 500 according to an embodiment of the invention. (Bootstrap is the process of starting up a complex system by initially starting up a simple system that then starts up the more complex system by following a procedure that is intelligible to the simpler system.) Bootstrapping a reflexive architecture is particularly challenging: one has to be able to start up the simple system with very few concepts if the system is to be truly reflexive. The bootstrap operation 500 is required where a subset of GIA functionality is assembled using simple ContentManagers 230 , which are then used to assemble the more complex GIA capabilities using CompoundContentManagers 510 . The data store that represents an information object is called an “XType” 520 . An XType is a fundamental object for a GIA. (One surprising result is the information object for XType 520 uses a CompoundContentManager 520 .)
[0090] Again, GIA accomplishes full configurability because the objects that represent GIA are themselves configured information objects. This reflexive, self-describing characteristic of GIA enables GIA as the engine that creates objects that represent executable expressions of information object specifications described in object metadata. The ServiceManager 220 is the object that can be configured to handle a collection of information object services. The object that functions as the primary interface for an information object is the WorldSpaceManager 210 , supporting limitations on the instances of information objects that get exposed to the user.
[0091] FIG. 6 illustrates a ContentServer system 600 according to an embodiment of the invention. Particularly, a ContentServer 240 can have many possible data sources such as, but not limited to, Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) Tables 610 , flat files (files within a file server directory) 620 , data streams 630 , and/or another DSS through a DssManager 110 . This list is not exhaustive as other sources can be accommodated as required by creating a ContentServer 610 suitable for that data source. For example, a SQLContentServer can be created that integrates with a Microsoft SQLServer and then can be configured via metadata to point to any SQLServer Database and Table. Alternatively, an RFIDContentServer could be created that listens to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Server to track and report the location of physical assets. This RFIDContentServer would then be configured via metadata to listen to the RFIDServer (via host and port). In yet another alternative, a DSSContentServer could be created that points to another DSS node and allows us to access and update information about an XType on that DSS Node. In this way we can have a network of DSS nodes interacting with each other.
[0092] A key capability of GIA is the normalization of the object namespace. Objects typically have three kinds of names: the name of the type of object, the name of each of its properties, and the names of the methods (services) it exposes. GIA provides a normalization of this namespace from the Content namespace (also known as the native namespace) to a GIA namespace. It does this using the ContentManager to manage the transformation of InformationContent (which is in native format) to GIA namespace and back. For instance a ContentServer could point to a XTSales table with columns SaleNo, CustNo, and EntryDt that is known in GIA as SalesOrder with elements of SalesOrderNumber, CustomerNumber, and EntryDate. GIA manages the transformation of information between these two namespaces.
[0093] Vectors are a key component to building GIA in that they describe how one object can be related to another. Vectors do this either on a per object basis (Stan owns a Red Corvette) or on a per object type basis (SalesOrders have SalesOrderLines). Additionally vectors themselves can be described by vectors. This allows for two important capabilities, vector-chains and vector-sets. A vector-chain is a vector that represents the composition of two or more vectors where the “to” information object of the first vector is the “from” information object of the second vector. Vector-chains can be components of vector-chains so that any number of vectors with the appropriate to-from relationship can be chained together. Vector-chains allow for a vector to be configured as two or more other vectors, which are traversed in turn, navigating to the objects of interest. The results of the first vector traversal become the input for the traversal of the second vector, and so forth. Vector-sets allow a vector to be configured as a collection of other vectors, each of which are traversed from the same starting object, and the objects returned by that traversal are then added to the overall result set.
[0094] The traditional role of object methods as in standard object-oriented development terminology is provided by Services. Services are configured using a set of standard Directives (in effect, representing service “primitives,” and actually implemented by object methods). Services themselves can point to zero or more other Services, allowing Service chains to be built. Thus, unlike standard information systems where processing must be described in code, complex behavior can be configured in GIA from assembling simple Directives and the Services that use them. Moreover, if some behavior is needed in the future not accounted for in an existing directive, new classes of ContentManagers 230 can be created that implement that functionality as a Directive.
[0095] Event sources are supported both in and outside of DSS. Inside, a Service or ContentManager 230 can raise events. Outside of a DSS, ContentServers 230 can be configured to listen for external events (new ground surface radar readings, additions to a table, etc.), and then raise this as an internal event. Events are processed by pointing them at a Service.
[0096] Applications are built by creating forms (TOUI) around objects that participate in a common set of functionality. Of necessity, the first two applications were (1) the application that supports the entry of metadata of the basic GIA Objects (XType, Element, etc.), and (2) the application that supports the creation of a simple TOUI (Forms, Windows, and Fields), that enabled application (1).
[0097] FIGS. 1-6 (and their associated text in the preceding section) outline how the GIA model is designed and built and achieves the capabilities described in the preceding paragraphs.
[0098] The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims. | The present invention provides a Global Information Architecture (GIA) to create an object-oriented, software-based modeling environment for the modeling of various data sources and allowing queries and transactions across those sources. The modeling environment is described in itself. Introspection is achieved since the model is described in the model, and early validation that the infrastructure is correct is established in that the infrastructure must execute against itself. Object traversal is done via vectors that describe how an object can be reached from other objects. Objects are linked by describing what type of object (data source) is to be reached and on the basis of what possible attribute values of that object. GIA allows different users to have different views of these data sources depending upon their WorldSpace. A user's view of the data source is controlled by his WorldSpace, which are the attributes he has that makes him unique. These attributes can include (among others) his username, roles, language, locale, and organization. These WorldSpace views can also impact the behavior of the data sources. GIA allows for object to object event driven behavior and provides a configuration centric versus coding centric methodology for integrating those various data sources. | 75,719 |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is in the field of automatic dishwashing. In particular it relates to an automatic dishwashing product comprising a multi-dosing detergent delivery device capable of scenting during an automatic dishwashing operation and between automatic dishwashing operations. The product of the invention adds convenience and improves the automatic dishwashing experience.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Items to be cleaned in an automatic dishwashing machine are soiled with food residues. The nature of the residues is quite diverse depending on the food that has been deposited on or cooked in the dishware/tableware. Usually the food residues have a plurality of malodours associated to them. Malodours can also come from food residues accumulated in dishwasher's parts such as the filter. The filter is usually a wet environment with food residues prone to bacteria degradation that usually have malodours associated to it.
The malodours can become evident during the automatic dishwashing operation either because there is superposition or combination of malodours that in terms give rise to other malodours and/or because the high temperature and humidity conditions found during an automatic dishwashing operation contribute to an easier perception of the malodours. Malodours can also be evident upon loading the dishwasher, especially if food residues degrade or rot.
Automatic dishwashing machines are usually placed in kitchens where users cook and frequently eat and they do not like to have unpleasant odours coming from the automatic dishwashing machine.
Auto-dosing devices are permanently placed into the automatic dishwashing machine and they are prone to collect food and residues during the automatic dishwashing operation. The food and residues can generate additional malodours.
There is a need to reduce or eliminate the malodours that are generated during an automatic dishwashing operation and substitute the malodours by pleasant fragrance in the area surrounding the dishwasher during use.
Machine fresheners are known in the art. They are devices that hang in the dishwasher and release a perfume over time. The perfume release profile tend to be non-homogeneous over time, usually a high level of perfume is delivered at the beginning of the life of the freshener—that sometime can be overpowering—and the release profile can drop dramatically with time. In addition, the fluctuating temperature and humidity conditions found in an automatic dishwashing environment lead to some difficulties with some of the known machine fresheners.
The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic dishwashing product. The product comprises a multi-dosing detergent delivery device for use in an automatic dishwashing machine. The device comprises: i) a housing for receiving therein a detergent holder; and ii) a detergent holder. The detergent holder accommodates a plurality of detergent doses. Preferably the detergent holder is replaceable or refillable. Once all the detergent doses have been used the holder can be replaced by a new holder or it can be filled with new doses. Especially preferred from an easiness of use viewpoint are replaceable detergent holders.
By “multi-dosing detergent delivery device” is meant a device capable of delivering one or more detergent doses over a plurality of automatic dishwashing operations without human intervention, i.e. the user places the device in the automatic dishwashing machine and the device delivers the doses over a number of operations. Once the detergent doses are finished the detergent holder is refilled or replaced.
The detergent holder accommodates a scenting composition, by “scenting composition” is herein meant a product capable of delivering a pleasant smell such as a fragrance or perfume.
The scenting product of the invention comprises a perfume and a polyolefin. The polyolefin preferably has a crystallinity of from about 5% to about 60%, more preferably from about 6% to about 50%, even more preferably from about 10% to about 40% and especially from about 10% to about 30%.
The scenting composition preferably has a crystallinity of from about 0.5% to about 60%, more preferably from about 1% to about 50%, even more preferably from about 5% to about 40% and especially from about 10% to about 30%.
The scenting composition provides a very uniform perfume delivery profile even under stressed conditions such as the high temperature and humidity condition found in an automatic dishwashing machine in operation. The composition would deliver perfume in a nearly constant manner during dishwashing operations and in between them. The composition also presents very good physical properties, it is quite malleable and pleasant to touch.
Preferably the composition has a melting point above 70° C., more preferably above 75° C. and especially above 80° C. (measured as described herein below). This implies that the composition is solid and allows the formation of shaped solid bodies that provide sustained release of perfume. The solid bodies are extremely suitable to be placed into the detergent holder. The scenting composition can be placed in a central cavity of the detergent holder to continuously release a perfume or bad odour suppressor into the dishwashing machine over a number of dishwashing operation and in between dishwashing operations. The scenting composition can be activated at first use by removing a sealing label or the like covering the cavity.
The preferred polyolefin for use herein is polybutene-1. The term “polybutene-1” includes a homopolymer of butene-1 or a copolymer of butene-1 with another α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms. In case of the copolymer, the ratio of another α-olefin to be copolymerized is 20 mole % or less, preferably 10 mole % or less and particularly preferably 5 mole % or less. Examples of another α-olefin to be copolymerized include ethylene, propylene, hexene, 4-methylpentene-1, octene-1, decene-1, octadecene-1, etc. Especially preferred for use herein are copolymers of butane-1 and ethylene.
In preferred embodiments the composition comprises a wax, preferably a microcrystalline wax. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that wax, in particular microcrystalline wax, contribute to improve the physical properties of the composition, in particular the wax can contribute to reduce brittleness.
The composition of the invention can optionally comprise a nucleating agent. A nucleating agent is a processing aid that accelerates crystal formation reducing the processing times.
In preferred embodiments, the perfume comprises at least about 10%, more preferably at least about 20% and especially at least 30% by weight of the perfume of blooming perfume ingredients having a boiling point of less than 260° C. and a ClogP of at least 3. The perfume would also typically comprise non-blooming perfume ingredients having a boiling point of more than 260° C. and a ClogP of at least 3, preferably less than about 30%, more preferably less than about 25% and preferably between 5 and 20% by weight of the perfume of non-blooming perfume ingredients.
The perfume of the composition of the present invention are typically very effusive and consumer noticeable, leaving minimal residual perfume on the washed items, including dishes, glasses and cutlery, especially those made of plastic, rubber and silicone. The compositions can leave a residual perfume in the automatic dishwashing machine that can be enjoyed by the user in between dishwashing operations.
A blooming perfume ingredient is characterized by its boiling point (B.P.) and its octanol/water partition coefficient (P). The octanol/water partition coefficient of a perfume ingredient is the ratio between its equilibrium concentrations in octanol and in water. Since the partition coefficients of the preferred perfume ingredients herein have high values, they are more conveniently given in the form of their logarithm to the base 10, log P. The B.P. herein is determined at the normal, standard pressure of 760 mm Hg.
In preferred embodiments the composition comprises from about 20% to about 90%, more preferably from about 30% to about 70% and especially from about 35% to about 65% by weight thereof of polyolefin, preferably the polyolefin is polybutene-1. The composition preferably comprises from about 10% to about 60%, more preferably from about 20% to about 55% and especially from about 30% to about 50% by weight thereof of perfume. The composition preferably comprises from about 20% to about 60%, more preferably from about 25% to about 55% and especially from about 30% to about 50% by weight thereof of wax, preferably a microcrystalline wax.
The scenting composition can be placed into the detergent holder described in WO 2007/052004 and WO 2007/0833141. The dosing elements can have an elongated shape and set into an array forming a delivery cartridge which is the refill for an auto-dosing dispensing device as described in case WO 2007/051989. The detergent holder can be placed in an auto-dosing delivery device, such as that described in WO 2008/053191.
Preferably the device comprises a mono-dimensional actuating means for providing movement of the holder relative to the housing. By “mono-dimensional” is herein meant that the movement happens in only one plane as opposite to more than one as the case is with the device disclosed in WO 2008/053178. In '178 device the indexing means needs to move firstly in one plane and secondly in a second plane perpendicular to the first one to deliver a dose in each dishwashing operation. The mono-dimensional actuating means of the device of the present invention allows for devices of simpler construction than the devices of the prior art and allows for more space efficient geometries, such as planar geometry. The device of the invention is suitable for the delivery of different doses at different points of the dishwashing operation. '178 device seems only be suitable for the delivery one dose per dishwashing operation. The next dose is only ready for delivery in the next dishwashing operation.
Preferably, the actuating means comprises a guided means and a driving means. Preferably the driving means comprises a thermally reactive element. Whilst the thermally reactive element may be any of a memory metal/memory alloy, thermal bimetal, bimetal snap element or shape memory polymer, it is most preferably a wax motor. A wax motor is a small cylinder filled with a heat sensitive wax which expands upon melting and contracts upon solidifying. This expansion of the wax can be used by the driving means to drive the guided means forward.
The thermally reactive element is preferably designed to react at temperatures between 25° C. and 55° C., more preferably 35° C. to 45° C. The thermally reactive element preferably has a hysteresis effect. This delays the operation of the thermal element to ensure that the device is not reset by the fluctuating temperatures that can be found in the different cycles of an automatic dishwashing operation but is only reset once the machine has carried out a full dishwashing operation.
Preferably the thermally reactive element has an activation temperature of from about 35° C. to about 45° C. and a de-activation temperature of from about 25° C. to about 33° C. For the wax motor the melting and solidification profile of the wax can be used to achieve the desired hysteresis, because certain waxes show a slow solidification compared to melting.
The guided means are driven by the driving means. The guided means preferably comprise a following means and a track to accommodate the following means, i.e. the path taken by the following means is dictated by the track. The track preferably has a zig-zag configuration in which each up and down path corresponds with a full dishwashing operation. To deliver x detergent doses over x dishwashing operations the zig-zag track needs to have x paths forwards and x paths downwards.
The zig-zag track preferably can be used in a circular pattern which leads to a circular movement of the detergent holder or it can be used in a linear pattern which leads to a linear movement of the detergent holder. A wave pattern or combinations of arc segments and linear patterns can be used to accommodate specific designs and movements of the detergent holder.
It should be noted that the track can be integrated in one of the permanent component of the housing and the motion of this component can then be transferred to the detergent holder via mechanical means or the track can be integrated directly into the detergent holder so that after insertion of the holder the following means engage with the track. The track can be manufactured via injection molding, thermoforming, vacuum casting, etching, galvanizing sintering, laser cutting or other techniques known in the art.
The following means travels alternatively forwards and backwards within the track, powered by the driving means. Preferably, the actuating means further comprises returning means that helps the driving means to return to its initial position once the appropriated conditions are achieved in the automatic dishwashing machine (for example, when the temperature is below about 30° C. in the case of the driving means comprising a wax motor, the wax would contract and the returning means would take the driving means to its initial position). The returning means could for example be a biasing spring or flexible element with sufficient spring force to push the piston in the wax motor back to its initial position when the wax solidifies and therefore contracts.
The advancement of the detergent holder is accomplished by the combination of the driving means, the guided means and if present the returning means. This combination allows for the delivery of two different doses at two different times of the dishwashing operation.
For instance the first dose in the detergent holder can be readily exposed at the start of the wash cycle or get exposed to the wash water or it can be ejected from the detergent holder early in the wash cycle when the temperature slowly rises in the dishwasher and the wax motor starts to expand. The second dose can be exposed or ejected when the wax motor is further expanded when the dishwasher heats up further or during the cold rinse cycles when the first contraction starts. At the end of the wash cycle the complete contraction moves the detergent holder to the next dose ready for the next wash cycle.
It should be noted that the configuration of the track and the angles of its zig-zag pattern determine the movement of the detergent holder and therefore the movement and desired release points of detergent doses can be pre-dictated by this track. This enables large design flexibility in the delivery of the detergent doses at various times during a dishwashing operation. Even a sequential release of three or more doses can be achieved by the use of this kind of tracks.
Preferably, the track comprises slots and ramps. The role of the ramps is to guide the movement of the detergent holder in one direction only. When the temperature increases the following means are driven through the track powered by the driving means and move over the ramp into the first slot. These slots prevent that the following means return through the same path in the track upon contraction of the driving means. As such the followings means are forced to follow the desired return path in the track and translate this movement into a further movement of the detergent holder. At the end of the contraction the following means are driven over a second ramp into the next slot and move the detergent holder further.
To enable the following means to move up over the ramps and down into the slots the following means can be designed to pivot either by a spring loaded pin or by a pivot point to keep the following means at all times in the track.
Preferably, the track comprises harbours. The role of the harbours is to allow further expansion or contraction of the driving means without causing further movement of the detergent holder and to prevent the build-up of high forces in the system when the driving means reaches its maximum expansion or contraction. For instance with a wax motor with a total expansion stroke of 15 mm, the harbours enable to use only the expansion from 5 mm to 10 mm to generate movement of the detergent holder while in the first 5 mm or last 5 mm of the stroke the following means are kept in the harbours and therefore the detergent holder is kept in the same position. This feature helps to overcome the large variation in dishwashing machine cycles and temperature profiles and enable a very specific and pre-defined movement of the detergent holder.
The device is preferably a stand-alone device. By “stand-alone” is herein meant that the device is not connected to an external energy source.
The device of the present invention is preferably of a planar geometry (ie., a disc, a square, a rectangle, etc). Planar geometry is more space efficient than any tri-dimensional geometry, thereby leaving more free space in the dishwasher for the items to be washed.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of scenting an automatic dishwashing machine during a dishwashing operation and between operations, the method comprising the step of using the automatic dishwashing product of the invention to continuously deliver a perfume. The product provides a very consistent perfume delivery profile over time. The perfume delivery during a dishwashing operation is very similar to that in between operations. The consumer gets a very pleasant scent when interacting with the automatic dishwasher, i.e. during loading and unloading.
The method is suitable for scenting environments in which the temperature rises significantly above room temperature. The method is especially suitable for scenting an automatic dishwashing machine, during a dishwashing operation and in between dishwashing operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows in perspective an assembly view of the actuating means 1 comprising a baseplate with the driving means 2 and a rotating cover with the guided means 5 .
FIG. 2 shows a perspective assembly detail of the driving means 2 with the rotating cover 5 removed.
FIG. 3 : shows a perspective view of the circular guided means inside the rotating cover 5 with a circular zig-zag track 10 .
FIGS. 4( a ) and 4 ( b ) are perspective exploded views of the actuating means mechanism with following means 8 with follower pin 9 and returning means 7 and 71 .
FIG. 5 shows in perspective cross-sectional view the assembled actuating mechanism with waxmotor 18 and follower pin 9 in the expanded position.
FIGS. 6( a ) and 6 ( b ) shows respectively a schematic perspective of the actuating mechanism in a cylindrical housing and in a planar disc shaped housing.
FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the multi-dosing detergent holder 102 in a disc shaped housing 101 and 110 with the actuating mechanism and the perfume composition 202 in a cavity 201 with a perfume release window 203 .
FIG. 8 shows a perspective assembly view of the actuating mechanism 51 for a rectangular shaped guided means.
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the rectangular guided means 55 with a linear zig-zag track 100 .
FIGS. 10( a ) and 10 ( b ) show perspective assembly views of the actuating mechanism 51 and the rectangular guided means 55 .
FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of the rectangular shaped multi-dosing detergent holder 55 comprising the guided means with linear track 100 comprising multiple doses of the first detergent composition 104 and the second detergent composition 106 .
FIG. 12 shows a perspective detailed schematic view of the driving means 18 driving the following means 8 with follower pin 9 through the linear track 100 of FIG. 11 .
FIG. 13 ( a ) and FIG. 13 ( b ) respectively show a schematic view of the driving means in contracted (cold) position (i.e.; temperature less than 30-34° C. wax contracts return stroke via bias spring) and in the expanded (hot) position (i.e.; temperature greater than 36-38° C. wax expands stroke up to 15 mm).
FIG. 14 shows a graph illustrating the hysteresis profile of the actuation temperature of the wax motor during an expansion (heating) and contraction (cooling) cycle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention envisages a product comprising an auto-dosing device which comprises a scenting composition and a method for scenting an automatic dishwashing machine using such product. The product is extremely suitable for use in an automatic dishwashing machine which involves high temperature and humidity conditions. The product of the invention provides a multitude of benefits. The scenting occurs during the operation of the appliance and in between operations. The scenting composition is part of the auto-dosing device thus the user does not need to use two separate products. As indicated herein before, the product provides a uniform perfume delivery profile over time, even under the high temperature and humidity conditions found in an automatic dishwashing machine.
An automatic dishwashing operation typically comprises three or more cycles: a pre-wash cycle, a main-wash cycle and one or more rinse cycles. The pre-wash is usually a cold water cycle, the main-wash is usually a hot water cycle, the water comes in cold and is heated up to about 55 or 65° C. Rinsing usually comprises two or more separate cycles following the main wash, the first being cold and, the final one starting cold with heat-up to about 65° C. or 70° C.
Polyolefin
Any semi-crystalline polyolefin having a crystallinity of from about 5% to about 60% is suitable for use herein. Preferred polyolefin for use herein is polybutene-1. The term “polybutene-1” includes any semi-crystalline homopolymers obtained by the polymerization of high-purity butene-1, preferably in the presence of a Ziegler-type catalyst. The term “polybutene-1” also includes copolymers of butene-1 with other polyolefin like ethylene, propylene, hexene, 4-methylpentene-1, octene-1, decene-1, octadecene-1, etc. Especially preferred polybutene-1 is a copolymer of polybutene-1 and ethylene.
The polybutene-1 for use herein is semi crystalline, and typically has high-molecular-weight, with a high degree of isotacticity that offers useful combinations of high heat resistance and freeze tolerance as well as flexibility, toughness, stress crack resistance and creep resistance. Polybutene-1 present slower setup times than those of other polyolefins, this seems to be because of its unique delayed crystallization, and by its polymorphism. High crystallinity olefins usually are not highly mixable with perfumes. Because of its unique crystallinity behavior polybutene-1 is mixable with perfumes at higher concentration than other polyolefins. When mixing the polybutene-1 with perfume in the certain amount as here disclosed the crystals formation is further delayed as well as the rate of formation is decreased but not totally. The final mixture can retain some of the mechanical properties of the polybutene-1.
Preferred polybutene-1 for use herein includes DP8510M and DP8911 supplied by Basell-Lyondel. Especially preferred for use herein is DP8911.
Crystallinity
The degree of crystallinity has a great influence on hardness, density, transparency, softening point and diffusion of solid materials. Many polymers have both a crystalline and amorphous regions. In these cases, crystallinity is specified as a percentage of the mass of the material that is crystalline with respect to the total mass.
Crystallinity can be measured using x-ray diffraction techniques and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
For example, methods ASTM E 793-06 (Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization by Differential Scanning calorimetry) or ASTM F 2625-07 (Measurement of Enthalpy of Fusion, Percent Crystallinity, and Melting Point of Ultra-High-Molecular Weight Polyethylene by Means of Differential Scanning calorimetry) can be used to determine the Enthalpy of Fusion and then the crystallinity of the polyolefin and the composition of the invention. For the purpose of this invention, crystallinity is measured following ASTM E 793-06. The crystallinity of a polyolefin is calculated against published values of the 100% crystalline corresponding material. For example, in the case of polybutene-1 the enthalpy of fusion of 100% crystalline material (stable form I) is 135 J/g (ref. “The heat of fusion of polybutene-1” table 3, Howard W. Starkweather Jr., Glover A. Jones E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Central Research and Development Department, Experimental Station, Wilmington, Del. 19898).
To measure the crystallinity of the composition, a sample of it must be first conditioned for 15 days at 23° C. in a sealed aluminum bag to avoid perfumes loosing over time. Then a DSC analysis is run according the method ASTM E 793-06 (temperature rate 10° C./min) to measure the enthalpy of fusion of the composition. In order to have an indication of where the reference peak of the DSC of the composition should be found a DSC of the current polyolefin of the mixture is run to determine the melting point of the polyolefin.
The enthalpy of fusion of the composition sample is then normalized by dividing the obtained value by the weight of the sample to get the specific enthalpy of fusion by gram of sample (i.e. J/g) and then by dividing again this latter value by the standard 100% polybutene-1 crystalline material enthalpy of fusion value (i.e. 135 J/g) to finally get the crystallinity of the composition.
It has to be noted that many DSC instruments are able to calculate directly both the normalized enthalpy of fusion of the sample and the crystallinity.
The crystallinity of the polybutene-1 is measured in an analogous manner.
Melting Point
The melting point of the composition of the invention is determined using the standard method ASTM D-4440 (Dynamic Mechanical Properties Melt Rheology). The method consists in measuring the rheological properties of a composition disc specimen in a temperature range (from 25° C. to 100° C.). The disc specimen has the same diameter of the parallel plate geometry used in the measurement. A 25 mm disc is used. The discs are prepared previously using plastic frames with 25 mm discs hole and 2 mm thickness. The composition is melt and poured in the disc frames. Exceeding material is removed with a spatula. The sample is then cooled down and stored for 24 hr at 23° C. in a climatic room and in sealed aluminum bags. The rheometer used is a SR5 Stress controlled (Rheometrics®). The “melting point” (also referred as melting at crossover point) of a viscous-elastic material like the composition of the invention is defined as the temperature value at which the “liquid/viscous characteristic part” (known as loss modulus G″) and the “rigid/solid characteristic part” (known as elastic modulus G′) are equal.
Perfume
Any perfume is suitable for use in the product of the invention, any of the current compositions used in perfumery. These can be discreet chemicals; more often, however, they are more or less complex mixtures of volatile liquid ingredients of natural or synthetic origin. The nature of these ingredients can be found in specialised books of perfumery, e.g. in S. Arctander (Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, Montclair N.J., USA 1969).
The perfumes herein can be relatively simple in their composition or can comprise highly sophisticated, complex mixtures or natural and synthetic chemical components.
In preferred embodiments, the perfume comprises at least about 10%, more preferably at least about 20% and especially at least 30% by weight of the perfume of blooming perfume ingredients having a boiling point of less than 260° C. and a ClogP of at least 3. The perfume would also typically comprise non-blooming perfume ingredients having a boiling point of more than 260° C. and a ClogP of at least 3, preferably less than about 30%, more preferably less than about 25% and preferably between 5 and 20% by weight of the perfume of non-blooming perfume ingredients.
The perfume of the composition of the present invention are typically very effusive and consumer noticeable, leaving minimal residual perfume on the washed items, including dishes, glasses and cutlery, especially those made of plastic, rubber and silicone. The compositions can leave a residual perfume in the automatic dishwashing machine that can be enjoyed by the user in between dishwashing operations.
A blooming perfume ingredient is characterized by its boiling point (B.P.) and its octanol/water partition coefficient (P). The octanol/water partition coefficient of a perfume ingredient is the ratio between its equilibrium concentrations in octanol and in water. Since the partition coefficients of the preferred perfume ingredients herein have high values, they are more conveniently given in the form of their logarithm to the base 10, log P. The B.P. herein is determined at the normal, standard pressure of 760 mm Hg.
Wax
Suitable wax for use herein includes paraffin wax, long-chain alkanes, esters, polyesters and hydroxy esters of long-chain primary alcohols and fatty acids, naphthenic and iso-paraffinic long chain hydrocarbons, petrolatum. They can be natural or synthetic. The waxes are excellent oil binding allowing perfume incorporation in the composition at high levels.
Commercial waxes include beeswax, carnauba wax, petroleum waxes, microcrystalline wax, petroleum jelly and polyethylene waxes. Especially preferred for use herein is a microcrystalline wax. Preferred commercial material includes Permulgin 4201 supplied by Koster Keunen (Holland)
Nucleating Agent
Nucleating agents accelerate the formation of crystals in polymers containing polybutene and copolymers thereof. Nucleating agents promote the growth of the crystal by lowering the activation energy required for crystal organization. By using nucleating agents, the nucleation starts occurring at a higher temperature than in the polyolefin containing composition without nucleating agents. Further during the cooling phase, the number of polymer crystals increases as well as the final distribution result more uniform than in the case in which no nucleating agent is used. Suitable nucleating agents include talc, benzoates, phosphate ester salts, sorbitol derivatives, or commercial products like Hyperform® HPN-20E, Hyperform® HPN-68L by Milliken Co.
Optional components to be added to the scenting composition of the product of the invention include tackifying resins, as those described in US 2008/0132625 A1, paragraph [0020], plasticizers, as those described in US 2008/0132625 A1, paragraph [0023]. If present the tackifying resin would be in a level of from about 1% to about 50% wt. If present the plasticizer would be in a level of from about 1% to about 50% wt. Further additives can be incorporated into the product of the invention in quantities of up to 15 wt % in order to vary certain properties. These can be, for example, dyes, pigments, or fillers such as titanium dioxide, talcum, clay, chalk, and the like. They can also, for example, be stabilizers or adhesion promoters.
Examples of devices in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 show respective assembled, perspective exploded and internal perspective views of the rotating actuating means 1 comprising the driving means 2 and the guided means 5 . The driving means 2 comprises an axes 3 around which the cover with the guided means 5 can rotate at specific intervals defined by the profile of the guided track 10 inside the cover 5 .
The driving means further comprise a thermal reactive element 18 which is in this configuration a wax motor. As shown in FIG. 13( a ) a wax motor 18 is basically a cylinder filled with a thermal sensitive wax 60 under a piston 6 . When temperature in the automatic dishwashing machine brings the wax to or above its melting temperature it will start to expand as shown in FIG. 13( b ) This expansion pushes the piston outwards developing a considerable force, up to 50N and more and a considerable movement, or stroke of the piston. For instance for a cylinder with a total length of 30 mm and +/−6 mm diameter half filled with a solid wax under the piston a stroke of the piston of 15 mm can be achieved, meaning an expansion of the wax by a factor 2 upon melting.
This outward movement of the piston puts the returning means, which in FIG. 2 are two coil springs 7 and 71 , and in FIGS. 13( a ) and 13 ( b ) a single coils spring, under tension.
When the temperature in the dishwasher cools down below the solidification temperature again, at the end of the wash, the wax contracts, allowing the piston 6 to move back. The returning means pushes the piston back into the starting position.
This forwards and backwards movement of the piston or “the stroke” of the wax motor 18 is used to drive the following means 8 with the following pin 9 forward and backwards assisted by the returning means 7 and 71 . The returning means, in this case two tension springs 7 and 71 are connected on one side to the following means 8 and on the other side to the static baseplate 2 . To achieve a linear and smooth motion forward and backwards the following means run in supporting rails 20 and 22 .
It should be noted that the returning means in the form of a compression spring can also be inserted inside of the wax motor 18 , above the piston 6 so that upon expansion of the wax the spring compresses and upon cooling it can expand to its starting position.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention this forward and backwards movement of the driving means 18 and following means 8 and following pin 9 can now be used to rotate the cover 5 via the guided means 10 on the inside of this cover.
FIG. 3 shows a detail of the guided means, in this configuration the guided means 10 are a circular zig-zag repetitive track with harbours 13 and 16 , ramps 11 and 14 and slots 12 and 15 . The following describes one complete cycle:
At the start of an automatic dishwashing operation the automatic dishwashing machine is cold and the wax motor is contracted with the follower pin 9 positioned in the “cold” harbour 16 . When the machine heats up the wax starts to expand when it reaches its melting temperature. This drives the follower pin 9 forward through the first path of the track over the ramp 11 and as such rotates the cover over a certain angle. At further expansion the following pin drops over the ramp into the slot 12 and from there the further expansion drives it into the “warm” harbour 13 . The harbour allows the following pin to continue moving till full expansion without causing any further movement to the cover 5 .
When the automatic dishwashing machine starts to cool down below the solidification temperature of the wax, the wax motor slowly starts to contract and moves the following pin out of the “warm” harbour 13 . The slot 12 prevent that pin can return through the path with ramp 11 and therefore forces the pin to follow the new path over ramp 14 into slot 15 causing a further rotation to the cover 5 . The further contraction moves the pin 9 back into the next “cold” harbour 116 where it can fully contract without causing further motion to the cover 5 .
At this point the actuating device is ready for the next dishwashing operation.
It should be noted that one forward and backward movement through the zig-zag track corresponds with one complete wash program of the dishwashing machine.
In this circular configuration as per FIG. 3 the multiple peaks and valleys on the zig-zag track define the number of detergent dosages that can be provided. The shown configuration can automatically provide detergent over 12 complete dishwashing operations.
It will now be described how the rotational movement of the cover 5 drives the detergent holder 102 in the housing 110 and 101 shown in exploded perspective view FIG. 7 . In this configuration the driving means 2 with the wax motor 18 , the returning means 7 and 71 and following means 9 and follower pin 9 are in this case integrated in one half of the housing 110 . The rotating cover 5 with guiding means is clipped over it with the follower pin positioned in the first “cold” harbour.
The detergent holder 102 with the multiple detergent doses is inserted in this housing with the bottom engaging with the rotating cover 5 . The housing is closed with the second half of the housing 101 . The cover 5 can have guiding ribs 4 and other features to easily mate with detergent holder 102 so that the circular movement of the rotating cover can be transferred to the detergent holder throughout the various dishwashing operations.
It should be noted that the configuration of the track 10 and the angles of its zig-zag pattern determine the movement of cover 5 and thus the detergent holder 102 . Therefore the movement and desired release points can be dictated by this track. This enables large design flexibility in the delivery of the products at various points during the wash and rinse cycle(s). Even a sequential release of two or more doses can be achieved by the use of this kind of tracks.
In another preferred embodiment the guided means 10 can be directly integrated into the detergent holder 102 . In this case there is no need for a rotating cap 5 and the back and forward motion of the driving means can be directly transferred into the rotation of the detergent holder.
It should be noted that in this case the pattern of the track can be flexible and be different for different detergent holders, enabling specific release points in the dishwashing operation tailored to deliver different detergent doses at optimum times in a dishwashing operation.
The zig-zag track 10 in the rotating cap or into the detergent holder can be formed via various techniques known in the art like injection molding, thermoforming, compression molding, laser cutting, etching, galvanising or the like or can be separately produced and fixed to cap or the detergent holder via well known glueing, welding or sealing or mechanical clipping techniques.
The release of the detergent doses can be established in various ways using this multi-dosing detergent delivery device. In one preferred embodiment shown on FIG. 7 a first detergent dose 104 and a second detergent dose 106 are placed in separate cavities 103 and 105 of the detergent holder 102 . The detergent holder in this case can contain a non limiting number of 12 doses of the first and 12 doses of the second detergent.
At the start of the dishwashing operation the first detergent 104 can be exposed to the wash liquor in the automatic dishwasher via the open gate 107 in the housing while the other detergent doses are protected from the liquor by the housing. As explained before as the temperature rises the wax in the wax motor 18 expands and the piston 6 drives the follower pin 9 through the track 10 which rotates the detergent holder 102 to the next position where the second detergent 106 gets exposed to wash liquor via the open gate 107 . When the machine cools down again the wax motor contracts and rotates the detergent holder to the next position ready for the next wash.
It should be noted that during the rotation more than one detergent dose can be exposed or released sequentially, either direct at the start, in the first prewash, during the main-wash or during the first or second rinse cycle and even during the final heating, drying cycle and cooling cycle by accurately making use of the specific expanding or contracting stroke length of the wax motor in function of temperature. The shape and angles of the zig-zag track then define the rotational speed and rotational angle of the detergent holder.
The first 104 and or second detergent doses 106 can either be exposed to the wash liquor or can be dropped into the dishwashing machine through the open gate 107 using gravity or by actively pushing it out of the cavities 103 and/or 105 by running the detergent holder over a small ramp featured on the inside of the housing 110 . This ramp feature applies a gradual increasing force on the underside of the cavity to pop the detergent dose out of the cavities 103 and/or 105 during the rotational movement. In this case a deformable base in the detergent holder like a flexible deep drawn film, a blister pack or thin wall thermoformed cavities will help the release of the first and/or second detergent doses.
In another embodiment the ramp feature can run through one or more open slots in the base of the detergent cavities 103 and/or 105 to actively push the content out through the open gate 107 into the dishwashing machine. In a further variation the housing can have more than one open gate 107 .
The first and second detergent doses can be protected against the high humidity and high temperature conditions in the dishwashing machine via additional sealing and barrier features and materials in the housing or by covering the cavities of the detergent holder with a water-soluble PVA film or a non soluble moisture barrier film which can be pierced or torn open during the release operation.
The perspective view in FIGS. 6( a ) and 6 ( b ) illustrate that the actuating means 1 can be used in a cylindrical housing 30 or in a disc shaped housing 40 or any further shape that can accommodate the rotational movement. The detergent holders can also have different shapes to match with these specific housings.
Further means for easy insertion and removal of the detergent holder can be integrated in the housing and the detergent holder, like locking features, clipping features, (spring loaded) opening features, (spring loaded) ejecting features, etc.
Another embodiment of this invention is shown in the perspective assembly, detailed and exploded views shown in FIGS. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 and 12 . The driving means with the wax motor 18 and the forward and backward moving following means 8 and follower pin 9 on the piston 6 are in this configuration transferred into a linear unidirectional motion of the guided plate 55 via the linear zig-zag track 100 with ramps, slots and harbours as described before.
As shown in FIG. 11 this linear zig-zag track 100 can be integrated into a rectangular shaped detergent holder 55 with a number of individual cavities containing the first 104 and second detergent doses 106 . As described before each up and down path through the track 100 corresponds with a heating and cooling phase during the dishwashing operation. Two or more detergent doses can be delivered one after the other in the dishwashing machine at specific points in the wash. On FIG. 11 detergent doses for twelve different dishwashing operations are shown however it should be understood that this can easily be varied from 2 to 36 or more dishwashing operations, depending on the size of the detergent holder.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention this rectangular shaped detergent holder is a blister pack.
The automatic dishwashing detergent delivery system of the invention can have further features to indicate the number of doses used or still left to help the consumer decide when to refill the detergent holder. FIG. 7 shows a transparent window 108 on the housing 101 to display one number of a range, printed or marked in a circular pattern on the centre 109 of the detergent holder 102 . When the detergent holder rotates, from one dishwashing operation to the next, the number changes behind the window 108 . It should be noted that other characters, specific icons or colour coding can be used to communicate how many doses are left.
In more advanced executions of the invention sound or light signals can be generated by for instance storing energy in a coil-spring that slowly winds up with the rotational movement of the detergent holder and releases it energy via a mechanical switch when the detergent holder is almost empty.
Examples
A scenting composition is prepared as follows: 50 grams of Polybutene-1 grade DP8911M, supplied by LyondellBasell Industries are added to 50 grams of perfume, the resulting product is mixed at 85° C. for 4 h and then cooled down. 10 grams of this composition are placed in an auto-dosing device according the invention. The auto-dosing device has doses for 12 dishwashing operations. A pleasant smell can be noticed each time that the automatic dishwashing machine is open.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”. All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. | An automatic dishwashing product comprising a multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprising a housing ( 101, 110 ) for receiving therein a detergent holder ( 102 ) and a detergent holder ( 102 ) accommodating a plurality of detergent doses ( 104, 106 ) and a scenting composition wherein the scenting composition comprises a perfume and a polyolefin. | 47,268 |
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to India provisional application serial number 284/CHE/2014, filed 23 Jan. 2014 in the India Patent Office, titled “Minimum Number of Test Paths for Prime Path Coverage,” and the India non-provisional application also given serial number 284/CHE/2014, filed 27 Aug. 2014 in the India Patent Office, titled “Test Paths Generation For A Physical System”, both of which are entirely incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to testing, and also to generating a set of test paths for a physical system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Rapid advances in technology have resulted in increasingly complex physical systems. In some instances, the physical systems implement software that can reach thousands to hundreds of thousands, and even millions of lines of code. Other physical systems often include multiple physical process nodes with complex interactions. These complex systems can include countless possible paths through which the system is traversed, such as paths through a manufacturing line or paths through a system implementing a complex software application. Manually generating tests to comprehensively test these systems may be laborious, cost multiple days of effort, or be completely infeasible in some cases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows an example of a system for generating test paths for a physical system.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows an example of a test generation system.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows an example of processing circuitry that the test generation system may implement.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary logic that transformation circuitry may implement in hardware, software, or both.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary logic that system path determination circuitry may implement in hardware, software, or both.
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary logic that acyclic transform graph circuitry may implement in hardware, software, or both.
[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary logic that flow graph circuitry may implement in hardware, software, or both.
[0011] FIG. 8 shows another example of logic that the flow graph circuitry may implement in hardware, software, or both.
[0012] FIG. 9 shows another example of logic that flow graph circuitry may implement in hardware, software, or both.
[0013] FIG. 10 shows another example of logic that flow graph circuitry may implement in hardware, software, or both.
[0014] FIG. 11 shows an example of logic that flow graph processing circuitry may implement in hardware, software, or both.
[0015] FIG. 12 shows an example of a system for applying the test path set to a source code system.
[0016] FIG. 13 shows an example of a system for applying the test path set to a physical manufacturing line.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an example of a system 100 for generating test paths for a physical system. The system 100 includes a test generation system 102 in communication with a test recipient 104 through a communication network 106 . As detailed below, the test generation system 102 may generate a test path set 110 that may indicate paths within a physical system to test. The physical system may be complex software code, physical process nodes, e.g., in an assembly line, or another physical system. In some variations, the test generation system 102 may generate the test path set 110 according to any number of path coverage criteria that the test path set 110 will satisfy when testing the physical system. For instance, the test generation system 102 may generate the test path set 110 to cover a specific set of elements in the physical system, such as a particular element, node, circuit, path, edge, communication link, or other sets or portions of the physical system. In one continuing example presented below, the test generation system 102 generates a test path set 110 that covers all of the prime paths in a physical system. The test generation system 102 may transmit the test path set 110 to the test recipient 104 .
[0018] The test recipient 104 may test a physical system using the test path set 110 . In that regard, the test recipient 104 may be communicatively linked to or be part of one or more physical systems. A physical system may refer to any system that includes multiple system elements, such as elements implemented as hardware, software, logic, machinery, devices, communication networks, sensors, nodes, code modules, and more. The elements in the physical system may be linked, e.g., communicatively, physically, along an assembly line, logically linked (e.g., through software function calls or flows), or in other ways. The links in the physical system may be specifically configured to achieve a desired functionality, and the physical system may operate according to particular physical processing flows specified by the links. In FIG. 1 , the test recipient 104 is connected to four exemplary physical systems, including a manufacturing line 121 , an automobile assembly line 122 , a source code system 123 , and a multi-node communication network 124 . However, the number of forms a physical system may take is nearly limitless. Additional examples of physical systems the test generation system 102 may generate test paths for, the test recipient 104 may test for, or both, include traffic control systems, application servers, data warehouses, an industrial manufacturing facility, an office communication network, display circuitry in a mobile communication device, medical resonance imaging systems, and countless others.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an example of a test generation system 102 . The test generation system 102 may access a physical system representation 202 , which may provide a representation of a particular physical system for which the test generation system 102 generates a test path set 110 . The test path set 110 may include one or more source code, processing, communication, manufacturing line or other paths in the physical system. The test path set 110 may specify a particular physical processing flow or route to traverse in the physical system, e.g., such that the entirety or a particular subset of the physical system is accessed to ensure proper functionality of the physical system.
[0020] In FIG. 2 , the test generation system 102 includes a communication interface 220 , processing circuitry 221 and a user interface 222 which may include a graphical user interface 226 . The communication interface 220 may include transceivers for wired or wireless communication. The communication interface 220 may support communication across any number of networks and according to any number of communication standards, protocols, methods, topologies, or configurations.
[0021] The processing circuitry 221 is part of the implementation of any desired functionality in the test generation system 102 , such as any of the test path generation methods and techniques disclosed herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry 221 includes one or more processors 230 and a memory 231 . The memory 231 may store the physical system representation 202 , a system model 234 of the physical system, test path generation instructions 238 , path coverage criteria 240 , and a generated test path set 110 . The processor 230 may execute the test path generation instructions 238 to generate the test path set 110 according to the path coverage criteria 240 .
[0022] The path coverage criteria 240 may specify various criteria that the test path set 110 should meet. One example of path coverage criteria 240 specifies that the test path set 110 will be the minimum number of paths that traverse each of the prime paths of a physical system representation. A prime path may refer to a simple path in the physical system that does not appear as a sub-path of any other simple path and a simple path may refer to a path that does not have repeating vertices (except possibly the starting and ending vertices). Additional examples of the path coverage criteria 240 may specify the test path set 110 include the minimum paths to (i) traverse all paths in the physical system with a length of at least two (e.g., where length is measured according to element-by-element traversal), (ii) meet simple and/or complete round trip coverage, (iii) cover particular links or path edges in the physical system, and (iv) cover particular nodes or elements in the physical system. A continuing example of path coverage criteria 240 for minimum path determination for prime path coverage is presented next.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows an example of processing circuitry 221 that the test generation system 102 may implement. The processing circuitry 221 may perform a series of processing steps to generate the test path set 110 . In FIG. 3 , the processing circuitry 221 includes transformation circuitry 301 , system path determination circuitry 311 , acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 , flow graph circuitry 331 , and flow graph processing circuitry 341 .
[0024] The transformation circuitry 301 may transform a physical system representation 202 into a system model 234 . The system model 234 may include vertices and edges that represent physical processing flow from a start vertex (also referred interchangeably as a node) to an end vertex through the physical system. The system path determination circuitry 311 may determine system paths from the system model 234 , e.g., prime paths, and transform the system model 234 into a transform graph 312 . The transform graph 312 may be one form of a transformed model including transformed flows that represent instances where the determined system paths connect to one another. The acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may remove cycles from the transform graph 312 to generate an acyclic transform graph 322 . The flow graph circuitry 331 may transform the acyclic transform graph 322 into a flow graph 332 , which may include a flow model comprising model flows that separate incoming flows and outgoing flows to and from internal nodes. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may select specific flow models within the flow model that provide a tour of each determined system path, and determine the test path set 110 from the specific model flows.
[0025] FIGS. 4-11 , presented next, provide greater detail regarding the processing steps these circuitries 301 , 311 , 321 , 331 , and 341 may perform to generate the test path set 110 . In particular, FIGS. 4-11 present logic that the processing circuitry 221 may implement to determine a test path set 110 , e.g., with a minimum number of test paths for prime path coverage in the physical system. As noted previously, additional or alternative path coverage criteria 240 are possible as well.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary logic 400 that the transformation circuitry 301 may implement in hardware, software, or both. The transformation circuitry 301 may obtain a physical system representation 202 ( 401 ). The physical system representation 202 may represent a physical system in any number of data formats. For example, the physical system representation 202 may be a listing of system elements and links in the physical system, a schematic diagram, graph, mapping, or other layout of the physical system, or an image of the physical system. The transformation circuitry 301 may receive the physical system representation 202 from the physical system itself, a test recipient 104 , or another source. The test generation system 102 may store the physical system representation 202 in a memory 231 , from where the transformation circuitry 301 may access the physical system representation 202 .
[0027] The transformation circuitry 301 may generate a system model 234 from the physical system representation 202 , e.g., through transformation of the physical system representation 202 ( 402 ). The system model 234 generated by the transformation circuitry 301 may take the form of a graph that includes vertices representing system elements of the physical system, such as the vertices labeled 1-5 in the system model 234 shown in FIG. 4 . The system model 234 may also include edges that represent links between system elements in the physical system, including the arrows linking the vertices as well as start and end vertices in the system model 234 in FIG. 4 . In that regard, the system model 234 may also specify physical processing flows within the physical system, e.g., from a starting system element (e.g., starting vertex s) to an ending system element (e.g., ending vertex t). The system model 234 shown in FIG. 4 with starting node s, ending node t, and intermediate nodes labeled 1-5 is used as a continuing example for determining a minimum path set for prime path coverage. Put another way, the processing circuitry 221 may determine a test path set 110 for the particular system model 234 shown in FIG. 4 , as shown through the continuing example below with regards to FIGS. 4-11 .
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary logic 500 that the system path determination circuitry 311 may implement in hardware, software, or both. The system path determination circuitry 311 may determine system paths from the system model 234 ( 501 ). The particular system paths the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine from the system model 234 may vary depending on the path coverage criteria 240 . For path coverage criteria 240 that specify a minimum number of test paths for prime path coverage, the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine the set of prime paths for the system model 234 . However, the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine an aspect, portion, or subset of the system model 234 based on the path coverage criteria 240 . For example, if the path coverage criteria 240 specifies coverage for paths of length 2 or greater, the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine the set of paths of length 2 or greater in the system model 234 .
[0029] The system model 234 may take the form of a graph G 1 =(V 1 , E 1 ), where V 1 represents the vertex set of the system model 234 and E 1 represents the edge set of the system model 234 . The vertex set V 1 may include starting vertex s and ending vertex t of the physical system. In one implementation, in determining the set of prime paths for the system model, 234 , the system path determination circuitry 311 may perform the following logic:
[0000]
Exemplary Logic 1: Computing Prime Paths For a System Model
Input :G 1 = (V 1 , E 1 ), with {starting vertex s, ending vertex t} ε V 1
Output: Set of Prime Paths, P = {p 1 , p 2 ... p n }.
1 Initialize P′ = {p 1 , p 2 ... p n } = E 1 , explorePath = true, lastSize = 0 .
2 while (explorePath)
3 explorePath = false; currentSize = |P′|
4 loop i from lastSize to currentSize
5 if p i is not a cycle
6 for every edge e E ε E 1
7 if source vertex of e equals the last vertex of p i
8 if destination vertex of e is not already visited by p i
except at start node of p i
9 explorePath = true
10 P′ = P′ + p i +
destination vertex o f e
11 end if
12 end if
13 end for
14 end if
15 end loop
16 lastSize = currentSize; currentSize = |P′|
17 end while //P′ has the set of simple paths
18 sort P' in ascending order of size
19 add last element of P′ into P
20 loop i from (|P′| − 1) to 1
21 if p i is not a sub-path of any other path in P
22 add p i into P
23 end if
24 end loop
25 output P
[0030] For the specific system model 234 shown in FIG. 4 with start vertex s, end vertex t, and intermediate vertices 1-5, the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine a prime path set P that includes 10 prime paths. In particular, the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine the prime path set P={p 0 ={s,1,3,4,5}, p 1 ={3,4,1,2,t}, p 2 ={5,4,1,2,t}, p 3 ={1,3,4,1}, p 4 ={s,1,2,t}, p 5 ={3,4,1,3}, p 6 ={5,4,1,3}, p 7 ={4,1,3,4}, p 8 ={5,4,5}, p 9 ={4,5,4} }.
[0031] The system path determination circuitry 311 may determine a lower bound on the minimum number of test paths for prime path coverage for the physical system. The lower bound may specify a minimum number of paths that the number of paths in the test path set 110 cannot be less than, though the processing circuitry 221 may generate a test path set 110 with greater number of paths than the lower bound. In determining the lower bound, the system path determination circuitry 311 may define multiple categories of prime paths. In particular, the system path determination circuitry 311 may define type S prime paths as those that visit the starting vertex s, type T prime paths as those that visit the ending vertex t, type C prime paths as cyclic prime paths (e.g., with an identical starting and ending vertex), and type P prime paths as simple paths that do not visit starting node s or ending node t and are not cyclic. For example prime path set P with 10 prime paths for the system model 234 shown in FIG. 4 , the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine the following for the cardinalities for the defined prime path types: |Type S|=2, |Type T|=3, |Type C|=5, |Type P|=1.
[0032] The system path determination circuitry 311 may determine the lower bound on the minimum number of test paths for prime path coverage as max(|Type S|, |Type T|). In that regard, the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine the lower bound for the minimum number of test paths for the exemplary system model 234 in FIG. 4 as 3 , which is the cardinality of |Type T|. The system path determination circuitry 311 may categorize the prime paths into defined types and determine the lower bound of the minimum number of test paths for prime path coverage in O(|P|) time complexity. To reach this efficient processing result, the system path determination circuitry 311 may categorize the paths by examining the first and last vertex of the prime paths in the prime path set P.
[0033] Upon determining the system paths, the system path determination circuitry 311 may generate a transformed model that represents instances where the system paths connect to one another ( 502 ). For instance, the system path determination circuitry 311 may generate a transform graph 312 . The transform graph 312 may represent each of the determined system paths as vertices in the transform graph 312 , and edges between vertices in the transform graph 312 may be placed by the system path determination circuitry 311 if a path in the system model 234 (e.g., as represented by a graph G 1 ) can tour the two system paths represented by the transform graph vertices. In one implementation, to generate the transform graph 312 , the system path determination circuitry 311 may perform the following logic:
[0000]
Exemplary Logic 2: Generating a Transform Graph
Input :G 1 , P
Output: Transform Graph G 2 = (V 2 , E 2 )
1 create new vertex s, t in V 2
2 for every p i ε P
3 create new vertex v i in V 2
4 Let Path s = Path in G 1 from s to first node of p i .
5 Path s = Path s + p i
6 if Path s contains only the prime path p i
7 add edge (s, p i ) into E 2
8 end if
9 Let Path t = ath in G 1 from the last node of p i to t.
10 Path t = p i + ath t
11 if Path t contains only the prime path p i
12 add edge (p i , t) into E 2
13 end if
14 end for
15 for every p i ε P
if last node of p i doesn't contain t
16 for every p j ε P − p i
if start node of p j doesn't contain s
17 if p i and p j do not have overlapping nodes
18 Path ij = Path in G 1 from the last node of p i to the first node of p j
19 Path ij = p i + Path ij + p j
20 else
21 Path ij = p i ∪ p j
22 end if
23 if Path ij contains only the prime paths p i and p j
24 add edge (p i , p j ) into E 2
25 end if
end if
26 end for
end if
27 end for
28 output G 2 = (V 2 , E 2 )
[0034] Continuing the prime path example, the system path determination circuitry 311 may generate a transform graph 312 in which determined Prime Paths for a physical system and system model 234 are represented as respective vertices in the transform graph 312 . The system path determination circuitry 311 inserts edges between two vertices in the transform graph 312 if a path in the system model 234 can tour the two Prime Paths represented by the vertices. Accordingly, the test generation system 100 may transform the coverage criteria of prime path coverage into a problem of node coverage (e.g., by identifying s-t paths such that all vertices of the transform graph 312 are covered). Since each vertex in the transform graph 312 corresponds to a Prime Path, the test generation system 100 may generate the test path set 110 by ensuring all vertices in the transform graph 312 (which correspond to prime paths in the system model 234 ) are covered.
[0035] For the particular system model 234 shown in FIG. 4 and prime path set P in the continuing example, the system path determination circuitry 311 may determine the following edges in the transform graph 312 : (p 0 ,p 9 ), (p 9 ,p 2 ), (p 4 ,t), (p 5 ,p 7 ), (p 9 ,p 8 ), (p 3 ,p 5 ), (p 1 ,t), (s,p 4 ), (s,p 0 ), (p 2 ,t), (p 7 ,p 3 ), (p 9 ,p 6 ), (p 6 ,p 7 ), (p 8 ,p 9 ), (s,p 3 ), (p 3 ,p 1 ), and (p 7 ,p 9 ). These edges are visualized in the particular transform graph 312 shown in FIG. 5 . Accordingly, the system path determination circuitry 311 may generate a transformed model in the form of a transform graph 312 .
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary logic 600 that the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may implement in hardware, software, or both. The acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may determine whether the transform graph 312 includes cycles, and if so, remove the cycles to generate an acyclic transform graph 322 ( 601 ). Cycles may refer to as a cyclic path in a graph. In some implementations, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 removes cycles in the transform graph 312 by replacing cycles with a new vertex, where incoming edges of any vertex in the cycle become incoming edges of the new vertex. Similarly, any outgoing edges of any vertex in the cycle become outgoing edges of the new vertex. In some implementations, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may perform the following exemplary logic to identify and remove cycles from the transform graph 312 :
[0000]
Exemplary Logic 3: RemovingCycles in a Transform Graph
Input :G 2
Output: Acyclic Transform Graph G 3 = (V 3 , E 3 )
1 initialize V 3 = V 2 , E 3 = E 2 , G 3 = (V 3 , E 3 )
2 while (true)
3 find all Prime Paths, , of G 3 //e.g., using exemplary logic 1 above.
4 if there are no cycles //e.g., No prime paths of Type C in G 2
5 Break
6 end if
7 let p c = {v 1 , v 2 , ..., v n , v 1 } ε P be any Prime Path of Type C
8 remove vertices {v 1 , v 2 , ..., v n } from V 3
9 record vertices v i ε V 3 which have an edge in E 3 with vertices in p c .
10 create new vertex v new in V 3 .
11 for every vertex v i ε p c
12 if v i has an incoming edge from vertex v k in G 2 where v k ε V 3 − p c
13 remove edge (v k , v i ) from E 3
14 create edge (v k , v new ) in E 3
15 end if
16 if v i has an outgoing edge to vertex v k in G 2 where v k ε V 3 − p c
17 remove edge (v i , v k ) from E 3
18 create edge (v new , v k ) in E 3
19 end if
20 end for
21 end while
22 output G 3 = (V 3 , E 3 )
[0037] In the exemplary logic above, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may determine the prime paths for traversing the transform graph 312 . For example, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may perform the exemplary logic 1 above for computing the prime paths of a graph, with the transform graph 312 as an input. The acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may identify cycles in the transform graph 312 by identifying a type C prime path in the transform graph 312 , e.g., a prime path in the transform graph 312 whose starting vertex and ending vertex are identical. If there are no type C prime paths in the transform graph 312 and accordingly no cycles, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may determine that the transform graph 312 is already in acyclic form.
[0038] When the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 identifies one or more type C prime paths in the transform graph 312 , the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may select one of the type C prime paths and replace the cycle represented by the type C prime path with a new vertex. Then, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may again determine the prime paths in the transform graph 312 (now with a new vertex replacing a previous type C prime path) and replace a type C prime path until no cycles remain. In that regard, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may sequentially remove cycles from the transform graph 312 until no cycles remain.
[0039] One illustration of sequential cycle removal is provided in FIG. 6 . Specifically, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may identify and remove a first cycle from the transform graph 312 ( 611 ). With regards to the continuing prime path example and the specific transform graph 312 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may identify, as the first cycle, the cyclic path {p 9 , p 8 , p 9 } and replace this cyclic path with the new vertex v 1 . The resulting intermediate transform graph with a first cycle removed is shown in FIG. 6 below step 611 . In replacing the cyclic path in transform graph 312 with a new vertex, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may store connection information for the replaced cyclic path. The connection information may include incoming edge data for the vertices in the cyclic path replaced by the new vertex. For the first cyclic path {p 9 , p 8 , p 9 }, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may identify and store the incoming edges for vertex p 9 (which has incoming edges from p 0 , p 7 , and p 8 ) and vertex p 8 (which has an incoming edge from p 9 ). The processing circuitry 221 may later use this incoming edge data for removed cycles for determining the test path set 110 .
[0040] Continuing the sequential cycle removing process, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may identify and remove a second cycle ( 612 ) from the intermediate graph resulting from removing the first cycle. The acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may identify, as a second cycle, the cyclic path {p 6 , p 7 , v 1 , p 6 } and replace this second cyclic path with a new vertex v 2 (which includes the first new vertex v 1 ). The resulting intermediate transform graph with a first and second cycle removed is shown in FIG. 6 below step 612 . For incoming edge data for vertices in the second removed cyclic path, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may store connection information that includes the incoming edge data for vertex p 6 (which has an incoming edge from v 1 ), p 7 (which has an incoming edge from vertices p 5 and p 6 ), and v 1 (which has incoming edges from p 9 and p 7 ).
[0041] The acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may continue to remove cycles to generate the acyclic transform graph 322 . In the continuing example, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may next remove the cyclic path {v 2 , p 3 , p 5 , v 2 } and replace this cyclic path with a new vertex v 3 . Then, the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may determine that all cycles have been removed from the transform graph 312 . As the cycles are removed from the transform graph 312 , the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may track and store the replaced cyclic paths respectively corresponding to newly inserted vertexes for later processing.
[0042] The particular acyclic transform graph 322 shown in FIG. 6 may result when the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 completes the cycle removing process. As seen in FIG. 6 , the resulting exemplary acyclic transform graph 322 includes the vertices p 0 , p 1 , p 2 , p 4 , and v 3 . The acyclic transform graph 322 generated by the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 may be directed in that the edges linking vertices in the acyclic transform graph 322 are directional.
[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary logic 700 that the flow graph circuitry 331 may implement in hardware, software, or both. The flow graph circuitry 331 may implement or perform the logic 700 to convert the acyclic transform graph 322 into a flow graph 332 . To generate the flow graph 332 , the flow graph circuitry 331 may split internal vertices in the acyclic transform graph 322 and assign flow bounds to edges in the flow graph 332 ( 701 ). For reference, the acyclic transform graph 322 may be referred to as G 3 and include a set of vertices V 3 and edges E 3 . The flow graph circuitry 331 may split a vertex v i εV 3 −{s, t} into two vertices v i + , v i ++ and represent the new vertex set as V 4 . New edges (v i + , v i ++ ) may also be added by the flow graph circuitry 331 , and the flow graph circuitry 331 may make the incoming edges of v i into incoming edges of v i + and the outgoing edges of v i into outgoing edges of v i ++ . The flow graph circuitry 331 may represent the new edge set as E 4 .
[0044] The flow graph circuitry 331 may identify flows in the flow graph 332 , which may refer to a path from the starting vertex s to ending vertex t in the flow graph 332 . The flow graph circuitry 331 may map a flow in the flow graph 332 to a path in the system model 234 that traverses from the starting node s to the ending node t. In that regard, any flow requirements (e.g., conditions a flow must satisfy) that are assigned to flows in the flow graph 332 may impose corresponding requirements on the system model 234 of the physical system.
[0045] The flow graph circuitry 331 may determine flow requirements for flows in the flow graph 332 . As examples of flow requirements, the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine flow bounds for edges in the flow graph 332 that specify a minimum or maximum number of flows required to traverse a particular edge. For example, the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine a lower bound I ij by applying the following lower flow bound equation to assign lower flow bounds for edges in the flow graph 332 :
[0000]
l
ij
=
{
1
if
(
i
,
j
)
=
(
v
i
+
,
v
i
++
)
0
otherwise
[0000] The lower flow bound may represent a minimum number of flows that traverse across a particular edge in the graph. Accordingly, by setting a minimum flow bound of 1, the flow graph circuitry 331 may ensure that at least one flow traverses a particular edge. Explained further, when the flow graph circuitry 331 splits a particular vertex into two new vertices and assigns a lower flow bound of greater than 0 to the new edge linking the two new vertices, the flow graph circuitry 331 may ensure the previously split vertex is traversed by at least one flow. The flow graph circuitry 331 may also determine an upper flow bound (also referred to as an edge capacity) c ij for edges in the flow graph 332 . In one implementation, the flow graph circuitry 331 determines edge capacities according to the following equation:
[0000]
c
ij
=
V
4
2
-
1
[0046] Accordingly, the flow graph circuitry 331 may generate a flow graph 332 through splitting of internal nodes in the acyclic transform graph 322 and assign a respective lower flow bound and edge capacity for edges in the flow graph 332 . The particular flow graph 332 shown in FIG. 7 may be generated by the flow graph circuitry 331 for the particular acyclic transform graph 322 , which also depicts lower flow bounds determined by the flow graph circuitry 331 for edges of the flow graph 332 . As seen in the particular flow graph 332 shown in FIG. 7 , the edges linking new vertices (e.g., p0+ and p0++ as well as v3+ and v3++ as just two examples) are assigned a lower flow bound of 1 by the flow graph circuitry 331 while other edges are assigned a lower flow bound of 0. For reference, the flow graph 332 generated by the flow graph circuitry 331 may be referred to as G 4 =(V 4 , E 4 , L, C), where L is the set of lower flow bounds and C is the set of edge capacities.
[0047] The flow requirements assigned by the flow graph circuitry 331 may ensure that edges linking split vertices are chosen by at least one flow in the flow graph 332 . As split vertex pairs correspond to non-split vertex in G 3 and v i εV 3 −{s,t} (e.g., the vertices in the acyclic transform graph 322 ), a set of flows that meet the flow requirements assigned by the flow graph circuitry 331 will ensure each vertex of G 3 is covered. By expanding vertexes placed in lieu of cycles in G 3 , the flow graph circuitry 331 may accordingly ensure each vertex of G 2 is covered, which in turn may ensure satisfaction of the path coverage criteria 240 , e.g., that every Prime Path of G 1 (the system model 234 ) is toured.
[0048] Upon assigning flow requirements to the flow graph 332 , the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine a set of feasible flows that satisfies the flow requirements of the flow graph 332 . This may include determining a number of flows that traverse through the edges in the flow graph 332 . FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary logic 800 that the flow graph circuitry 331 may implement in hardware, software, or both. The flow graph circuitry 331 may implement or perform the logic 800 to process the flow graph 332 by determining an initial flow that meets the requirements (e.g., flow bounds) of the flow graph 332 , e.g., an initial feasible flow. In particular, the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine a feasible flow for the flow graph 332 that meets the determined flow bounds ( 801 ), where a feasible flow may include assigning of a non-negative value, f ij for edges in the flow graph 332 such that the following flow conditions hold:
[0000]
f
ij
≥
l
ij
&
f
ij
≤
c
ij
,
∀
(
i
,
j
)
∈
E
4
&
i
,
j
∈
V
4
(
1
)
∑
i
f
ij
=
∑
j
f
ji
,
∀
(
i
,
j
)
∈
E
4
&
i
,
j
∈
V
4
-
{
s
,
t
}
(
2
)
[0049] In some implementations, the flow graph circuitry 331 may perform the following exemplary logic to determine an initial feasible flow for the flow graph 332 :
[0000]
Exemplary Logic 4. Initialization of a feasible flow
Input :G 4 = (V 4 , E 4 , L, C)
Output: feasible flow f ij , ∀ (i,j) ε E 4 & i,j ε V 4
1 initialize f ij = 0, ∀ (i,j) ε E 4 & i,j ε V 4
2 for every vertex i ε V 4 − {s, t} do
3 find path, p s , from s to i using breadth-first-search
4 find path, p t , from i to t using breadth-first-search
5 path, p = p s + p t
6 k = min{(f mn − l mn ) , ∀ (m, n) ε p}
7 if k < 0 then
8 for every edge (m, n) ε p
9 f mn + = 1
10 end for
11 end if
12 end for
[0050] The breadth-first search complexity may have a complexity of O(|E|) and the complexity of steps 6 and 8 - 10 above may have a complexity of O(|E|) each. Accordingly, the flow graph circuitry 331 may perform the exemplary logic 4 in O(|E 4 ∥V 4 |) time.
[0051] The flow graph circuitry 331 may ensure that flow conditions (1) and (2) above are met when initializing the feasible flow, including through performing exemplary logic 4 above. The exemplary logic 4 above may also satisfy the flow requirements specified by the flow graph circuitry 331 , including satisfying the determined lower flow bounds and edge capacities. To explain, consider a vertex i in G 3 , the acyclic transform graph 322 . The flow graph circuitry 331 processes (e.g., splits) this vertex and is thus represented as i + and i ++ in G 4 , the flow graph 332 . A path from starting node s to i ++ will cover the edge (i + , i ++ ) since i ++ is reachable only through i + . Thus, by incrementing the flow along the path from starting node s to i ++ , the flow graph circuitry 331 will ensure that the flow condition of I ij =1 for (i,j)=(i + , i ++ ) is met. Through checking ∀iεV 4 , the flow graph circuitry 331 may ensure flow condition (1) is satisfied for all edges. The flow graph circuitry 331 may perform increments of the flow for every edge of a path from starting node s to ending node t.
[0052] To further illustrate, consider the vertex i + in G 4 , the flow graph 332 . The flow graph circuitry 331 may identify m incoming edges into the vertex i + . Since the flow graph circuitry 331 creates i+ by splitting vertex i, i + will have one outgoing edge, i.e., to i ++ . The flow graph circuitry 331 may determine that vertex i + is part of an s−t path n number of times, where
[0000]
1
≤
n
≤
V
4
2
-
1.
[0000] The flow graph circuitry 331 may determine that the m incoming edges to i+ will be visited number of times, with each visit incrementing the flow by 1 (e.g., when initializing the feasible flow). Thus, the sum of flows on the incoming edges will be n. Similarly, the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine the outgoing edge will be visited n times and will also have a flow of n. Thus, by incrementing the flow of every edge of ans−t path, the flow graph circuitry 331 ensures flow condition (2) is met.
[0053] As one example, the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine an initial feasible flow for the particular flow graph 332 in FIG. 7 with lower flow bounds assigned. The flow graph circuitry 331 may perform exemplary logic 4 and generate the flow graph 332 shown in FIG. 8 with an initial feasible flow specified by the flow values specified for the edges in the flow graph 332 . In particular, the flow graph circuitry 331 may initialize the flows in the flow graph 332 in the following order: first by initializing p 4 ++, followed by p 2 ++, p 1 ++, and p 0 ++. The flow graph circuitry 331 may determine the total flow of the particular flow graph 332 shown in FIG. 8 as 4 .
[0054] After determining an initial feasible flow for the flow graph 332 , the flow graph circuitry 331 may further process the flow graph 332 to determine a minimum flow for the flow graph 332 . FIG. 9 shows exemplary logic 900 that the flow graph circuitry 331 may implement in hardware, software, or both. The flow graph circuitry 331 determines a minimum flow for the flow graph 332 from the initialized feasible flow ( 901 ). In particular, the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine the minimum flow, f min , as the least amount of feasible flow possible in the network.
[0055] In some implementations, the flow graph circuitry 331 utilizes decreasing path logic to determine the minimum flow from the flow graph 332 initialized with a feasible flow. In doing so, the flow graph circuitry 331 may identify the edges in the flow graph 332 with an initialized feasible flow as forward edges, and this set of forward edges may be referred to as E 4 f . For the forward edges, the flow graph circuitry 331 may respectively introduce a new backward edge. To illustrate, for a forward edge of the form (i,j), the flow graph circuitry 331 may insert a backward edge of the form (j, i). For reference, let this set of backward edges be called a For each backward edge, the flow graph circuitry 331 may set the lower flow bound, l ij , to 0 and set the edge capacity to
[0000]
V
4
2
-
1.
[0000] The flow graph circuitry 331 may identify the residual capacity of an edge, r ij , as follows.
[0000]
r
ij
=
{
f
ij
-
l
ij
,
if
(
i
,
j
)
∈
E
4
f
c
ij
-
f
ij
,
if
(
i
,
j
)
∈
E
4
b
,
∀
(
i
,
j
)
∈
E
4
f
⋃
E
4
b
[0056] The flow graph circuitry 331 may identify a decreasing path in the flow graph 332 as a path from starting node s to ending node t (e.g. a s-t path) where the residual capacity of every edge is greater than 0. If a decreasing path visits or traverses a forward edge for a particular edge, then the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine that the flow on the particular forward edge can be reduced. If the decreasing path visits a particular backward edge, then the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine that the flow on the corresponding forward edge has to be increased.
[0057] In some implementations, the flow graph circuitry 331 may perform the following exemplary logic to determine minimum flow for a flow graph 332 :
[0000]
Exemplary Logic 5. Decreasing Path Logic
Input : G 4 = (V 4 , E 4 , L, C) with initial flow
Output: minimum flow f and flows on G 4
1
for every edge (i,j) ∈ E 4
2
put (i,j) in E f 4
3
put ( j , i ) in E 4 b ; l ji = ; c ji = V 4 2 - 1
4
end for
5
while path, p, exists from s to t using breadth-first-search
such that r mn > 0, ∀ (m,n) ∈ p}
6
r min = min{r mn , ∀ (m, n) ∈ p}
7
for every edge (m, n) E p do
8
if (m, n) E f 4 then
9
f mn −= r min
10
f nm = f mn
11
else // (m, n) ∈ E b 4
12
f mn += r min
13
f nm = f mn
14
end if
15
end for
16
end while
17
output f = Σ j f sj , G 4
[0058] The flow graph circuitry 331 may determine the minimum flow by performing the exemplary logic 5, and each reduction in flow in the flow graph 332 may be computed in O(|E 4 |) time since the flow graph circuitry 331 determines the path p through breadth-first search. Also, the flow graph circuitry 331 assigns an edge capacity of
[0000]
V
4
2
-
1
,
[0000] and thus the maximum flow initialized for an edge is
[0000]
V
4
2
-
1.
[0000] Accordingly, the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine the minimum flow in O(|V 4 ∥E 4 |) time, which can be generalized to O(|V∥E|). The overall time complexity of determining an initial and minimum flow for the flow graph 332 may be computed as the maximum of the complexity between the initialization of a feasible flow and determination of the minimum flow. Both of these complexities are O(|V∥E|), as explained above, and thus the flow graph circuitry 331 may initialize and determine a minimum flow for a flow graph 332 in O(|V∥E|) time, thus providing increased processing efficiency, reduced computation, and otherwise improving the flow determination process.
[0059] As one particular illustration, the flow graph circuitry 331 may determine the minimum flow as shown in the flow graph 332 in FIG. 9 . The flow graph circuitry 331 may determine the total flow of the particular flow graph 332 shown in FIG. 9 as 3 , which happens to be the lower bound for minimum flow for the flow graph 332 as well. Thus, by determining the minimum flow from flow graph 332 , the flow graph circuitry 331 may effectively determine the minimum traversal of each node in the flow graph 332 , thus representing the minimum number of s−t paths that traverse each node in G 2 , the transform graph 312 and thus meet the path coverage criteria 240 . Put another way, the minimum number of s−t paths that meet the path coverage criteria 240 for the G 1 , the system model 234 , is the minimum flow for G 4 . In the continuing prime path example, the minimum number of s−t paths to cover all of the prime paths in the physical system represented by the system model 234 is the flow, f, in G 4 .
[0060] The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine the test path set 110 from the flow graph 332 with a determined minimum flow. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine the test path set 110 as the paths in the system model 234 corresponding to the flows in flow graph 332 with a determined minimum flow. In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may execute the following exemplary logic, which will be further explained in connection with FIGS. 10 and 11 :
[0000]
Exemplary Logic 6. Identifying minimum Test Paths
from minimum flow
Input :G 4 = (V 4 , E 4 , L, C) with flow on each edge, with minimum flow f.
Output: All s − t paths, path G1 , on G1 corrresponding to the minimum flow.
Let path Gx be represented as {v 1 Gx , v 2 Gx , ... v r Gx }
1 Remove all backward edges of G 4 . Merge vertices of
the form {v + , v ++ } into a vertex v. The incoming edges of V + would
be the incoming edges of v and the outgoing edges of v ++ will be
the outgoing edges of v. Let the resulting graph be G 3
2 loop i from 0 to f // there are f paths
3 remove all edges from G 3 which have flow of 0.
4 find path, path G3 , from s to t using breadth first search
5 for every edge (m, n) ε path G3 do
6 f mn −= 1
7 end for
8 end loop
9 for everypath G3 do
10 initialize path G2 = ; checkForCycles = true
while (checkForCycles) // loop till a path has no vertex
reduced from a cycle
checkForCycles = false
11 for every vertex v i G3 ε path G3 do
12 if v i G3 = v c G3 where v c G3 is a vertex reduced from a cycle c =
{v 1 G2 ,v 2 G2 , ... v 1 G2 }
13 checkForCycles = true
if v c G3 contains a vertex, v j G2 , connected to last
vertex of path G3 //
14 e.g., connection information previously saved by the acyclic
transform graph circuitry 321
15 path G2 += {v j G2 , v G2 j+ 1 , ... v j G2 }
16 Else
17 path G2 += c
18 end if
19 Else
20 path G2 += v i G3
21 end if
22 end for
23 end while
24 // ensure connectivity between vertexes in G 2
25 for every vertex v i G2 ε path G2 do
26 if v i G2 is not connected to v i−1 G2 in G 2 by an edge
27 place path between v i−1 G2 and v i G2 using breadth first search
28 end if
29 end for
30 end for // we have got paths corresponding to G 2
31 // reduce the paths generated to remove redundancy
32 Initialize checkAgain = true
33 while (checkAgain)
34 checkAgain = false
35 for all cycles c′ in path G2 do
36 if number of occurrences of c' in all paths path G2 > 1 do
37 except the first instance, replace all other instances
of c′ in all paths path G2 with the first vertex of c′
38 checkAgain = true
39 end if
40 let path sub = c′ − first & last vertices of c′
41 if number of occurrences of path sub in all paths path G2 > 1 do
42 replace c′ in path G2 with the first vertex of c′
43 checkAgain = true
44 end if
45 end for //for all cycles
46 end while
47 // now we merge the vertices to get the path corresponding to G 1
48 for everypath G2 do
49 initialize path G1 = s
50 for every vertex v i G2 ε path G2 do
51 path G1 = last node of path G1 ∪ v i G2
52 end for
53 path G1 = last node of path G1 ∪ t
54 Output path G1
55 end for
[0061] To generate the test path set 110 from the flow graph 332 with minimum flow, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may undo or reverse previous processing of the system model 234 , transform graph 312 , acyclic transform graph 322 , or any combination thereof. For example, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may merge vertices (corresponding to previous splitting of vertices), replace a particular vertex with a cyclic path (corresponding to previous replacing of cyclic paths with a new vertex), and replace nodes corresponding to the transform graph 312 with paths in the system model 234 (corresponding to previous mapping of paths in the system model 234 to the nodes of the transform graph 312 ).
[0062] FIG. 10 shows an example of logic 1000 the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may implement in hardware, software, or both. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may implement the logic 1000 to merge vertices in the flow graph 332 . In particular, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may merge vertices in the form {v+, v++} into a single vertex ( 1001 ) to obtain a minimum flow graph with merged vertices 1002 . As seen in FIG. 10 , the minimum flow graph with merged vertices 1002 includes vertexes merged from the flow graph 332 with minimum flow. For example, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 merges vertices p0+ and p0++ into merged vertex p0, vertices v3+ and v3++ into merged vertex v3, and so on. Note the minimum flow graph with merged vertices 1002 correlates to the acyclic transform graph 322 in that they both share the same vertices and edges, and the minimum flow graph with merged vertices 1002 includes a minimum flow. In that regard, the minimum flow graph with merged vertices 1002 may be understood as the transform graph 322 with minimum flow assigned that meets the path coverage criteria 240 .
[0063] The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may process the minimum flow graph with merged vertices 1002 to determine the test path set 110 . FIG. 11 shows an example of logic 1100 that the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may implement in hardware, software, or both. First, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine end-to-end (e.g., s−t) paths that correspond to the minimum flows for the minimum flow graph with merged vertices 1002 ( 1101 ). In doing so, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may remove any edges that have a flow of 0. Then, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may identify a path through breadth first search from starting node s to ending node t. The flow on the edges of this identified path are reduced by 1 by the flow graph processing circuitry 341 , and the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may repeat this process until no paths can be found. In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry performs steps 1 - 8 of exemplary logic 6 above to determine these paths corresponding to the minimum flow. In the continuing prime path example and for the specific minimum flow graph with merged vertices 1002 shown in FIG. 11 , the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine the paths corresponding to the minimum flow as {s,p 4 ,t}, {s,v 3 ,p 1 ,t}, and {s, p 0 ,v 3 ,p 2 ,t}.
[0064] Next, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may replace a vertex in the determined path with a previously removed cyclic path ( 1102 ). In particular, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may re-insert cyclic paths that were previously replaced by the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 . In doing so, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may access replaced cyclic paths that correspond to the vertexes for replacement. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may also access connection information stored by the acyclic transform graph circuitry 321 , which may specify incoming edge data for nodes in the previously removed cyclic path. The path with replaced cyclic paths may be referred to as an expanded path.
[0065] As any node of a removed cyclic path can serve as the starting and ending point, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine a particular starting/ending node for replacing a particular vertex based on the incoming edge to the particular vertex, the connection information, or both. For instance, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may select a particular starting node for the cyclic path when replacing a vertex according to the previous node linking to the vertex being replaced. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may use the connection information to determine a starting node for the cyclic path that includes an incoming edge from the previous node linking to the vertex to be replaced. Accordingly, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may ensure connectedness for edges linking to the cyclic path replacing a vertex. In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 performs steps 10 - 23 of exemplary logic 6 above to replace vertices with previously removed cyclic paths.
[0066] In the continuing example with determined paths {s,p 4 ,t}, {s,v 3 ,p 1 ,t}, and {s, p 0 ,v 3 ,p 2 ,t}, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine that the first path {s,p 4 ,t} does not include any vertexes that previously replaced a cyclic path and may thus determine a first expanded path as {s, p 4 , t}. For the second path {s,v 3 ,p 1 ,t}, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may identify vertex v 3 , and replace v 3 with a previously removed cyclic path, for example {p 3 , p 5 , v 2 , p 3 }, to obtain the path {s, p 3 , p 5 , v 2 , p 3 , p 1 , t}. Then, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may replace vertex v 2 with a corresponding cyclic path to obtain the path {s, p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , v 1 , p 6 , p 7 , p 3 , p 1 , t} and further replace vertex v 1 with its corresponding cyclic path to obtain the second expanded path {s, p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 3 , p 1 , t}. For the third path, {s, p 0 , v 3 , p 2 , t}, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may replace vertex v 3 to obtain the path {s, p 0 , v 2 , p 3 , p 5 , v 2 , p 2 , t}, replace vertex v 2 to obtain the path {s, p 0 , v 1 , p 6 , p 7 , v 1 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , v 1 , p 6 , p 7 , p 2 , t}, and replace v 1 to obtain the third expanded path {s, p 0 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 2 , t}.
[0067] The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may ensure the connectedness of the expanded paths with re-inserted cyclic paths. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine that an end node for an inserted cyclic path does not connect to a next node in the path. For the third expanded path {s, p 0 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 2 , t}, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may identify path gaps for the sub-path {p 9 , p 3 } and sub-path {p 7 , p 2 } because these sub-paths are not directly connected. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may ensure connectedness in the expanded path by inserting one or more linking paths between vertices in the expanded path.
[0068] To illustrate how the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may ensure connectedness when inserting cyclic graphs, take for example the initial graph with cycle 1103 and acyclic graph 1104 shown in FIG. 11 . The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine a path of {5, 4′, 6}. To replace vertex 4′ with a previously removed cycle includes nodes 2, 3, and 4, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may do more than simply replace vertex 4′ with cyclic path {4, 2, 3, 4,}, particularly as the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine that there is no edge (5,4) from vertex 5 incoming to this cyclic path and there is no edge (4,6) outgoing from the replaced cyclic path to the next node (node 6) in the path. Accordingly, and as discussed above, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may select a starting node for the cyclic path that has an incoming edge linking the previous node in the path to the starting node of the cyclic path. In particular, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine to insert the cyclic path {3,4,2,3} as there exists an incoming edge from vertex 5 to vertex 3. To address the path gap from vertex 3 (ending node of the inserted cyclic path) to vertex 6 (next node following inserted cyclic path), the flow graph processing circuitry may add a linking path to ensure connectedness. In the initial graph with a cycle 1103 , vertex 3 is linked to vertex 6 through the path {3,4,2,6}. Accordingly, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may insert the linking path {4,2} and the expanded path with inserted linking paths be {5,3,4,2,3,4,2,6}, e.g., a connected expanded path.
[0069] In a similar way, the flow graph processing circuitry may ensure connectedness for the third expanded path {s, p 0 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 2 , t} in the continuing example. In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 performs steps 24 - 29 of the exemplary logic 6 above to ensure connectedness of expanded paths by inserting linking paths. In particular, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may insert linking path {p 6 , p 7 } to link vertices p 9 to p 3 and insert linking path {p9} to link p 7 and p 2 . Upon ensuring connectedness, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may obtain the connected expanded paths {s, p 4 , t}, {s, p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 3 , p 1 , t}, and {s, p 0 , p 0 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 2 , t}, each of which may be fully connected and without any path gaps.
[0070] The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may reduce or remove redundancy in the connected expanded paths ( 1105 ). In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 identifies and removes redundancies occurring within a particular path. In that regard, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may identify redundancy when a particular cyclic sub-path occurs multiple times in a connected expanded path. For example, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine that the cyclic sub-path {p 9 , p 8 , p 9 } is present three times in the third connected expanded path. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may remove the redundancy by removing instances of the recurring cyclic sub-path, e.g., replacing all but one of the recurring cyclic sub-paths with the starting node of the recurring cyclic sub-path (p 9 in this case). In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 leaves the first occurrence of the recurring cyclic sub-path intact while removing subsequent redundant occurrences by leaving only the starting node in the path. After addressing the {p 9 , p 8 , p 9 } sub-path redundancy, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may obtain the path {s, p 0 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 2 , t}. The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may continue to remove redundancies from paths until the path is non-redundant. In the present example, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine that the cyclic sub-path {p 7 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 } occurs twice and replace the second instance to obtain the path {s, p 0 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 2 , t}. In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 performs steps 35 - 39 of the exemplary logic 6 above to remove recurring cyclic sub-paths.
[0071] The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may also remove or reduce redundancy by determining that a portion of a cyclic sub-path occurs multiple times in the path. For the path {s, p 0 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 2 , t} with removed recurring cyclic sub-paths, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine that for the cycle {p 7 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 }, the entire sub-path of the cycle aside from the starting and ending nodes (in this case, the sub-path {p 9 , p 6 }) occurs more than once. Accordingly, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may further reduce redundancy by replacing the cycle {p 7 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 } with just the first node p 7 as the sub-path {p 9 , p 6 } already occurs elsewhere. In removing this redundancy, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may obtain the path {s, p 0 , p 9 , p 8 , p 9 , p 6 , p 7 , p 3 , p 5 , p 7 , p 9 , p 2 , t}. In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 performs steps 40 - 44 of the exemplary logic 6 above to remove these redundancies based on sub-paths of cycles occurring multiple times.
[0072] Additionally or alternatively, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may reduce redundancy occurring between multiple different connected expanded paths. For instance, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine that the path {p 9 , p 8 , p 9 } occurs both in the second and third connected expanded paths. Thus, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may remove this redundant cyclic path, e.g., remove all occurrences but one across all of the expanded connected paths. Along similar lines, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may identify and remove redundant sub-paths of cycles across multiple expanded connected paths as well.
[0073] The flow graph processing circuitry 341 may merge elements from the system model 234 into processed paths to determine the test path set 110 ( 1106 ). To do so, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may replace the nodes of the processed paths (which represent prime paths in the system model 234 in the continuing example) with elements of the system model 234 . To illustrate, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may process the sub-path {p 9 , p 8 , p 9 }, and identify the system model elements of p 9 as path {4,5,4} of the system model 234 and the system model elements of p 8 as path {5,4,5} of the system model 234 . To remove redundancy, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determining overlapping vertices of the system model elements, and include this overlap only once. Therefore, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 processes the path {p 9 , p 8 , p 9 } to {4,5,4,5,4} by observing that the overlap between p 9 and p 8 is {5,4} and the overlap between p 8 and p 9 is {4,5}. This merge operation is represented by the operator u in exemplary logic 6 above. In some implementations, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 performs steps 47 - 55 of exemplary logic 6 above to merge the system model elements into the non-redundant connected expanded paths. In this way, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may merge the elements of the system model 234 , and the output may be the minimum end-to-end paths in the system model 234 that satisfy the path coverage criteria 240 , e.g., the test path set 110 .
[0074] As such, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may obtain the s−t paths in system model 234 (and thus also the physical system) that satisfy the path coverage criteria 240 . The test path set 110 determined by the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may be the minimum set of paths for satisfying the path coverage criteria 240 , thus improving efficiency. For the continuing prime path example discussed above, the flow graph processing circuitry 341 may determine the test path set 110 (e.g., the minimum s−t paths needed to cover all ten Prime Paths) as {s,1,2,t}, {s,1,3,4,1,3,4,5,4,5,4,1,3,4,1,2,t}, and {s,1,3,4,5,4,1,2,t}.
[0075] In the continuing example above, the test generation system 102 applies path coverage criteria 240 of determining the minimum test paths to traverse each of the prime paths in the system model 234 , and thus the physical system. However, the test generation system 102 may apply additional or alternative path coverage criteria 240 as well. Some examples are presented next.
[0076] As a first example, the path coverage criteria 240 may specify traversing all paths in the physical system with a length of at least 2. In this example, the processing circuitry 221 may represent an edge-pair as a path {v i , v j , v k } where (v i , v j ) and (v j , v k ) belong to the Edge Set, E. The processing circuitry 221 may determine a test path set 110 (e.g., the minimum number of Test Paths to meet this coverage criteria 24 ) by performing a modified version of exemplary logic 1 above to generate the set of edge-pairs {v i , v j , v k } instead of prime paths, and the processing circuitry 221 may generate a transform graph 312 with these edge-pairs as nodes instead of prime paths. Satisfaction for path coverage criteria 240 to cover paths of other lengths may be similarly determined by modifying exemplary logic 1 to determine edge-triples for paths of length 3, edge-quadruples for paths of length 4, and the like.
[0077] As a second example, the path coverage criteria 240 may specify traversing simple or complete round trips. The processing circuitry 221 may identify a round trip path as a Prime Path of type C. The path coverage criteria 240 may include a simple Round Trip coverage criterion that contains at least one type C Prime Path which begins and ends for a given vertex. A complete round trip coverage criterion may specify including all type C prime paths for the given vertex. In this example, the round trip coverage criteria focuses on a subset of the set of Prime Paths for a given system model 234 . Accordingly, the processing circuitry 241 may apply a modified version of the exemplary logic 1 to determine these round trip paths in a system model 234 and map these round trip paths as nodes in the transform graph 312 .
[0078] As another example of path coverage criteria 240 , the processing circuitry 221 may determine a test path set 110 that covers all of the edges in the system model 234 . In this example, the processing circuitry 221 may forego performing exemplary logic 1 since the set of edges is directly available as E. The processing circuitry 221 may utilize the exemplary logic 2-6 as presented above. The processing circuitry 221 may represent each edge as a vertex (e.g., exemplary Logic 2) in a transform graph, remove cycles (e.g. exemplary Logic 3), convert into a flow graph and compute the minimum flow (e.g., exemplary Logic 4 & Logic 5). From the minimum flow, the minimum number of test paths can be computed, e.g., using the exemplary Logic 6 presented above.
[0079] As yet another example of path coverage criteria 240 , the processing circuitry 221 may determine a test path set 110 that covers each node in the system model 234 . In this example, the processing circuitry 221 may perform exemplary logic 3-6 directly on the system model 234 , as splitting the vertices of an acyclic system model and setting a flow requirement of I ij of 1 for each edge linking split vertices ensures node coverage.
[0080] The test generation system 102 may communicate the test path set 110 to a test recipient 104 for application of the test path set 110 . In that regard, the test recipient 104 may actually test a physical system with the test path set 110 , e.g., to ensure proper functionality to test various system elements or for any other purpose.
[0081] FIG. 12 shows an example of a system 1200 for applying the test path set 110 to a source code system 123 . In FIG. 12 , the test recipient 104 may apply the test path set 110 to a source code system 123 to test particular code segments, applications, or other elements of the source code system 123 . The source code of a source code system 123 may map to the physical system representation 202 according to logical paths in the source code, such as according to statements, loops, and branches. In this regard, the test generation system 102 may generate a test path set 110 that for execution and testing of the source code, or particular functions, methods, portions, modules or code paths thereof. Accordingly, the test path set 110 may comprehensively or efficiently test code modules, code paths, logic flows, and other elements of the source code system.
[0082] FIG. 12 shows an example of a system 1200 for applying the test path set 110 to a physical manufacturing line 121 . In FIG. 12 , the system 1200 includes the test recipient 104 that obtains the test path set 110 . The test recipient may apply the test path set 110 to a physical system, such as a manufacturing line. In that regard, the test recipient 104 may utilize the test path set 110 to traverse particular physical processing paths in the manufacturing line. The test path set 110 may satisfy path coverage criteria 240 corresponding to testing a particular manufacturing line or sub-path, for accessing a particular manufacturing machine or element, or for covering each of the complete start-to-end physical processing paths in the manufacturing line as some examples.
[0083] While some examples of physical systems and path coverage criteria 240 have been presented, numerous other possibilities are contemplated. The test systems, circuitry, devices, and methods described above may increase efficiency in generating test paths and increase efficiency in testing complex physical systems, e.g., to ensure the desired operation of all or subsets of the physical systems.
[0084] The methods, devices, processing, and logic described above may be implemented in many different ways and in many different combinations of hardware and software. For example, all or parts of the implementations may be circuitry that includes an instruction processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microcontroller, or a microprocessor; an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA); or circuitry that includes discrete logic or other circuit components, including analog circuit components, digital circuit components or both; or any combination thereof. The circuitry may include discrete interconnected hardware components and/or may be combined on a single integrated circuit die, distributed among multiple integrated circuit dies, or implemented in a Multiple Chip Module (MCM) of multiple integrated circuit dies in a common package, as examples.
[0085] The circuitry may further include or access instructions for execution by the circuitry. The instructions may be stored in a tangible storage medium that is other than a transitory signal, such as a flash memory, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM); or on a magnetic or optical disc, such as a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CDROM), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), or other magnetic or optical disk; or in or on another machine-readable medium. A product, such as a computer program product, may include a storage medium and instructions stored in or on the medium, and the instructions when executed by the circuitry in a device may cause the device to implement any of the processing described above or illustrated in the drawings.
[0086] The implementations may be distributed as circuitry among multiple system components, such as among multiple processors and memories, optionally including multiple distributed processing systems. Parameters, databases, and other data structures may be separately stored and managed, may be incorporated into a single memory or database, may be logically and physically organized in many different ways, and may be implemented in many different ways, including as data structures such as linked lists, hash tables, arrays, records, objects, or implicit storage mechanisms. Programs may be parts (e.g., subroutines) of a single program, separate programs, distributed across several memories and processors, or implemented in many different ways, such as in a library, such as a shared library (e.g., a Dynamic Link Library (DLL)). The DLL, for example, may store instructions that perform any of the processing described above or illustrated in the drawings, when executed by the circuitry.
[0087] Various implementations have been specifically described. However, many other implementations are also possible. | A system generates a test path set in a very efficient manner. The test path set may be tailored to test a target physical system, such as a complex set of source code, a manufacturing line of multiple process nodes, or other physical system. The system may generate the test path set to meet certain goals in testing the target physical system, for example comprehensive testing of system paths, system nodes, or particular subsets. As one example, the system may efficiently generate a test path set that uses the minimum number of test paths to test a coverage goal, for example traversing each of the prime paths in the target physical system. | 98,078 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an insertion device, such as a catamenial tampon applicator. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multiple-component tampon applicator formed from at least three distinct and separate components.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The majority of commercial tampon applicators are of approximately uniform cross-section and are formed from only two components, namely a barrel and a plunger. The fingergrip, if any, is formed as an integral part of the barrel component. Some applicators have a fingergrip and a plunger of a cross-sectional area reduced from that of the applicator barrel. This feature has been found not only to render the tampon applicator more grippable, but it is also more aesthetically preferred.
[0005] For current reduced cross-sectional area fingergrip tampon applicators, the tampon pledget must be loaded into the insertion end of the applicator due to the smaller opening at the fingergrip end. Thus, these tampons are restricted to top or insertion end loading. This requires the petals of the applicator, if any, to be post-formed to their final shape after the pledget has been loaded. Post-forming of petals requires the material to be plasticized. Typically, plastic petals are plasticized by heat and are easily shaped by the use of an external forming die.
[0006] On the other hand, cardboard petals are more difficult to plasticize and require the additional use of an internal mandrel. Usual methods involve heating the tip to volatize the water (either existing or supplemental moisture), and then forcing the petal into shape using an internal mandrel in conjunction with the external die. The internal mandrel has a cross-sectional area that is approximately the same as the barrel's interior, and consequently would not be able to enter through a reduced cross-sectional fingergrip area. Therefore, the necessity of the internal mandrel to shape the petal tip has thus far precluded the manufacture of a reduced cross-sectional fingergrip area on a cardboard applicator.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a tampon applicator, and more specifically a cardboard applicator, that can be manufactured such that petal tips can be pre-formed or integrated on the insertion end of the applicator barrel, prior to loading an absorbent pledget, using existing manufacturing processes and equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tampon applicator that is assembled from at least three distinct and separate components.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator that has a barrel formed from cardboard.
[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator having a fingergrip with a reduced cross-sectional area compared to that of the applicator barrel.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator having petals at the insertion end of the cardboard barrel prior to loading the barrel with an absorbent pledget.
[0012] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator in which the petals are pre-formed using existing processes and equipment.
[0013] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator in which the petals are formed on a separate and distinct insertion tip component that may be connected to a separate barrel component either before or after a pledget is loaded into the barrel component.
[0014] It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator that prior to assembly of the applicator, and prior to loading the barrel component with an absorbent pledget, petals may be formed on the insertion end of the barrel using existing processes and equipment.
[0015] These and other objects of the present invention will be appreciated from a multiple-component tampon applicator formed from at least three separate and distinct components. A separate insertion tip component having petals may be formed. This separate component may then be connected to the barrel component either before or after an absorbent pledget is loaded into the barrel component. Also, a fingergrip may be formed as a separate component or it may be integrally formed with the barrel.
[0016] The multiple components may be formed from materials including, for example, plastic, cardboard, paper slurry, pulp slurry, pulp molded paper, heat shrink plastic, plastic tubing, biopolymers including carbohydrates and proteins, or any combinations thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a multiple-component applicator having three components that form the tampon applicator of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a multiple-component applicator having four components that form the tampon applicator of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a three-component applicator of the present invention where the barrel component includes the fingergrip;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled three-piece tampon applicator of FIG. 1 ;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fingergrip component of the tampon applicator of FIG. 1 ;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fingergrip component according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a three-piece applicator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of several embodiments of fingergrip components having various gripping structures according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fingergrip component according to another embodiment of the present invention.;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fingergrip component according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fingergrip component according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a multiple-component applicator having three components that form one embodiment of a tampon applicator of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fingergrip and barrel components of FIG. 12 in a heated former; and
[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a multiple-component applicator with the barrel and fingergrip formed in the heated former of FIG. 13 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Referring to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of a multiple-component tampon applicator of the present invention is represented generally by reference numeral 10 . One distinguishing feature of this applicator 10 is that instead of being formed from two components, namely, a barrel and a plunger, it is formed from three distinct components. In a preferred aspect of this first embodiment, the three distinct components are barrel 12 , plunger 14 , and fingergrip or fingergrip component 16 .
[0032] The barrel 12 retains its approximately uniform cross-section, thus allowing petals 18 to be formed prior to pledget insertion. The petals 18 can be formed with the assistance of an internal mandrel, if desired.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of the multiple-component tampon applicator according to the present invention is depicted. This applicator 10 is formed from four distinct components. Again, as a preferred aspect of this second embodiment, the preferred components are barrel 12 , plunger 14 , fingergrip 16 , and insertion tip 19 . Petals 18 are formed on insertion tip 19 . As such, an absorbent pledget may be loaded into barrel 12 either before or after insertion tip 19 is connected to barrel 12 .
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3 , a third embodiment of the multiple-component applicator of the present invention is shown. This applicator 10 is formed from at least three distinct components, namely, barrel 12 , plunger 14 , and insertion tip 19 . Barrel 12 has a forward end 21 . In this embodiment, fingergrip 16 is integrally formed as part of barrel 12 . An absorbent pledget may be loaded into barrel 12 through forward end 21 , prior to connecting insertion tip 19 to the barrel.
[0035] Barrel 12 of the multiple-component applicator 10 of the present invention may be formed from any suitable material. Suitable materials for forming barrel 12 include, for example, biopolymer, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry, plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or any combinations thereof. Preferably, barrel 12 is formed from cardboard. Barrel 12 may be formed from spiral wound or convolutely wound cardboard.
[0036] Any individual component that forms the multiple-component applicator, and especially barrel 12 , may be internally and/or externally coated with any suitable material to enhance its strength and/or reduce surface friction. Suitable coatings include, for example, cellophane, cellulose, epoxy, lacquer, nitrocellulose, nylon, plastic, polyester, polylactide, polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, wax, or any combinations thereof. It should also be understood that barrel 12 , while depicted as a single component, may be formed from one or more components, such that when assembled, the one or more components form barrel 12 .
[0037] Plunger 14 may be formed from any suitable material. Suitable materials for forming plunger 14 include, for example, biopolymer, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry, plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or any combinations thereof. Preferably, plunger 14 is formed from cardboard.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , fingergrip 16 , as a separate component, provides a way to create an applicator having a cardboard barrel with pre-formed petals and, perhaps, a reduced cross-sectional fingergrip area with an accompanying reduced cross-section plunger 14 . Fingergrip 16 has two distinct ends, barrel or forward end 20 having a diameter approximately equal to that of barrel 12 , and plunger or rearward end 22 having a diameter slightly larger than that of plunger 14 . Fingergrip 16 also has channel 26 , which extends axially through the entire length of the fingergrip. Channel 26 has a cross-sectional area slightly larger than that of plunger 14 so as to accommodate the plunger during assembly of applicator 10 . The pledget (not shown) is loaded into barrel 12 through fingergrip or rearward end 24 of the barrel. Petals 18 , if any, on barrel 12 have been pre-formed into their final shape, as in FIG. 1 .
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2 , when insertion tip 19 and fingergrip 16 are formed as separate components, an absorbent pledget (not shown) may be loaded either through forward end 21 or barrel rearward end 24 of barrel 12 .
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3 , when insertion tip 19 is formed as a distinct component, it also allows barrel 12 and fingergrip 16 to be formed as one component. With this configuration, an absorbent pledget may be loaded into barrel 12 through forward end 21 , prior to assembling the multiple-component applicator.
[0041] By way of example, FIG. 4 shows the three-component applicator of FIG. 1 assembled. Once an absorbent pledget (not shown) is loaded into barrel 12 , barrel forward end 20 of fingergrip 16 is connected to barrel 12 at barrel rearward end 24 . Plunger 14 is then inserted into fingergrip plunger end 22 through channel 26 . Alternately, plunger 14 may be loaded into channel 26 of fingergrip 16 prior to the fingergrip being connected to barrel 12 . Fingergrip 16 may be secured permanently to barrel 12 by any conventional method. Preferably, fingergrip 16 is connected to barrel 12 with an adhesive. Outer edge 25 of fingergrip 16 may be of such a size that it creates a continuous surface flush with the outer edge of barrel 12 .
[0042] It should be understood that the multiple-component tampon applicators depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 may also be assembled according to the same basic tenets set forth for assembling the three-component applicator of FIG. 1 . One distinguishing feature of the applicator of FIG. 2 with respect to assembly, is that the absorbent pledget may be loaded into barrel 12 either through forward end 21 or barrel rearward end 24 . Therefore, the order in which the components are assembled may depend on which end of barrel 12 the pledget is loaded. A distinguishing feature of the applicator of FIG. 3 , with respect to assembly, is that barrel 12 and fingergrip 16 are formed as one component, therefore, the absorbent pledget must be loaded into barrel 12 through forward end 21 , prior to assembling insertion tip 19 with barrel 12 .
[0043] It should also be understood that each component of the tampon applicator set forth above may be formed from one or more individual parts or sections (i.e. barrel 12 , plunger 14 , fingergrip 16 and/or insertion tip 19 may be formed from one or more individual parts or sections that are connected to form the component). In addition, it should be understood that while each applicator component is shown above as being discrete and separate from each other, any two or more of the components may be integrally formed and then assembled with the one or more separate components. By way of example, the insertion tip 19 , the barrel 12 , the fingergrip 16 , and/or the plunger 14 may be integrally formed, in any combination. In addition, any component that is made up from two or more parts or sections, as set forth above, may be connected to form that component, prior to connecting with any other individual component to form an assembled applicator 10 . However, the overall applicator will, nonetheless, have at least three components.
[0044] Fingergrip 16 can be formed from any suitable moldable material. Suitable moldable materials include, for example, biopolymer, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry, plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or any combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, fingergrip 16 is formed from pulp molded paper.
[0045] FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the present invention. Fingergrip 16 is formed with a connector ring 32 on barrel forward end 20 . Connector ring 32 has a diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of barrel 12 so that fingergrip 16 can be connected and secured to barrel 12 by interference fit.
[0046] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention. Connector ring 32 may be formed with one or more tabs, ridges and/or slots 34 . One or more tabs, ridges and/or slots 34 can interlock with corresponding tabs, ridges and/or slots (not shown) formed on the inner surface of barrel 12 , thus securing fingergrip 16 to barrel 12 . The one or more tabs, ridges and or slots may be formed on external and/or internal surfaces.
[0047] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, fingergrip 16 is formed from a heat-shrinkable material 36 that has an initial diameter larger than the outer diameter of barrel 12 , and shrinks to a diameter at least as small as plunger 14 . Heat-shrinkable material 36 at barrel end 20 is shrunk to fit the outside of barrel 12 snugly. The union between heat-shrinkable material 36 and barrel 12 can be reinforced with an adhesive. Plunger or rearward end 22 of fingergrip 16 is shrunk so that it is just larger than the outside diameter of plunger 14 .
[0048] The fingergrip 16 may be formed with any number and/or configuration of gripping structures, to further enhance the applicator's grippability. Fingergrip 16 may be smooth or, more preferably, may include one or more patterned or textured structures extending above and/or below the surface of the fingergrip.
[0049] The gripping structures may include, for example, one or more abrasive materials, embossments, grooves, high wet coefficient of friction materials, lances, pressure sensitive adhesives, protuberances, slits, treads, or any combinations thereof. In addition, the gripping structures may be formed in any shape, including, for example, arc, circle, concave, cone, convex, diamond, line, oval, polygon, rectangle, rib, square, triangle, or any combinations thereof.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 8 , by way of example, several different fingergrip embodiments having various gripping structures are depicted. FIG. 8A depicts fingergrip 16 with one or more bands 38 circumferentially disposed around fingergrip rearward end 22 . FIG. 8B depicts fingergrip 16 with one or more dot-like structures 40 disposed circumferentially around fingergrip rearward end 22 . FIG. 8C depicts fingergrip 16 with one or more circular structures 42 disposed circumferentially around fingergrip rearward end 22 . FIG. 8D depicts fingergrip 16 with two or more wavy bands 44 disposed circumferentially around fingergrip rearward end 22 .
[0051] It should be understood that the gripping structures may be arranged circumferentially around fingergrip 16 in any pattern suitable for forming a gripping area. For example, the gripping structures can form a distinct pattern, such as, rows, columns or may be formed intermittently with breaks in structure or in any random order or pattern.
[0052] FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, fingergrip rearward end 22 may be formed with a circumferentially flared or ridge-like structure end 46 , to further enhance the gripping characteristics of the applicator.
[0053] FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, fingergrip rearward end 22 is formed with a stepped taper to further enhance the gripping characteristics of the applicator.
[0054] FIG. 11 is another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, fingergrip rearward end 22 may be formed with a knob-like structure 48 to further enhance the gripping characteristics of the applicator.
[0055] Any combinations of the features depicted in FIGS. 8 through 11 , and described above, are possible as well. In addition, the gripping structures could be raised, depressed, or any combination thereof, with respect to the surface of the fingergrip area. The gripping structures can be formed in any shape, in any number, and in any pattern or configuration suitable for forming an enhanced gripping area on fingergrip 16 . As such, it should be clear that the present invention is in no way limited by those features depicted or described above.
[0056] It is also understood that the cross-section of barrel 12 , plunger 14 , fingergrip 16 and insertion tip 19 can be circular, oval, polygonal or elliptical. Also, insertion tip 19 can be tapered, elliptical, dome-shaped or flat. Barrel 12 can be straight, tapered, or curvilinear along its length.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 12 through 14 , a method of assembling a multiple component tampon according to another embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Applicator 10 has independent or discrete barrel 12 , plunger 14 and fingergrip 16 . To assemble the components, adhesive 50 is applied to the fingergrip barrel end 20 . As depicted in FIG. 13 , fingergrip 16 is inserted into cavity 62 of heated shaper 64 . Mandrel 60 is inserted into fingergrip 16 housed in cavity 62 . Barrel 12 is inserted over mandrel 60 . The barrel 12 and fingergrip 16 are allowed to remain in position in heated shaper 64 for about 1 to 20 seconds and more preferably 5 to 10 seconds.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 14 , when removed from the mandrel 60 and heated shaper 64 , the fingergrip 16 is connected to barrel 12 at tapered rearward end 66 . Plunger 14 may then be inserted into fingergrip 16 .
[0059] The foregoing specification and drawings are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention to the disclosed embodiments. Variations and changes, which are obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope and nature of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims. | There is provided a multiple-component tampon applicator formed from at least three separate components. A fingergrip having a reduced cross-section as compared to that of the barrel may be formed such that it is a separate component or is integrally formed with a barrel component. The reduced cross-section fingergrip provides exceptional grippability to the user. The multiple components may be formed from materials including, for example, biopolymer including starches and proteins, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry, plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or any combinations thereof. Prior to assembly of the applicator and prior to loading the barrel component with an absorbent pledget, petals may be formed on the insertion end of the barrel using existing processes and equipment. Alternatively, a separate insertion tip component having petals may be formed. This separate component may then be connected to the barrel component either before or after an absorbent pledget is loaded into the barrel component. | 21,448 |